Paul Jones [Highspots Shoot Interview with George South]
The Good
I've always enjoyed shoot interviews conducted by other workers because there is a natural camaraderie that comes through and that usually makes up for the lack of hard-hitting questions (which does not really exist in the pro-wrestling shoot interview universe). George South, a veteran journeyman of the Mid-Atlantic area, admits that Paul Jones was and is his favorite wrestler of all-time and he marks out continuously throughout this interview. The upside is that South is a really insightful person into the business and he is able to conduct a solid interview with the kayfabing Jones that I don't think others would have gotten. In addition to having a long-time relationship, South knows the career of Paul Jones very well and that makes this better than a great many RF Video shoots. This was a very different kind of shoot interview, even different from those I've heard Jim Cornette, Raven and Steve Corino conduct. This is good and I think most people, especially fans of the Mid-Atlantic and JCP days, would really enjoy this.
The Bad
Kayfabing in shoot interviews never plays well. Paul Jones does not seem uncomfortable in discussing things, but he does not use any lingo ("booing" instead "heat," "matchmaker" instead of "booker" as a few examples), never really gets into the backstage details and talks in vague terms quite a bit. I question if this was conducted by someone other than George South (I'd never heard of a Paul Jones shoot before this) whether or not this would have any value. He is not out to bury anybody and avoids openly wielding arrows toward Dusty Rhodes, Manny Fernandez and a couple others than he had issues with. He puts himself over quite strongly and while I don't question his popularity in the Southeast, you want to question some of his claims here. Overall this was worth a listen and while I was disappointed, it could have been much, much worse.
The Rating: ***1/2
Showing posts with label 1970s. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1970s. Show all posts
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Friday, July 12, 2013
Terry Funk [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
Conducted in 1998, not too long after Terry Funk's WWF run, Terry Funk delivers what was perhaps the best RF Video shoot at this point in time. He is a natural storyteller and this was at a great point in his career for him to look back. Before his autobiography, his numerous interviews and coverage in "Beyond the Mat," this was an amazing piece of pro-wrestling history. Several parts of this such as looking at Amarillo, his NWA Championship run and the early days of ECW were interesting, but have been covered in greater detail in various places (including in future shoots by Funk himself). I felt the highlights of this, which stand up are the details concerning his time with All Japan and relationship with FMW head Atsushi Onita. Stories of Japan are not uncommon in shoot interviews, but Terry Funk's experiences are distinctly different as he worked in the All Japan office, saw many changes and worked with many of the top wrestlers (like Onita) when they were "young boys." This is also back in the day of matches being integrated into RF Video shoots, so you can catch some great (and not-so-great) action from Terry Funk's career.
The Bad
Although this was the first Terry Funk shoot I heard and was, at the time, one of my favorites, this seemed so old and limited looking back. I don't think RF Video really started delivering quality shoot interviews for another five years, but they sure secured some great names, did longer interviews and had one of the only forums for shoot interviews. I've since heard Terry Funk partnered with all kinds of people from Harley Race and Bob Backlund to Shane Douglas and Steve Corino. I have to say, I've preferred those. His interaction with others and that necessarily limiting structure just work so well for a rambler who has seen so much. This "was" amazing nearly fifteen years ago, but it is not as great today.
The Rating: ****1/4
The Good
Conducted in 1998, not too long after Terry Funk's WWF run, Terry Funk delivers what was perhaps the best RF Video shoot at this point in time. He is a natural storyteller and this was at a great point in his career for him to look back. Before his autobiography, his numerous interviews and coverage in "Beyond the Mat," this was an amazing piece of pro-wrestling history. Several parts of this such as looking at Amarillo, his NWA Championship run and the early days of ECW were interesting, but have been covered in greater detail in various places (including in future shoots by Funk himself). I felt the highlights of this, which stand up are the details concerning his time with All Japan and relationship with FMW head Atsushi Onita. Stories of Japan are not uncommon in shoot interviews, but Terry Funk's experiences are distinctly different as he worked in the All Japan office, saw many changes and worked with many of the top wrestlers (like Onita) when they were "young boys." This is also back in the day of matches being integrated into RF Video shoots, so you can catch some great (and not-so-great) action from Terry Funk's career.
The Bad
Although this was the first Terry Funk shoot I heard and was, at the time, one of my favorites, this seemed so old and limited looking back. I don't think RF Video really started delivering quality shoot interviews for another five years, but they sure secured some great names, did longer interviews and had one of the only forums for shoot interviews. I've since heard Terry Funk partnered with all kinds of people from Harley Race and Bob Backlund to Shane Douglas and Steve Corino. I have to say, I've preferred those. His interaction with others and that necessarily limiting structure just work so well for a rambler who has seen so much. This "was" amazing nearly fifteen years ago, but it is not as great today.
