Official blog of the Living Room Wrestling federation (aka LRW Wrestling). "Wrestlers with photogenic appeal..." featuring Fratboy Francis Franklin (aka "Triple F"), Kyle O'Connor, Nathaniel Noel, Cameron Murphy, Shane Saunders, Joltin' Juke Jason, Sean Evans, Kurt Mendelsohn, Joshua Lonergan, Hayden Beaulieu, the Masked WhoDat, Adam Nowak, Austin LeGrand, Adrian Wisniewski, and Peter O'Rourke. Based in Connecticut and hosted by Old Freddie Young.
LRW Wrestling Preview: Nathaniel Noel vs. "Triple F" from LRW Wrestling on Vimeo.
It's affluent Fairfield County, Connecticut vs. rustic Nashua, New Hampshire as the reigning LRW Wrestling Super-Star Champion, Fratboy Francis Franklin (aka "Triple F") takes on big, strong, wholesome Nathaniel Noel in our second video offering.
Prior to this match, I had told Nathaniel to study Triple F's match against Kyle O'Connor, and pay close attention to the manner in which the Fratboy dictated the pace of that match. As a result, Nathaniel told me that he planned to grind Triple F into the mat, maintain holds for lengthy periods, and focus on attaining a pin or submission.
Therefore, it surprised me when, once again, Triple F seemed successful
in manipulating his opponent into wrestling his style of fast-paced
grappling. Instead of sticking to his plan, Nathaniel frequently applied and released holds, returned to a neutral position, and then attempted a new series of maneuvers -- a strategy designed to gain a point advantage, but not conducive to defeating a slender wrestler with proven stamina like Franklin.
However, what amazed me about this match was the fact that Nathaniel -- the larger, heavier wrestler -- actually seemed to have even better cardiovascular conditioning than Triple F. Early in the match, it becomes obvious that the fast pace is wearing Triple F down while Nathaniel remains as energetic as ever.
Truthfully, Nathaniel dominates this encounter. It's an exhausting struggle, with Triple F gasping for breath and Nathaniel's untanned, Northern New England flesh reddened. By my count, Nathaniel attempts two pins and Triple F forces three mandatory breaks by slithering out of bounds while in Nathaniel's clutches. (You'll notice that, in this match, the wrestlers are instructed to clearly articulate, "Out of bounds. Break!" when the point of control moves outside the mat's circular parameter.)
Nathaniel breakdances to Eminem's "Lose Yourself" prior to the match
Does Nathaniel become the new LRW Wrestling Super-Star Champion? Well, download the video and find out! All I will tell you is that pro wrestling elements do come into play -- that includes Nathaniel's Sleeper Hold, Triple F's frat paddle, the secret "neutralizer" for the paddle that Nathaniel mentioned in his interview...and all sorts of post-match shenanigans...
To purchase the HIGH DEFINITION, 1.82 GB, 1920 x 1080 version of this 20 minute, 36 second video in the PC-friendly .wmv format for a mere $13.99 -- utilize the
BUY NOW button below... NOTE:
If you do not have a top tier, ultra high speed internet connection,
the download time for this version may be considerable. Also, a
successful download via moderate or slow internet speeds may require
several attempts. Those without extremely high speed internet
connections may wish to download the Standard Definition version
available via the link below. (At any rate, it is always recommended
that you close all other programs when downloading video files.)
To purchase the STANDARD DEFINITION, 298 MB, 1280 x 720 version of this 20 minute, 36 second video in the quickly and easily downloadable, hugely popular .mp4 format (which includes the pre-match intros, the actual match, the post-match
action, and the post-match interviews) for a mere pittance of $9.95 --
utilize the BUY NOW button below... (It should be noted that the Standard Definition version of this video is actually larger than the Standard Definition version of our first video. At $9.95, it's really a great deal!!!)
Enjoy the match, people!!!
Yes, people -- it's time to get happy!!! Now, for a mere $13.99, you can download the High Definition version of LRW Wrestling's first match -- the classic battle between Kyle O'Connor and Fratboy Francis Franklin (aka "Triple F") for the prestigious LRW Wrestling Super-Star Championship!!!
Of course the original Standard Definition version (a quickly downloadable, 640 x 360, 125 MB video in the popular .mp4 format) is still available, and you can order that for $9.95 via the buttons posted at the end of our April 16 blog entry right over HERE.
HOWEVER...if you want to see this titanic struggle in High Definition -- a 1920 x 1080, 1.75 GB video in the PC-friendly .wmv format -- then today is your lucky day!!! Now you can download the very same HD version of this match which was featured in the original LRW DVD offering recently auctioned on eBay!!!
