Tommy Young [Highspots Shoot Interview]
The Good
I've caught a couple shoot interviews with referees, announcers and interviews and they tend to be very good. These people tend to have had multiple roles in companies, have experiences with almost everybody and have this half-outsider perspective that is quite different. Tommy Young might be remembered as the main referee during the glory days of Jim Crockett Promotions (i.e. the NWA of the 80s), but he worked Detroit, the IWA (Eddie Einhorn's group) and WCW. His voice cadence is oddly similar to Lanny Poffo and he is just a good a storyteller, although not as eccentric. I found him to have most of the key qualities you want in the subject of a shoot interview. He was honest and reflective. For example, he found Abdullah the Butcher difficult to ref because of the gimmicks and carelessness in using them, however as a young guy breaking in, Abby took care of him up in Detroit. He shares those thoughts and more often than not has positive things to say about people. He is insightful in that he understands a referee's role and explains it very well, he understands match psychology and he has some good thoughts about how the business has changed. This was so different, it really set it apart from others.
The Bad
Like many people, Tommy Young had his favorites (Ric Flair, Ricky Steamboat, Gene Anderson, etc.) and he puts them over. He also has people he had issues with (Paul Jones, Tommy Rich, Tully Blanchard, etc.) and he tries to be straightforward about those issues without totally burying the person. I imagine some people would find that obnoxious (that has long been the biggest knock on the Dynamite Kid's autobiography) and they would not enjoy this as much. While Tommy does not bury people like others might, he has his own perspective and shares it. Sometimes, he seems a little to nice guy because he does not want to really tear into anyone. Paul Jones, often labelled as an office stooge, seems like that one guy and we get a "no comment" response. I'm sure many people simply don't care for shoot interviews with people who were not "stars" and Tommy Young, although a top referee, was not a top star in pro-wrestling.
The Rating: ****1/2
Showing posts with label 4*s or better. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 4*s or better. Show all posts
Friday, June 1, 2018
Friday, January 27, 2017
Eric Embry [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
Every once and a while, RF Video pulls off a real coup. They either score a guest who makes an exceptional showing (sometimes people who have been tight-lipped or dull elsewhere), they giving someone the time of day and they really deliver the goods or, in this case, they bring in someone who never does shoot interviews or has been MIA for years. Eric Embry has not been much seen or heard from in nearly 20 years and like Dave Schultz, Austin Idol and several other people who have done shoot interviews in the past few years, he has a lot to say! I am always a sucker for those laid-back Southerners who use the same phrases over and over ("sonuvagun worker") and put themselves over like a million bucks. Eric Embry certainly has his critics and if you believe much of what he says here, you'd think he had the "quickest mind for pro-wrestling in the business" (which apparently Jerry Jarrett stated), to here him talk about causing riots in Mexico, bringing Dallas back to life and keeping Puerto Rico rocking and rolling after Luke Williams' famed tenure. Embry details his whole career in good detail and seems to be fairly straight-forward. He has people he dislikes, did not see eye-to-eye with and developed heat with, but he does not really bury people out of spite. Even Jerry Lawler, who he admits to disliking more than anyone, he credits as one of pro-wrestling's greatest performers.
The Bad
I recall seeing Eric Embry in the Apter Mags as a kid and wondering what all the fuss was about. To look at him, he seems like a short, chubby generic heel. Once I saw him actually work though, I could understand how he amassed as much power as he did. He is an excellent worker, talker and entertainer. He has his critics still, but after hearing his perspective, I tend to feel he is unnecessarily blamed for killing World Class, ending wresting in Texas and overly pushing himself (he claims that Jerry Jarrett told him to push himself as the top babyface). Embry really needs to get some more media (KFC Guest Booker, perhaps?). I did feel that he embellished his accomplishments a tad, but not so much that I'd say this shoot interview is laden with with lies and falsehoods.
The Rating: ****
The Good
Every once and a while, RF Video pulls off a real coup. They either score a guest who makes an exceptional showing (sometimes people who have been tight-lipped or dull elsewhere), they giving someone the time of day and they really deliver the goods or, in this case, they bring in someone who never does shoot interviews or has been MIA for years. Eric Embry has not been much seen or heard from in nearly 20 years and like Dave Schultz, Austin Idol and several other people who have done shoot interviews in the past few years, he has a lot to say! I am always a sucker for those laid-back Southerners who use the same phrases over and over ("sonuvagun worker") and put themselves over like a million bucks. Eric Embry certainly has his critics and if you believe much of what he says here, you'd think he had the "quickest mind for pro-wrestling in the business" (which apparently Jerry Jarrett stated), to here him talk about causing riots in Mexico, bringing Dallas back to life and keeping Puerto Rico rocking and rolling after Luke Williams' famed tenure. Embry details his whole career in good detail and seems to be fairly straight-forward. He has people he dislikes, did not see eye-to-eye with and developed heat with, but he does not really bury people out of spite. Even Jerry Lawler, who he admits to disliking more than anyone, he credits as one of pro-wrestling's greatest performers.
The Bad
I recall seeing Eric Embry in the Apter Mags as a kid and wondering what all the fuss was about. To look at him, he seems like a short, chubby generic heel. Once I saw him actually work though, I could understand how he amassed as much power as he did. He is an excellent worker, talker and entertainer. He has his critics still, but after hearing his perspective, I tend to feel he is unnecessarily blamed for killing World Class, ending wresting in Texas and overly pushing himself (he claims that Jerry Jarrett told him to push himself as the top babyface). Embry really needs to get some more media (KFC Guest Booker, perhaps?). I did feel that he embellished his accomplishments a tad, but not so much that I'd say this shoot interview is laden with with lies and falsehoods.
The Rating: ****
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Original Midnight Express [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
Dennis Condrey is one of those great shoot interviews that needs much more attention than he has received, Randy Rose had a solid career and has gone under the radar and these two had a successful pair of runs as the Midnight Express. This seems like a can't-miss shoot interview. It certainly is enjoyable as Condrey is his usual self and Rose inserts some good comments and they cover some irregularly covered periods and places. Condrey really runs the show and if you've never heard him before, you've got to catch this one. Randy Rose, despite sounding remarkably like Shawn Michaels, is a good storyteller and when he gets rolling shows me that he'd be a worthwhile shoot interview as a solo. I've heard Condrey with a variety of different people and this was as good as any of those and even though he repeated a handful of stories (a couple which Cornette tells often as well), it was a fun piece of business.
The Bad
I get a kick out of this one because it was done during the same week as the Continental Shoot Series interview that Dennis Condrey did and that shoot was so much better than this one. Condrey is a great solo interview, but for some reason people always partner him up with people and it just is not as excellent. Randy Rose seems like he'd be very interesting on his own, but much like their tag team he seems to be playing second fiddle. One of my huge pet peeves of shoots is when people are put together and it detracts from the potential quality. Jim Cornette interviewing Dennis Condrey would rule the world, but this RF production was simply a letdown for what it should have been. There is also is the ever-present issue of poor research as the focus seems to shift away from this version of the team to the Condrey/Eaton incarnation unnecessarily and does dig deep enough into the team's first run.
The Rating: ****
The Good
Dennis Condrey is one of those great shoot interviews that needs much more attention than he has received, Randy Rose had a solid career and has gone under the radar and these two had a successful pair of runs as the Midnight Express. This seems like a can't-miss shoot interview. It certainly is enjoyable as Condrey is his usual self and Rose inserts some good comments and they cover some irregularly covered periods and places. Condrey really runs the show and if you've never heard him before, you've got to catch this one. Randy Rose, despite sounding remarkably like Shawn Michaels, is a good storyteller and when he gets rolling shows me that he'd be a worthwhile shoot interview as a solo. I've heard Condrey with a variety of different people and this was as good as any of those and even though he repeated a handful of stories (a couple which Cornette tells often as well), it was a fun piece of business.
