I get knocked down… But I get up again

A few years ago, I wrote a post on this blog about the traditonal face/heel roles in the world of female fighting. In that post, I mentioned my own preference for subverting the usual babyface=jobber trope and seeing the more ‘obvious’ jobber defeating her tougher looking opponent.

With that in mind, I was never someone who could ever fully understand the concept of a wrestler/fighter being someone’s ‘favourite jobber’. For me, that always seemed to be a contradiction in terms – If I liked a wrestler/fighter, I wanted to see them win! However, I have since come to appreciate what makes, for many, the ‘perfect’ jobber. And it’s not just about losing.

To look at what makes an ideal jobber, let’s focus on two particular women who are very good… at looking very bad. From www.sleeperkidsworld.com, the legendary Angelina.

And from Footmode’s various sites, Krissy.

The first thing to note is that a perfect jobber does not have to lose all the time. Despite her reputation, Angelina’s win rate at SKW was probably on a par with her loss rate. Krissy’s wins were considerably rarer, but she did score the occassional ‘shock’ victory. But a great jobber isn’t simply defined by how often they lose. More important is how well they lose. For a jobber, selling is everything.

Another aspect in the formula for a perfect jobber is naturally in their appearance. Both Angelina and Krissy embody the ‘girl next door’ look; Equally very attractive, but yet still looking like real women. And that’s another of their strengths, as it suggests an element of vulnerability. But whilst most good jobbers will generally share that same look, often in keeping with their babyface personas, it is just as important that their mindset appears to be one of total belief in their own ability. The best jobbers are those who continually expect to win… regardless of the odds. In 99% of Angelina and Krissy’s various defeats, they started those matches with a confident, even sometimes cocky, attitude.

As Angelina and Krissy both demonstrate, a great jobber is not simply a wrestler/fighter who always loses. It’s about her personality, her attitude, her look and how convincing she is at selling those defeats. And, of course, her tenacity. You might be able to put a good jobber down. But good luck keeping her there!

A Perfect Picture #2 – No Mercy from Nikki

OK. So I’ll be the first to admit that choosing one of my own photos as only the second entry in my ‘Perfect Picture’ series might come across as a little conceited. But in my defence, I take very little credit for what makes this particular picture so special. I just stood there and took it and, in many ways, the camera did more work than me. But this photo isn’t about the quality of the shot or the composition or any of that. It’s all about Nikki.

As I’ve mentioned previously, Nikki is a master (mistress!) at what I’ve come to affectionately call, the ‘f**k you’ face. That look of arrogance, contempt, defiance that a good heel will have when torturing her opponent. And in this shot especially, I think Nikki surpassed herself. You can see it, you can almost even hear it. It’s that look in her eyes; it’s the turn of her mouth; her whole face seems to be saying “Yeah. I’m hurting this woman. And I don’t give a shit what you think.” It’s as though she’s daring someone to tell her to stop.

Personally, I wouldn’t advise it.

Sexiest Women in the Blog

This week, FHM magazine published it’s annual 100 sexiest women in the world list. At no.1 was X-Factor judge and N-Dubz singer, Tulisa Contostavlos.

I beg to differ.

I could go on, but I don’t think there’d be enough room on my blog.

A Study in Scissors – Chapter 1: The Straight Headscissor

As this blog has highlighted on many occasions, few holds have as many variations as the scissors; Figure four, reverse, reverse figure-four, sideways, forward-facing, standing, bodyscissors and more. For many fans though, the classic headscissors will always be the standard version of the hold – The simple, but effective, ‘straight’ headscissors. Applied from a (usually) seated position behind an opponent, the head is trapped between the thighs as the ankles are locked.

When applied correctly in a competitive match, a submission is almost guaranteed. In a scripted contest, we have the luxury of seeing the woman in control take her time with the hold. The straight headscissors is a hold that allows the dominant fighter to punish her opponent, but from a position that also allows her to trash talk the woman now hopelessly trapped in her thighs. It’s a hold provides perfect visual representation of the dominant fighter and her victim. The woman in control can essentially ‘take a break’, sitting back and stretching her legs, whilst her opponent suffers.

Although strength obviously plays a big part in the power of a headscissors, fundamentally it is just simple engineering. When the ankles are locked, they become the fulcrum, allowing the application of maximum pressure from minumum effort… And the more force that is applied, the smaller the gap between the dominant woman’s thighs becomes. Suffice to say, if your head is in there, you’re going to feel it.

Although pulling at an opponent’s thighs will usually do little to dislodge a well applied headscissor hold, trying to unlock the ankles can sometimes prove more successful. Of course, to achieve this, the victim would need to use her hands. And a smart wrestler will often take that option out of the equation when applying the hold.

