Indie Profile: Mad Dog Connelly
Mad Dog Connelly has been on a terror through the independent circuit, here are a few reasons you should be on the lookout for his next match
Welcome to Indie Profile, where I shout out some wrestlers that are doing their thing on the independent circuit. In this edition we take a look at Mad Dog Connelly and why you should go out of your way to catch a match or two of his.
Mad Dog Connelly is based out of central Illinois and has worked his way through promotions on the independent scene such as Warrior Wrestling, GCW, ZERO1, and more. Best known for his brawler style work in the ring, Mad Dog is one you will want to watch out for on the independent circuit. Let’s take a look at a few of the reasons why you’ll want to watch out for the Mad Dog.
Mad Dog Connelly: One to Watch
Fierce Intensity
From the time he comes through the curtain you feel an intensity that stays with you until he is back through the curtain after the final bell. Connelly is able to convince you that he is not one to be messed with, without saying a single work into a microphone (but his promos are great, more on that later) or to a fan sitting live in attendance. His presence does that all on its own, and it is one that makes you a little bit scared.
That energy portrays through the camera on shows that are live streamed. A perfect example is when he took on WARHORSE at Warrior Wrestling’s Resurrection event. During his in ring entrance he came within inches of the camera (and camera man) with a brutal strike. Even those watching the match on YouTube could feel the intensity that Connelly brings any time he steps through the curtain.
The intensity does not stop when the bell rings, in fact it gets turned up a notch. Although known as a brawler, his strikes will want to be avoided at all costs. His facial expressions and eye contact with the crowd make it so you feel like he is going to rip through anyone and anything in his way. The intensity is something to be seen live to fully comprehend and worth going an indie card that Connelly is on.
Physicality in the Ring
A key part of his character is having a chain wrapped around his neck brough to the ring with him. It isn’t just for looks either, it often gets used to inflict damage on his opponents inside and outside of the ring. The chain is not the only weapon utilized in the ring by Connelly. He has also used chairs and even bear trapes to inflict punishment on his opponents.
He doesn’t always need weapons to inflict damage on his opponents. His hard hitting physical strikes and imposing physical figure do enough damage to his opponents. Being a brawler, he is also known for taking the match outside the ropes and exploring the space around him. He is also no stranger to grabbing things outside of the ring and using them to inflict damage. His latest Warrior Wrestling match included a rematch with WARHORSE that saw WARHORSE get split open after the match brook out onto the exposed cement parking lot.
Regardless if the match stays in the ring or goes outside the ropes or if Connelly is using a weapon or just his bare hands (which are a weapon themselves) the physicality that he brings to the ring always makes a lasting impression on those watching.
A Memorable Character
Without speaking a word Connelly strikes fear into his opponents, camera operators, and fans alike. Just his pure presence is enough of a character to make a lasting impression on anyone watching.
His promos he cuts around his matches add to the larger than life and terrifying character that he portrays. He promos are often shot in dark rooms that add to the brooding aura that he carries with him the the ring. His signature chain is often on display and called back to when he is cutting a promo on opponents. The promos often are straight forward and describe how and why he is going to inflict damage on opponents. They have the spine chilling effect to them and make you worry about the well being of anyone brave enough to step in the ring with him.
The intensity in his promos make you interested in watching the match. It is fun to see him the chain carried around his neck go from his promos, to the ring, and eventually the body of his opponent. It is an intensity that is not seen in many other places on the independent circuit and it rounds out his character as all as connects the character to the in ring action.
Memorable Matches
Everything described above comes together when he steps into the ring. The promos and character make you excited (and scared) to see him come through the curtain and step between the ropes. His brawling style and brutality that he brings to his matches makes them a stand out on any card that he is part of.
Warrior Wrestling put him one on one with Timothy Thatcher in an evenly matched brawl that saw the two tear each other apart. He also brawled all over the venue with Mance Warner, which saw Mad Dog almost toss Mancer over the top of the balcony. His latest match with WARHORSE saw multiple personal and half of the locker room have to remove Mad Dog from an already beat down and bloody WARHORSE.
Watching a Mad Dog match in person or on streaming always always guarantees a memorable moment, or at least a very fun brawl with a larger than life character.
Have you seen any of Mad Dog Connelly’s matches? Which one is your favorite? Sound off in the comments below.
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