Honky Tonk Man & Missy Hyatt [RF Video Face-Off Shoot Interview]
The Good
RF Video's Face-Off series features many interesting combinations, some good, some not so good and this is somewhere along that same continuum. The Honky Tonk Man is always entertaining, although perhaps has been overexposed like the Iron Shiek, New Jack and Missy Hyatt. Missy, seemingly prompted by RF Video, interviews Honky for the opening segment and that is fine. Then they get into the Honky rhythm and RF pops in a few questions and there off and running. Missy gets in some comments, but the talking is mostly done by Honky. They wax nostalgic, they bury people and they talk about how the business has developed into the current product. Some of this is very good, interesting stuff.
The Bad
I think I've said that once you've seen one Missy Hyatt shoot, you've seen them all. She has a core of people she hates (Eric Bischoff, Jason Hervey, Kevin Sullivan, Dark Journey and such), she has a core group of people she puts over (Eddie Gilbert, Jim Ross, Tammy "Sunny" Sytch and such). Honky Tonk Man is not all that different, but his career was much longer, fuller and he has more to share. I wondered if Missy would drag Honky down or if Honky would pull Missy up. I tend to think more of the former. Honky takes most of this, which is fine by me. This is what it is and it is not the best interview involving either of them, the best Face-Off interview or anything like that.
The Rating: ***3/4
Showing posts with label Honky Tonk Man. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Honky Tonk Man. Show all posts
Saturday, March 17, 2018
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Timeline of the WWF - 1987 - Honky Tonk Man
The Good
The Honky Tonk Man is always a cut-up and this different venue does not detract from his ability to make you laugh. Whether he's ripping on road agents, the druggies backstage or the wacky things that he saw, he is always good for a laugh. Here, he talks about the build-up to Wrestlemania III, the fallout and the goings-on around that epic event. This was about 75% his own angles, matches and such, but you have to expect that. This was certainly funnier than the Don Muraco Timeline, but I'm not sure that it was better. If you prefer stories about Roddy Piper being insane, Jake Roberts' guitar-shot-induced drug problems or Adrian Adonis' fabulously expensive set to the intricacies of angles, changes in talent and development of the company, than you'll really prefer this.
The Bad
I like the Timeline concept and think it has great potential, but these are just going to be hit-or-miss it seems. Honky was not an office guy, so he lacks some significant perspective. Although he can share his thoughts on Tom Magee and why he flopped based on his experiences with him in Stampede, he cannot really explain why the WWF chose the Pontiac Silverdome as the site for Wrestlemania III. I almost think this series needs to have multiple people talking about multiple years, but I can realize the logistic problems there. This is the second one I've seen and it seemed to be enjoyable, but lacked the insight I was hoping for and that I felt Don Muraco provided more of in his contribution.
The Rating: ***3/4
The Good
The Honky Tonk Man is always a cut-up and this different venue does not detract from his ability to make you laugh. Whether he's ripping on road agents, the druggies backstage or the wacky things that he saw, he is always good for a laugh. Here, he talks about the build-up to Wrestlemania III, the fallout and the goings-on around that epic event. This was about 75% his own angles, matches and such, but you have to expect that. This was certainly funnier than the Don Muraco Timeline, but I'm not sure that it was better. If you prefer stories about Roddy Piper being insane, Jake Roberts' guitar-shot-induced drug problems or Adrian Adonis' fabulously expensive set to the intricacies of angles, changes in talent and development of the company, than you'll really prefer this.
The Bad
I like the Timeline concept and think it has great potential, but these are just going to be hit-or-miss it seems. Honky was not an office guy, so he lacks some significant perspective. Although he can share his thoughts on Tom Magee and why he flopped based on his experiences with him in Stampede, he cannot really explain why the WWF chose the Pontiac Silverdome as the site for Wrestlemania III. I almost think this series needs to have multiple people talking about multiple years, but I can realize the logistic problems there. This is the second one I've seen and it seemed to be enjoyable, but lacked the insight I was hoping for and that I felt Don Muraco provided more of in his contribution.
The Rating: ***3/4
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Youshoot with the Honky Tonk Man [Kayfabe Commentaries]
The Good
The Honky Tonk Man was the ideal person to debut the Youshoot series. Although the wacky and even spiteful submissions were not as plentiful in this one, it certainly sold you on the greatness of this series. HTM really comes across as honest and even bitter to an extent, but unlike people like Paul Orndorff, Ole Anderson and Billy Jack Haynes, you do not end up really disliking him. He is, at least in my opinion, hilarious with all his voices and facial expressions that make him a great storyteller. Mud-slinging can get tedious, but Honky just spews it in such a way that you cannot help but love it. And no one seems to be immune to his wrath. Billy Gunn was worthless, Blackjack Lanza was two-faced, Ric Flair was "woooo" a repetitive "woooo" cartoon character, Dynamite Kid is a lying bully, Hulk Hogan was a huge druggie, Jim Ross was a sabotager and on and on. Honky Tonk is very open about his own drug use, promiscuity and limitations as a worker, which allows him so credibility when he rips on others. I still question whether or not he is not working everyone (like the Iron Sheik is).
