Bob Roop ("Shooting with the Legends" Interview)

The Good
Scott Teal's "Shooting with the Legends" series is excellent in so many regards. While Scott himself is very knowledgeable and could intelligently interview any legend, he chooses the best. Bob Roop is one of a number of well-regarded stars from yesteryear that can tell great stories, share unique perspectives and pull no punches while doing so. Roop talks extensively about a number of topics, specifically his amateur background, time as an unwilling hired gun for promoters and his experiences in Florida. Although this is lengthy (about four hours), Roop is able to go all over the place and expound upon whatever he wants. He gives his honest thoughts on Eddie Graham, Gordon Solie, Buddy Fuller and several other legends. He seems very open about his abilities and inabilities, not coming across like the pompous bully he's been labelled as before. A definite highlight of this was Bob talking about his experiences abroad. Not in the common places like Australia and Japan, but also Europe and Iraq. This could have gone on another four hours and I think there'd be no shortage of material. Just a masterpiece that you've got to get your hands on.

The Bad
Certainly there are areas of Bob Roop's career that go uncovered, but I'll take omissions of his tenures in Mid-South, the Army of Darkness and so on for some of the depth and variety he shares. For someone who booked a few notable territories, he sure did not get into booking psychology much. I think Roop tried to be honest, but it seems like some of his stories do not jive well with others'. Regardless of those few negatives, I'd rate this as a top-notch shoot interview.

The Rating: *****

Mark Lewin [Highspots Shoot Interview]



The Good
When Mark Lewin seemed to magically appear after relative obscurity, I was intrigued about this man who is one of pro-wrestling's most unique and well-traveled individuals.  When I learned he was doing shoot interviews, I was overjoyed.  This really delivers the goods as Highspots appears to have hired an interview who does solid research, builds a rapport with the interviewee, conducts a flowing interview and makes almost everyone else seem second- or third-rate.  As great as the interviewer was, Mark Lewin was just the man I'd like to have in that hot seat.  His amazing career was covered in sufficient detail (for a two-hour shoot), he touched on psychology, booking, character development and even heavier topics like substance abuse and personality flaws were not left untouched.  Mark Lewin seems to be fairly open, but is certainly calculating in his responses.  It is funny because he looks remarkably like Johnny Powers nowadays (although both had very different looks during their careers), but the gum-smacking Lewin seems so much more laid back, honest and humble than JP (whose career I feel Lewin's is superior to in most ways).  This is one of those must-see/hear shoot interviews that happen every once and while.

The Bad
Two-hours was just simply not long enough.  If undercarders from the Monday Night Wars can get four-hours, how can Mark Lewin not get more time!  Actually, I suspect he'll be subject of several (guest booker, anyone?) and I cannot wait.  Mark Lewin's thirty-year career was so unbelievable and the surface is only scratched here.  His early career seems well covered, although a two-hour interview about just the "Golden Age" would work for me.  The part about Australia was what I was most looking forward to as a highlight, but it was not delved into as deeply as it might have been.  His notable runs in Florida, Detroit and Georgia are only briefly covered and others (San Antonio, New Zealand and San Francisco) are hardly mentioned if not left out completely.  I don't want to beat up on this too much because what is there is gold, but I'd take a Ric Flair-like marathon shoot interview with Mark Lewin anytime!

The Rating: ****3/4