Cold War Continuation

These photos of a recent match between a Russian and American brought back memories of the good old Cold War of the 1980’s.  The combatants face off proudly draped in their respective flags, with Sasha Darevko also wearing a furry hat (is it cold in the arena?) and “Ironman” Mike Maze in a traditional American doo-rag.

This match occurred January 9th at an Empire Wrestling Federation (EWF) event.  Mike Maze — our American hero — is the EWF champion and agreed to put his title on the line against the sadistic Russki.   You can also enjoy the video of this match on YouTube.

Part of my interest in this match was the smart gear choices by both wrestlers.  Darevko is wrestling in his trademark trunks (always dangerously tight and clingy on him) and tall black stompin’ boots.

Maze wears a spectacular pair of long blue tights highlighted with stars on white stripes running down the side, and heroic white boots. For lovers of classic pro wrasslin’ gear, this would be an easy match to sit through.

After the initial “shine” by the American soldier, the foreign brute takes control and begins to dominate our warrior.  This is a classic staple left over from the Cold War — the sort of Soviet Punisher match we saw many times in the 1980’s.  I still love witnessing this scene even if it rings a bit heavy-handed and jingoistic in our modern multi-national age.  I guess because I grew up getting turned on by the cruel foreign punishers, I remain an easy target for this particular trope.

Here are a few examples of the classic Russian beat-down that I’ve featured on this blog in the past (maybe I should give it a category under “Rasslin Kinks” on the right-hand margin of your browser window):

• Pretty Paul Roma (in red trunks) mauled by a Russian beast
• Pretty Paul Roma (in black trunks) crushed by Boris Zhukov
• Russian Bear Ivan Koloff vs jobber Ron Sexton
• Tribute to Zangief, the Red Cyclone, from the Street Fighter video game

The fabulous Sasha Darevko is not your daddy’s Russian Bear either.  He is a new and improved version — leaner, hairier, and sexier than a Boris Zhukov or Ivan Koloff.

However, just like all Russian brutes, he too loves to apply the capitalist-crushing Bearhug as one of his deadliest nuclear weapons:

The climax of the match was this gorgeous Abdominal Stretch with Mike Maze selling his pain beautifully, and Darevko grabbing the ropes for leverage as we would expect from a cheating foreign bastard.

I suppose the revival of these USA vs. Russia wrestling battles makes sense given the recent tensions between our nations: their protection of Snowden who dared to tell the truth about the Authority; our refusal to send top brass to their Sochi Olympics due to how they treat their gays (cuz our country has always loved and respected our gays); Putin’s beat-down of the Crimea; our over-production of oil which ruined their economy (oopsie!); etc.  If you follow Indy pro wrestling, then you know the Cold War is back on, bitches!

Of course our American patriot wins the battle and sends the Russian villain packing!  America!!  Fuck YEAH!!

But have we finally seen the end of this Red Scourge — this threat to our freedom and our very way of life??

Let’s hope not — he looks damn good while hurting guys and wearing his tight trunks!