The Bad
I never liked Honky Tonk Man as a worker, I still don't care for him, yet he was gifted in so many ways. Talking, his strong suit, allows him to get himself over regardless of his physical abilities. He is undoubtedly getting himself over here. He is very careful in what he says and while he may not be entirely accurate or even fair, he says things with a conviction that gets him over. Part of me feels like I get swept up in that charismatic delivery and sometimes I fail to see the gaping holes in his statements. That being said, this is wildly entertaining.
The Rating: *****
The Good
The Honky Tonk Man was the ideal person to debut the Youshoot series. Although the wacky and even spiteful submissions were not as plentiful in this one, it certainly sold you on the greatness of this series. HTM really comes across as honest and even bitter to an extent, but unlike people like Paul Orndorff, Ole Anderson and Billy Jack Haynes, you do not end up really disliking him. He is, at least in my opinion, hilarious with all his voices and facial expressions that make him a great storyteller. Mud-slinging can get tedious, but Honky just spews it in such a way that you cannot help but love it. And no one seems to be immune to his wrath. Billy Gunn was worthless, Blackjack Lanza was two-faced, Ric Flair was "woooo" a repetitive "woooo" cartoon character, Dynamite Kid is a lying bully, Hulk Hogan was a huge druggie, Jim Ross was a sabotager and on and on. Honky Tonk is very open about his own drug use, promiscuity and limitations as a worker, which allows him so credibility when he rips on others. I still question whether or not he is not working everyone (like the Iron Sheik is).
The Bad
I never liked Honky Tonk Man as a worker, I still don't care for him, yet he was gifted in so many ways. Talking, his strong suit, allows him to get himself over regardless of his physical abilities. He is undoubtedly getting himself over here. He is very careful in what he says and while he may not be entirely accurate or even fair, he says things with a conviction that gets him over. Part of me feels like I get swept up in that charismatic delivery and sometimes I fail to see the gaping holes in his statements. That being said, this is wildly entertaining.
The Rating: *****
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Honky Tonk Man Shoot Interview (RF Video 2004)
The Good
The Honky Tonk Man is one of the most out-spoken pro-wrestling legends there is and he absolutely shines in shoot interviews. He is probably classified by some as bitter, self-righteous or nuts and there might be a little truth to all of those. Regardless of the negatives, Honky is wildly entertaining with his over-the-top opinions, hilarious comments, silly impressions all done with his signature Southern twang. Whether he's taunting washed up wrestlers, bashing money-grabbing Bible-thumpers or explaining why various people need an ass-whippin', HTM can't not put a smile on your face.
The Bad
Honky was stuck in a shoot interview with the Iron Sheik and New Jack for several reasons: he's loud-mouthed, he's controversial, he's hilarious and he's gold behind a microphone. While people could definitely knock him for his approach and question his opinions, which I do at times, you believe he's genuine. Is he? The Honky Tonk Man is a worker and if he's working Rob Feinstein, the fans that bought this or anyone who hears him, I'd not be surprised.
The Rating: ****1/4
The Good
The Honky Tonk Man is one of the most out-spoken pro-wrestling legends there is and he absolutely shines in shoot interviews. He is probably classified by some as bitter, self-righteous or nuts and there might be a little truth to all of those. Regardless of the negatives, Honky is wildly entertaining with his over-the-top opinions, hilarious comments, silly impressions all done with his signature Southern twang. Whether he's taunting washed up wrestlers, bashing money-grabbing Bible-thumpers or explaining why various people need an ass-whippin', HTM can't not put a smile on your face.
The Bad
Honky was stuck in a shoot interview with the Iron Sheik and New Jack for several reasons: he's loud-mouthed, he's controversial, he's hilarious and he's gold behind a microphone. While people could definitely knock him for his approach and question his opinions, which I do at times, you believe he's genuine. Is he? The Honky Tonk Man is a worker and if he's working Rob Feinstein, the fans that bought this or anyone who hears him, I'd not be surprised.
The Rating: ****1/4
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Tupelo Concession Stand Brawls
Memphis Rasslin' has often been linked to the emergence of "hardcore wrestling" with all the two-fisted bloody brawls that it became famous (or infamous) for in the 1970s and 1980s. Perhaps none was more notable than the Tupelo Concession Stand Brawl, the first of which took place in 1979.
The first came after the Blonde Bombers (Larry Latham and Wayne Ferris) were awarded the Southern Tag belts and Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee take exception to the decision. After battling in the ring post-match with the belts as prominent weapons, they go to the floor as the TV show ends.