The Rating: ****1/4
Friday, February 8, 2013
The Great Debate `08 - Bruno Sammartino vs. Harley Race [KayFabe Commentaries]
The Good
Two huge stars from the 1970s, Bruno favors the 1960s a little and Harley worked well into the late 1980s, but regardless, two true legends. I think if you like listening to either of these two you'll find this enjoyable. Bruno Sammartino had such an amazing career and he is as opinionated as he is experienced. Harley's career perhaps had more variety and scope to it and while he has his views, he's not really abrasive. Since this was billed as a "debate," I expected questions that would put them on opposite sides of a topic. Largely they saw eye-to-eye, so there was little disagreement between them. So, this turned into a tandem shoot of sorts. If you accept that reality, then you can probably see this as a very good one. Sean Oliver is excellent at organizing questions and making things flow well and these two have so much mutual respect that it makes for good back-and-forth. The structure and specific questions made this a little different and I'd certainly recommend a one time listen.
The Bad
If you wanted a heated argument about the supremacy of the NWA versus the WWWF, why a champion should be a heel versus a face or what makes a good promoter, you won't get it. Bruno and Harley are largely in agreement on the issues raised and other than a few slight differences of opinion (that are usually played down as being relative to a region). Those agreements aside, these two are very respectful of one another and seem unwilling to even try to steal the spotlight here. While the Great Debate concept is a neat one, it simply did not happen here. This needed to be like Jim Cornette and Vince Russo, Jerry Lawler and the Honky Tonk Man or Billy Jack Haynes and a sane person to have a real debate. A nice shoot, but not an out-of-the-park-homerun.
The Rating: ***3/4
The Good
Two huge stars from the 1970s, Bruno favors the 1960s a little and Harley worked well into the late 1980s, but regardless, two true legends. I think if you like listening to either of these two you'll find this enjoyable. Bruno Sammartino had such an amazing career and he is as opinionated as he is experienced. Harley's career perhaps had more variety and scope to it and while he has his views, he's not really abrasive. Since this was billed as a "debate," I expected questions that would put them on opposite sides of a topic. Largely they saw eye-to-eye, so there was little disagreement between them. So, this turned into a tandem shoot of sorts. If you accept that reality, then you can probably see this as a very good one. Sean Oliver is excellent at organizing questions and making things flow well and these two have so much mutual respect that it makes for good back-and-forth. The structure and specific questions made this a little different and I'd certainly recommend a one time listen.
The Bad
If you wanted a heated argument about the supremacy of the NWA versus the WWWF, why a champion should be a heel versus a face or what makes a good promoter, you won't get it. Bruno and Harley are largely in agreement on the issues raised and other than a few slight differences of opinion (that are usually played down as being relative to a region). Those agreements aside, these two are very respectful of one another and seem unwilling to even try to steal the spotlight here. While the Great Debate concept is a neat one, it simply did not happen here. This needed to be like Jim Cornette and Vince Russo, Jerry Lawler and the Honky Tonk Man or Billy Jack Haynes and a sane person to have a real debate. A nice shoot, but not an out-of-the-park-homerun.
The Rating: ***3/4
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Face-Off 7: Terry Funk & Bob Backlund [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
A good solid interview where two guys with genuine respect talk about the past. I've heard the Funker half a dozen times and have never heard Backlund, so part of me felt like this was lacking because so much of the focus was on Amarillo. They respect for one another played well though and it was totally different than Terry with Shane Douglas, Steve Corino or Mick Foley. These two were much more contemporaries and had this long history and careers that never overlapped other than that brief period in the mid-70s. I think this was a good combination, but you feel like there is a whole layer missing as well.
The Bad
Tandem interviews are so hit-or-miss and this one could probably be called either based on your preferences. Terry Funk is fascinating interview and I've enjoyed hearing him several times in different places and sometimes paired with people. Bob Backlund, whom I'd never heard in a shoot before, was about what I expected. This was a pretty low-key type of interview where they put each other over, they put their glory days over and buried the current product a bit as well. Although I found this enjoyable and interesting, it just seemed to be lacking in some way.
The Rating: ***1/2
The Good
A good solid interview where two guys with genuine respect talk about the past. I've heard the Funker half a dozen times and have never heard Backlund, so part of me felt like this was lacking because so much of the focus was on Amarillo. They respect for one another played well though and it was totally different than Terry with Shane Douglas, Steve Corino or Mick Foley. These two were much more contemporaries and had this long history and careers that never overlapped other than that brief period in the mid-70s. I think this was a good combination, but you feel like there is a whole layer missing as well.
The Bad
Tandem interviews are so hit-or-miss and this one could probably be called either based on your preferences. Terry Funk is fascinating interview and I've enjoyed hearing him several times in different places and sometimes paired with people. Bob Backlund, whom I'd never heard in a shoot before, was about what I expected. This was a pretty low-key type of interview where they put each other over, they put their glory days over and buried the current product a bit as well. Although I found this enjoyable and interesting, it just seemed to be lacking in some way.
