Gallery 819 Mike Kruel vs. Cody Rhodes (AKA Cody Runnels)
		Mike Kruel has been around the Indy wrestling scene for almost 20 years.  He always looks incredible in his tight trunks, and he has amazing talent in the ring, but for some reason he's never gotten his Golden Ticket to the Big Show yet.
Kruel's opponent today is cute Cody Rhodes, son of legend Dusty Rhodes.  Here is Cody with his arm raised in victory, which seems to have turned him on a little bit.
		Check out Kruel dripping with sweat in a blue speedo after a rowdy battle.  Actually Mike Kruel is also a second generation wrestler.  His father, known as "Bodyguard For Hire," wrestled in New York back in the 90's.  (Please send me photos of Bodyguard For Hire if you have any!)
It's hard to believe that dumpy old Dusty Rhodes fathered this gorgeous 22 year old pretty-boy with his smoldering good looks and lean physique.   Dusty might want to visit Maurie Povich to make sure: "When it comes to 22 year old Cody, Dusty, you ARE the father!"
	Both Kruel and Rhodes are second generation wrestlers, both are handsome and fit, both have felt the Gold around their waists.  Who will prevail and move forward in his career when they clash in the ring?
		Kruel enters the ring in his usual skin-tight speedo, this time dark blue.  The ref gets up close to him and whispers in his ear, I guess to remind him of the rules.
		With that body, you'd think Kruel would dominate.  But actually all the young hunks have been whipping him lately.  Here's his record, just before this match: 7/15/06 Shawn Spears defeated Mike Kruel 7/21/06 Brent Albright defeated Mike Kruel 7/22/06 Shawn Spears defeated Mike Kruel 7/26/06 C.M. Punk & Seth Skyfire defeated Mike Kruel & Eddie Craven  7/27/06 Shawn Spears defeated Mike Kruel
Cody climbs into the ring, carefully watching his big opponent. Here is Cody's record from the same period: 7/12/06 Cody defeated Raul of Los Locos with a sleeperhold.. 7/14/06 Cody defeated Rod Steele 7/19/06 Cody defeated Kasey James by DQ when Aaron Stevens interfered 7/21/06 Cody defeated Rod Steele 7/26/06 Cody defeated Kasey James
Here is how one website describes the great Mike Kruel in the ring:   "This second generation grappler is probably the toughest person ever to step foot in an ECWA ring in the promotion's 38 year history. He is not only tough, but he has tremendous strength. The unique thing about Kruel is that aside from his power and brawling tactics, he is a tremendous ring technician, thus lending to his nickname of "The Shooter". He can do it all in the squared circle."
	Here is how one fan described Cody Rhodes in a message board:   "The dude has absolutely unlimited potential in my eyes... He looks good, he can cut a promo, and he's a solid worker... All he needs is to learn some fluidity, but that comes with time. What I look for in the next six months or so to either turn into a cocky, self-absorbed type heel or a working class hero style babyface."
		Actually there is a lot of buzz about Cody on-line these days... They say this 22-year-old is bringing back the "old-school" style with his devastating Sleeper Hold.   They say he's being pushed hard in the WWE so the fans forget about recent tragedies.   They also say he looks great in his black banana hammock.
The bell sounds and the two eager athletes circle each other, both looking for an advantage.
They lock up collar and elbow.  Does litte 22-year old Cody really think he can out-muscle big Mike Kruel, who has been whomping on baby-faces since 1999?!?
Kruel embraces Cody around the waist, trying to crush him in a Reverse Bearhug.  Quick as a cat, Cody spins out and applies his own Heimlich Maneuver on Kruel.  The big man uses his brute strength to power out.  Can speed and agility defeat raw power??
Damn, this Cody looks like the perfect man.  However, on his MySpace Page, he admits: "I have a mutant like ability for appearing to be the perfect man, but in all honesty...I am more of an uptight scrooge. Yes...I have a rather dry sense-of-humor as well..."
They lock up again and Cody secures a nice Side Headlock.  He grinds it up and down a few times and drags Kruel around like a dog on a leash.
Cody goes "old-school", maintaining the Headlock for several minutes. He purses his lips and shows off his hard biceps, forcing Kruel down to one knee.  Cody, you're a bad-ass.
Check out both Cody and his opponent sneaking a peek at that nice rounded bicep.  I guess I'd stare at myself too if that arm was attached to my shoulder.
