The Masked Wrestler on IWTV continued on this week, as the reality-based show premiered its third episode on Wednesday night just an hour before AEW Dynamite went on the air. If you’re not familiar with the concept of the show, it’s based on Fox’s mega-successful show, The Masked Singer, where real-life celebrities dress up as colorful characters and try to mask their identity all while singing hit songs. On The Masked Wrestler, various independent wrestlers will dress up and compete in matches under their masks. If they happen to lose the match, they are forced to reveal their identity to the judges and the audience.
The judging panel of WARHORSE, Edith Surreal, and Matt Tremont were back this week — along with host Larry Legend.
If you missed the recap of episodes one and two — check them out here and here.
Match 3: Wallflower vs. R.A.L.P.H
Wallflower was introduced first. They portrayed a ‘tough guy’ vibe, but that vibe could have easily been faked. Flower mentioned that they’d been wrestling for about six years and that they can adapt to many different styles.
Wallflower also had two truths and a lie: They run their own professional wrestling promotion, they’re best friends with a rodent, and they drive cars for extra money.
R.A.L.P.H was probably my favorite character in the show thus far. First off — R.A.L.P.H stands for Robotic Automated Lucha Powered Humanoid. They revealed that they are super ‘green’ in the ring and have only been wrestling for two years — primarily in IWA Mid-South. R.A.L.P.H’s two truths and a lie were: Their first girlfriend was a cash register, their favorite movie is Robocop, and they have a really big….
This match was easily the most entertaining bout of the second season so far. R.A.L.P.H acted like a real robot and even had sound effects to go along with his performance. It was presented like his face was solid steel, as a robot would be, so when Wallflower punched him — it almost broke his hand. Wallflower had the offense similar to a smaller, speed-based wrestler like Lio Rush.
The ending of the match was unique. Wallflower was struggling to put away R.A.L.P.H, so he poured water on his face and wrist — which ultimately made him malfunction and fall to the mat. Wallflower then set up a piece of wood across two chairs and draped R.A.L.P.H across it. Right when Wallflower went to the top rope, R.A.L.P.H ‘turned back on’ and activated his rage mode — which prompted him to chokeslam Wallflower off the top rope onto the set-up structure. R.A.L.P.H pinned him shortly after.
R.A.L.P.H. vs Wallflower
M.O.T.Y.C.?#MaskedWrestler on https://t.co/MPOeoi1HTx pic.twitter.com/goBd324L2R
— IWTV (@indiewrestling) February 10, 2022
As per the rules, the competitor on the losing end must unmask after the judges make their picks. Matt Tremont’s guess was Jimmy Lloyd, Edith Surreal’s guess was AKIRA, and WARHORSE’s guess was Cole Radrick.
Wallflower was… Cole Radrick
Wallflower was revealed to be Cole Radrick! Radrick primarily wrestles in Game Changer Wrestling but also does work in Paradigm Pro and Unsanctioned Pro. His lie was that he runs a wrestling promotion.
IWTV The Masked Wrestler S2 Episode 3 Review
This was my favorite episode of the second season. The match was very entertaining and featured the usage of weapons and comedy wrestling — which actually go well together. The R.A.L.P.H character seems like it could go really far and potentially win the entire season.
If you’re interested in checking out The Masked Wrestler, you can sign up for an IWTV subscription here.
