Anthony Bravado

A bodybuilder by definition builds up his body. But when you turn a bodybuilder into a wrestler, this usually ends up in bodies being broken (by the bodybuilder, of course). I've always found a little irony in that. Not that I mind. In fact, I think it's awesome to see a dude who likes to put his muscles to use rather than just posing with them. One such bodybuilder/wrestler is Anthony Bravado, seen here gorilla pressing Chris Hero, which is no small task since Hero weighs over 220 pounds. Bravado is more than up for the task, though. I like the first photo where he let's you know what he's going to do to you once you step into the wrestling ring. Some might call that being cocky, and I suppose that's true. But some people have earned the right to be cocky, and that includes a wrestling bodybuilder like Bravado who can hoist muscle dudes up over his head with ease. (Special thanks to Jim from Chicago for sharing these awesome photos.)

Kyle O'Reilly

Kyle O'Reilly is a young Canadian wrestler who, at least early in his career, appeared in several Cyberfights matches. The contrast between this little dude and his bigger opponents is often striking. He looks almost infantile compared to the likes of muscled and mature wrestlers Johnny Handsome, Fade, and Nelson Creed, among others. And the comical and exaggerated look of fear on O'Reilly's face every time he's picked up for a slam just makes him look even more juvenile, like he's crying out "Jeepers, Mr. Fade, please don't hurt me!" At first it's funny to see, but after a while you just want to yell at him, "Hey kid, go back to your sand box and let the big boys play."

Fear Factor

I get a laugh sometimes when I see pics of bodyslams, and the guy being carried around has a look of abject terror on his face, or at least one of extreme discomfort. I mean, the guy in the third picture looks like he's auditioning for a hemorrhoid commercial. C'mon guys, why the fear? Think of when you were a little kid and being taken for an airplane spin by a bigger brother or someone. If someone like Scotty Mac were carrying me around like this, I'd sure have a smile on my face. This is the highlight of the bodyslam because things aren't going to get any better when the slam comes. Only the dude in the last picture has the right attitude. Enjoy the ride while you can, my friend. Enjoy the ride. (Note: Top photo from Cyberfights, second and fifth from BGEast, and the fourth from Thunders Arena. All sites have great wrestling action. Anyone know where the third photo comes from?)

Stoner Wrestling

I don't know anything about who these guys are or where they are wrestling, but I love the look on this guy whose about to get slammed. The dazed expression. The bloodshot eyes. The listless air about him. He looks completely stoned (probably hits him about 4:20 into each match). Before you step into the ring to face a singlet clad muscle dude, you better have your wits about you. Otherwise you'll probably end up like this.

More Fahd Rakman

So, let's just spend a little more time with our buddy Fady the Arabian Bull. According to his old profile at Independent Wrestling Federation in New Jersey, he's comes in at an impressive 6'5" and 270 pounds. It also lists the powerslam as his finsher. It's easy to see why. When you're put together like the incredible hulk, there's no need for flashy and complicated high flying moves when you can use a simple but effective powerslam to waste your opponent. I especially like the third picture where he takes an elbow to the nose. It just shows that even muscle stud wrestlers endure some nicks and bruises while in the ring or on the mat. But that's merely a small price to pay for the joy of crushing another dude with just your hands.

Fahd Rakman

Pictured here is Fahd Rakman, aka Fady the Arabian Bull. At 6'5" and 270 pounds, this guy is just pure beast. When you're that big and strong, you just can't help but want to show off your muscles by picking up and tossing other dudes around. Fahd wrestled in New Jersey for awhile before heading to WWE's Florida Championship Wrestling. But it seems last fall he was released by FCW. I hope he still wrestles. His bodyslam technique is flawless. I love picking up a guy to shoulder level and walking him around before the slam, the victim's feet up higher than his head. It's complete domination. If anyone knows what Fahd is up to these days, please let us know.

Lotta Italiana

I can't tell you much about these guys other than this action takes place in an Italian pro wrestling league. But this makes a point about why wrestling is so great. It's international. You get a muscle guy who crotch lifts his opponent up high, parades him around to show his dominance, then slams him hard down onto the mat. It looks good in any language.