The Bad
I get a kick out of this one because it was done during the same week as the Continental Shoot Series interview that Dennis Condrey did and that shoot was so much better than this one. Condrey is a great solo interview, but for some reason people always partner him up with people and it just is not as excellent. Randy Rose seems like he'd be very interesting on his own, but much like their tag team he seems to be playing second fiddle. One of my huge pet peeves of shoots is when people are put together and it detracts from the potential quality. Jim Cornette interviewing Dennis Condrey would rule the world, but this RF production was simply a letdown for what it should have been. There is also is the ever-present issue of poor research as the focus seems to shift away from this version of the team to the Condrey/Eaton incarnation unnecessarily and does dig deep enough into the team's first run.
The Rating: ****
Monday, January 16, 2017
Don Muraco [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
Don Muraco is one of pro-wrestling's greatest heels and that run came after years of being a great babyface in the mold of Jack Brisco. Here, he shoots with RF Video in one of their earliest interviews and he really delivers. This was back when they traveled to interview folks in their homes and the relaxed atmosphere, the different feel (although at the time there weren't really many other shoots out there) and the length of the interviews make this a different kind of entity that is in many way preferable to their current shoots in hotels with the giant RF Video banner and even better video and audio quality. Muraco, infamous for leaving a territory to go back home to surf, has to be more relaxed and perhaps more honest in his own Hawaiian home. As for the content of this, it is great. Rock-N-Wrestling era fans will probably be satisfied with Muraco's thoughts on that era, how things changed from the WWF period before that and what the whole atmosphere of non-stop travel, drugs and working does to a man. He was honest about his own steroid use (and how couldn't he be when you look at his body's change in the late 80s) and is pretty frank about other individuals. Outside of that era, Muraco talks about his early years touring around from the Pacific Northwest and the AWA to Florida and San Francisco. He has fond memories of many people and angles, so he doesn't come across as bitter in the least. Although it was brief, I really dug his reflections on Hawaiian wrestling. It is such an overlooked place and it was so unique in its day that any recollections are appreciated, especially since few of those stars remain. The highlight of this had to be listening to Don Muraco talk about the WWF era right before the national push. His feuds with Jimmy Snuka, Bob Backlund and Pedro Morales are legendary and I loved listening to him reflect on that un-romanticized period of WWF history (it was no surprise that KFC brought him in for their 1983 WWF Timeline shoot). I went to the RF Video website recently and noticed the people pictured at the top were people who are big stars or majorly controversial and Don Muraco's face stuck out. Now I can understand why he was included - he's a fantastic interview.
The Bad
RF Video traveled to Hawaii and didn't secure interviews with the various legends of the island? Curtis Iaukea (who has since passed away)? Lord James Blears? Ed Francis? I sometimes feel like RF Video was kind of short-sighted in there early shoot interviews. They at least interview seemingly anyone and everyone now, but they tend to limit themselves to convention attendees and more modern performers. Perhaps they tried, but after hearing Rob Feinstein's own shoot, it seems like he and Doug Gentry were flying by the seat of their pants with these early shoots. It just makes me sad because it seems like their work is so important to preserving aspects of pro-wrestling's history, but they seem more into the bottom-line than that dimension of it. Although I guess Gary Cubeta and 57Talk would be the flipside and their free content, while amazing, was plagued with server issues and grumpy bosses. Now moving past that tirade to my actual gripes about this shoot interview. Feinstein's lack of product knowledge was just glaring here as it occasionally is. It's as if he has certain people attributed to certain times and places and he just name-drops. Sometimes that works out well, sometimes it is disastrous as people who don't fit in are mentioned, people are brought up out of context and others are left out entirely. I kind of expect that going in, but it always annoys me because it definitely detracts from the quality.
The Rating: ****1/2
The Good
Don Muraco is one of pro-wrestling's greatest heels and that run came after years of being a great babyface in the mold of Jack Brisco. Here, he shoots with RF Video in one of their earliest interviews and he really delivers. This was back when they traveled to interview folks in their homes and the relaxed atmosphere, the different feel (although at the time there weren't really many other shoots out there) and the length of the interviews make this a different kind of entity that is in many way preferable to their current shoots in hotels with the giant RF Video banner and even better video and audio quality. Muraco, infamous for leaving a territory to go back home to surf, has to be more relaxed and perhaps more honest in his own Hawaiian home. As for the content of this, it is great. Rock-N-Wrestling era fans will probably be satisfied with Muraco's thoughts on that era, how things changed from the WWF period before that and what the whole atmosphere of non-stop travel, drugs and working does to a man. He was honest about his own steroid use (and how couldn't he be when you look at his body's change in the late 80s) and is pretty frank about other individuals. Outside of that era, Muraco talks about his early years touring around from the Pacific Northwest and the AWA to Florida and San Francisco. He has fond memories of many people and angles, so he doesn't come across as bitter in the least. Although it was brief, I really dug his reflections on Hawaiian wrestling. It is such an overlooked place and it was so unique in its day that any recollections are appreciated, especially since few of those stars remain. The highlight of this had to be listening to Don Muraco talk about the WWF era right before the national push. His feuds with Jimmy Snuka, Bob Backlund and Pedro Morales are legendary and I loved listening to him reflect on that un-romanticized period of WWF history (it was no surprise that KFC brought him in for their 1983 WWF Timeline shoot). I went to the RF Video website recently and noticed the people pictured at the top were people who are big stars or majorly controversial and Don Muraco's face stuck out. Now I can understand why he was included - he's a fantastic interview.
The Bad
RF Video traveled to Hawaii and didn't secure interviews with the various legends of the island? Curtis Iaukea (who has since passed away)? Lord James Blears? Ed Francis? I sometimes feel like RF Video was kind of short-sighted in there early shoot interviews. They at least interview seemingly anyone and everyone now, but they tend to limit themselves to convention attendees and more modern performers. Perhaps they tried, but after hearing Rob Feinstein's own shoot, it seems like he and Doug Gentry were flying by the seat of their pants with these early shoots. It just makes me sad because it seems like their work is so important to preserving aspects of pro-wrestling's history, but they seem more into the bottom-line than that dimension of it. Although I guess Gary Cubeta and 57Talk would be the flipside and their free content, while amazing, was plagued with server issues and grumpy bosses. Now moving past that tirade to my actual gripes about this shoot interview. Feinstein's lack of product knowledge was just glaring here as it occasionally is. It's as if he has certain people attributed to certain times and places and he just name-drops. Sometimes that works out well, sometimes it is disastrous as people who don't fit in are mentioned, people are brought up out of context and others are left out entirely. I kind of expect that going in, but it always annoys me because it definitely detracts from the quality.
The Rating: ****1/2
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Danny Spivey [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
The career of Danny Spivey seems to be a succession of bad luck that prevented him from ever reaching a pinnacle he could have. He had been a curtain-jerker in JCP even though Dusty liked him, so he couldn't move up the ladder there. He was too much like Hulk Hogan, so he could not get far in the WWF. He did well in Japan, but kept chasing opportunities in the States that never panned out and prevented him from becoming a top gaijin in All Japan. He had the size, look and ability to be a top heel in WCW, but they kept squandering him as he was still committed to Japan. He had a fantastic character in Waylon Mercy, but the WWF just did not get how to push him to the next level and gave up on him. In spite of all of this perceived failure, Danny Spivey had a respectable career and had some great experiences to share. While he was not bitter, he did seem frustrated that people like Ric Flair, Bret Hart and the Road Warriors used their stroke to hold him back. Sometimes, you hear a guy who had a career like Spivey's and it really seems like he was lacking something, but Spivey seemed to really have that untapped potential. His honesty about his stiff style, his drug use and his burn-out from being on the road, makes you think that he is a pretty straight-shooter. Enjoyable and informative as a good shoot should be.
The Bad
Danny Spivey's career included a fair amount of bouncing around and never quite living up to his potential. To listen to him, you'd think it was mostly poor booking, poor timing and bad luck that cost him superstardom. While there is truth to that, there is also the fact that he continually went back to WCW, despite the fact they misused him several times. If he had stayed in Japan, it might have shaved a few years off his career, but he would have had the chance to reach the echelon that Stan Hansen, Steve Williams and Terry Gordy reached. Danny Spivey might come across as bitter to some, but when comparing him to many of his colleagues, he seems pretty down-to-earth and content with his career.
