Behind the Scenes at Double Trouble

The world of staged matches, like any form of scripted entertainment, requires us to engage in a willing suspension of disbelief. In other words, we know that Russel Crowe isn't a gladiator or a captain in the British Navy, but we suspend that knowledge in order to immerse ourselves in the world presented to us on the screen. While the mainline forms of entertainment have plenty of outlets for releasing "behind the scenes" information (which in some small way gave birth to the brilliant HBO series "Entourage"), those producing staged female wrestling matches seem to have an uneasy relationship between the backstage and frontstage, rarely letting us a peek at the former.

With all of that as prelude, I find this photo fascinating on a number of different levels. Absent the heading indicating that the ladies are signing a contract with Double Trouble before filming a wrestling match in 1991, the viewer could have imagined that the ladies were filling out an application to community college, or checking their little sister's Girl Scout cookie order before sending it down to the regional HQ. The scene is entirely pedestrian, the dining room in a middle class home, with a fancy vase up front and some china neatly displayed in a cabinet to the right. The Marlboro Lights and the Coke can almost serve the role that a bowl of fruit might in a 17th century portrait -- to place the persons within the frame in some kind of context. The context being one of commerce and fantasy, for however much we all willingly suspend our disbelief, in the end we must know that the ladies are doing it for the money and, given that this is America, contracts must be signed before the camera begins to roll.

Perfect Ring Portrait

I often go a little over the edge in my analysis of lady wrestling and catfighting photos, but these two shots show that getting a good pre-match shot of a lady in the ring is really simple. As long as she's attractive, has a nice smile, and her bikini is a bit too small, you're going to have a superior photo.

Rhoan v. Kiomi

Here are some photos of Rhoan against Kiomi, an attractive and more experienced wrestler. In their first match (first three pictures), points could be scored by pins or submissions. In the second bout, only by pins.
Although Rhoan is on the short end of things in the above photo, its nice to see that she has captured Kiomi in a body scissors while maintaining (as they would say in the MMA world) a full guard. And below, she gets her own back with a body scissors. But note how calm Kiomi's expression is, the mark of a good and calculating wrestler.
Kiomi doesn't hold back, and tries to pin our lovely Rhoan by with a hands to the face press.
In the pins-only match, its nice to see Rhoan go for a score as Kiomi attempts to bridge out. Particularly enticing is the way that Rhoan's shoulder blades pop out at us with force of her exertions. Of course, the two dimples above her bikini line are also a delight to behold.
And once again Rhoan shows us that she's not just topless for show, willingly pressing her bosom against Kiomi as she goes for the pin.

Rhoan -- A Star in the Making?

Some ladies just have that something special that makes you take notice when they step onto the mat or into the ring. I think that Rhoan (topless) of ManilaFights.com might just have that something. It's not just that she has a fabulous body, perfectly shown off by her choice of bikini bottoms. There is something in the way that she faces off against MJ below that makes her look so innocent and open, such that she commands our attention.
Of course, there are alot of pretty faces attached to well toned bodies out there who hit the mats and just sort of lay there like a fish out of water. Not so with Rhoan as she charges into MJ. Based on MJ's expression, it looks like Rhoan wasn't going half-speed with her charge.
Any lady wrestler who is going to entrance us over time needs to be able to take the good and the bad. Here we see Rhoan taking the bad as MJ nails her with what I hope is a blatantly illegal choke hold.

Emu Kojima v. Sayaka Tomita

Both Ms. Emu Kojima, in the violet bikini, and Ms. Sayaka Tomita have a good sense of purpose in this match. At the outset, Ms. Tomita shows that she's got a plan in mind -- to go after Ms. Kojima's crotch at every opportunity. For her part, Ms. Kojima isn't too pleased as her opponent executes on this strategy with a quick reach around grip.Ms. Kojima tries for a grip of her own, but Ms. Tomita has her all tied up and is in perfect position to resume her attack (albeit from behind).
Finally, Ms. Kojima manages to lay on her own grip, and is paying careful attention to its application as Sayaka begins to suffer.
With both ladies stripped of their tops, Ms. Kojima gets her own back with a clever reach around crotch grip of her own. Note how Ms. Kojima's left leg keeps Ms. Tomita from closing her legs together to protect her crotch.