The Rating: ***1/2
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Mike Graham [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
I had never heard Mike Graham talk much more than the pieces on the Florida DVDs that were released years ago, but I just knew he'd be an excellent shoot interview. On those, he seemed laid back and personable with a good sense of humor that makes for an enjoyable shoot interview. I also had heard from many of his peers (Kevin Sullivan being most notable) that he was very smart about the business and so I expected he could get into some of the booking and psychology aspects as well. Moreover, Mike Graham grew up as a second-generation wrestler and his father, Eddie, is regarded as one of the best bookers in the business. Finally, the peak and fall of Championship Wrestling from Florida was something Mike lived through and was inarguably impacted by. All of these factor made this the definitive shoot interview about the peak and fall of pro-wrestling in Florida. Yes, I have heard many legends of Florida talk about it from Dusty Rhodes and Jack Brisco to Kevin Sullivan and Sir Oliver Humperdink, but Mike Graham just has that in-the-bubble mentality that provides for deep insight, passionate comments and an overarching view that those others lacked because of their extensive careers elsewhere. The angles, the booking, the characters, the hot periods, the cold periods and all the rest of it are covered here. Mike also peppers this with great road stories about Dick Slater, Terry Funk and other legendary characters who passed through Florida. This shoot interview reaches a climax of sorts when Eddie Graham's suicide is covered. People have attributed Eddie's decline to poor business decisions, the change of the pro-wrestling scene, the departure of Dusty Rhodes and many of his top stars, problems with a mistress and perhaps his own body breaking down, Mike gives credence to all of these to an extent. He gives an emotional remembrance, but also gives the details. While you may not have enjoyed Mike Graham as a performer and might find some his claims (see below) to be a bit much, one has to admit that he does a great job here and delivers one of the best shoot interviews I've ever experienced.
The Bad
Mike Graham grew up in and became a central figure in Florida like Greg Gagne, the Von Erichs, the Harts, the Fullers, Captain Ed George and many others did in their respective territories. Like many of those aforementioned talents, he never really left home until he had to. Now some people might see Mike Graham's claims as lofty. He credits himself for giving Eric Bischoff the formula that took WCW in a more successful direction in the mid-90s. He says he called out Sid Vicious, Chris Benoit and such, but they backed down. He seems to allude to some admittedly outrageous stories that he can't get into because it would hurt certain parties, which seem to be tales of pro-wrestling wild side. I suppose much of that could be true, but many of his more grandiose comments have never been told by others (that I've heard) and while he is generally well-regarded by his peers, I'm frustrated that many of his eyebrow-raising statements are being heard for the first time. I am not going to say that Mike Graham is a liar and is just focused on putting himself, his father and Championship Wrestling from Florida over, but his comments certainly do that.
The Rating: *****
The Good
I had never heard Mike Graham talk much more than the pieces on the Florida DVDs that were released years ago, but I just knew he'd be an excellent shoot interview. On those, he seemed laid back and personable with a good sense of humor that makes for an enjoyable shoot interview. I also had heard from many of his peers (Kevin Sullivan being most notable) that he was very smart about the business and so I expected he could get into some of the booking and psychology aspects as well. Moreover, Mike Graham grew up as a second-generation wrestler and his father, Eddie, is regarded as one of the best bookers in the business. Finally, the peak and fall of Championship Wrestling from Florida was something Mike lived through and was inarguably impacted by. All of these factor made this the definitive shoot interview about the peak and fall of pro-wrestling in Florida. Yes, I have heard many legends of Florida talk about it from Dusty Rhodes and Jack Brisco to Kevin Sullivan and Sir Oliver Humperdink, but Mike Graham just has that in-the-bubble mentality that provides for deep insight, passionate comments and an overarching view that those others lacked because of their extensive careers elsewhere. The angles, the booking, the characters, the hot periods, the cold periods and all the rest of it are covered here. Mike also peppers this with great road stories about Dick Slater, Terry Funk and other legendary characters who passed through Florida. This shoot interview reaches a climax of sorts when Eddie Graham's suicide is covered. People have attributed Eddie's decline to poor business decisions, the change of the pro-wrestling scene, the departure of Dusty Rhodes and many of his top stars, problems with a mistress and perhaps his own body breaking down, Mike gives credence to all of these to an extent. He gives an emotional remembrance, but also gives the details. While you may not have enjoyed Mike Graham as a performer and might find some his claims (see below) to be a bit much, one has to admit that he does a great job here and delivers one of the best shoot interviews I've ever experienced.
The Bad
Mike Graham grew up in and became a central figure in Florida like Greg Gagne, the Von Erichs, the Harts, the Fullers, Captain Ed George and many others did in their respective territories. Like many of those aforementioned talents, he never really left home until he had to. Now some people might see Mike Graham's claims as lofty. He credits himself for giving Eric Bischoff the formula that took WCW in a more successful direction in the mid-90s. He says he called out Sid Vicious, Chris Benoit and such, but they backed down. He seems to allude to some admittedly outrageous stories that he can't get into because it would hurt certain parties, which seem to be tales of pro-wrestling wild side. I suppose much of that could be true, but many of his more grandiose comments have never been told by others (that I've heard) and while he is generally well-regarded by his peers, I'm frustrated that many of his eyebrow-raising statements are being heard for the first time. I am not going to say that Mike Graham is a liar and is just focused on putting himself, his father and Championship Wrestling from Florida over, but his comments certainly do that.