In the unedited version, Lance Russell urges the production crew to find this fight, which was now wild and woolly in the concession stand. The idea of flung mustard and popcorn in a legendary match seems wacky, but those elements are secondary to the bloodbath going on. Lawler and Dundee are two of the best punchers in pro-wrestling history and that really takes this fight to a level of greatness that a modern streetfight-type match simply lacks.
The actual sequel came the following year with the Bombers (now with Sgt. Danny Davis) taking on the Gibson brothers. Rick, who has been lost in history, was a tremendous talent as a babyface. While he might not have been Ricky Morton, one can see that Robert learned his role early on by teaming with his brother. This is not so much a TCSB as a three-man ass-whippin' on Rick Gibson.
The following years involved great but all new talents. Eddie Gilbert and Ricky Morton are the babyface here, they're great brawlers and would go on to legendary careers. Their opponents are Tojo Yamamoto's charges Onita and Fuchi. Onita would go on to bring aspects of this style to Japan years later and innovate pro-wrestling with his brand of garbage/hardcore/extreme wrestling. Fuchi would return to All Japan and be a stalwart for years to come and gained perhaps his biggest fame when he and Toshiaki Kawada were the only Japanese workers who stayed with All Japan after a mass exodus in 2000. Despite the great talent here, this is just not what the first one was. However, this one introduced mustard as a central prop, which became the hallmark of this style of match.
Two of the original players returned for the fourth and final (well-known) version of this match, which actually took place in Kennet, Missouri (3.5 hours Northwest of Tupelo). Jerry Lawler interjected himself in a 2-on-1 butt-whoopin' by the Moondogs on Jeff Jarrett. The Moondogs, Rex and Spot, were prominent heels in the region and became a fixture for the region for years to come. Spot, although he looked remarkably different, was actually Latham. The brawl quickly spills out of the ring as trash cans, broom sticks, steel chairs and all manner of garbage are used. This is decidedly safe, but Jarrett's back gets torn up by something (broken glass?).
This legendary gimmick "match" was actually revisited at WCW first Uncensored show (held in Tupelo in `95) by the Nasty Boys and Harlem Heat. The match was full of mustard and wackiness, but it was not so much a heated brawl as it was a silly gimmick match.
Memphis Rasslin' has often been linked to the emergence of "hardcore wrestling" with all the two-fisted bloody brawls that it became famous (or infamous) for in the 1970s and 1980s. Perhaps none was more notable than the Tupelo Concession Stand Brawl, the first of which took place in 1979.
The first came after the Blonde Bombers (Larry Latham and Wayne Ferris) were awarded the Southern Tag belts and Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee take exception to the decision. After battling in the ring post-match with the belts as prominent weapons, they go to the floor as the TV show ends.
In the unedited version, Lance Russell urges the production crew to find this fight, which was now wild and woolly in the concession stand. The idea of flung mustard and popcorn in a legendary match seems wacky, but those elements are secondary to the bloodbath going on. Lawler and Dundee are two of the best punchers in pro-wrestling history and that really takes this fight to a level of greatness that a modern streetfight-type match simply lacks.
The actual sequel came the following year with the Bombers (now with Sgt. Danny Davis) taking on the Gibson brothers. Rick, who has been lost in history, was a tremendous talent as a babyface. While he might not have been Ricky Morton, one can see that Robert learned his role early on by teaming with his brother. This is not so much a TCSB as a three-man ass-whippin' on Rick Gibson.
The following years involved great but all new talents. Eddie Gilbert and Ricky Morton are the babyface here, they're great brawlers and would go on to legendary careers. Their opponents are Tojo Yamamoto's charges Onita and Fuchi. Onita would go on to bring aspects of this style to Japan years later and innovate pro-wrestling with his brand of garbage/hardcore/extreme wrestling. Fuchi would return to All Japan and be a stalwart for years to come and gained perhaps his biggest fame when he and Toshiaki Kawada were the only Japanese workers who stayed with All Japan after a mass exodus in 2000. Despite the great talent here, this is just not what the first one was. However, this one introduced mustard as a central prop, which became the hallmark of this style of match.
Two of the original players returned for the fourth and final (well-known) version of this match, which actually took place in Kennet, Missouri (3.5 hours Northwest of Tupelo). Jerry Lawler interjected himself in a 2-on-1 butt-whoopin' by the Moondogs on Jeff Jarrett. The Moondogs, Rex and Spot, were prominent heels in the region and became a fixture for the region for years to come. Spot, although he looked remarkably different, was actually Latham. The brawl quickly spills out of the ring as trash cans, broom sticks, steel chairs and all manner of garbage are used. This is decidedly safe, but Jarrett's back gets torn up by something (broken glass?).
This legendary gimmick "match" was actually revisited at WCW first Uncensored show (held in Tupelo in `95) by the Nasty Boys and Harlem Heat. The match was full of mustard and wackiness, but it was not so much a heated brawl as it was a silly gimmick match.
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