The Rating: ****
The Good
The career of Danny Spivey seems to be a succession of bad luck that prevented him from ever reaching a pinnacle he could have. He had been a curtain-jerker in JCP even though Dusty liked him, so he couldn't move up the ladder there. He was too much like Hulk Hogan, so he could not get far in the WWF. He did well in Japan, but kept chasing opportunities in the States that never panned out and prevented him from becoming a top gaijin in All Japan. He had the size, look and ability to be a top heel in WCW, but they kept squandering him as he was still committed to Japan. He had a fantastic character in Waylon Mercy, but the WWF just did not get how to push him to the next level and gave up on him. In spite of all of this perceived failure, Danny Spivey had a respectable career and had some great experiences to share. While he was not bitter, he did seem frustrated that people like Ric Flair, Bret Hart and the Road Warriors used their stroke to hold him back. Sometimes, you hear a guy who had a career like Spivey's and it really seems like he was lacking something, but Spivey seemed to really have that untapped potential. His honesty about his stiff style, his drug use and his burn-out from being on the road, makes you think that he is a pretty straight-shooter. Enjoyable and informative as a good shoot should be.
The Bad
Danny Spivey's career included a fair amount of bouncing around and never quite living up to his potential. To listen to him, you'd think it was mostly poor booking, poor timing and bad luck that cost him superstardom. While there is truth to that, there is also the fact that he continually went back to WCW, despite the fact they misused him several times. If he had stayed in Japan, it might have shaved a few years off his career, but he would have had the chance to reach the echelon that Stan Hansen, Steve Williams and Terry Gordy reached. Danny Spivey might come across as bitter to some, but when comparing him to many of his colleagues, he seems pretty down-to-earth and content with his career.
The Rating: ****
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Paul Orndorff [57Talk Shoot Interview]
The Good
Paul Orndorff is a great interview in that he really was great, he really got the shaft and he has really been tragically lost in history. It is not simply bitterness, delusions of grandeur or anything like that, it is all true. That makes you really get into the interview. You know the sad story and it's so different from those of Buddy Landell, Chris Benoit, David Von Erich, Owen Hart and on and on. Orndorff had worked hard and developed into perhaps the most complete package that pro-wrestling had ever seen. That seems to be the narrative that Cubeta is trying to get across that from breaking in down in Florida and developing in Memphis and Alabama to bringing his game to a new level in Mid-South, Georgia and Mid-Atlantic, Paul Orndorff was one of the very best in the world when he came into the WWF. He drew as a top heel opposite Hulk Hogan and was a cut above guys like Big John Studd, King Kong Bundy and the other giants they fed to Hogan. He looked better, worked better and when paired with Piper was undoubtedly a better promo. Then he hurt his neck, worked to keep himself at the top level, but ultimately his body failed him and he was never a top star again (although still a great worker as late as 1994). Cubeta really gets that tragic story across and it makes me think he'd be a wonderful candidate for WWE Documentary.
The Bad
The 57Talk interviews are typically very good, but they are not as open-ended or pessimistically-directed as many of the others. Gary Cubeta wanted to tell Paul Orndorff's story through the man himself. You could say this is too one-tracked, especially for those who like the storytellers who go off in all kinds of directions in the 2-hour plus formats that RF Video, Highspots, SmartMarkVideo, etc. use. You might also feel that this is too favorable to Orndorff as Cubeta certainly strokes his ego throughout this. I've seen his RF Video shoot called "Return to Bitterness," which is very telling of its content. Orndroff certainly can come across as a bitter character if you do not take into account where he was prior to his neck injury. I think some people like to hear the angry tirades of people like Ole Anderson, the Honky Tonk Man, Bruno Sammartino and others and simply dismiss them as bitter old men. This is not that interview.
The Rating: ****1/4
The Good
Paul Orndorff is a great interview in that he really was great, he really got the shaft and he has really been tragically lost in history. It is not simply bitterness, delusions of grandeur or anything like that, it is all true. That makes you really get into the interview. You know the sad story and it's so different from those of Buddy Landell, Chris Benoit, David Von Erich, Owen Hart and on and on. Orndorff had worked hard and developed into perhaps the most complete package that pro-wrestling had ever seen. That seems to be the narrative that Cubeta is trying to get across that from breaking in down in Florida and developing in Memphis and Alabama to bringing his game to a new level in Mid-South, Georgia and Mid-Atlantic, Paul Orndorff was one of the very best in the world when he came into the WWF. He drew as a top heel opposite Hulk Hogan and was a cut above guys like Big John Studd, King Kong Bundy and the other giants they fed to Hogan. He looked better, worked better and when paired with Piper was undoubtedly a better promo. Then he hurt his neck, worked to keep himself at the top level, but ultimately his body failed him and he was never a top star again (although still a great worker as late as 1994). Cubeta really gets that tragic story across and it makes me think he'd be a wonderful candidate for WWE Documentary.
The Bad
The 57Talk interviews are typically very good, but they are not as open-ended or pessimistically-directed as many of the others. Gary Cubeta wanted to tell Paul Orndorff's story through the man himself. You could say this is too one-tracked, especially for those who like the storytellers who go off in all kinds of directions in the 2-hour plus formats that RF Video, Highspots, SmartMarkVideo, etc. use. You might also feel that this is too favorable to Orndorff as Cubeta certainly strokes his ego throughout this. I've seen his RF Video shoot called "Return to Bitterness," which is very telling of its content. Orndroff certainly can come across as a bitter character if you do not take into account where he was prior to his neck injury. I think some people like to hear the angry tirades of people like Ole Anderson, the Honky Tonk Man, Bruno Sammartino and others and simply dismiss them as bitter old men. This is not that interview.
The Rating: ****1/4
Saturday, August 24, 2013
CM Punk - Best in the World
Distributor: WWE Home Video
Released: 10/12
Daniel Bryan, Colt Cabana, Cassie (“sister”), John Cena, Chez (best friend), Chez’s Mom,
Chaleen (“sister”), Lars Frederiksen (friend / Rancid), Curt Hawkins, Michael Hayes, Chris Hero, Paul Heyman, Kofi Kingston, Lita, The Miz, Joey (Matthews) Mercury, CM Punk, Justin Roberts, Jim Ross, Zack Ryder, Natalie Slater (former girlfriend), Ace Steel, Triple H
The Good
This documentary came out with great anticipation as rumors of it being very different had people talking. For all intents and purposes, it delivered. CM Punk, a completely unique sort of underdog, had a great story to tell and, like with much of his material, he wanted to dictate how it was told. While this doc did have some WWE formula to it, the inclusion of many people not associated with the company, the amount of footage from IWA Mid-South and Ring of Honor and some of the harsh criticisms of the WWE really shocked some people. Those elements really set this apart and made it excellent. Perhaps when they tell the Daniel Bryan story, they will take that to another level, but this is true breakthrough. The discussion of the Punk-Hero matches on a WWE DVD were kind of mind-blowing as I remember watching them through tape trades. Hearing Dave Prazak on a WWE production seemed so bizarre. Realistically, the story of CM Punk is so different and the WWE has reached a point where people are no reflecting on their time in WCW, their runs with ECW or any of that, they are coming from the independents. This, like most WWE documentaries, featured chapters about dimensions of his personality - punk and hardcore music, the straight edge subculture, comic books and tattoos. This seems like an above average WWE doc and one that I would recommend anyone to see. CM Punk’s story is one of perseverance and self-reliance that could inspire many.
The Bad
What bad can you say about a documentary that basically delivers what you expect? I think this was better than most WWE docs, but it still had that formulaic feel to it. It was different in that it included music by Rancid and interviews with Colt Cabana and Ace Steel, but it was distinctly a WWE production. Obviously, contractual obligations and bad blood would prevent this, but I think the absence of Samoa Joe, Raven and Gabe Sapolsky jumped out in the context of things. I was also kind of hopefully for some really shocking inclusion like Ian Rotten or Chuck E Smooth. The other issue was the constant reference to CM Punk’s detractors, but they were never given a voice. Michael Hayes played the role of explaining those views while saying that he never agreed with them. Vince McMahon was definitely a notable absence, but it seems like some of those who took issue with Punk never really shared their thoughts here.
