A classic wrestling scenario discussed earlier this week involves one wrestler entering the ring with taped ribs. His opponent will then repeatedly attack the damaged area as the victim curls up in a ball and hugs himself like he is passing a baseball sized kidney stone. This gimmick is known as “selling the ribs” and the purpose is to generate sympathy for the victim and/or to make the Heel look like a sadistic bad-ass.
On the November 28 episode of WWE NXT, Trent Baretta limped to the ring wearing the dreaded white tape around his lower torso. He might as well be wearing a sign that says “Kick Me HERE!” A clip of this match is available on Hulu.
We’re reminded that poor Trent was brutally attacked the prior week and Leo Kruger was seen in the vicinity, smiling like the cat who swallowed the canary. Were the police called to investigate this assault and file a report? Did the detectives question Mr. Kruger, the closest suspect and potential eye-witness, about what he saw? These questions are not answered, so we can only assume that justice is being pursued…
Even if Kruger was NOT involved in injuring Baretta backstage, he is definitely trying his best to injure the man’s ribs inside the ring.
But the funny thing about pro wrestling is that torturing a man backstage is a crime, while doing it in the ring in front of the world is considered perfectly legal and socially acceptable. Why is assault and battery OK if inflicted in the ring?
As usual on NXT, the commentators use blue language to titillate the viewers. All the captions under these pictures are exact quotations from the broadcast. They describe Leo Kruger in provocative terms like “sick individual,” “primal,” and “dangerous.” They point out that Kruger wants to “play with” his opponent, a term that may imply a sexual encounter.
The first name “Leo” connotes that Kruger is similar to a savage lion, whereas Baretta is referred to as a “trophy” and “weak antelope.” This language is meant to promote Kruger as an beast and to make Baretta seem weak and sympathetic.
They also refer to Kruger as a “hunter” and claim he comes from a family of big game hunters in Africa. What, exactly, is this man hunting? — “Trophies”, of course, and the trophies he wants to put on his mantle are lean, handsome lads like Trent here. This colorful description implies that Kruger will take ownership of his “trophy” and take him home to be put on display for Kruger’s viewing pleasure.
A suggestive Ab Stretch (with handful of hair) depicts Trent’s twisted torture nicely. The use of old school holds like the Ab Stretch, and the classic gimmicks like Selling the Ribs, are what I love about NXT. Kruger even tears off the tape around the injured man’s waist (another common feature of this gimmick), leaving the loose tape hang off Baretta’s body like ripped flesh.
Baretta’s lean physique and narrow hips give him a fragile, vulnerable appearance, further enhanced by his long effeminate hair. And he sells his suffering nicely, squirming around and scrunching up his face like somebody stuck a knife into his spleen, twisted it sideways, and broke the blade off.
Oy you left out some of the best parts, such as when the wrap falls away due to the abuse and the sadistic heel wraps and chokes the poor wounded face with it. Sometimes the heel grabs it and yanks like starting an outboard motor, the poor jobber left spinning like a top.
Same gimmick often used on “injured” arm or leg, etc. If it’s on the left side chances are it’s a work, especially if it’s an abuse magnet for the heel.