Casper the Modest

I know that it sounds ridiculous to even suggest that a woman who lets her breasts get attacked in a staged catfight could be called modest. But on close examination, you can see that she's actually wearing a g-string under her light violet panties. When you click on the photo, you can see the white band of her g-string in the open space on the side of her panties.
In this photo, it's beyond obvious that Casper's wearing a black g-string underneath her sheer panties. I've always found it very interesting that different girls draw the line at what they are willing to do to further our favorite pastime (or at least to make a buck). While many ladies would no doubt appear naked in the ring before allowing themselves to be subjected to all manner of breast attacks, Casper obviously draws the line elsewhere. While I would no doubt like to see Casper galavanting about in a g-string, her adherence to her own set of principles only further elevates her in my eyes.

The Greatest Use of Photoshop Ever?

Or is it real? I'm betting on Photoshop, particularly as the word "Marc" appears to be neatly superimposed on the young lady's briefs.

Look On Who We've Got Our Hanes On Now

I've always thought (or to put it more bluntly, fantasized) about how great it would be if lady wrestlers and catfighters could somehow convince businesses to sponsor them. So just as a race car driver is covered in logos, and a golfer or tennis player may wear patches that display a company's name, a wrestler or catfighter's limited clothing could incorporate a sponsor's logo. Here, the ladies from BoutTimeStudios wearing the tank tops appear to be sponored by Hanes. (You'll have to click on the picture to see it clearly; "Hanes" is on the lower left of their tops).

Don't Bring a Knife to a Gun Fight

If this were a wrestling match, Casper would certainly have the advantage over Fayth as Casper has trapped her opponent from up top with a head scissors. But Casper has thoughtlessly (or perhaps, thoughfully for our benefit) failed to secure Fayth's arms. So Fayth does what any good catfighter would do (albeit in a well executed apartment catfight -- a nice way of saying that it's not competitive), and reaches back and gets a good hold of Casper's nipples. The reigning Queen of Taking Tit Attacks does her utmost to let us know that Fayth has scored big time, particularly with Fayth's left hand really giving Casper's nipple a good yank.

African-American Tag Team

I just noticed that, purely as a matter of coincidence, my last two posts (before this series of three posts) featured African-American ladies getting the short end of things. So to make up for it, here's a nice match featuring two African-American tag teams from Womens World Video. Beginning on the left, we have Tonya at 5'4", 115 pounds and Lee at 5'8", 124 pounds against Isis at 5'4", 129 pounds and Coni at 5'7", 119 pounds. In this group shot, I particularly like the way that Isis is glancing over her shoulder at her opponents while everyone else looks at the camera.
At least in terms of chest size, Isis and Coni have the advantage. Although I'm not sure how that going to help them against the particularly tough looking Lee. I don't know if it was by design, but you'll note that the ladies on each team have similar skin tone, with Tonya and Lee being darker than their opponents.

Tag Team, Part 2

Tonya looks on smiling as Lee gets the better of Coni. Where you have presumably evenly matched tag teams, with one big girl (Lee and Coni) and a smaller girl (Tonya and Isis), a critical factor is who's big girl is better. Because unless the opposing team's small girl is really a class above the rest, the team with the better big girl has a decided advantage. An additional bonus of this photo is we are treated to a fine view of Coni's magnificent ass. Isis looks none too pleased as Lee continues to dominate Coni. Isis certainly seems to know how important it is for her partner to at least hold her own.
But as it turns out, Isis is no great shakes on the mat, either. Tonya demonstrates some real skill against her heavier opponent. Judging by Isis' facial expression, it seems that a submission is inevitable.
Isis doesn't really seem to have any answer to Tonya's speed and agression.
Correction. She does have an answer -- hair pulling -- although it's probably not permitted in a straight wrestling match.

