Slippery People

Matt vs Erik the Viking, Match 682 - Strip Oil Match (UCW)  

Winner takes the loser's trunks in this wet and slippery match. Erik and Matt splendidly set each other off in a wild battle to leave the loser buck naked and defenseless at the end. In tone and vigor it's the kind of fight only UCW can pull off. Sturdy, mean, and tenacious are required traits for my dream man, and these two check off all three boxes. 

Still new to UCW, Matt has honed his craft against a former champion and the current one. In every match, including this one, he is as tough and professional as they come. He's finely fit without looking like he lives at a gym. He strikes me as a man who would be fun to fight - a compliment I pay rarely. Erik, of course, has no need to prove his mettle. He's fought everybody on the UCW roster, winning some, losing some, but never disappointing in the fight department.

Arm bars and body scissors get a lot of attention in this match. They are ideal maneuvers in an oil match, and they both come naturally to the wrestlers. The lack of skittishness or ostentation proves that plain-style grappling is wrestling at its sexiest, oil or no oil, though oil does add shimmer to the undertaking.

In the beginning, Matt initiates a certain tension when he turns down Erik's offer to oil his body. After a record-breaking pause, Erik replies, "We got to loosen you up. Don't worry. I'll take care of that." Matt ignores the remark. He's tight-lipped and aloof as a hero of a spaghetti western. When the bell sounds, the two try and get a hold of each other. Out of frustration, Erik throws a punch that Matt is quick to repay, almost as if he were hoping Erik would try something.

The battle is as messy as grappling - especially grappling in oil - generally is. Both are low key, especially Matt, who is all-business no play. He's getting paid to kick Erik's ass if he can, and that, from the looks of things, is the one thing on his mind.

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