Apart from it’s obvious effectiveness, the straight headscissor is also a visually impressive hold. It focuses on both the aesthetic appeal of a woman’s legs, as well as displaying her athleticism when she tenses the muscles in her thighs to apply more pressure.

When I think of the straight headscissor hold, I think ZZ Top said it best. She’s got legs. She knows how to use them.

An old video…

…that some of you may not have seen.

How cool is it that my favourite wrestler was so very good at applying my favourite hold….

To Tap or Nap?

I recently made a purchase of a match between two fantastic wrestlers. As I watched the action unfold, I was already planning to highly recommend the video on this blog and elsewhere. And then the match came to its conclusion… with both wrestlers outside the ring and failing to beat a count out. And that was it. Fade to black. All done.

After such an utterly disappointing ending, I couldn’t bring myself to recommend the match to anyone (and I have no wish to ‘name and shame’ it), but it did make me realise just how important the end of a match can be. If you consider a match to be a ‘story’ of sorts, then it’s only natural that we judge that story by how it ends, however good it may have been up until that point.

Firstly, and most importantly, a match has to have an actual ending… and that means a winner and a loser. For me, a match that ends in a draw, be that as a result of the aforementioned double ring out, a double KO, a time limit, or any other reason, will always feel somehow incomplete. It doesn’t matter if our favourite fighters win or lose, it’s just important that someone does.

No doubt about the winner here as Gwen checks on a clearly KO'd Rain at Sleeperkidsworld.com

Of course, even an actual victory is still no guarantee of a satisfactory conclusion. The quick ‘roll-up’ pin finish to a match is always underwhelming. It’s not unlike watching a huge, epic, explosion filled, kick ass, multi-million dollar action movie until the final ten minutes, where it all ends with the good guys and the bad guys suddenly sitting down over a nice cup of tea and a digestive biscuit to discuss their issues amicably. Disqualifications can be equally frustrating, as a match is cut short because of some illegal act – a case of ‘pain stopped play’.

So how do we define the best ending to a match? Of course, for many of us it’s purely subjective based on our own personal preferences. And different fighting styles will have various denouments, whether that be a pin, a knockout or a submission victory.

In pro-wrestling, victory is usually achieved by either a 3-count pin or a submission. The pin is the most commonly seen method, usually following the execution of a devastating finishing move.

In sports such as boxing and full-contact martial arts, most victories are likely to be achieved by a KO.

Another victory for Aiden at deadlyfeet.com

It’s in the world of apartment wrestling that the means of winning a match tends to be an even split between all three finishing techniques. Although the pin is still generally the most prevalent conclusion to a bout, such pins often tend to be on already KO’d opponents who would be unlikely to beat a 100 count, much less the count of 3.

Despite numerous falls scored by submissions in many such matches, a victory by submission in an apartment/apartment-pro wrestling match is something of a rarity. More often than not, it is the number of submissions a wrestler has scored in a match that secures a win, rather than one single move. It is not without precedent though, as a particularly determined wrestler will sometimes demand that an opponent submits the entire match if they want to be released from an especially tortuous hold (And in the case of some heels, even that might not be enough for them to let their victim go!)

A victory by submission or KO are arguably the most definitive ways to finish a match. Whilst a traditional pin only requires an opponent to be held down for a 3 count, the two former conclusions to a match are a considerably better illustration of one fighter’s dominance. In the case of the knockout, an opponent is completely incapacitated. There can be little doubt who is the better woman when only one is left standing. And with submission victory, we get an admission of defeat from the very last person who would wish to concede it – the losing fighter. A submission forces a fighter to verbally acknowledge that she is second best and that she has been beaten.

Both of these methods of victory are about underlining one fighter’s superiority over another, which in itself is the natural conclusion to any test of combat. And they are both considerably more entertaining than a sudden roll-up pin!

Watch the birdie and say “Squeeeeeeze” (Pt.3)

After a little tease in my last blog entry, I figured it was only fair to show you a few more pictures from my third photo-shoot with Nikki and Rebekah. After the first two shoots, it had become clear which of the two ladies best suited each ‘role’. Nikki was the better heel, her facial expressions when working Rebekah in numerous scissors and holds were always supremely dominant, arrogant and with that perfect touch of contempt for her opponent.

Rebekah was an equally effective jobber, selling the holds with a mixture of pain and humility. With such an ideal marriage of two models, it made sense that I made this shoot a purely one-way affair, playing on both model’s strengths for the entire ‘match’. And to establish Nikki’s early dominance, I decided to start proceedings with my first attempt at a couple of ‘impact’ shots.

Something else I was keen to try for this shoot was to actually utilise the ‘apartment’ setting, to really embrace the legacy that created this very genre. With that in mind, I decided to use some of the furniture. You know what they say – Sofa, so good!

