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Iceman18 vs Bronze Bullet, Custom Video Series 146 (Thunders Arena) 

These two appeared together in a Bodybuilder Battle during which Iceman18, a favorite of mine, knocked out six-foot-four newcomer Bronze Bullet. Here they're rematched. Iceman wants nothing more to do with the guy. Bullet wants to show off his bearhug skills. Iceman tells the new hire he has "no depth," and indeed Bullet's well-put-together body looks like a broom propped up next to the Iceman. Iceman finds it hard to believe that Bullet has anything to offer in the bearhug department, but he gives it a go - stretching out his arms and inviting Bullet to demonstrate his bearhug skills.

The recruit's hold is indeed tight enough to lift Iceman off the floor and change the tenor of his voice, now suddenly strained and hoarse as a leprechaun's. As expected, Iceman is unimpressed or else determined to seem unimpressed. He claps his arms together against both sides of Bronze Bullet's head, forcing a break and reversing the bearhug. The rest of the video sees Iceman demonstrating an array of bearhugs, front and back, along with a camel clutch, a fireman's carry (two to be exact), a backbreaker, and a number of body slams interspersed with bodybuilder poses - the front double biceps being a favorite. Bronze Bullet has no fight, but I love a tall muscleman. Iceman flings him about as if he were pizza dough. With each new crushing hug, Iceman drains the spunk out of his opponent, who is nearly lifeless by the video's midpoint.

I have never ordered customized videos, but I think of them as fan art. They connect fan and performer by allowing the fan to play puppet master and vicariously connect with the wrestler. Iceman's constant patter is offhanded, but seductive - hypnotic, almost. It's easy for me, as a fan and a spectator, to imagine what it feels like to be crushed in Iceman's sinewy grip. It must hurt, but some pains also invigorate, reminding us that we're alive and temporarily closing the gap between wrestler and fan.

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