The Rating: *****
Monday, September 10, 2012
Memphis Heat: The True Story of Memphis Wrasslin'
Director: Chad Schaffler
Released: 2011
Featured Talent
Jim Blake, Jerry Calhoun, Guy Coffey, Bill Dundee, Jack Eaton, Jackie Fargo, Ron Hall, Jimmy Hart, Jerry Jarrett, Rocky Johnson, Jerry Lawler, Herman Mitchell (fan), Sputnik Monroe, Len Rossi, Jimmy Valiant, Buddy Wayne, Billy Wicks
The Good
I first became of the ¨Memphis Heat¨ project in 2009 when one of the producers e-mailed me trying to track down footage. It sounded like a great project with excellent potential as it was such a colorful territory and so many of the key players were still alive (the inclusion of the now-deceased Sputnik Monroe really brings up the quality). While I was not able to help provide footage, I offered some names and some opinions. I was actually slow to buy this one, but did get it eventually. Amazingly only a couple week after buying it, the director and his wife met my own wife in an unlikely story of happenstance. Aside from enjoying "Lipstick & Dynamite," my wife has never had any interest or enjoyment in pro-wrestling. She brought that up and Chad Schaffler (who does documentaries and is not just some crazed pro-wrestling fan) expressed liking it and I can definitely see some of the same aesthetic elements here with the retro visual effects, rockabilly music and quick-cut editing. It is really a great approach that fits beautifully and is a great change of pace from the formulaic WWE documentaries. I've heard comparisons to "Heroes of World Class," which is fitting. While this has more appeal for its look and feel, "Heroes" has this beat in sheer length and depth (and has the nice WWE complimentary documentary). Neither is one I'd highly recommend to a non-fan (like my wife), although of the two, "Memphis Heat" has more mainstream appeal and parts of it (the Sputnik Monroe segment especially) could get over with anyone (and has as NPR did a story on him in 2001). "Heroes" also had the disadvantage of so many of the key players being dead (which fit into the story), "Memphis Heat" though had most of the key players, including Sputnik, Billy Wicks and Jackie Fargo. Just as Memphis was the last territory, this may be the last independent pro-wrestling documentary of this nature as WWE recently bought up the Mid-South library. Portland seems to have the same potential and could be a lot of fun with a similar approach.
The Bad
By my estimation, there are three key strikes against this documentary that probably most "overview of a pro-wrestling company" would have. First and foremost is the absence of certain talent and inclusion of other talent. The most notable is Lance Russell, who was unavailable because of living in Florida, but would have added a whole other layer of insight. If you have ever heard an interview with him, you can imagine how much he could've added. Other stars like Dutch Mantell, Honky Tonk Man, Lanny Poffo, Jim Cornette, Robert Fuller, Bill Bowman and Joe Turner are names that come to mind as tremendous interviews who all had varying degrees of success and experience in Memphis (and/or Nashville). They certainly had budget limitations, so it seems they mainly focused on the biggest names or locals. Second is the choice of angles and stories, which is largely a matter of preference. Jerry Jarrett has always mildly resented the attention that the Lawler-Kaufmann angle is given in Memphis's overall history and here it is played up again and sort of plays into swansong of the territory along with the departure of Jimmy Hart (the third man in the storyline). I was not brought up on Memphis wrestling, so I cannot speak to the best angles through a young fan's eyes, only through looking back. The angles chosen seem to logically coincide with a narrative and with the personalities interviewed. Third is the 1985 cut-off, which is approximately a decade before Memphis went down. I can appreciate wanting to avoid that whole USWA era (1989-1997), but obviously some fans would feel that period was important. Overall, the knocks against "Memphis Heat" are few and the same types that any documentary of this nature have.
