Trooper

Austin Cooper vs Trey Dixon, Mat Hunks 12 (BG East)

Austin is the heavier of the two. He's also got an edge in experience. Trey is an experienced wrestler, too, but his match record is nothing compared to Cooper's. Trey claims to be ready for this contest, and Austin is quick to put this claim to the test. Coop puts his 20-pound weight advantage to good use by immediately heaving Trey up into a bear hug. All at once, the term "spine-tingling" takes in a whole new meaning. When Trey attempts to slug his way loose, Austin flips him around into a reverse bear hug.

Dixon is no pushover, and it soon becomes apparent that we're watching a real battle. The level of rough handling on display is not typical of a mat match. Austin is smart enough to assess the challenge Dixon poses realistically. In other fights, Cooper has been overly confident and paid the price for not taking his opponent seriously. He doesn't make that mistake here. Sure as he is that he can take Trey in this fight, he knows he will have to play hardball to beat the guy.

For over ten years, Austin has been a fixture in underground wrestling, yet his performance comes across as fresh. I remember him in his Rock Hard Wrestling days. Soon he was on the mats and in the rings of BG East, Wrestler4Hire, and Thunders Arena, too. He's been a heel and a babyface, and the two roles have merged over time so that even at his meanest there's something to like in his character - and vice versa, even his heroic roles have more than a hint of menace about them. 

Over the years, Austin Cooper has gained weight and thickness, and he remains one of the hottest brawlers in the business - and he's one of the most relaxed and confident wrestlers anywhere. His performance style is typically cavalier, but he also knows how and when to buckle down and whoop ass. Trey Dixon would be wise not to underestimate the guy.

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