The Rating: ****1/2
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Guest Booker with JJ Dillon - A month of WWF TV [KayfabeCommentaries]
The Good
JJ Dillon is one of my favorites to listen to because he is very articulate and is able to express a deep understanding of the business. I knew this "Guest Booker" would be excellent and it truly delivered. The premise is that JJ will book a month of WWF TV around the 91-93 era that will include a late night special and build up to a pay-per-view. The catch is, it's an inter-promotional deal, so people like Sting, Nikita Koloff and others who never set foot in a WWF ring are thrust into fresh matches with Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart and The Undertaker. While JJ does not touch on angles and such for all the matches, he hits on the big ones and has some very simple, politically aware and effective stories that help build everything up. They spend ample time talking about Vince McMahon's creative style, his micromanagement, the process of writing TV and the use of "A" and "B" shows. While getting into one of the great minds of pro-wrestling is great, it is the sharing of that process that only a few have been privy to that is so amazing.
The Bad
"Guest Booker" is always limited by time and scope, but usually it works out. They spend so much time going into the details of weekends at Vince's that JJ does not have as much time to develop his TVs. He keeps it basic and is working in the old squash match format, so the TV expectations are a bit different nowadays. Instead of numerous angles, intricate details and every match having a backstory, Dillon keeps it simple. Some might find this less interesting in that regard than, say, Kevin Sullivan or Jim Cornette when they were the "Guest Booker," but that is largely up to your perspective. JJ Dillon is certainly an acquired taste as he is not particularly funny, does not cuss out or bury people and has a very measured approach. I guess that is why he was such an effective Head of Talent Relations for over five years.
The Rating: ****1/2
The Good
JJ Dillon is one of my favorites to listen to because he is very articulate and is able to express a deep understanding of the business. I knew this "Guest Booker" would be excellent and it truly delivered. The premise is that JJ will book a month of WWF TV around the 91-93 era that will include a late night special and build up to a pay-per-view. The catch is, it's an inter-promotional deal, so people like Sting, Nikita Koloff and others who never set foot in a WWF ring are thrust into fresh matches with Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart and The Undertaker. While JJ does not touch on angles and such for all the matches, he hits on the big ones and has some very simple, politically aware and effective stories that help build everything up. They spend ample time talking about Vince McMahon's creative style, his micromanagement, the process of writing TV and the use of "A" and "B" shows. While getting into one of the great minds of pro-wrestling is great, it is the sharing of that process that only a few have been privy to that is so amazing.
The Bad
"Guest Booker" is always limited by time and scope, but usually it works out. They spend so much time going into the details of weekends at Vince's that JJ does not have as much time to develop his TVs. He keeps it basic and is working in the old squash match format, so the TV expectations are a bit different nowadays. Instead of numerous angles, intricate details and every match having a backstory, Dillon keeps it simple. Some might find this less interesting in that regard than, say, Kevin Sullivan or Jim Cornette when they were the "Guest Booker," but that is largely up to your perspective. JJ Dillon is certainly an acquired taste as he is not particularly funny, does not cuss out or bury people and has a very measured approach. I guess that is why he was such an effective Head of Talent Relations for over five years.
The Rating: ****1/2
Saturday, July 20, 2013
"The Patriot" Del Wilkes [One-on-One Shoot Series]
The Good
Japanese promotions brought in anyone who was anyone up through the 1990s, but very few had extended runs and even fewer of those people have done shoot interviews and talked extensively about their experiences in Japan. Del Wilkes, in this nearly three hour shoot, talks about his career in an engrossing way. An accomplished collegiate football player who broke in with the Great Moolah and had a few unique chances before hooking up with All Japan, this is a guy who can really pull listeners in. He was a man with a dream and he worked hard to accomplish that dream. That is one of the charming aspects of this shoot. However, Wilkes is honest about the people he liked, disliked and worked with over the years. Without coming across as bitter, he goes into his thoughts on people like Jeff Jarrett, Eric Bischoff, Bret Hart and Giant Baba and his justifiable issues with those people. He talks about how Tom Brandi "stole" his Patriot persona and gives some very candid thoughts on the matter, which are among the more noteworthy parts of this. While some of his anecdotes about WCW, the WWF and other American companies are interesting, the meat of this is his reflections on his time in All Japan. From the workrate and workers to the hierarchy and cultural differences, Wilkes goes into all of it. What is unfortunate, to an extent, is there is not a lot of specific questions and there is not much chronology. Luckily, Wilkes is a good storyteller and does not need much direction, even better, they periodically stop so he can collect his thoughts. Actual editing in shoot interview?
I sometimes listen to interviews and realize that while I enjoy it, others might not. The Patriot obviously had a more significant career in All Japan than in the States. If you have little knowledge or interest in 90s All Japan, you might not think much of this. There is also the issue that hearing about him breaking in through Moolah's camp, starving in Memphis, working as The Trooper in the AWA and becoming The Patriot in Global and some of those might be irrelevant to some folks. If you were a Monday Night Wars fan, he has a some stuff about his WWF run, but it is limited. Overall, this is great shoot, but it probably only has interest to a smallish group of hardcore fans.
The Rating: ****1/4
The Rating: ****1/4
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
Saturday, June 15, 2013
GLOW - The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling
Dierector: Brett Whitcomb, Bradford Thomason
Distributor: Window Pictures
Released: 3/13
Americana, Roxy Astor, Babe the Farmer’s Daughter, Big Bad Mama, Steve Blance (Head Writer), Ashley Cartier, Cheyenne Cher, Daisy, Ric Drasin, Johnny Gafarella (Manager), Godiva, Mando Guerrero, Hollywood, The Houswives / Heavy Metal Sisters, Jailbait, Lightning, Little Egypt, Ivory, Matilda the Hun, Mountain Fiji, MTV, Ninotchka, Susie Spirit, Larry Zbyszko
The Good
Pro-wrestling documentaries seem to work best when they have a narrow focus, great characters and a concise story to tell. While an hour on the history of GLOW seems ridiculous, this was really fun. Other than a few clips, magazine features and such, I had little interest or background knowledge. GLOW always seemed like a wacky short-lived promotion that never really produced anything or anyone of note other than Ivory. This really sheds lights on the product and how special and innovative it really was. An Israeli mogul backing his b-film director buddy and taking the concept from David McClane led to a product that combined sex and violence with campiness and characters. While it seems like a tiny piece of pro-wrestling history that is easily dismissed, GLOW had something special and was in many ways a precursor to products like MatRats, Wrestling Society X, Chikara Pro and Kaiju Big Battel that have tried to create a very distinct and different brand of pro-wrestling. Although GLOW was lacking in many areas, it was really successful in other ways that are worth exploring. This documentary packs so much into an hour and really leaves you thinking that this was a cult favorite that shouldn’t be forgotten. Largely the failure of subsequent revivals and the lack of talent going on to great fame (save for Tina Ferrari who became the WWF’s Ivory), GLOW has always been remembered with a negative conotation. This documentary did a great job to change that. The show ran only for a few years and did not have a massive roster, so pulling together so many of the players really added legitimacy to this.
The Bad
I’m not sure if I’ve ever watched a documentary about quite a small niche thing. While that can allow for a focused story, it is often subject to excessive romanticization and very limited voices. Matt Cimber, the director and real brains behind GLOW, was featured at a reunion, but was not interviewed for this specifically. David McClane was absent as well, which was perhaps more surprising. So basically this featured a number of the performers, a couple management guys and Chavo Guerrero (who trained the initial crew). No fans, no journalists, no surprising celebrities and no other pro-wrestlers (other than Larry Zbyszko for a moment). GLOW definitely did something unique and had its strengths, but it was not exactly the pop culture sensation that this documentary would lead you to believe. It was different, it got some exceptional attention because it was different, but then its time passed. In comparison to All Japan Women in the days of the Beauty Pair in the 70s, the Crush Gals in the 80s or even cross-promotional workrate era in the 90s, GLOW does not hold up at all in terms of popularity, quality or even character development.
