Well Worth The Price

Someone created a subscription web page called “NWA Classics 24/7” which posts old videos from the 1970’s and 80’s National Wrestling Alliance.  If you are into classic Southern wrasslin’ from that era, featuring guys like the Rockers, Magnum TA, Exotic Adrian Street, and Ric Flair at his very best, then I recommend you subscribe.  I think I pay $10 per month (so cheap for porn.)

One great match recently uploaded was a Tag Team battle between the top Faces of the day — the Fantastics — against the most ruthless and hated Heels — the Midnight Express.  The Fantastics hit the ring in bright red tails and trunks, a breath-taking spectacle to heat up the crowd.

The match begins with the talented Fantastics in charge, out-wrestling their clumsy enemies and shaking their red-clad asses for the shrieking fans.  It was nice to watch, but for me, the real fun began once the Express gained the upper hand.

As Tommy turns to bounce off the ropes, Lover Boy Dennis reaches in to yank the fan-favorite down with a handful of hair.  What a bitch move!  Poor Tommy is stunned by this sneak attack and now vulnerable to the Midnight Express’ trademark Tag Team punishment.

Check out the Lover Boy kicking the fuck out of a helpless Tommy Rogers.  It really was a brutal display — there were several more rough stomps I did not even include in this animation.  The Express are portrayed as heartless killers who just want to destroy and dominate for pleasure.

Good — Tommy is playing the Helpless Hero tonight!  I always enjoyed Tommy as Face-in-Peril rather than his partner, Bobby.  You’d think since I had a crush on Tommy, I’d want him to stay safe outside the ring.  But no, I wanted to see him hurt.

The tenacious Express play the “well oiled machine” — tagging in and out, each man getting his quality time with Tommy’s buff physique.  Tommy meanwhile plays the compliant ragdoll, which he was so fantastic at.

Check out his hard body and six-pack abs as Tommy is held up for big Throat Thrust.

This is my favorite 2-on-1 attack in the match.  Tommy held across the top rope, the manager pulling his hair to strangle him while Bobby Eaton holds his ankles.  Meanwhile Condrey tries to kick a Field Goal, running over to boot our vulnerable stud right in the bread-basket.  That is SO DAMN CRUEL and illegal!

The true genius of Tommy Rogers and the reason I loved watching him “wrestle” was his ability to sell, twisting that impressive body to communicate pure agony.  For example, after this Elbow-Smash to the throat, look how Tommy squirms around on the mat, flipping over slowly in ecstatic pain.  He does everything in his power to entertain and excite us.

Of course the Midnight Express tosses poor Tommy out to the floor — that was a staple in those days.

Tommy’s time out on the floor is just fuckin’ glorious of course!  He rolls around showing off his hard body, his arms limp at his sides.  Then the skinny manager, Jim Cornett, runs over and harms our beloved ragdoll, bullying him before allowing him to his feet.  Apparently ANYBODY can beat up wimpy Tommy Rogers!!  (Me next!!)

Tommy’s partner had to help him up and dust him off, totally emasculating the muscle man by coming to his rescue.

On to the next humiliation: the Heels won’t allow Tommy back in the ring.  Instead, they exploit his helpless situation, booting him in the noggin until he falls back to the floor like a drunk being tossed from the bar.

Tommy was so willing to display his weak side, to present his buff body as floppy and vulnerable.  His gorgeous suffering in this match alone is worth this month’s $10 fee for NWAClassics.com.

When he finally does manage to crawl back between the ropes, Condrey tries to snap the stud in half with a classic Over The Knee Backbreaker.  Love it!

Oh Tommy, how I’ve missed watching you being dismantled like this!  Have I ever mentioned my addiction to muscular wrestlers wearing red trunks and white boots, especially when they’re eating a big plateful of spinal punishment?

And the crowd was boiling hot, screaming like Banshees every time Tommy took another knee to the gut.

When Tommy finally reached the Hot Tag to his partner, I thought they’d blow the roof off the arena.  And (spoiler alert) you needed earplugs when the Fantastics managed to win the match!  (I didn’t post images of that part because, well, I prefer Tommy’s suffering better.)

If you want to view the  high-quality video of this match and other classic gems from the Good Old Days, check it out on NWA Classics.  Oh yeah, just don’t forget to pay your $10 subscription first.