I am a big fan of Johnny Gargano (aka “Johnny Wrestling”). I’m also a big fan of Ariya Daivari, the modern version of the old Sadistic Sheik gimmick. So I was excited when I saw one of their recent matches from F1RST Wrestling posted on YouTube.
I was even more excited when I saw the mostly grown-up, mostly drunken audience, because I knew this would get hot.
The match is designed to showcase the mad skills and unbeatable attitude of the challenger, Gargano. He gets to show off all his fancy-schmancy stuff as Daivari willingly and obediently hands himself over for whatever Gargano wants to inflict on him.
Did I mention I am a big fan of Ariya Daivari?
It’s still early, but Johnny wants to get rough already!
This move pretty much summarizes the psychology of the entire match. Gargano remains easily in control over the champ with Daivari limp in his grasp and utterly at his mercy. Gargano then pops off a killer move, in this case falling backward to drive the other dude’s face into the corner turnbuckle.
Daivari meanwhile offers zero resistance, just relaxing in Johnny’s grasp as if saying, “Do what you want to me Bro — I trust you.” But we see Johnny violate that trust by inflicting this sudden, brutal Face-Smasher into the corner. And Daivari just eats it up.
Many Indy wrestling shows are performed for roomfuls of children. Kids are the target audience after all for the comedic, cartoonish style of Rasslin’ popular especially across the Heartland.
But the style I prefer is Big Boy wrestling, which is lewd, brutal, and much more explicit. It’s usually performed in a bar (or any venue where they sell alcohol), in front of a horny 18-and-older crowd.
The commentators mention a few times how drunk and rowdy the crowd has become. This is the atmosphere where things in the ring can get really kinky and suggestive and everybody loves it, for example when the Sheik is bent over so Johnny can Drop-Kick his presenting ass. The wrestlers can freely perform these spots and act out scenarios that the audience is craving to witness and will readily support, but that would seem inappropriate in front of minors.
Johnny gets more aggressive as Ariya gets more submissive.
I feel these two wrestlers represent the State of the Art in current Indy pro wrestling. They both use tons of strikes and sick looking submission moves without being too flippy-dippy as seen 10 years ago. They wear snug little trunks with graphic designs instead of long pants or jeans shorts or tank-tops.
They have the healthy, lean physiques currently in favor — fit and flexible without being too bulky. They’re ruggedly handsome with their well groomed beards without being too pretty. This is the look and style everyone is striving for these days and I dig it.
For example, look at this sweet DDT over the top rope by Tarzan Gargano, emphasizing his innovative offense and high-flying abilities without being too Death Defying or involving garbage can lids or shattered flourescent lights.
Daivari sells it nicely (he sells everything nicely), convincing us that this uppity challenger has truly stunned him and may now pin him.
I’ve always fantasized about using that as a wrestling move.
The action spills out of the ring when the champ runs back to the locker room. Johnny follows him and, after a few beats, tosses the cowardly champ back into the arena for more wrasslin’.
Then we are treated to another example of the NC-17 Rated antics that occur when wrestling happens after the kiddies are in bed.
Is Johnny meaning to imply that the loser of this match must blow the winner? Doesn’t he realize we already assumed that and we’re already picturing that? Rather than being offended by this lewd behavior, the crowd pops loudly and begs for more.
The Sheik gets to dominate and punish Johnny Wrestling a bit — but not as much as one would expect. He inflicts an eye gouge, leaving Johnny blinded and dazed, ripe for some choking on the middle rope.
Although the Sheik is playing Heel, the crowd still kind of digs him (and so do I. I mean, just LOOK at him — Damn!) Some fan brought a sign that says “Fly Sheik Fly” because they love his patented Magic Carpet Ride, I suppose inspired by the movie Alladin. This is where he brings a rug in the ring and dives off the top rope to splash rug-first onto his opponent. He took control at least long enough to deliver this crowd pleaser.
Fly Sheik Fly!
And here is said Magic Carpet Ride. It’s like a Superfly Splash or maybe more like a Frog Splash. But the inclusion of the rug makes it so much cooler and so much more devastating on his opponent. Why, you ask? Because magic.
Nobody kicks out following the deadly Magic Carpet Ride. But Gargano kicks out. That shows how awesome and unbeatable Johnny Wrestling truly is. I believe he’s getting ready now to move up to the Big Show, so they’re sending him off with a big pat on the back and audience support a-plenty.
Nobody — but nobody — can sustain a second Magic Carpet Ride!
The challenger refuses to lie down, so Daivari unleashes a second Magic Carpet Ride, this time leaping even higher as the audience reacts even louder. You can see that “Fly Sheik Fly” sign in the background — perfect.
In the end, Johnny Wrestling is defeated by these repeated splashes. After all, if he’s leaving the Indy ranks, he can’t really leave with the championship belt. At least it took magic to beat him and at least he was dominant for most of the match. Great job by both competitors, I watched every minute of this match and now I want to order some videos from FiRST Wrestling.