The Rating: ****1/4
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Sherri Martel [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
Ladies in pro-wrestling have a different type of story that is tough to get at. While they are in the business and can become one of the boys (as Sherri Martel) did, they are separated, can be objectified and can get caught up in relationships that adversely effect their careers. Looking down the history, it is easy to find. Many of the early stars had relationships with Billy Wolfe (long-time promoter of lady wrestlers), Missy Hyatt went from one guy to another, Elizabeth was allegedly locked in closets and so on. Sherri Martel largely rose above all this. She was a very good talent that avoided getting in relationships with her peers, she avoided getting blackballed although she was never exactly one of Moolah's girls and she was never turned into eye candy only to be tossed away at the end of the month. In this interview, she was very candid that she was rebellious and let herself get caught up in the drinking and drug-using lifestyle that has become synonymous with pro-wrestling. Sadly, it is those dependencies that she was battling with up to her death. Sherri is very honest and forthright in this interview, it really gets at women's wrestling and women's roles in wrestling in way no other shoot interview has (or at least none I've caught).
The Bad
A typical flaw of the RF Video Shoot formula is that they inexplicably leave out significant segments of a person's career. After her run with Ric Flair in 1994, it seems as if her career quickly fizzled out and she only came back to work a couple matches in 1999. However, she had a long run with Harlem Heat and a bizarre program with Colonel Parker (Robert Fuller) over the next few years that probably could have discussed some. That matched with Rob's typical ineptitude make this an unfortunate interview because Sherri was so honest and could have been challenged to push this interview to a height that I do not recall any female talent ever reaching. Although it was very good, it was disappointing because of how great it could have been.
The Rating: ****
The Good
Ladies in pro-wrestling have a different type of story that is tough to get at. While they are in the business and can become one of the boys (as Sherri Martel) did, they are separated, can be objectified and can get caught up in relationships that adversely effect their careers. Looking down the history, it is easy to find. Many of the early stars had relationships with Billy Wolfe (long-time promoter of lady wrestlers), Missy Hyatt went from one guy to another, Elizabeth was allegedly locked in closets and so on. Sherri Martel largely rose above all this. She was a very good talent that avoided getting in relationships with her peers, she avoided getting blackballed although she was never exactly one of Moolah's girls and she was never turned into eye candy only to be tossed away at the end of the month. In this interview, she was very candid that she was rebellious and let herself get caught up in the drinking and drug-using lifestyle that has become synonymous with pro-wrestling. Sadly, it is those dependencies that she was battling with up to her death. Sherri is very honest and forthright in this interview, it really gets at women's wrestling and women's roles in wrestling in way no other shoot interview has (or at least none I've caught).
The Bad
A typical flaw of the RF Video Shoot formula is that they inexplicably leave out significant segments of a person's career. After her run with Ric Flair in 1994, it seems as if her career quickly fizzled out and she only came back to work a couple matches in 1999. However, she had a long run with Harlem Heat and a bizarre program with Colonel Parker (Robert Fuller) over the next few years that probably could have discussed some. That matched with Rob's typical ineptitude make this an unfortunate interview because Sherri was so honest and could have been challenged to push this interview to a height that I do not recall any female talent ever reaching. Although it was very good, it was disappointing because of how great it could have been.
The Rating: ****
Friday, March 29, 2013
Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen
Director: Kevin Dunn
Distributor: WWE Home Video
Released: 4/07
Featured Talent
Arn Anderson, Steve Austin, Chris Benoit, Eric Bischoff, Tully Blanchard, J.J. Dillon, Paul Ellering, Ric Flair, Michael Hayes, Jerry Lawler, Theodore Long, Dean Malenko, Shawn Michels, Gene Okerland, Dusty Rhodes, Paul Roma, Jim Ross, Ricky Steamboat, Triple H, Barry Windham, Kendall Windham
The Good
When you look at the original Four Horsemen stable (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson, Tully Blanchard and J.J. Dillon) you see five of the best promos in pro-wrestling and this pair of DVD is packed with top notch promos. I remember Meltzer discribing his mixed feelings about this release because it is an age of promos that will seemingly never return and how sad that is because that is such a magical part of pro-wrestling. Past that bittersweet realization, this documentary is one of the better WWE products that tells its story in a frank way that is not overly romanticized. They were a groundbreaking stable and this documentary captures their accomplishments, their legacy as well as their inability to recapture their fame in the 1990s. I felt the discussion of the personality conflicts really took this to another level. Flair was unafraid of ripping on a number of people, which made for some interesting parts. The discussion of Paul Roma though takes the cake in that department though. The explaination of several key events: the sale of WCW from Crockett to Turner, the feud between Flair and Eric Bischoff and the decline of Tully Blanchard's career were all well done.
The Bad
The biggest problem with WWE's documentaries is typically their skewing of history, where events and personalities are either romanticized or buried. Often people turn down projects or are left out projects and find themselves on the bad end of WWE's version of pro-wrestling history. Ole Anderson turned them down and he was marginalized, Sid turned them down and was buried and a number of key people were not included. Sting is obviously part of a rival company, Lex Luger has been blackballed and a number of others were simply left out and that always deters from the quality of the story. Arn Anderson kayfabed a bit and the story of the double-stabbing between he and Sid was at least mentioned, but definitely its impact was not discussed. This has several issues, but on the whole is a fair documentary as far as the WWE products go.
The Extras
The interviews and discussion of interviews is a real gem on these two discs. There are seven matches and a couple are excellent, but they are not the selection many people may have selected. There are bits and pieces after 1988, which are good in and of themselves, but the focus was really placed on the correct time period.
The Rating: ****
Director: Kevin Dunn
Distributor: WWE Home Video
Released: 4/07
Featured Talent
Arn Anderson, Steve Austin, Chris Benoit, Eric Bischoff, Tully Blanchard, J.J. Dillon, Paul Ellering, Ric Flair, Michael Hayes, Jerry Lawler, Theodore Long, Dean Malenko, Shawn Michels, Gene Okerland, Dusty Rhodes, Paul Roma, Jim Ross, Ricky Steamboat, Triple H, Barry Windham, Kendall Windham
The Good
When you look at the original Four Horsemen stable (Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson, Tully Blanchard and J.J. Dillon) you see five of the best promos in pro-wrestling and this pair of DVD is packed with top notch promos. I remember Meltzer discribing his mixed feelings about this release because it is an age of promos that will seemingly never return and how sad that is because that is such a magical part of pro-wrestling. Past that bittersweet realization, this documentary is one of the better WWE products that tells its story in a frank way that is not overly romanticized. They were a groundbreaking stable and this documentary captures their accomplishments, their legacy as well as their inability to recapture their fame in the 1990s. I felt the discussion of the personality conflicts really took this to another level. Flair was unafraid of ripping on a number of people, which made for some interesting parts. The discussion of Paul Roma though takes the cake in that department though. The explaination of several key events: the sale of WCW from Crockett to Turner, the feud between Flair and Eric Bischoff and the decline of Tully Blanchard's career were all well done.
The Bad
The biggest problem with WWE's documentaries is typically their skewing of history, where events and personalities are either romanticized or buried. Often people turn down projects or are left out projects and find themselves on the bad end of WWE's version of pro-wrestling history. Ole Anderson turned them down and he was marginalized, Sid turned them down and was buried and a number of key people were not included. Sting is obviously part of a rival company, Lex Luger has been blackballed and a number of others were simply left out and that always deters from the quality of the story. Arn Anderson kayfabed a bit and the story of the double-stabbing between he and Sid was at least mentioned, but definitely its impact was not discussed. This has several issues, but on the whole is a fair documentary as far as the WWE products go.
The Extras
The interviews and discussion of interviews is a real gem on these two discs. There are seven matches and a couple are excellent, but they are not the selection many people may have selected. There are bits and pieces after 1988, which are good in and of themselves, but the focus was really placed on the correct time period.