Of course, with me behind the camera, you know the scissors weren’t all confined to the the comfort of the sofa. Well, comfort for Nikki at least!

Surprisingly, after all that, there was still time for Rebekah to suffer in a few more holds. Lucky lady, eh!

As with my last shoot, I decided to bring Rebekah’s punishment to a merciful close with a bodyscissor/sleeper KO sequence.

And that was that.

Well, nearly. To the victor… the spoils.

Don’t forget you can see more of Nikki and Rebekah in action at Cattyfights.

B&B’s 5 Women of 2011 (No pandas included)

Rather than an all-round ‘best of 2011 awards’ post, this year I thought that I’d just have a look at my top 5 fighting ladies from 2011. There are some new faces here, alongside some established women, covering various aspects of female combat.

5. Jacquelyn Velvets
Behind every good heel is a good jobber. Well, maybe not behind. Underneath, perhaps? Suffice to say, a good heel is only as good as the woman she’s demolishing. The better the selling, the better the beatdown. And SKW‘s Jacquelyn Velvets is a true ‘best seller’. What makes Jacquelyn particularly stand out (apart from her screen idol looks) is how she gives a true ‘performance’ in each video she features.

So much so in fact, that I very recently cast her in my two latest custom clips from Sleeperkid’s World. Both clips are a showcase for Jacquelyn’s incredible versatility, whether playing ‘herself’ as an outclassed babyface jobber in an apartment wrestling clip, or in the more performance based role of Supergirl in the latest in the ‘Fists of Sumiko’ series.

4. Nikki
Although she is still kicking ass (and getting her’s kicked!) at Catty Fights, Nikki’s inclusion in my top 5 is primarily based on the photo shoots that I’ve done with her this year. You’ve seen the highlights of one of those shoots already in a previous post, with more to come from another shoot vs Rebekah this year.

And just a few weeks ago, I shot with Nikki again, this time vs the lovely Shay Hendrix. I’ll post more pics from both of those shoots in the future, but in the meantime, here’s a few sneak peeks that illustrate the reasons why Nikki is on this list; a) She’s hot; b) She knows her holds; And c) She’s got one of the best “I’m so much better than you” expressions in the business.

3. Axa Jay
Another possessor of the perfect “F**k you!” face that makes a great heel is Axa Jay. This year, Axa has been in action in Manchester at Pippa L’Vinn‘s live shows and has made her debut at Cattyfights.

Her finest hour to date though, has been at new site, Top Catz. If we’re splitting hairs, technically it’s her finest 45 mins, across 2 matches on the site – The first against Holly and the second, vs the aformentioned Shay Hendrix.

Both matches feature Axa in the dominant role, particularly against Shay. And it’s a role that Axa is especially suited for. With a killer bod’ and a sneer that shows nothing but contempt for her opponent. Axa makes a superb heel and one that I hope we’ll be seeing more of in 2012.

2. Britani Knight
2011 was Britani’s last on the independent circuit (for now), as the WWE now beckons. It’s no less than this amazing talent deserves who has been in action this year for Eve wrestling, Shimmer, Slammin’ Ladies, WAW and more. That said, it’s hard not to feel a little disappointed from a fan perspective, as it’s a safe bet that Britani’s new career means we’ll see a lot less of her in 2012.

As is often the case when the WWE signs a genuine talent, we hope that this will be the year when they finally get a clue and start showcasing women’s matches that are worthy of women like Britani (amongst others), instead of the usual 2 minute ‘filler’ matches that currently represent the women’s division on Raw and Smackdown. It would be such a waste not to show the world what this incredible wrestler is capable of in the ring.

1. Aiden
Perhaps an unusual choice for my No.1 kick-ass woman of 2011, in so much as Aiden is a member of the Footmode roster, and so is fighter that I have only ever seen in action photographically. But that’s been more than enough evidence for me to put Aiden at the top of this list.

With a fantastically toned and tattooed physique, alongside a face as attractive as it is emotive, Aiden is a perfect subject for websites that concentrate on pictorial matches. And she looks equally at home in the more martial arts style galleries of Deadly Feet and Footfighters as she does when on the wrestling mats of Kick Ass Club.

Appearing in over 50 galleries across their various sites this year, Aiden has been a prolific member of the Footmode roster. And with hopefully many more pictures to come next year, I give you Bikini and Barefoot’s No.1 kick-ass woman of 2011 – Aiden.

A message from the SKW roster….

This was a nice surprise when I logged onto me Facebook account this morning!

A Message for Symon… from Sleeperkid SKW on Vimeo.

45 and counting! I hope you guys have enjoyed some of the stuff I’ve commissioned from Sleeperkid’s World too. I know I have!!