The Rating: *****
Director: Chad Schaffler
Released: 2011
Featured Talent
Jim Blake, Jerry Calhoun, Guy Coffey, Bill Dundee, Jack Eaton, Jackie Fargo, Ron Hall, Jimmy Hart, Jerry Jarrett, Rocky Johnson, Jerry Lawler, Herman Mitchell (fan), Sputnik Monroe, Len Rossi, Jimmy Valiant, Buddy Wayne, Billy Wicks
The Good
I first became of the ¨Memphis Heat¨ project in 2009 when one of the producers e-mailed me trying to track down footage. It sounded like a great project with excellent potential as it was such a colorful territory and so many of the key players were still alive (the inclusion of the now-deceased Sputnik Monroe really brings up the quality). While I was not able to help provide footage, I offered some names and some opinions. I was actually slow to buy this one, but did get it eventually. Amazingly only a couple week after buying it, the director and his wife met my own wife in an unlikely story of happenstance. Aside from enjoying "Lipstick & Dynamite," my wife has never had any interest or enjoyment in pro-wrestling. She brought that up and Chad Schaffler (who does documentaries and is not just some crazed pro-wrestling fan) expressed liking it and I can definitely see some of the same aesthetic elements here with the retro visual effects, rockabilly music and quick-cut editing. It is really a great approach that fits beautifully and is a great change of pace from the formulaic WWE documentaries. I've heard comparisons to "Heroes of World Class," which is fitting. While this has more appeal for its look and feel, "Heroes" has this beat in sheer length and depth (and has the nice WWE complimentary documentary). Neither is one I'd highly recommend to a non-fan (like my wife), although of the two, "Memphis Heat" has more mainstream appeal and parts of it (the Sputnik Monroe segment especially) could get over with anyone (and has as NPR did a story on him in 2001). "Heroes" also had the disadvantage of so many of the key players being dead (which fit into the story), "Memphis Heat" though had most of the key players, including Sputnik, Billy Wicks and Jackie Fargo. Just as Memphis was the last territory, this may be the last independent pro-wrestling documentary of this nature as WWE recently bought up the Mid-South library. Portland seems to have the same potential and could be a lot of fun with a similar approach.
The Bad
By my estimation, there are three key strikes against this documentary that probably most "overview of a pro-wrestling company" would have. First and foremost is the absence of certain talent and inclusion of other talent. The most notable is Lance Russell, who was unavailable because of living in Florida, but would have added a whole other layer of insight. If you have ever heard an interview with him, you can imagine how much he could've added. Other stars like Dutch Mantell, Honky Tonk Man, Lanny Poffo, Jim Cornette, Robert Fuller, Bill Bowman and Joe Turner are names that come to mind as tremendous interviews who all had varying degrees of success and experience in Memphis (and/or Nashville). They certainly had budget limitations, so it seems they mainly focused on the biggest names or locals. Second is the choice of angles and stories, which is largely a matter of preference. Jerry Jarrett has always mildly resented the attention that the Lawler-Kaufmann angle is given in Memphis's overall history and here it is played up again and sort of plays into swansong of the territory along with the departure of Jimmy Hart (the third man in the storyline). I was not brought up on Memphis wrestling, so I cannot speak to the best angles through a young fan's eyes, only through looking back. The angles chosen seem to logically coincide with a narrative and with the personalities interviewed. Third is the 1985 cut-off, which is approximately a decade before Memphis went down. I can appreciate wanting to avoid that whole USWA era (1989-1997), but obviously some fans would feel that period was important. Overall, the knocks against "Memphis Heat" are few and the same types that any documentary of this nature have.
The Rating: *****
Saturday, April 21, 2012
RF Video's "Behind Closed Doors" with JJ Dillon
The Good
JJ Dillon has always been a favorite of mine (in this capacity, not so much as a manager) because he is very insightful, very straightforward and has some good stories to share. As someone who worked all over the place, including with the Funks and Eddie Graham as well as the assistant booker to Dusty Rhodes in the mid-80s and as one of Vince McMahon's right-hand men as the Head of Talent Relations, JJ Dillon certainly has psychology to share. They spend a far amount of time going over his career, but it is the nuts and bolts of booking, working angles and such that makes this good. Talking about getting a break as a different type of heels up in the Maritimes, talking about his approach to interviews, talking about the Florida standard of big events, talking about simply why angles worked makes this excellent. This is quite an extensive shoot at roughly three-hours in length, but the thoroughness in his anecdotes are all parts of the lesson.
The Bad
Since I enjoy listening to JJ Dillon, I feel like I've heard some many of his stories already. While that does not totally kill the enjoyment, it is perhaps not as good as hearing his material fresh. He is certainly an acquired taste as he is not particularly bitter, humorous or crass. JJ Dillon has nice things to say about most everyone and even when he has an issue (such as with Abdullah the Butcher, Mick Foley or Dusty Rhodes), he can put it into perspective. That is probably a healthier attitude, but if you want over-the-top, you won't get it here. While contextualizing is important, I felt too much time was spent on the career of JJ Dillon. What made Jake Roberts' and Bret Hart's "Behind Closed Doors" shoots excellent was they really dug into the psychology, whereas this one, Paul Orndorff's, Stan Hansen's and many others seems like a regular old RF Video shoot under another name.