So don't hesitate -- here's your chance to see "Triple F" before he had facial hair, demonstrating his true character (or lack thereof) in a contest of athletic skill against wholesome Cali jock Kyle O'Connor. As the Fratboy readies himself for his first title defense against the Pride of New Hampshire, Nathaniel Noel, check out this high quality vid and judge for yourself whether or not "Triple F" has what it takes to be YOUR champion!!!
To obtain the HD version of LRW's inaugural offering, just utilize the BUY NOW button right...over...here: NOTE: If you do not have a top tier, ultra high speed internet connection, the download time for this version may be considerable. Also, a successful download via moderate or slow internet speeds may require several attempts. Those without extremely high speed internet connections may wish to download the Standard Definition version available via the link in the second paragraph of this blog entry. (At any rate, it is always recommended that you close all other programs when downloading video files.)
Here is a brand new interview with our reigning LRW Wrestling Super-Star Champion, Fratboy Francis Franklin (aka "Triple F") on the eve of his long anticipated title defense against the virtuous young hero, the pride of Nashua, New Hampshire, Nathaniel Noel.
As you can see, Triple F has grown some facial hair since his last LRW encounter, making him look even more like a haughty young nobleman (and the wrestling gear with the monarch's crown just adds to the effect).
Triple F exudes customary arrogance during this interview, shrugging off the challenge posed by Nathaniel, a noted master of the sleeper hold. Could Triple F's hubris be the source of his downfall? Keep checking this site for updates concerning a clash of two worlds -- and two diametrically opposed personalities!!!
Nathaniel is from Nashua, New Hampshire, and we're delighted that this handsome young man (who is studying chemistry at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, by the way) made the trek from northern New England to entertain our LRW fans.
Nathan will be wrestling the controversial Fratboy Francis Franklin aka "Triple F" for the LRW Wrestling Super-Star Championship in a soon-to-be-released videotaped match-up. As we can personally attest, Nathaniel is a bona fide master of the sleeper hold, and Triple F's championship reign just may be in serious jeopardy!!!
It is indeed an honor to have Nathaniel in the ranks of LRW grapplers. We wish him the best of luck in his upcoming championship bout with Triple F, and in all of his future wrestling endeavors!!!
(NOTE: LRW fans wishing to correspond with Nathan can email him at lrw-wrestling@comcast.net . Just put "Nathaniel Noel" in the subject heading, and we guarantee that Nathan will receive all of your messages!!!)
Many of you were probably hoping, longing, and yearning for a chance to own wrestling gear ring-worn by none other than Ryan Kidd, the only pro wrestler who really matters. Well, while the rest of you were lost in your daydreams and delusions of grandeur, wily Old Freddie Young was actively submitting bids in Ryan's "Fabric Free-For-All" contest and, guess what -- he won!!!
There's the Certificate of Authenticity...and we love how Mr. Excitement himself added an exclamation point after Freddie's name!!!
The package included several flyers (some autographed) advertising shows in which Ryan has wrestled plus three 4x6 glossy photos (including this autographed action pic).
There's the autographed 8x10 photo that Ryan included in the package, plus another autographed 4x6 pic -- artwork depicting Ryan wearing the famous black-and-silver trunks!!!
Here are more flyers from Ryan Kidd shows (Ryan has wrestled in two nations and seven states -- Mexico, California, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, Nebraska, Illinois, and Texas) plus a specially packaged "Ryan Kidd Pro" bracelet!!!
Here is the signed index card listing all of the items that Old Freddie won. Ryan said that he was "going all-out" while putting together this package and he meant it!!!
Here are more autographed flyers from Ryan Kidd shows, plus a close-up of the Ryan Kidd "Mr. Excitement" button!!!
Here is the "Mr. Excitement -- Go! Fight! Win!" rally towel -- said to be 100x more potent than the Pittsburgh Steelers "Terrible Towels" (sorry, Steelers fans).
A back view of Ryan Kidd's sartorial splendor and a few more autographed event flyers. It was a FABULOUS Fabric Free-For-All!!!
Check out Ryan's weekly blog (now in its twentieth week of consecutive publishing) to keep up on all of Ryan's activities!!! (It's published 12 noon pacific time every Thursday -- which means that a new entry should be posted in about an hour!!!)
Note: LRW Wrestling, in conjunction with the good folks at Paparazzo Photography, are proud to be sponsors of Ryan Kidd. In 2015, sponsorships are available for both businesses and individuals -- contact Ryan for details!!!
The top photo was taken seconds after the bell rang, signifying that the match had reached its fifteen minute time limit. Kyle isn't injured; he's merely exhausted.
The video below the photo features Muhammad Ali after utilizing his "rope-a-dope" strategy to defeat the physically more powerful George Foreman and regain his heavyweight championship title. There's a clear parallel between the two matches, but first let me impart some boxing history to you young whippersnappers.
