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 bob orton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bob orton. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Bob Orton Jr. [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
A second-generation star who was a top-notch worker, worked all over and was a key player in the WWF's national expansion and now is the father to one of the WWE's top stars, few have had a career quite as successful as Bob Orton Jr. Here, he sits down with RF Video for about 100 minutes and goes through a virtual who's who of pro-wrestling. He talks about growing up in the business, his father's career and how he broke in rather quickly. Then they zip through the next ten years of his career and all the amazing characters, great personalities and talented workers that he rubbed shoulders with. Orton was really positive about most everyone and everywhere, which can be a nice change of pace from the often bitter shoots you hear from old-timers. If you watch Highspots preview of his "American Bad Ass" shoot, you can get a flavor of this, although this was not quite that great. Bob Orton's distinctive voice and cackle are pretty enjoyable, so that makes this at least a decent shoot.
The Bad
In this early RF Video shoot, Bob Orton Jr. delivers a really disappointing shoot interview. If you've seen the Highspots one, this is like a poor version as he watches his language, does not share his best stories, chooses to give many political answers and buries almost no one. Like the Jimmy Snuka shoot of infamy, he spends so much time saying this guy was a great guy, this guy seemed really nice or this guy was a helluva worker. Unfortunately, the questions bounce all over, there are the typical lack of knowledge issues and there is so much territory left uncovered. This might be worth a one-time watch, but it's a sad offering that lacks the depth, personality and intrigue you'd want out of an interview with a true legend like Bob Orton Jr.
The Rating: ***1/4
The Good
A second-generation star who was a top-notch worker, worked all over and was a key player in the WWF's national expansion and now is the father to one of the WWE's top stars, few have had a career quite as successful as Bob Orton Jr. Here, he sits down with RF Video for about 100 minutes and goes through a virtual who's who of pro-wrestling. He talks about growing up in the business, his father's career and how he broke in rather quickly. Then they zip through the next ten years of his career and all the amazing characters, great personalities and talented workers that he rubbed shoulders with. Orton was really positive about most everyone and everywhere, which can be a nice change of pace from the often bitter shoots you hear from old-timers. If you watch Highspots preview of his "American Bad Ass" shoot, you can get a flavor of this, although this was not quite that great. Bob Orton's distinctive voice and cackle are pretty enjoyable, so that makes this at least a decent shoot.
The Bad
In this early RF Video shoot, Bob Orton Jr. delivers a really disappointing shoot interview. If you've seen the Highspots one, this is like a poor version as he watches his language, does not share his best stories, chooses to give many political answers and buries almost no one. Like the Jimmy Snuka shoot of infamy, he spends so much time saying this guy was a great guy, this guy seemed really nice or this guy was a helluva worker. Unfortunately, the questions bounce all over, there are the typical lack of knowledge issues and there is so much territory left uncovered. This might be worth a one-time watch, but it's a sad offering that lacks the depth, personality and intrigue you'd want out of an interview with a true legend like Bob Orton Jr.
The Rating: ***1/4
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