Tag Team, Part 3

Hold the presses!!! It turns out Isis does have some skill, managing to get Tonya in a basic body scissors. Perhaps she will figure out how to squeeze her legs together to get the submission.
Finally, Coni and Isis have figured out how this tag team stuff works -- you want to try and get your bigger girl against their smaller girl. As they say in the Guiness commercials, Genius!!
It's understandable that Tonya has some trouble matching up against Coni, as she is giving up three inches in height. But to be fair to Coni, she only outweighs Tonya by four pounds, so its not like she had a completely unfair advantage.
I like to believe that this is a one in a million shot that captures the moment just after Coni has face sat Tonya for a submission. Sure, she could have just been sitting on her chest or something, but give me the benefit of the doubt.
There really isn't any doubt but that Lee is the class wrestler here, as she finishes Isis off with a modified body scissors. I don't know who won this match, but my money is on Lee and Tonya. If you happen to know, or just have any thoughts on the match, please leave a comment.

Ultimate Surrender Action

Although Ultimate Surrender's matches have particular rules that may not be to everyone's taste, these photos of Ariel putting the beat down on Stacy Cash perfectly capture Stacy's torment.
Stacy is no push over, however, and struggles valiantly.
In the end, Ariel is just too much for Stacy, and as you can see below, Ariel finishes her off in fine style.

A Great Position

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Boxing in Teeny, Tiny Bikinis

Although this match is obviously staged, the photos demonstrate that the folks in Japan are constantly thinking of new ideas for our viewing enjoyment. In this case, girls are going at it in professionally taped boxing gloves and tall boxing boots, but otherwise just wearing the most minimal of bikinis with g-strings.
A nice shot of a fighter in her corner, perhaps dejected at the course of the fight so far. The water sprayed on her breasts and neck to similate sweat is a nice idea, but I've yet to meet anyone who manages to work up a sweats on their chest and not on their face. The result of the "knockout" blow, with the loser's mouthpiece laying in the ring next to her. The sheen of the oil (I can't even say it looks like water in this picture) is a bit too much, but the victor's somewhat tired expression and body language let's us imagine that it was a particularly sprited match.

Solid Japanese Ring Wrestling

I've selected these five photos from two ring matches (available for purchase from Battle Japan) to discuss some of the finer points of properly capturing a ring match that is not diluted with sexual attacks. In the first featured match, we have Mao Takigawa in the black misfitting one piece against Aiko Oshino. Ms. Oshino is issuing a very simple and effective knee to Ms. Takigawa's collarbone, and the photo captures the moment of impact. There is no Casper/Rosemary-like oversized grimace, but the closed eyes and clenched teeth of a women wrestler taking a solid shot.
Ms. Takigawa appears to be suffering not only from Ms. Oshino's spirited attack, but also from the fact that her suit's strap is cutting into her left nipple. A poor choice of outfit, to be sure, but one which benefits the viewer.
These three photos feature the larger Kuroi Yume against Hirayama Yuri. As neither of these ladies are particularly busty, they wear swimsuits that are cut particularly high around their hips. Although Ms. Yume may not be in the best of physical condition, I am a fan of ladies who aren't mere whisps getting into the ring for our viewing pleasure.

One final point is that the ladies' aren't wearing elbow pads. Given how slender many of Japanese women are, the elbow pads often float around their arms that detracts from the overall effect of their proper ring attire. A small detail, to be sure, but as I've written in the past, it only takes the slightest misstep to ruin an otherwise commendable photo.

Why I Hate Mudwrestling

Simply because the mud covers the ladies once they get going. This photo is from what looked like fun and well organized backyard mud wrestling. You can click on the photo to see it in its orginal state and the series of photos from the event. I would have loved to have seen her in action (for obvious reasons). But once the mud starts flying, there isn't that much to see.

All The Marbles

Just a quick scene from the greatest ladies wrestling movie of all time. I had -- and still have -- such a crush on Iris (the brunette wrestler) that it's not even funny. I could go on and on about this film, but let's just say it had a profound impact on me when I first saw it during my formative years.

After the Match, Part 2

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