Madness Behind the Mania
The Good
A panel discussion about the first WrestleMania featuring the controversial Iron Sheik, the intense Paul Orndorff, the laid back Bob Orton Jr., John Cena Sr. and a "historian" called Jackyl. Our host is Dan Morrati who is very personable and quite knowledgeable, so he generally does a good job. There is some time introducing the three stars' backgrounds, which is fine. The meat of this is talking about the national expansion, the strategies Vince McMahon used, the role of Hulk Hogan and a match-by-match breakdown of the card. This did have some great insight from all parties and a few funny exchanges as well. Mr. Wonderful mentioning to Sheik that he couldn't whoop anybody because he has two hip replacements was pretty comical. I also was curious to hear something different from Sheik on Brian Blair because Orndorff was perhaps his best friend in the business, but not much came of that segment. Overall, this was an okay product.
The Bad
The Iron Sheik returns to the place that helped him launch a new career - "Maloney Wrestling Federation!" This outfit does some decent shoot interviews and this panel discussion is alright. You know what you're getting with the Sheik, although he was on his best behavior, so perhaps he will disappoint some fans here. Orndorff and Orton are very good, but the panel format limits them rather than helps them. John Cena Sr. is briefly there and is about half in promo-delivering mode, so that's a negative. This "historian" Jackyl is alright, but does not push the discussion. Panels are best when you get the panelist to feed off one another and that does not really happen. They go around and answer questions and that's that.
The Rating: ***1/2
Showing posts with label Iron Sheik. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iron Sheik. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Monday, February 14, 2011
RF Roundtable - Iron Shiek, Missy Hyatt & Kanyon
The Good
RF Video coordinates putting together three controversial characters and it is largely a trainwreck and not a particularly entertaining one. They mainly talk about current events (Tiger Woods' divorce, Barack Obama's presidency, Sarah Palin's rise to fame, Michael Vicks' dog-fighting, gay marriage and so fourth) and it does stimulate some interesting comments. Missy Hyatt dominates the conversation here, so if you enjoy hearing Missy be Missy, this is a treat. She expresses her political and moral views, which seem to have some inconsistencies. Sheik, for all his gay-bashing in the past, seems extremely moderate although practically asleep through much of this. Kanyon is largely quiet and makes a good showing during the gay marriage debate.
The Bad
When you have someone putting over Hitler in the first leg of a shoot interview, it's hard to get behind it. Missy Hyatt, who is often funny, comes across as frustrated and stupid on a level I've never seen before. I am sure some people would be disappointed by Sheiky's low-key showing here, but I thought he did his thing and did not make a total ass of himself. I was mostly disappointed by Kanyon, who always comes across a thoughtful person, yet he bowed out of much of the conversation and let Missy take over. Between Missy and the constant attacks on Eric Simms, this was amongst the most annoying and obnoxious roundtables ever.
The Rating: **3/4
The Good
RF Video coordinates putting together three controversial characters and it is largely a trainwreck and not a particularly entertaining one. They mainly talk about current events (Tiger Woods' divorce, Barack Obama's presidency, Sarah Palin's rise to fame, Michael Vicks' dog-fighting, gay marriage and so fourth) and it does stimulate some interesting comments. Missy Hyatt dominates the conversation here, so if you enjoy hearing Missy be Missy, this is a treat. She expresses her political and moral views, which seem to have some inconsistencies. Sheik, for all his gay-bashing in the past, seems extremely moderate although practically asleep through much of this. Kanyon is largely quiet and makes a good showing during the gay marriage debate.
The Bad
When you have someone putting over Hitler in the first leg of a shoot interview, it's hard to get behind it. Missy Hyatt, who is often funny, comes across as frustrated and stupid on a level I've never seen before. I am sure some people would be disappointed by Sheiky's low-key showing here, but I thought he did his thing and did not make a total ass of himself. I was mostly disappointed by Kanyon, who always comes across a thoughtful person, yet he bowed out of much of the conversation and let Missy take over. Between Missy and the constant attacks on Eric Simms, this was amongst the most annoying and obnoxious roundtables ever.
The Rating: **3/4
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Reinventing the Sheik
The Good
Since his infamous shoot interview where he first revealed another side of himself, Khosrow Vaziri aka The Iron Sheik has been an internet pro-wrestling phenomenon. From Youtube clips of him freaking out at conventions to his eventual hook-up with Howard Stern, the Iron Sheik has been reinvented as a controversial character. His drunken anti-Semitic, homophobic, misogynistic tirades where he threatens to "humble" his enemies through sodomy may not be seen as high comedy to some and this shoot interview takes a unique look at this carefully crafted character. He is a drug addict, he is an alcoholic, he is totally broken down physically and practically penniless after being a near millionaire at one point, yet he has been made this vulgar and maniacal babyface through his own brilliance and the guidance of his carny-inspired agent Eric Simms. Here, the two of them talk about their complicated relationship and how it has helped the Iron Sheik regain some of his former fame. They go into the original shoot interview; his true feelings about Brian Blair, Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior; his struggles with "the medicine" and how much of his persona is a work. This is fascinating rather than exploitive as two crazy characters are unveiled in a totally different type of shoot interview.
The Bad
If you hate this new Iron Sheik character, you probably won't care for this. The character is explained, rationalized and demystified to an extent. While it is a part of the real man, it is largely a fabricated character who rants and raves to capture interest. Eric Simms, however, has always seemed like a scumbag and while he takes the edge off a bit, he still seems like a profiteer on the Iron Sheik's unfortunate situation. He explains away securing drugs, videotaping him talking to a drug deal (from an infamous RF Video shoot) and providing him with anything he demands. This could reinforce some negative feelings people have about the new Sheik for sure.
The Rating: ****1/4
The Good
Since his infamous shoot interview where he first revealed another side of himself, Khosrow Vaziri aka The Iron Sheik has been an internet pro-wrestling phenomenon. From Youtube clips of him freaking out at conventions to his eventual hook-up with Howard Stern, the Iron Sheik has been reinvented as a controversial character. His drunken anti-Semitic, homophobic, misogynistic tirades where he threatens to "humble" his enemies through sodomy may not be seen as high comedy to some and this shoot interview takes a unique look at this carefully crafted character. He is a drug addict, he is an alcoholic, he is totally broken down physically and practically penniless after being a near millionaire at one point, yet he has been made this vulgar and maniacal babyface through his own brilliance and the guidance of his carny-inspired agent Eric Simms. Here, the two of them talk about their complicated relationship and how it has helped the Iron Sheik regain some of his former fame. They go into the original shoot interview; his true feelings about Brian Blair, Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior; his struggles with "the medicine" and how much of his persona is a work. This is fascinating rather than exploitive as two crazy characters are unveiled in a totally different type of shoot interview.
The Bad
If you hate this new Iron Sheik character, you probably won't care for this. The character is explained, rationalized and demystified to an extent. While it is a part of the real man, it is largely a fabricated character who rants and raves to capture interest. Eric Simms, however, has always seemed like a scumbag and while he takes the edge off a bit, he still seems like a profiteer on the Iron Sheik's unfortunate situation. He explains away securing drugs, videotaping him talking to a drug deal (from an infamous RF Video shoot) and providing him with anything he demands. This could reinforce some negative feelings people have about the new Sheik for sure.
The Rating: ****1/4
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)