Brooks vs McGregor



Ian McGregor vs Richie Brooks, ca. 1986 (World of Sport)

With his Little Lord Fauntleroy looks and tight ass, Ian is unlikely to garner much sympathy, no matter how roughly Richie treats him. He has the bearings of someone who needs a good kick in the pants, and the effusive, cowlick-y Brooks seems tailor-made to do the honors. Almost anything Richie does can be forgiven as high spirits or rambunctiousness, but Ian's reserve, with his straight hair and clean part, makes him seem cold and unsympathetic. His tactics look more calculating and sadistic, whereas Richie's just a husky lad who likes to play rough.




By the second part of the match, the fans and the commentator are apparently on Richie's side against the increasingly short-tempered Ian. Richie is ahead in points, and Ian is frustrated, an attitude that robs him of his youthfulness and makes him seem prematurely middle-aged. He seems almost too smug as he grinds Brooks in a side headlock. That's exactly the attitude that makes me crave the moment when Richie cuts loose and (I hope) kicks Ian's ass. I admire Ian's finesse, but I root for Richie, the regular bloke. Ian evens the score and begins to pull ahead. Now more than ever I pull for Brooks. In the end, both wrestlers are sportsmanlike and skilled, but it's hard not to pick a favorite.



Thank you to Sid, whose comment on last Friday's blog recommended a closer look at pre-Apollon Richie Brooks.

Comments

  1. I just love it when you talk about old-timey pro wrestling, keep up the great work. Your animations are just getting better and better too. I also blogged about this entertaining match a few years ago (I thought they looked familiar!) on The Wrestling Arsenal, check it out. We actually captured many of the same images and poses, but go figure -- a hot hold is a hot hold.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Wrestling Arsenal! No doubt some part of your earlier assessment of this match clung in my memory. Those still shots are amazing, and as usual the analysis and interpretation of the character of the contest is spot on!

      Delete
  2. Did you know that that you can generate money by locking premium pages of your blog or website?
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