The Rating: ****
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Percy Pringle / Paul Bearer [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
Great stories by a great storyteller, Percy Pringle (aka Paul Bearer) has had such a full career that it was easy for him to just go on and on with road stories, rib stories and funny memories. Who else could tell you what always makes the Undertaker vomit, how creative a teenage Michael Hayes was or what made Rick Rude such a likable guy? Percy Pringle's gift of gab just boils over here and he lets his guard down more and more as time passes. While he could and other interviews have proven this, go more into the psychological aspects and behind the scenes workings of companies, Percy delivers the endless tales that RF Video is always trying to pull out of an interviewee. It makes for a light-hearted and enjoyable interview. Percy is also so passionate about pro-wrestling that he seems almost mournful that kayfabe is dead and that young people cannot experience it or breaking into it the way he did. In a few instances he gets into that sentiment, but even that and the issue of drug abuse, deaths and political nonsense do not seem to hamper his excitement and he largely glazes over those negative aspects.
The Bad
If you've never heard Percy Pringle do a shoot interview, I cannot image how you would not love this. If you have, then you might see how this has is not a great as some others he has done. His series with Jim Cornette are second-to-none and are like ramped up versions of these as he gets into some of the same stories and issues. Although it is briefly mentioned, I think focusing more on his recollections of Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling would be so fascinating. Obviously he was just a mark fan then, but it is an area that is simply unexplored and forgotten. The road stories are great and plentiful here, but it seems like this is someone who could get more into the psychology of the business. Finally, Percy Pringle is pretty reserved in naming names. I think one of the great strengths of the Jim Cornette interview is that Corny will blast almost anyone, so it was easier for Percy to do it. These all seem knit-picky, but it prevented this from being a five-star interview in my view.
The Rating: ****1/2
The Good
Great stories by a great storyteller, Percy Pringle (aka Paul Bearer) has had such a full career that it was easy for him to just go on and on with road stories, rib stories and funny memories. Who else could tell you what always makes the Undertaker vomit, how creative a teenage Michael Hayes was or what made Rick Rude such a likable guy? Percy Pringle's gift of gab just boils over here and he lets his guard down more and more as time passes. While he could and other interviews have proven this, go more into the psychological aspects and behind the scenes workings of companies, Percy delivers the endless tales that RF Video is always trying to pull out of an interviewee. It makes for a light-hearted and enjoyable interview. Percy is also so passionate about pro-wrestling that he seems almost mournful that kayfabe is dead and that young people cannot experience it or breaking into it the way he did. In a few instances he gets into that sentiment, but even that and the issue of drug abuse, deaths and political nonsense do not seem to hamper his excitement and he largely glazes over those negative aspects.
The Bad
If you've never heard Percy Pringle do a shoot interview, I cannot image how you would not love this. If you have, then you might see how this has is not a great as some others he has done. His series with Jim Cornette are second-to-none and are like ramped up versions of these as he gets into some of the same stories and issues. Although it is briefly mentioned, I think focusing more on his recollections of Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling would be so fascinating. Obviously he was just a mark fan then, but it is an area that is simply unexplored and forgotten. The road stories are great and plentiful here, but it seems like this is someone who could get more into the psychology of the business. Finally, Percy Pringle is pretty reserved in naming names. I think one of the great strengths of the Jim Cornette interview is that Corny will blast almost anyone, so it was easier for Percy to do it. These all seem knit-picky, but it prevented this from being a five-star interview in my view.
The Rating: ****1/2
Friday, February 1, 2013
Nature Boy Ric Flair: The Definitive Collection
Directors: Kevin Dunn
Distributor: WWE Home Video
Released: 7/08
Featured Talent
Arn Anderson, Steve Austin, Batista, Tully Blanchard, Nick Bockwinkel, Jack Brisco, Jim Brunzell, John Cena, Jim Cornette, David Crockett, J.J. Dillon, Edge, Ric Flair, Ashley Fleihr (daughter), David Fleihr (son), Megan Fleihr (daughter), Reid Fleihr (son), Tiffany Fleihr (wife), Dory Funk Jr., Greg Gagne, Michael Hayes, Bobby Heenan, Shawn Michaels, Gene Okerland, Bob Orton Jr., Randy Orton, Bruce Pritchard, Harley Race, Baron Von Raschke, Dusty Rhodes, Jim Ross, Triple H, Greg Valentine, Kevin Von Erich
The Good
Generally speaking, the WWE’s documentaries on legendary pro-wrestlers have been good. They usually have the footage, interviews and a version of the story that is a worthwhile watch - at least once. This documentary, while a good retrospect of Ric Flair’s legendary career, lacks the depth that his excellent autobiography did. It is positive though and many people want to see those highlights and hear those stories. In that sense, it delivers. This was a big step-up production-wise as it featured some really fun graphics (depicting the NWA’s control over the US, Flair’s touring and title defenses), it also had some good lighting and presentation for the newer interviews and it really captured the past in a nostalgic way (as opposed to low-rent way). It was fun to hear Flair and some of his running buddies talk about his early days and peak when he was living the high life. There was a lot of focus on big feuds and rivalries, which has gone over well in recent WWE Legend documentaries. There really were no surprises here and it was basically a feel-good type documentary, which one has to expect. As always there were some great interviewees: Harley Race, Jim Cornette and David Crockett were all great and brought so much to this piece.
The Bad
As with almost all WWE documentaries, this lacked depth. It was missing that critical side that even Flair’s autobiography had. His financial woes, his lackluster WWF run and his burial in WCW are largely glossed over. There is no Eric Bischoff, Hulk Hogan or Mick Foley to offer some criticism, heck, Ricky Steamboat is not even on this! Although the list of interviews is solid, there were definitely some MIAs that could have added insight. Terry Funk really jumps out, but he is yet to appear on a WWE documentary. There also is some due criticism of the WWF/WWE that is sadly missing. His `91-`93 run is deemed a success, although it is acknowledged that not booking he and Hulk Hogan in a pay-per-view match was strange. While he had a good showing and had some great matches, he was not the larger than life character that he had been in JCP and was another legendary NWA champion reduced to something far less than he deserved to be like “King” Harley Race, Hoss (Dory) Funk and “The Common Man” Dusty Rhodes before him. As for his return after WCW died, well, it is clear that with the exception of a few instances, Ric Flair was not utilized well. One of the greatest interviews of all-time was seldom left to cut his money promos, a figure who could draw in the older fans was over-used and jobbed out and that final run that should have carried him into his final match was pathetically executed. All of these facts are swept aside, so we can hear him talk about the few things that were done right. While one has to expect that in a WWE production that does not mean that it is okay and the credibility of this documentary takes a hit as result. As for the matches, let's just say they did an average job complimenting the previously released "Ultimate Ric Flair Collection."
The Rating: ****1/2
Directors: Kevin Dunn
Distributor: WWE Home Video
Released: 7/08
Featured Talent
Arn Anderson, Steve Austin, Batista, Tully Blanchard, Nick Bockwinkel, Jack Brisco, Jim Brunzell, John Cena, Jim Cornette, David Crockett, J.J. Dillon, Edge, Ric Flair, Ashley Fleihr (daughter), David Fleihr (son), Megan Fleihr (daughter), Reid Fleihr (son), Tiffany Fleihr (wife), Dory Funk Jr., Greg Gagne, Michael Hayes, Bobby Heenan, Shawn Michaels, Gene Okerland, Bob Orton Jr., Randy Orton, Bruce Pritchard, Harley Race, Baron Von Raschke, Dusty Rhodes, Jim Ross, Triple H, Greg Valentine, Kevin Von Erich
The Good
Generally speaking, the WWE’s documentaries on legendary pro-wrestlers have been good. They usually have the footage, interviews and a version of the story that is a worthwhile watch - at least once. This documentary, while a good retrospect of Ric Flair’s legendary career, lacks the depth that his excellent autobiography did. It is positive though and many people want to see those highlights and hear those stories. In that sense, it delivers. This was a big step-up production-wise as it featured some really fun graphics (depicting the NWA’s control over the US, Flair’s touring and title defenses), it also had some good lighting and presentation for the newer interviews and it really captured the past in a nostalgic way (as opposed to low-rent way). It was fun to hear Flair and some of his running buddies talk about his early days and peak when he was living the high life. There was a lot of focus on big feuds and rivalries, which has gone over well in recent WWE Legend documentaries. There really were no surprises here and it was basically a feel-good type documentary, which one has to expect. As always there were some great interviewees: Harley Race, Jim Cornette and David Crockett were all great and brought so much to this piece.
