Here is a fun Tag Team match I saw on YouTube where an intimidating team in all black gear — Team Torment — battle a pair of pretty-boys in matching pink trunks, the Corino Brothers, Justin and Dustin. This match was for the East Coast “Warriors of Wrestling” federation
A year ago, Justin and Dustin wrestled as “Enhancement Talent” — a riff on the hopeless jobber Tag Teams of yesteryear who could never win a match. Now they’re channeling the pretty-boy brother teams of the 1980’s (with a twist) who wore matching trunks and gave each other plenty of hugs before and after their matches. I believe I recall the Batten Twins wearing those same pink trunks.
The fans begin to yell degrading comments at Justin and Dustin who probably selected shiny blush-colored trunks as a joke — for the fans to easily laugh at them. But I am enjoying those clingy, stretchy briefs for other reasons… Dustin gives us plenty of chances to get a good look at what he’s packing as he twists and turns toward the camera, allowing us to inspect every wrinkle and crevice.
This match is another example of the creative modern twist on traditional wrestling tropes that we’re now seeing in the Indy federations. Twenty or thirty years ago, Justin and Dustin would be the White Meat Baby-Faces, hailed as the fan favorites with their handsome looks and pretty matching gear. Their opponents in black — “Team Torment” — would surely be the dickish villains.
But now the script is flipped — the flashy Baby-Faces are in fact the cheaters who take “short-cuts”. The big boys in Team Torment receive the support of the crowd as they struggle to overcome Justin and Dustin’s fuckery.
The match also tells a story about the honesty and forbearance of the Real Man, the Honor of Masculinity. Big, beefy Jack Gallow (in the abbreviated black trunks) represents today’s Real Man. He is unflinching and powerfully built, straightforward in his demeanor.
The masculinity of the Corino Brothers is suspect because of their pink briefs which put their bulges on display. When Gallow and Corino face off, Gallow does what any respectable, honest dude should do upon meeting another male — he offers a handshake. But we see that Corino does not fight like a man — he suddenly drills the unsuspecting Jack Gallo with a balled fist. What a little bitch!, we’re left thinking.
Wow, what a mouth-watering supply of Grade-A Beef in the ring, especially when big boy Jack Gallow enters the fray. If you prefer your wrestlers with a little extra meat hanging over the waistband of their tight trunks, be sure not to miss this one.
To my surprise, Gallow portrays the Face-in-Peril, suffering the unfair two-on-one onslaught from the bitches in pink panties. Back in my day, a big beefy dude in black would dominate the match and kick everyone’s ass — possibly including his own partner. Also, in a Bigger Guy – Smaller Guy tandem, the Smaller Guy (in this case, Kross) will eat the punishment and pray for rescue from Big Daddy. But I am fine with Gallow taking on the jobber role — he suffers nicely and sure looks good in his little black trunks.
The Corino Brothers show off with some sexy synchronized moves like the old Double Elbow to the Belly, Double Snap Mare, Double Elbow Drop (with hands joined.) These are the traditional moves of the classic Book-End Tag Teams like Ricky & Robert, Shawn & Marty, or Tommy & Bobby.
These Corino brothers have copied the flashy looks of the classic Baby-Face Teams, have co-opted their ability to work like a “well oiled machine”, and have stolen their sweet two-on-one moves, and are actually the villains, using the power of the Male-Male Tag Team bond for evil. It’s an interesting twist on the old formula: If it looks like a Baby-Face, and quacks like a Baby-Face, it must be a lovable, honest, friendly, heroic Good Guy.
But the fans are hot to see the arrogant show-offs punished for their cockiness. Maybe 30 years ago, we enjoyed seeing two flamboyant, handsome, sexually ambiguous pretty-boys dominating the matches, but times have changed. Now we’ve fallen in love with violent, bearish, masculine heroes like Tony Soprano, Eddard Stark, and Walter White. No more kissy face pretty-boys for us.
So the Corinos get their comeuppance when they fall on each other in a degrading, sexually suggestive position. This moment of brotherly love elicits humiliating cat-calls from the audience and brands the Corinos as Not Masculine and therefore deserving of stiff punishment.
Jason Kross then delivers a surprisingly solid Drop-Kick to the skulls of the Corinos — SMACK!! DAMN! This has the announcers both shouting “Awww, My GOD!” Shits getting real, but it seems the flamboyant Corinos deserve it. Justin Corino is then flattened and pinned in an unusual Spooning position under big Jack Gallow.
There are some great moves and dramatic moments in this match, and the ring gear is certainly eye-catching. The men all know their roles and deliver solid ring psychology. Check it out on YouTube.