When Old Freddie was a mere youth (a towheaded lad in high school, actually), Ali attempted to make a comeback after being stripped of the heavyweight title for refusing to serve in the military during the Vietnam War. The current champion was George Foreman, a devastating puncher who was sort of like my generation's Mike Tyson.
The fight took place in Kinshasa, Zaire and was billed as The Rumble in the Jungle. Ali was basically a finesse boxer who relied upon speed and superior boxing instincts to bob and weave and avoid punches. The common wisdom was that, if Ali had any chance of victory, he would spend the entire fight dancing, slipping punches, and dazzling George with his fancy footwork. Foreman was expected to try to "cut the ring in half" and trap Ali in a corner. Everyone pretty much agreed that if Foreman had Ali in the ropes, the fight would be over in a few seconds.
Even Ali contributed to this scenario, asking his fans if they were ready for "the Big Dance" during pre-fight interviews. Then, to everyone's shock and amazement, Ali began the fight standing flat-footed in the ropes, daring George to hit him. Of course, Foreman went crazy, throwing punch after punch, pummeling Ali as hard as he could, as Ali leaned back in the ropes and taunted him.
This went on for seven rounds. By round eight, the stronger, more muscular Foreman was so arm-weary that he could barely swing his fists. At that point Ali, with his superior cardiovascular conditioning, danced away from the ropes, threw a few powerful jabs, and sent a thoroughly fatigued Foreman plummeting toward the canvas. Against all odds, Ali regained his title and Foreman began selling grills.
Of course, years later, some ethical questions arose concerning the fact that Ali's ring crew loosened the ropes before the fight, allowing Ali to lean back, far away from George's powerful punches, but the issue is relatively moot. Ali was always a Machiavellian character, loved by many and despised by many, who believed that the ends justify the means. Ali had George pretty much psyched out before the match anyway, hiring a witch doctor to sprinkle "hoobie dust" in the ring to rob Foreman of his power (when asked how to spell "hoobie" during a post-fight interview, an exasperated Foreman exclaimed, "How can you spell it when you can't even see it?").
That brings us to the Triple F vs. Kyle O'Connor fight for the first-ever LRW Wrestling Super-Star Championship. Truthfully, I didn't believe that Triple F, the lean, wiry, boastful kid from Fairfield County, had much of a chance. Kyle O'Connor is your stereotypical jock, a former varsity lacrosse captain, high school soccer star, and surfing instructor in Southern California.
Kyle has a muscular physique of which he is justly proud. By contrast, Triple F has what would commonly be called a swimmer's build. As you can see by the stats posted at our newly created "LRW Wrestling: Locker Room" page, Kyle is 5'10" and weighs a solid 176 lbs. while Triple F stands 6'0" but weighs a mere 142 lbs.
When I wrote the rules for the LRW Wrestling federation, my goal was to create fast-paced matches (and marketable videos). For this reason, I imposed a 15-minute time limit and allowed matches to be won via a point system similar to that which exists in high school wrestling. In the absence of a referee, a wrestler would have to make the call himself when he was forced out of bounds, and his opponent would have to break the hold and back off within five seconds or lose the match. Furthermore, in order to eliminate long, boring, ineffectively executed submission holds, I awarded points whenever such a hold was executed. A wrestler could pile up points by trapping his opponent in multiple, rapidly released, submission maneuvers.
Unwittingly, I created rules tailor-made for a Triple F victory.
The first half of the match is fairly even, with Triple F dictating a fast pace and Kyle attempting to match his slender opponent's speed and stamina.
Time and time again, Triple F manages to apply pro wrestling submission maneuvers, letting go of Kyle quickly, and then continuing his attack. The strategy (whether planned or instinctive) was wise for two reasons: a contest of endurance favored Triple F, and Kyle wasn't about to say "I quit" while in the clutches of any painful hold (that was obvious to me when I was going through some routines with Kyle before the taping began).
Kyle's fatal error in this encounter was wrestling in accordance with Triple F's style. Whenever Kyle trapped Triple F in a painful hold, he failed to go for a submission. On more than one occasion, Triple F seemed to be in desperate straits, then displayed huge relief when the hold was broken.
As a matter of fact, during one such episode near the end of the match, Triple F is in so much pain that he reaches for his frat paddle while locked in a modified Boston crab. Kyle prevents the deliberate disqualification by dragging Triple F to the center of the mat. Then, inexplicably, Kyle releases Triple F. By then, Triple F had accrued an insurmountable lead in points via multiple takedowns, escapes, near falls, and reversals. There was no way that Kyle could have won on points that far into the match, and his only hope would have been to torture Triple F into quitting. However Kyle, a consummate gentleman, seemed to lack a "killer instinct."
Triple F feeling immense lower back pain while being bent in half
That was the about the only offense that Kyle was able to muster during the match's latter stages. Early on, Kyle began breathing heavily while Triple F seemed fresh and full of energy. By the time the match had reached its time limit, Kyle was really huffing and puffing while Triple F seemed ready to run a marathon.