The Bad
As with almost all WWE documentaries, this lacked depth. It was missing that critical side that even Flair’s autobiography had. His financial woes, his lackluster WWF run and his burial in WCW are largely glossed over. There is no Eric Bischoff, Hulk Hogan or Mick Foley to offer some criticism, heck, Ricky Steamboat is not even on this! Although the list of interviews is solid, there were definitely some MIAs that could have added insight. Terry Funk really jumps out, but he is yet to appear on a WWE documentary. There also is some due criticism of the WWF/WWE that is sadly missing. His `91-`93 run is deemed a success, although it is acknowledged that not booking he and Hulk Hogan in a pay-per-view match was strange. While he had a good showing and had some great matches, he was not the larger than life character that he had been in JCP and was another legendary NWA champion reduced to something far less than he deserved to be like “King” Harley Race, Hoss (Dory) Funk and “The Common Man” Dusty Rhodes before him. As for his return after WCW died, well, it is clear that with the exception of a few instances, Ric Flair was not utilized well. One of the greatest interviews of all-time was seldom left to cut his money promos, a figure who could draw in the older fans was over-used and jobbed out and that final run that should have carried him into his final match was pathetically executed. All of these facts are swept aside, so we can hear him talk about the few things that were done right. While one has to expect that in a WWE production that does not mean that it is okay and the credibility of this documentary takes a hit as result. As for the matches, let's just say they did an average job complimenting the previously released "Ultimate Ric Flair Collection."
The Rating: ****1/2
Thursday, January 3, 2013
The Outsiders [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
Scott Hall's shoot a month prior to this is one of RF's best and Kevin Nash's wasn't too shabby either. When you combine the two, you get a very different, but very enjoyable product. Hall, who was really reserved and respectful in his, is pulled into a Nash-influenced that is a stark contrast. They bury people, they bury companies, they bury poor booking, they take the blame for nothing, all while admitting that they're too of the biggest pricks around. I wonder Hall's different candor here is more or less authentic to his true persona as these two admit to having almost split personalities. They have a million road stories from their "gay rib" first meeting to their chronic drunken escapades during WCW TV tapings. They explain how the Kliq changed the WWF, how the nWo developed, how it fell and they get into all the characters from WCW's glory days. You will get what you expect with these two.
The Bad
Based on the nWo's presence in my "Pro-Wrestling in Georgia & The Carolinas" video being thoroughly despised by numerous posters, I know that many people don't like the nWo, they don't like Hall & Nash, they blame their influence on ruining WCW and their feelings are very much in line with Jim Cornette's infamous rants against them on Raw. Those people might want to avoid this one. These are two disrespectful, self-important and seem to not have much regard for the health of pro-wrestling itself. Certainly their role in WCW was key in the company's surge and the boom known as the "Monday Night Wars," but many people cannot stand them and believe the bad outweighs the good in this situation. They make no apologies here.
The Rating: ****1/2
The Good
Scott Hall's shoot a month prior to this is one of RF's best and Kevin Nash's wasn't too shabby either. When you combine the two, you get a very different, but very enjoyable product. Hall, who was really reserved and respectful in his, is pulled into a Nash-influenced that is a stark contrast. They bury people, they bury companies, they bury poor booking, they take the blame for nothing, all while admitting that they're too of the biggest pricks around. I wonder Hall's different candor here is more or less authentic to his true persona as these two admit to having almost split personalities. They have a million road stories from their "gay rib" first meeting to their chronic drunken escapades during WCW TV tapings. They explain how the Kliq changed the WWF, how the nWo developed, how it fell and they get into all the characters from WCW's glory days. You will get what you expect with these two.
The Bad
Based on the nWo's presence in my "Pro-Wrestling in Georgia & The Carolinas" video being thoroughly despised by numerous posters, I know that many people don't like the nWo, they don't like Hall & Nash, they blame their influence on ruining WCW and their feelings are very much in line with Jim Cornette's infamous rants against them on Raw. Those people might want to avoid this one. These are two disrespectful, self-important and seem to not have much regard for the health of pro-wrestling itself. Certainly their role in WCW was key in the company's surge and the boom known as the "Monday Night Wars," but many people cannot stand them and believe the bad outweighs the good in this situation. They make no apologies here.
The Rating: ****1/2
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Art of Wrestling [Weekly Podcast]
The Good
A few years ago, Colt Cabana began concentrating his efforts on developing his brand following his WWE release. For those of us who remember watching him in IWA Mid-South a decade ago, he seems like a completely different character. Cabana took his goofball personality and made it a commodity that people not only enjoy, but will check out and hopefully pay for. Part of his branding process included starting this podcast, which in its first 100 episodes developed a reputation as being one of the most enjoyable and distinct. Cabana not only gets himself over, but provides a forum for a wide variety of pro-wrestling personalities to share their stories, experiences and wisdom. Although he predominantly features his peers on the indy circuit, Colt has managed to interview people that I have never heard interviews with before. As his buddy CM Punk revealed on the 100th episode, the show is very formulaic and after a while that becomes part of the charm. Colt's cadence is distinct and he has a number of phrases that might irritate some, but gives the show a feeling of familiarity that creates a loyal audience. Colt usually shares some funny anecdotes or thoughtful reflections about his current situation and some plugs to open the show and ends the show with some closing thoughts and some more plugs. His song-of-the-week is a nice feature and it provides some more frivolity that is the show's trademark. The meat of the show though is Colt Cabana sitting down and interviewing someone else from the world of pro-wrestling. The variety is a positive, but the best interviews are those with people he has a good rapport with because they're friends. It is cool to hear him chat with Johnny Saint, Kentaro and Alejandro, but it is the interviews with guys like Cliff Compton, Bull Pain and Chris Masters that really stand out as the best. Those that are the most comfortable with him, tend to let their hair down the most and it lets him dig a little deeper. In comparison to interviews with more highly regarded people, Cabana is able to get more out of certain people like Dolph Ziggler, Jimmy Jacobs and Pac. The Art of Wrestling is one of the best pro-wrestling podcasts out there and one that everyone should at least sample a few times.
The Bad
If I was recommending this podcast to other pro-wrestling fans, I would probably suggest that they listen to the interviews with wrestlers they know first. The show's structure is a strength of the show, but it takes some time to internalize that aspect. Colt's personality is another dimension and he may simply be a turn off for a great many people. He admittedly loves fun and that comes across. If you prefer the RF Video's red-eyed marathon shoots, Kayfabe Commentaries' in-depth and well-researched shoots, then you might feel this series is lacking. Colt interjects a lot of humor (or tries to) and typically that enhances the interview, but it is largely a matter of taste. While he provides a great deal of personality and often personal connections to the interviewee, he is not a hard-hitting journalist, well-studied newsletter writer or an enthusiastic super-fan. He does have a sound knowledge base and grew up as a fan and follows the business pretty closely. Colt tries to keep his interviews friendly and sometimes lightly steps into some heavy topics, but generally does not to. That levity is nice, but it can lead to disappointing interviews. Colt's goal is not to present breaking news, but he sometimes stumbles across some without trying.