The Rating: ****1/2
Sunday, January 1, 2012
King of the Ring: The Harley Race Story
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Harley Race, Gerry Tritz
Publisher: Sports Publishing
Released: 11/04
The Good
The pro-wrestling book craze has led to many of the old-timers publishing their memoirs to make some money and each book has it's own account of a part of history. Harley Race's in-ring career spanned from the early 60s to the late 80s, a time period that saw power shifts in the NWA and ultimately their demise and the rise of the WWF. He was not only a top pro-wrestler during that time, he was a touring NWA World Champion, booker in numerous places, part owner of the Kansas City territory and one of many who joined Vince after a tough battle against him. He candidly covers all that and wraps up things by talking about managing, retirement, his school and his recent involvement with various people and companies. All of this is fine and well. He talks about his numerous accidents that has left his body shattered, the importance of his family and even his faith, which is really the material most original to this book. This is one of those brief autobiographies that you'll enjoy if you like the wrestler and maybe don't know their story very well and haven't heard their shoot interviews.
The Bad
Any book that mentions Lex Luger several times and paints him in a positive light can't be good, can it? Actually, the big fault of this book is it's length, less than 200 pages. The chronology is good, but Race's fast-life seems to have made for a fast-book. I read this in a 24 hour period, which I had never done with a pro-wrestling book and was never had that "I can't tear myself away" feeling. Tritz is not the best ghostwriter, since he lacks credibility in many ways and probably kept this from being the book it should have been. Race was just as important as someone like Ole Anderson, but he never explains running a territory, how to book or any of that. In fact, he seems like a mark for himself just like Ole said he was. There are plenty of bad wrestling books, this isn't one of them, but it's far from the best. Borrow it if you can, read it in a day or two and you should be mildly satisfied.
The Rating: **1/2
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Harley Race, Gerry Tritz
Publisher: Sports Publishing
Released: 11/04
The Good
The pro-wrestling book craze has led to many of the old-timers publishing their memoirs to make some money and each book has it's own account of a part of history. Harley Race's in-ring career spanned from the early 60s to the late 80s, a time period that saw power shifts in the NWA and ultimately their demise and the rise of the WWF. He was not only a top pro-wrestler during that time, he was a touring NWA World Champion, booker in numerous places, part owner of the Kansas City territory and one of many who joined Vince after a tough battle against him. He candidly covers all that and wraps up things by talking about managing, retirement, his school and his recent involvement with various people and companies. All of this is fine and well. He talks about his numerous accidents that has left his body shattered, the importance of his family and even his faith, which is really the material most original to this book. This is one of those brief autobiographies that you'll enjoy if you like the wrestler and maybe don't know their story very well and haven't heard their shoot interviews.
The Bad
Any book that mentions Lex Luger several times and paints him in a positive light can't be good, can it? Actually, the big fault of this book is it's length, less than 200 pages. The chronology is good, but Race's fast-life seems to have made for a fast-book. I read this in a 24 hour period, which I had never done with a pro-wrestling book and was never had that "I can't tear myself away" feeling. Tritz is not the best ghostwriter, since he lacks credibility in many ways and probably kept this from being the book it should have been. Race was just as important as someone like Ole Anderson, but he never explains running a territory, how to book or any of that. In fact, he seems like a mark for himself just like Ole said he was. There are plenty of bad wrestling books, this isn't one of them, but it's far from the best. Borrow it if you can, read it in a day or two and you should be mildly satisfied.
The Rating: **1/2
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Gene Okerlund [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
I've thought interviews with play-by-play announcers have sounded kind of unusual, like Lance Russell for example, it sounds funny because of his distinct voice being in this totally different context. However, listening to Gene Okerlund was kind of surreal. While I've heard only limited amounts of his play-by-play, his distinct cadence, vocabulary and style are so identifiable and listening to that voice talk about pro-wrestling in a kayfabe-breaking way is just bizarre at times. The content is great though. They talk briefly about his pre-AWA background in broadcasting and his transition into the company. Okerlund became most famous as an interviewer in the WWF in the Rock-N-Wrestling days, which is what much of this interview focuses on. Okerlund offers his two-cents on talent, usually an anecdote or two and is very willing to go through name-by-name. While I personally find this approach bland, it was very interesting with him and he knows how to command an audiences attention.
The Bad
For what this was, not many flaws stand out. As an announcer, Okerlund had a certain niche in the business. He interacted with everyone, but was tighter with some than others and worked more closely with some than others. The tendency is to ask him about the many big names he interviewed on TV, but "Mean" Gene was more than just that on-camera personality. It seems like getting into the nitty-gritty of WWF's production would have taken this shoot to the next level. In fact, Kevin Dunn, who is one of those unsung heroes of the WWF's success (although he's been blasted by Jim Cornette for being anti-wrestling and detrimental to the in-ring product) who Okerlund could definitely have talked about. This was a fun interview with someone who had an amazing career and is deceptively knowledgeable about pro-wrestling's history and one can enjoy it for that.