When the bell rang, Triple F didn't even wait for me to officially announce a winner. Triple F just strutted across the living room and claimed his championship belt. The match had been so lopsided that Kyle didn't utter a word of protest.
Triple F pulled off a stunning upset victory and he almost earned my respect (and Kyle's, too, for that matter). However, in the proverbial manner of "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory," Triple F then chose to conduct himself in a thoroughly boorish manner. Grabbing the frat paddle (which Triple F had assured me was only a theatrical prop) he struck Kyle with a few light (almost timid) but humiliating blows as Kyle tried to collect himself following the unexpected loss.
LRW rules clearly state: "Any action which deliberately embarrasses or humiliates an opponent will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct and will be grounds for disqualification at the referee's discretion." However, the rules also stipulate, "A wrestler's prematch and postmatch conduct will certainly be considered when determining future bookings, but such conduct will have no bearing on the outcome of the match." Triple F's actions were disgusting (Kyle later typified the incident as "childish"), but the champ adroitly waited until after the bell rang to figuratively rub salt in Kyle's wounds. Therefore, the decision couldn't be reversed and Triple F now represents my federation.
It's rather ironic that I formed LRW, in large part, as a reaction to UCW's anarchic "no rules" approach to wrestling and the championship reigns of notorious "heels" like Eli Black and Quinn Harper. Of course, Triple F would be considered a saint by UCW standards (even UCW's "faces" behave more like "heels" than anyone I would ever allow into LRW); the Fratboy is a "heel," but he's a classy "heel." Still, Kyle would have been a dream-come-true as my first LRW champion and Triple F was unbearably bratty during his post-match interview (during which I dutifully presented him with the title belt).
As for Kyle, he initially seemed somewhat distraught when I talked to him, but began to brighten as I assured him that he still represented an ideal champion in my eyes, regardless of who is wearing the belt. Kyle had kind words for the state of Connecticut (which he was visiting for the first time) and promised me that he'd continue to compete in LRW.
On a side note, I would like to point out that the more I learn about Kyle, the more impressed I am. Only one city or town had two schools listed in Business Insider's "24 Smartest Boarding Schools in America," and that was Ojai, California -- Kyle's hometown (and yes,one of those schools was Kyle's alma mater). Oh, it breaks my heart that Kyle isn't my champion.
In typical fashion, it was Kyle who took initiative to resolve his differences with Triple F after the taping. The two young men had a long and generally cordial conversation and both agreed to pose for a series of still photos (which were included in the DVD recently auctioned on eBay). If you want photographic proof of just how much of a "class act" Kyle O'Connor is, simply take a glance at this:
At any rate, as I said in the last blog entry...
"This piece of underground wrestling history is now available for download as a standard definition, 1920 x 1080, 1.41 GB video in the popular .mp4 format. The video is 19 minutes, 10 seconds, featuring 15 minutes of wrestling (including ring introductions, in accordance with the LRW rules) plus post-match interviews with both wrestlers, including the awarding of the LRW Wrestling Super-Star Championship belt!!! All this for only $9.95, people -- so click on this BUY NOW button and download this amazing match between two awesomely photogenic wrestlers now!!! Enjoy the match, people!!!
LRW Preview: Kyle O'Connor vs. "Triple F" from LRW Wrestling on Vimeo.
First of all, we want to thank you for making the auction of our premiere DVD offering (http://www.ebay.com/itm/161644998777) such a success. For those of you who missed out on the chance to get our Limited Edition, Director's Cut, Special Edition, Collector's Edition, yadda, yadda, yadda DVD, don't despair!!! You can still see the heroic Kyle O'Connor...
...and the willful Fratboy Francis Franklin aka "Triple F"...
...go at it hot and heavy for a 15-minute time limit match. By dictating a super-fast pace and exhausting his opponent, one of these grapplers earns the coveted, first-ever LRW Wrestling Super-Star Championship!!!
"This piece of underground wrestling history is now available for download as a standard definition, 1920 x 1080, 1.41 GB video in the popular .mp4 format. The video is 19 minutes, 10 seconds, featuring 15 minutes of wrestling (including ring introductions, in accordance with the LRW rules) plus post-match interviews with both wrestlers, including the awarding of the LRW Wrestling Super-Star Championship belt!!! All this for only $9.95, people -- so click on this BUY NOW button and download this amazing match between two awesomely photogenic wrestlers now!!!"
P.S. All of your fan mail has been forwarded to your favorite wrestler. Due to the busy schedules of these guys, responses cannot be guaranteed -- but I can assure you that your messages of encouragement are read by both Kyle and Triple F, and are greatly appreciated by both young men.