Best of the Rest…

Since starting this blog, I’ve often waffled on and on about many of my own custom videos. But not everything I download/buy is something that I’ve scripted myself. Whilst I’m not buying as many “off the shelf” videos/downloads as I used to these days (for reasons I explained in a previous article), there is still a huge amount of very good content out there; some of it from other custom commissions and some from the producers themselves; some of it old, some of it new. With that in mind, I’d like to pick out a few of my favourite “Someone else’s” videos that I’ve purchased and viewed (repeatedly!).

Keri vs Jade – Sleeperkid’s World

With Keri involved, you already know you’re guaranteed a great match. And in this contest against Jade, we really get to see Keri at her ass-kicking, scissoring, pretty-much-doing-whatever-she-likes, best! Jade dominates the action from the start but an early pin attempt gives Keri the chance to lock on an inescapable headscissors and from that point on, it’s all about the blonde legend.

With Keri concentrating on various headscissors to put her opponent out, as well as a leglock or two, a bearhug, a sleeper and a piledriver, this video is an absolutely superb example of pure apartment pro-wrestling between two brilliant performers.

Buy Keri vs Jade here.

Jessie McKay vs Britani Knight (SLAMpeg 756) – Slammin’ Ladies

How to make an awesome video in 3 easy stages; 1) Take two of the most talented women working the independent pro-wrestling circuit today. 2) Put them in a ring in a one-one-one match. 3) Sit back and appreciate the display of skill and athleticism that follows.

Forget the Ashes. If you want to see a truly epic battle between Australia and England (and one with considerably more attractive participants than any cricketers I know), then look no further than this video. Jessie is in the ascendancy for most of the match (not necessarily through fair means), but Britani refuses to go down quietly and between them both, they put on a match that doubtless would have been hailed as a classic had it taken place at any live show. And the more private setting of this contest certainly does not diminish the impact it has.

Buy Jessie vs Britani here.

And if you want to see Britani get some payback in an equally hard-hitting match… You should check out SLAMpeg 861.

“The Younger Girl’s Attitude” (Roxanne vs Chrissie) – Joan Wise Productions

Any list of must-see female wrestling videos wouldn’t be complete without at least one entry from the legendary Joan Wise studios. “The Younger Girl’s Attitude” is a very good example of one of the most popular themes in female combat – older vs younger. And in this particular case, it’s older dominates younger.

Roxanne plays step-mum to the blonde Chrissie, who spends most of the video trapped between the older woman’s thighs. Roxanne’s hold of choice is the headscissors (which explains this video’s presence on my list!), and she is suitably equipped to punish Chrissie with her seemingly never-ending legs.

What also adds to the video’s appeal is Roxanne’s nonchalant attitude as she works over her younger and outclassed opponent, often simultaneously crushing the blonde’s head whilst chatting to her as though they were simply sitting together on the sofa. And with this being a Joan Wise production, it goes without saying that Roxanne does find somewhere to sit before the video is over!

Buy “The Younger Girl’s Attitude” here

“Cali’s Destruction” Keri vs Cali – Super Action Fight

She’s back! Yep, once again it’s fan-favourite and all round perfect fighting female, Keri. And this time she’s up against the always popular Cali Logan. It’s always a good combination, when you pair a supremely skilled bad girl with a convincing baby-face/jobber. And we get that combo here with Keri and Cali.

If the title of the video and the pictures haven’t already given the game away, suffice to say, this is not a good day for Cali. Keri wastes no time in pummeling the model-turned-wrestler with a barrage of punches and knees to the gut. And with Cali sufficiently winded, Keri takes her to the mat with numerous head and bodyscissors, choke holds and back-bending surfboards – Whilst still taking any opportunity she can to get a few more shots into Cali’s belly. The sleeper that ends it comes all too soon for anyone watching, but was probably something of a relief for Ms Logan, who probably wishes she possessed her namesake’s healing factor!

Buy Keri vs Cali here.

Do You Heel Like I Do? (Cameron vs Sumiko) – Sleeperkid’s World

As this list (and indeed, much of this blog illustrates), I clearly have a preference for one sided matches. And there few matches that are as completely one-sided as this video from Sleeperkid’s World.

In some ways, the title of the video is a little misleading, as despite her total dominance, Cameron doesn’t do anything especially heel-like. Frankly, she doesn’t need to, as she is in control of the match and working over the helpless Sumiko for the full 45 minutes of arm-bending, leg-locking, head-crushing action. This video is a masterclass in showcasing an utterly dominant wrestler essentially toying with her overmatched opponent. Both women play their part in making this a bona fide classic, and an absolute must for any fan of beautiful women kicking ass.

Buy “Do You Heel Like I Do?” here.