Double Abdominal

I like the old spot where a Tag Team wrestler applies the Abdominal Stretch, then reaches back to join hands with his partner, doubling the pressure and wringing out screams of agony from the victim.  It’s such a dick move.  Tag Team partners don’t seem to cheat as often as they used to, so it’s nice to see Heel teams like the Kings of Wrestling keeping the sadistic two-on-one holds alive today.

The clueless and gullible Ref — ever the blind fool — is suddenly captivated by the suffering victim, in his face asking if he’s OK.  He apparently can’t see that the bad guys have joined hands and are combining their strength to rip apart their victim, who for some reason also can’t warn the ref about what is going on.  It seems like such an impossible scenario, so why is it so fun to watch every single time?

The rules of pro wrestling (such as they are) set up clear boundaries that everyone can agree upon, the fans as well as the athletes.  When the boundaries are then broken (in nearly every match), it creates a sense of injustice in the minds of the viewers, which is shocking and entertaining.  The ropes are an established barrier that you can not cross, like an electric fence keeping the Outside Partner or any other bystanders from interfering in the match.  Rule-breakers who deliberately cross the boundary are infuriating, and at the same time, appealing.  Part of us wants to emulate these blatant cheaters — we long for the freedom to ignore all the constricting rules in life and in society.  “Don’t cheat, wear a shirt in public, be a good sport, don’t act cocky” — the alternate universe, the last frontier, established in the pro wrestling ring is far more appealing and exciting.