The Rating: ***3/4
The Good
I've thought interviews with play-by-play announcers have sounded kind of unusual, like Lance Russell for example, it sounds funny because of his distinct voice being in this totally different context. However, listening to Gene Okerlund was kind of surreal. While I've heard only limited amounts of his play-by-play, his distinct cadence, vocabulary and style are so identifiable and listening to that voice talk about pro-wrestling in a kayfabe-breaking way is just bizarre at times. The content is great though. They talk briefly about his pre-AWA background in broadcasting and his transition into the company. Okerlund became most famous as an interviewer in the WWF in the Rock-N-Wrestling days, which is what much of this interview focuses on. Okerlund offers his two-cents on talent, usually an anecdote or two and is very willing to go through name-by-name. While I personally find this approach bland, it was very interesting with him and he knows how to command an audiences attention.
The Bad
For what this was, not many flaws stand out. As an announcer, Okerlund had a certain niche in the business. He interacted with everyone, but was tighter with some than others and worked more closely with some than others. The tendency is to ask him about the many big names he interviewed on TV, but "Mean" Gene was more than just that on-camera personality. It seems like getting into the nitty-gritty of WWF's production would have taken this shoot to the next level. In fact, Kevin Dunn, who is one of those unsung heroes of the WWF's success (although he's been blasted by Jim Cornette for being anti-wrestling and detrimental to the in-ring product) who Okerlund could definitely have talked about. This was a fun interview with someone who had an amazing career and is deceptively knowledgeable about pro-wrestling's history and one can enjoy it for that.
The Rating: ***3/4
Friday, July 29, 2011
Terry Funk: More than Just Hardcore
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Terry Funk, Scott Williams
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 3/05
The Good
One of the most storied careers that reaches into more facets of pro-wrestling than perhaps anyone is that of Terry Funk. A second-generation pro-wrestler who grew up learning from the old-timers only a generation removed from the carnival hookers, Funk’s respect for pro-wrestling’s history is strong without being overly romantic. He criticizes Lou Thesz’s selfishness and the bitterness of old codgers who think the current product has nothing to do with pro-wrestling. Funk’s glory days in the US territories and All Japan are filled with funny anecdotes, astute observations and sound explanations. He is self-effacing without undermining his legacy and he gives candid comments without apology. Terry Funk seems like a man genuinely satisfied with his accomplishments and the bitterness just does not ruin his autobiography as it does others. Although he had his share of personal, physical and career-related problems, Funk does not excessively detail them. He gives pro-wrestling fans a book they want. Scott Williams channeled the Bill Watts’ story into an excellent book, but I would argue that this is better. What it lacks in booking psychology it makes up for in sharp insight into cutting promos, business shifts and stylistic changes.
The Bad
The only complaints I could make about this are the limited length. Obviously, Terry Funk’s in-ring career has spanned four decades and that could supply substantial material for a lengthy book. Heck, Mick Foley produced to bulky opuses with a career that was half that length. Funk also grew up in the business and has been involved as an owner and booker in addition to his in-ring experience. Terry Funk’s career seemed like something so massive and daunting that it could never fully be encapsulated in a average length autobiography. Scott Williams does a tremendous job, but will it satiate everyone’s appetites for territorial wrestling, hardcore wrestling and modern sports entertainment? The paying fans and pending reviews will be the best barometer of Williams’ achievement.
The Rating: ****1/2
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Terry Funk, Scott Williams
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 3/05
The Good
One of the most storied careers that reaches into more facets of pro-wrestling than perhaps anyone is that of Terry Funk. A second-generation pro-wrestler who grew up learning from the old-timers only a generation removed from the carnival hookers, Funk’s respect for pro-wrestling’s history is strong without being overly romantic. He criticizes Lou Thesz’s selfishness and the bitterness of old codgers who think the current product has nothing to do with pro-wrestling. Funk’s glory days in the US territories and All Japan are filled with funny anecdotes, astute observations and sound explanations. He is self-effacing without undermining his legacy and he gives candid comments without apology. Terry Funk seems like a man genuinely satisfied with his accomplishments and the bitterness just does not ruin his autobiography as it does others. Although he had his share of personal, physical and career-related problems, Funk does not excessively detail them. He gives pro-wrestling fans a book they want. Scott Williams channeled the Bill Watts’ story into an excellent book, but I would argue that this is better. What it lacks in booking psychology it makes up for in sharp insight into cutting promos, business shifts and stylistic changes.
The Bad
The only complaints I could make about this are the limited length. Obviously, Terry Funk’s in-ring career has spanned four decades and that could supply substantial material for a lengthy book. Heck, Mick Foley produced to bulky opuses with a career that was half that length. Funk also grew up in the business and has been involved as an owner and booker in addition to his in-ring experience. Terry Funk’s career seemed like something so massive and daunting that it could never fully be encapsulated in a average length autobiography. Scott Williams does a tremendous job, but will it satiate everyone’s appetites for territorial wrestling, hardcore wrestling and modern sports entertainment? The paying fans and pending reviews will be the best barometer of Williams’ achievement.