The Rating: ****1/4
The Good
A few years ago, Colt Cabana began concentrating his efforts on developing his brand following his WWE release. For those of us who remember watching him in IWA Mid-South a decade ago, he seems like a completely different character. Cabana took his goofball personality and made it a commodity that people not only enjoy, but will check out and hopefully pay for. Part of his branding process included starting this podcast, which in its first 100 episodes developed a reputation as being one of the most enjoyable and distinct. Cabana not only gets himself over, but provides a forum for a wide variety of pro-wrestling personalities to share their stories, experiences and wisdom. Although he predominantly features his peers on the indy circuit, Colt has managed to interview people that I have never heard interviews with before. As his buddy CM Punk revealed on the 100th episode, the show is very formulaic and after a while that becomes part of the charm. Colt's cadence is distinct and he has a number of phrases that might irritate some, but gives the show a feeling of familiarity that creates a loyal audience. Colt usually shares some funny anecdotes or thoughtful reflections about his current situation and some plugs to open the show and ends the show with some closing thoughts and some more plugs. His song-of-the-week is a nice feature and it provides some more frivolity that is the show's trademark. The meat of the show though is Colt Cabana sitting down and interviewing someone else from the world of pro-wrestling. The variety is a positive, but the best interviews are those with people he has a good rapport with because they're friends. It is cool to hear him chat with Johnny Saint, Kentaro and Alejandro, but it is the interviews with guys like Cliff Compton, Bull Pain and Chris Masters that really stand out as the best. Those that are the most comfortable with him, tend to let their hair down the most and it lets him dig a little deeper. In comparison to interviews with more highly regarded people, Cabana is able to get more out of certain people like Dolph Ziggler, Jimmy Jacobs and Pac. The Art of Wrestling is one of the best pro-wrestling podcasts out there and one that everyone should at least sample a few times.
The Bad
If I was recommending this podcast to other pro-wrestling fans, I would probably suggest that they listen to the interviews with wrestlers they know first. The show's structure is a strength of the show, but it takes some time to internalize that aspect. Colt's personality is another dimension and he may simply be a turn off for a great many people. He admittedly loves fun and that comes across. If you prefer the RF Video's red-eyed marathon shoots, Kayfabe Commentaries' in-depth and well-researched shoots, then you might feel this series is lacking. Colt interjects a lot of humor (or tries to) and typically that enhances the interview, but it is largely a matter of taste. While he provides a great deal of personality and often personal connections to the interviewee, he is not a hard-hitting journalist, well-studied newsletter writer or an enthusiastic super-fan. He does have a sound knowledge base and grew up as a fan and follows the business pretty closely. Colt tries to keep his interviews friendly and sometimes lightly steps into some heavy topics, but generally does not to. That levity is nice, but it can lead to disappointing interviews. Colt's goal is not to present breaking news, but he sometimes stumbles across some without trying.
The Rating: ****1/4
Thursday, April 26, 2012
LAW (Live Audio Wrestling) [Weekly Podcast]
The Good
I recall first stumbling across the LAW in 2000 when I was really clamoring for more free online content. Back in those days, it was Jeff Marek and Dan "The Mouth" Lovransky. At that time, they were covering three companies in the US and had pretty well open access to everyone. They also had an amazing archive of interviews and Dave Meltzer making regular appearances. If you fast forward a few years, the LAW had dramatically changed in a number of ways. "The Mouth" was now joined by Jason Agnew, the landscape of pro-wrestling was in the gutter and there once impressive archive was no more. Fast forward another few years, John Pollock was playing a more active on-air roll, they were affiliated with the Fight Network and were expanding the LAW brand significantly. In 2012, they're on TSN Radio and have a firmly established product complete with regular segments, callers and the like. I honestly only listened to the LAW sporadically between 2007 and 2010 as I tended to opt for other audio options, but was pleasantly surprised when I picked back up per recommendation. I think for a single weekly show that gives a nice package of "news, opinion and interviews," the LAW really delivers, furthermore it is very nicely produced and has a level of energy and quality that other podcasts do not.
The Bad
I fell out of listening to the LAW for a reason. If one is listening to several podcasts during the week, you can only hear reviews of Raw, pay-per-views and such so many times. The show needs to offer more and for a time, I didn't feel like the LAW did that. I enjoyed aspects of the show, but felt much of it was tedious and uninteresting. The quality of calls, because they are such a part of the show, really determines its overall quality and I've never thought these are worth it. The "Title Bout Trivia" segment is more often than not painful. The interviews are usually very good, but if they are largely edited down and a full version is available on their website, then I'll opt out. There are many times when I simply stop after "Wrestling Observer Extra." I can also understand people not caring for the hosts as can be the case with any show. I'm not sure when this trend began, but Jason Agnew tends to be curt (sometimes downright mean) with callers to the point that I almost wonder why they have that part. It gives the show such a negative element. The shows without him are not much different in quality and avoid that bad taste. If you don't like your callers - don't have them. Most of the regulars offer little in the way of fresh perspectives or worthwhile commentary, so it seems like a lose-lose situation. The LAW offers a lot of substance for those who are not heavy consumers of pro-wrestling podcasts and great style, but this Canadian offering might be an acquired taste for some - brother!
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
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Demolition [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
Tandem shoots can be really good if the two have good chemistry, one does not do all the talking and they do not get off on the individual's careers. RF Video had previous interviewed both of these guys who had significant careers before partnering up, so they kept those pre-Demolition question to a minimum. These two clearly have great respect for one another and believed in their gimmick and how over it was. I felt like Rob dealt with the Road Warrior clones issue well and these two made a great case for their legacy. Bill Eadie came in first with Randy Colley and he explains why Randy didn't work, why he did and why he thought the gimmick would get over. They talk about the various teams they worked, their runs as heels and babyfaces and how they avoided getting caught up in the WWF's drug and party culture. The most interesting part of this was talking about their potential feud with the Legion of Doom, which never really happened. Ax's health woes, Crush's presence and the LOD's super-push saw the thing shortchanged and they seem a little upset by it all.
The Bad
The major bone of contention here is whether or not Demolition was WWF's second-rate answer to Road Warriors or if they were something unique. Sure, there are similarities - the makeup, the likeness to the Lord Humongous character (from the Road Warrior sequel), the balls-to-the-wall brawling style and monster heel approach. Demolition though was comprised of a highly polished heel and one coming into his prime, they worked longer matches, were known for their cardio and were revered by their peers. Demolition seem highly dismissive of the comments, which is a bit much, but then they get into how WWF fans saw the LOD as Demolition clones…which I can't buy at all. There are differences and there are similarities, but let's not get ridiculous. I liked the narrow focus on just their run together as Demolition, but since I have not yet heard their individual shoots, I was left wanting to hear more about the amazing run of the Masked Superstar in the years prior.
The Rating: ****
The Good
Tandem shoots can be really good if the two have good chemistry, one does not do all the talking and they do not get off on the individual's careers. RF Video had previous interviewed both of these guys who had significant careers before partnering up, so they kept those pre-Demolition question to a minimum. These two clearly have great respect for one another and believed in their gimmick and how over it was. I felt like Rob dealt with the Road Warrior clones issue well and these two made a great case for their legacy. Bill Eadie came in first with Randy Colley and he explains why Randy didn't work, why he did and why he thought the gimmick would get over. They talk about the various teams they worked, their runs as heels and babyfaces and how they avoided getting caught up in the WWF's drug and party culture. The most interesting part of this was talking about their potential feud with the Legion of Doom, which never really happened. Ax's health woes, Crush's presence and the LOD's super-push saw the thing shortchanged and they seem a little upset by it all.
The Bad
The major bone of contention here is whether or not Demolition was WWF's second-rate answer to Road Warriors or if they were something unique. Sure, there are similarities - the makeup, the likeness to the Lord Humongous character (from the Road Warrior sequel), the balls-to-the-wall brawling style and monster heel approach. Demolition though was comprised of a highly polished heel and one coming into his prime, they worked longer matches, were known for their cardio and were revered by their peers. Demolition seem highly dismissive of the comments, which is a bit much, but then they get into how WWF fans saw the LOD as Demolition clones…which I can't buy at all. There are differences and there are similarities, but let's not get ridiculous. I liked the narrow focus on just their run together as Demolition, but since I have not yet heard their individual shoots, I was left wanting to hear more about the amazing run of the Masked Superstar in the years prior.
The Rating: ****
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