My wrestling video penpal — Classic Pro Joe — recently surprised me with a link to a YouTube video that was actually NOT from the 1970’s or 80’s, his preferred era.
In this Austrian wrestling show from 2003, “Sexy” Peter White strips down to his trademark mesh boyshorts stretched over a black thong. His erotic striptease normally would peg him as an arrogant Heel, but in Austria, apparently the popular Baby-Faces may work the stripper gimmick. His opponent is a beefy drill sergeant named Der Soldner. Oh yes, I bet this will be a suffer-fest by Stripper Boy White!
Der Soldner high-fives the ref, then takes him aside for a private chat. They seem awfully intimate together, whispering in the corner while pointing at young White!
The term Regulatory Capture is defined as: “government failure that occurs when a regulatory agency (such as a ref) advances the commercial or political concerns of a special interest group (such as a Heel) that dominates the industry or sector it is charged with regulating.” It often happens in the banking industry, and here we see it happening in pro wrestling!
Throat, meet Elbow. Elbow, this is Throat.
The match begins and Der Soldner quickly gains full control of the action, bouncing Peter White off the ropes repeatedly, each time meeting him with a stiff Elbow Smash, Gut Punch, or Knee Jab.
The big Heel is the picture of solid stability and immobility, whereas young Peter is made to run, bounce, collapse, and suffer. He is really made to look pathetic, I love it.
Ouch — take it easy on the gonads there.
Throughout the match, the smarmy official bends the rules to the drill sergeant’s advantage. He is never watching when Der Soldner cheats and counts very slowly whenever Peter White tries for a pin.
The situation is so one-sided and unfair, exactly the kind of referee bias that have always fueled my pro wrestling fantasies. You should’ve SEEN the awful trickery and sadistic shenanigans that the cheating referees in my twisted thoughts would inflict on my dream wrestlers! The unfair naughtiness of an official helping the Heel dominate was just too delicious to NOT consider.
Of course the ref acts totally clueless!
Here is how my buddy Joe described the kinky Choke-Porn scene:
“For some reason, it’s clear the ref favors der Soldner. He dominates through much of the match. The best part, I think, starts at 7:00 when der Soldner takes out a length of leather rope and mercilessly chokes Sexy Peter White while trying to gouge his eyes out at the same time.”
You are correct, Joe — this is definitely the best part. This is a great example of blatant referee bias, always a hot button for me.
So Peter runs toward his opponent, who pulls the ref between them, causing Peter to crash into the ref. In an act of pure injustice, the ref then awards the victory by disqualification to that big cheater, Der Soldner! NOOOOO!
Well Peter takes revenge by attacking the ref and I think throwing him out of the ring. You can check it out at the end of the video — I lost interest after the Evil Referee bullshit had finished.