Fandango vs Justin Gabriel

I haven't had the chance to see this on TV yet, but you can be sure I will when this match between Fandango (formerly Johnny Curtis) and Justin Gabriel eventually airs here. These pics are from their WWE Main Event September 4th bout.

Adam vs Silas

Also featured in Ring Of Honor's "Manhattan Mayhem V" show held last month in New York was this match between Adam Page and Silas Young. I don't know much about either of these wrestlers (okay, full disclosure, I know nothing about these guys), but if you like watching matches between older "daddy"-types andyounger guys, then this bout is for you. Oh, and Young took the match by pinning Page. (Photos by Scott Finkelstein)

Adam Page

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Silas Young

For boot enthusiasts

 

Now that's sportsmanship.

The New and Improved Mike Mondo

Wow! Look at how much better Mike Mondo looks these days. He's gotten leaner and he's ditched the brightly-colored trunks and two-tone hairstyle for classic black ring gear and a buzzcut (the facial hair is gone, too). He looks tougher, meaner, more serious...kind of like an old-school pro rassler. I'm really digging this new look and new attitude. You go, Mondo! Here, Mike squared off but lost to Matt Taven in Ring Of Honor's "Manhattan Mayhem" show held last August 17th in New York. (Photos by Scott Finkelstein)

Compare this Mike to this Mike.

Matt Striker Strikes Back (Sort Of)

A good friend of this blog and also one of its regular contributors, David, emailed me this set of photos he took of one-time WWE wrestler-turned-commentator Matt Striker. David pointed out that there are "a lot of things associated with stepping down from the WWE -- smaller crowds, a less glamorous setting, and having to lose to the local champ." Such is the life of many professional wrestlers; they start  in small venues, move on to bigger things (if they're talented and/or lucky), and end up in small venues again. Thanks to David for these great shots of Matt. I think we all miss seeing him on WWE, am I right?

The long shorts are tragic. Remember when he used to wear tiny yellow briefs?

Matt is always so cheeky!

Clay Moore Mondays

For the month of September, this blog's "Monster Muscle Monday" will be replaced by "Clay Moore Mondays," because I can't think of a better way to start the week than with pics of this young, independent wrestler. This week's exclusive shots come from our good friend and regular contributor, Jim from Chicago. Jim took these photos in Woodbury, Tennessee last August 16th. Clay and his tag team partner Matt Boyce faced the duo of Shawn Hoodrich and Justin Grandberry. Jim says that "Shawn and Justin did a good job of keeping Matt in the ring and Clay out of it. If Matt did make a tag, the referee always seemed to miss it." In the end, however, the team of Clay and Matt were victorious. Thanks for these fantastic shots, Jim! Your photos never disappoint.

Picture of the Week

Michael Elgin assumes the position.