The Rating: ****1/2
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Nick Bockwinkel [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
One of the best on the microphone, Nick Bockwinkel's trademark cadence and use of "50 and 75 cent words" plays so well in a format of this nature. While he's teased as being too long-winded, in this arena, that is what you often want. Despite his age, Bockwinkel is sharp as a tack and his memory and ability to work a story as good as he could work a match. Some of his stories are rehashed, some of his opinions are brought up again and some of his credentials are reexamined, but he manages to keep it fresh. Tales of Yukon Eric, thoughts on Verne Gagne, insight into how the WWF expansion differed from the AWA's show some of the variety that this interview brings out. The randomness of questions in RF Video shoots that drives me crazy provides some neat little bits of information that might not have been brought out otherwise.
The Bad
Compared to many other interviews that Nick Bockwinkel has done, this one was extremely disorganized. Other than the beginning and end concentrating on the beginning and end of his his career, this was all over the place. Smart Mark Video did such a stellar interview with him a few years back that anything else seems like it could not help but fall short.
The Rating: ****1/4
The Good
One of the best on the microphone, Nick Bockwinkel's trademark cadence and use of "50 and 75 cent words" plays so well in a format of this nature. While he's teased as being too long-winded, in this arena, that is what you often want. Despite his age, Bockwinkel is sharp as a tack and his memory and ability to work a story as good as he could work a match. Some of his stories are rehashed, some of his opinions are brought up again and some of his credentials are reexamined, but he manages to keep it fresh. Tales of Yukon Eric, thoughts on Verne Gagne, insight into how the WWF expansion differed from the AWA's show some of the variety that this interview brings out. The randomness of questions in RF Video shoots that drives me crazy provides some neat little bits of information that might not have been brought out otherwise.
The Bad
Compared to many other interviews that Nick Bockwinkel has done, this one was extremely disorganized. Other than the beginning and end concentrating on the beginning and end of his his career, this was all over the place. Smart Mark Video did such a stellar interview with him a few years back that anything else seems like it could not help but fall short.
The Rating: ****1/4
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Savage
Talent FeaturedIron Shiek, Jerry Oates, Bull Ramos, Dutch Savage, Jimmy Snuka, Jesse Ventura, The Von Steigers
The Good
An interesting little look at Portland wrestling in 1978 that is kind of just a hodgepodge of clips of matches, candid comments from fans and wrestlers and some actual promos as well. While there is not commentary on things, clearly this was edited to portray pro-wrestling in certain way. While the "fakeness" of the sport seems to be a focal point (and it would continue to be so for another twenty years), there is not really an effort to "expose" the business. The fans are clearly believers and while some look crazy for getting so angry at the heels, the ones they interview seem normal enough. The grandma who talks about making shortbread for Johnny Eagles is a classic stereotypical pro-wrestling fan, so are the toothless old man, insane lady in the front row (who cusses out one of the Von Steigers), the crazed nerdy guy and stern blue collar-looking guy. Pro-wrestling was a very different product then and its core fan base was very different as well. An interesting little glimpse into pro-wrestling of an era gone by.
The Bad
While this has some cool footage from an underexposed territory, this is nothing spectacular in the day of YouTube. I think the featuring of Dutch Savage and Bull Ramos is the most significant as those two have scarce footage floating around. This was very short, offered no real commentary and was kind of incomplete in terms of portraying the angles going on. Personally, I cannot validate watching much current "wrestling," when there is so much great stuff from yesteryear that is readily available and free on YouTube. This might not be the best example of an amazing gem, but it is certainly something that is neat to watch once and not have to go through some of the transactions that many went through in the tape trading era for something so mediocre.
The Rating: ***1/2
Director: n/a
Distributor: Altux Films Production
Released: 1978?
Talent Featured
The Good
An interesting little look at Portland wrestling in 1978 that is kind of just a hodgepodge of clips of matches, candid comments from fans and wrestlers and some actual promos as well. While there is not commentary on things, clearly this was edited to portray pro-wrestling in certain way. While the "fakeness" of the sport seems to be a focal point (and it would continue to be so for another twenty years), there is not really an effort to "expose" the business. The fans are clearly believers and while some look crazy for getting so angry at the heels, the ones they interview seem normal enough. The grandma who talks about making shortbread for Johnny Eagles is a classic stereotypical pro-wrestling fan, so are the toothless old man, insane lady in the front row (who cusses out one of the Von Steigers), the crazed nerdy guy and stern blue collar-looking guy. Pro-wrestling was a very different product then and its core fan base was very different as well. An interesting little glimpse into pro-wrestling of an era gone by.
The Bad
While this has some cool footage from an underexposed territory, this is nothing spectacular in the day of YouTube. I think the featuring of Dutch Savage and Bull Ramos is the most significant as those two have scarce footage floating around. This was very short, offered no real commentary and was kind of incomplete in terms of portraying the angles going on. Personally, I cannot validate watching much current "wrestling," when there is so much great stuff from yesteryear that is readily available and free on YouTube. This might not be the best example of an amazing gem, but it is certainly something that is neat to watch once and not have to go through some of the transactions that many went through in the tape trading era for something so mediocre.
The Rating: ***1/2
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