Fantasizing about dream match ups is part of being a professional wrestling fan. For years I read magazines like Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Inside Wrestling, and The Wrestler, intrigued by their fantasy match ups. I would then grab my action figures and create my own fantasy tournaments, where I would decide who was the best of all time. It is in that spirit that I write my Fights of Fancy articles. A look inside the arena of imagination where we ask who would win in the match up of… Tyler Breeze vs. Rick Martel.
You could nickname this one the Blue Steel Brawl, with two of the most self-professed gorgeous men in sports entertainment history squaring off against each other. Both men know how to rock the runway, and the ring. Today I attempt to analyze both Prince Pretty as well as the Model and see if Tyler would be overpowered by the smell of arrogance, or if Martel would be forced to smile and say Breeze. First let us look at the participants in the match.
Tyler Breeze
His theme song describes him as part man, but all model, and while his nickname might be Prince Pretty, there is nothing pretty about Tyler’s offense once he gets in the ring. The fact of the matter is, Breeze can be straight up vicious if he is motivated enough, and when he gets on a roll, it is very hard to slow him down. He also happens to be very fast. In fact, with Kalisto moving up to the World Wrestling Entertainment main roster, I would wager that Breeze might be the speediest competitor in NXT.
When it comes to accomplishments, Tyler falls a bit short. Despite being in NXT for a few years now, the King of Cuteville has yet to capture the NXT Championship, despite multiple opportunities. It always seems like once he gets to the mountaintop, he chokes and tumbles all the way back down. In doing so he has displayed some resilience, never quitting when it comes to wanting to be the top dog in NXT.
Many would attribute his problems directly to his lack of a killer instinct. While there is no doubt that Tyler is all business when he is in the ring, he sometimes can be a little over confident. When he gets comfortable, he gets sloppy, and opens himself up to damage from his opponents that can cause the tide to swing, or even end the match with him looking up at the lights.
Having been a part of NXT for so long, the quality of his opposition has been a solid stream of the best up and coming talent in the business today. Some of the names he has battled include Tyson Kidd, Neville, and Sami Zayn. His toughest opposition to date had to have been Jushin “Thunder” Liger, who he faced at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn. Despite coming up short against the legend, Tyler almost got the best of the Japanese great, and there is no doubt he must have learned an awful lot during his time in the ring with him.
Rick Martel
There is only one word to describe Rick Martel: Arrogance. Not just the signature fragrance of Martel, but his attitude in all things when it came to in-ring competition. Rick was a gifted athlete, likely the reason he had such a fantastic body. While he could lay into you with some stiff kicks and punches, the Model preferred to beat you up with much more finesse. At his core, Martel was a grappler, and could out wrestle just about anyone, given the chance. His Boston Crab (more appropriately called the Quebec Crab in WCW, as Martel was from Quebec City) submission hold was the end of many matches with the Model, which was an appropriate name given how Rick could win matches, and look real good doing it.
Of course, Rick did have his less desirable qualities. While he did look good, Martel knew it, and often let his confidence get in the way of victory. It was not out of place to see Rick performing jumping jacks or cartwheels to show off, only to be caught by his opponent moments later. Martel was also a little too concerned about his looks while in the ring. If an opponent dared to punch his face or mess up his hair, Rick would get visibly upset, and it would quite obviously throw him off his game plan. In fact, he famously had a match with Shawn Michaels at Summer Slam 1992 in which neither man were allowed to hit each other in the face!
Martel has had great success over the course of his career, winning the World Wrestling Federation Tag Team Championship with partner Tito Santana as one half of Strike Force. He also held the World Championship Wrestling Television Championship and the American Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Championship. Rick has managed to hold these titles throughout the length of his career, proving that he was the type of performer who always kept himself in phenomenal shape, both physically and mentally.
Martel has wrestled the biggest names in the industry. From Ric Flair to Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan, to Jumbo Tsuruta, but his most memorable feud, and toughest challenge came from Jake “The Snake” Roberts. After spraying Jake in the eyes with his Arrogance cologne, rending him blind, Rick continued to mock Roberts for months until Jake regained his vision. At WrestleMania VII, the two would clash in an infamous Blindfold match, where both men would have their sight taken from them. It was a unique match that really only worked in that situation, but it remains a classic WrestleMania match and one that taught Rick to be more careful where he sprays his cologne.
The Match
The feeling out process between these two would be the most interesting aspect of the contest. I imagine Martel with not only his size, strength, and finesse, would easily out maneuver Prince Pretty at first, embarrassing him at times and making him look sloppy by comparison.
Where things might turn around would be Rick’s actions after a few minutes. Martel wouldn’t be able to resist some showboating after besting Breeze on the mat. Perhaps a few cart wheels or jumping jacks to show off his incredible shape. Of course, that is when Breeze would catch Martel with a patented Super Model Kick, sending the arrogant one careening to the floor to throw a hissy fit about Tyler striking him in the face.
Rick wouldn’t have time to complain long however. Tyler would already be following up by launching himself over the top rope onto the Model below. From there, Martel would be rolled back in the ring to endure an onslaught on kicks in the corner and various fast paced flying attacks from Prince Pretty. Rick’s fantastic conditioning would likely be the only thing that would allow him to not get blown up by the younger, faster Breeze. When Martel would be able to put some space between himself and Breeze, he would retreat to the outside for a breather.
Getting impatient, Tyler would follow, only to be outsmarted by Rick, who would catch Tyler with a stiff kick to the gut and ram his back into the apron, gaining control, and softening him up for the Boston Crab. This would be Rick’s chance to slow down the pace and really work over Tyler’s back, keeping Breeze grounded with moves designed to wear him down. Tyler would take a lot of punishment, but would be able to turn things around when Rick goes for the Boston Crab. Having faced submission specialist Tyson Kidd on a number of occasions, Breeze would know how to reverse the hold, sending the Model spinning to the mat. With Martel momentarily dazed, Tyler would use the opportunity to hit the Beauty Shot, giving him some time to recover while Rick tried to regain his composure.
Breeze would set him up for another Super Model kick, but Martel would hear it coming and duck, attempting a school boy roll up. It wouldn’t work, but it would allow Rick to grab Tyler from behind for a second attempt. Sensing defeat, Breeze would run to the ropes to break up the attempt, but Martel would hold on, rolling Breeze backwards into a pinning predicament. After grabbing a hold of Tyler’s tights, it would take just three seconds for Martel to be declared the winner, and for Tyler to go back to Cuteville to sulk.
Winner: Rick “The Model” Martel
Agree? Disagree? Think the match would go another way? Make your voice heard in the comments below and let me know what you think on twitter @AdamContant. Use the hashtag #FightsOfFancy.
