Jim "Shoots" Shiima Xion

Regular contributor Jim from Chicago is on a roll! His photos of Arya Daivari from a very recent indie event held in Milwaukee were posted on this blog yesterday. Today, I present to you Jim's fantastic photos of Shiima Xion who was featured in the same event. Jim writes: "Here are some shots of the handsome fellow Shiima Xion. That is the name he was billed under for the event. After a low blow by Darin Corbin, Shiima rallied and pinned Corbin for the win.  Shiima was  'hands down' the crowd favorite of the whole event.  After his win he was mobbed by adoring fans." When not wrestling for independent promotions, high-flier Shiima makes appearances on TNA Impact where he is billed as Zema/Zima Ion (5 ft. 8 in. tall, 180 pounds, from Manila, The Philippines).  Muchas gracias, Jim!

 

Jim "Shoots" Arya Daivari

Regular contributor and good friend Jim from Chicago emailed me a fresh new batch of photos he took just a few days ago. Jim writes: "Yesterday (Aug. 28), I traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin which is about 90 miles from Chicago, to watch a wrestling event at the Mexican Fiesta.  The festival was held outdoors in a huge park along Lake Michigan. The wrestling promotion, Mondo Lucha, was new to me.  Here are some shots of Arya Daivari who's opponent was Isaias Velazquez. Arya almost pinned Isaias with the flying carpet finisher, but Isaias managed to get out of it and put Arya's shoulders down for the three." If Arya's name sounds familiar to you, it's because he's the younger brother of Beefcake regular Shawn Daivari. Thanks, Jim for the scorching hot photos!

Jade Diamond

Some of you wanted to know who Australian wrestler Rocky Menero's opponent in the match pictures featured here yesterday is. The hottie in the black ring gear is "Powerhouse" Jade Diamond, a wrestler from New Zealand. Jade stands 6 feet tall and weighs 214 pounds.  He's been a professional wrestler since 2007 and is one of the stars of the Kiwi Pro Wrestling federation. See more of Jade in my friend Joe's wrestling blog Ringside At Skull Island. Watch Jade and his tag team partner Whetu in a 2010 match against The Renegades here.

Watch Jade cut a promo here. 

Check out the interviewer's reaction.

More Rocky

Here once again is Australian wrestler Rocky Menero in action.

Vacation

"Vacation, all I ever wanted...vacation, had to get away..." Anyone remember that Go-Go's hit song from the 1980s? I brought it up because I, dear reader, am taking a four-day "vacay" from Aug. 26 to Aug. 29.  I asked Tyler Reks and Mason Ryan if I could take a break and they said it's okay.

But Claudio Castagnoli does not approve.

Tough, Claudio. I'll be back with more Beefcakes of Wrestling after the weekend.

Before He Was Peter Orlov

Florida Championship Wrestling's Peter Orlov (5 ft. 7 in. tall, 187 pounds) has quite a colorful bio on the promotion's official online site (read it  here). But Alex Sherman -- yes, that's his real name -- is better known to indie wrestling fans as Alex Koslov. Alex made his pro debut in 2003 at the age of 19 and appeared in matches for Pro Wrestling Guerilla, NWA, and Empire Wrestling Federation until he moved to Mexico in 2006 where he became a bona fide star. A couple of years later he also made appearances on TNA and Ring Of Honor. Last year, WWE signed him to a developmental contract with FCW where he wrestles as Peter Orlov (he had to change his name because WWE already has a wrestler named Vladimir Koslov). Here are some pre-FCW pics of him and one fan's video tribute. Want to see more? Here's another fan video tribute.

From Jim's Archives - Doug Basham

Regular contributor Jim from Chicago has an extensive collection of fantastic photographs that I am very privileged to feature here on my blog. This set of pics featuring Doug Basham comes from Jim's archives.  Jim writes: "Here are some shots I took of a match held in Midlothian, IL back in May 2007 between the Basham Brothers, Doug and Danny (Daniel Hollie) against the Tomaselli Brothers, Vito (long hair) and Sal. The Tomaselli's won the match as I recall." Thanks, Jim! Keep 'em coming!