Cody whips the bigger man to the mat and lays on him.  Mike Kruel's job in Ohio Valley Wrestling seems to be putting the handsome young pretty-boys "over" with the fans, letting them dominate a huge muscle-bound veteran to gain some fan-heat.
Kruel is unable to break Cody's tight Headlock.  He resorts to pulling hair (like a little bitch) in order to escape.  Clearly Mike Kruel has met his match in Cody Rhodes!
I think Cody would have beaten Mike Kruel right here, using his awesome Headlock, if it weren't for Kruel's dirty hair-pulling.  Yes, Mike Kruel has become a "Muslce-Jobber to the Pretty-boys."
		Kruel struggles to his feet and forces Cody into the corner, chest to chest.  Ouch, this Mike Kruel is pure muscle, check out his awesome wide back and shoulders.
		Instead of a clean break, Kruel delivers an elbow to poor Cody's face.  The camera captures the handsome rookie's expression of woe.
		Now it's Kruel's turn to show off his powerful physique with a grinding Side Headlock of his own.  NICE!!
		Gritting his teeth, Kruel tries to rip Cody's head off his neck.  The ref, meanwhile, leans in close until he's almost kissing the helpless pretty-boy.
Whoa, I'm liking this "Shooter" Mike Kruel more and more!  He pours on the pressure, until young Cody looks about ready to cry.  Here is how one interview describes Kruel's work in the ring: "I think anyone would be hard pressed to remember the last time Kruel ever had a bad match. Every time this young performer steps in the ring, you can be assured of seeing a great match and he truly gives 100% every time he laces up his boots."
		Poor Cody may be out cold, but Kruel continues to milk that Headlock with all his might.  And that ref sure ain't going anywhere either!
GRRR!  More neck-snapping pressure from Kruel.  Here is how one blogger explains Kruel's failure to reach a higher level of fame:   "Kruel has potential to be in the top 5... He is THAT. DAMN. GOOD. However……he lacks anything remotely close to resembling charisma. He has none of it. ZIP… ZERO… NADA… NILTCH!!  However his ability to put on a compelling match and tell a hell of a story is second to none... Kruel has a knack for doing little things in matches that make you go back and think, “Wow!" "
Now out of the Headlock, Cody is forced to bend over.  Then Kruel knees him in the chin and about knocks his skull into the back row of the New Davis Arena.  Kruel hooks one leg and tries for a pin.
Wow that Cody Rhodes is flexible!  He also has the heart of a Champion, and he kicks out on the count of 2.9999.
		They battle some more, then suddenly Cody slaps on his famous Sleeper Hold.  He learned this from his father, the American Dream!
		Don't tell me they're going to job out the great Mike Kruel to Cody's devastating Sleeper!!  Oh well, you gotta love the Sleeper Hold.
		One Ohio Valley Wrestling fan wrote this about Cody: "If you like Old School, you're going to love Cody Runnels. For a young guy, his moves are about as old as Dusty Rhodes... Runnels is another undefeated rookie in OVW this year. He's become pretty popular, mainly with the ladies... He has dug the sleeper hold back out of the same grave as ECW and has been winning with it. How long has it been since you saw someone's arm drop down 3 times? For me, it's becoming every week, and that's a breath of fresh air that was bottled in the 1970's."
		Mike Kruel grows limp in Cody's embrace, unable to escape. Meanwhile, some wise-guy fan holds up a "Cody Sucks" sign in the background.  That's pretty funny, but you'd never get away with that at a WWE show!
		Cody dumps Kruel on the mat like a sack of old garbage. This proves that, in the competitive world of Pro Wrestling, it's not what you know, or how hard you work out, it's who your daddy was.
		The Ohio Valley Wrestling fans get one last look at handsome Cody, his arm raised in victory.  Soon after this, he rocketed to the top of the WWE and began feuding with Randy Orton.
The ref checks on the beaten Mike Kruel, who is still selling the devastating effects of that Sleeper.  Meanwhile Cody struts around the ring like he invented the sport of Pro Wrestling.
Cody looks down at the big muscle stud laying helpless at his feet.  I wonder if he's thinking "Sorry I had to destroy and humiliate you, big guy, but I'm destined to be a huge WWE super-star."
Wow.  Cutie. "When it comes to 22 year old Cody, Dusty, you are NOT the father!"
You can watch the video of this match below: