The Gangstas [RF Video Shoot Interview]

The Good
A brutally honest shoot interview with both of the Gangstas. Both New Jack and Mustafa are basically retired, so they are a little more reflective and not so hung up on current events as can happen with active wrestlers. As with any New Jack project, this was entertaining in its own way. Jack talked his usual sh*t and acted the way he usually does. I know there are people out there who love that and I can say those people will probably enjoy this. Mustafa however, who I'd never heard before, made a good showing. He came across as a straight-up guy with integrity as well as a loyalty to New Jack as the team's mouthpiece. I thought he tempered New Jack's rambling well and it was a different kind of New Jack shoot.

The Bad
I don't really care for New Jack shoot interviews. He is repetitive, rambling and ridiculous. This lacked depth because not many questions were posed. New Jack talked and did his schtick, Mustafa put in his two cents when he could. This meant the answers to those few questions were actually vague and lacking insight despite the length of the "answer." Typical New Jack stuff. If you like that, you might actual think Mustafa's serious presence takes away from the New Jack show. About what I expected, but disappointing considering New Jack has been heard before and Mustafa did not get a great deal of talking time.

The Rating: ***

Gypsy Joe Shoot Interview [Highspots]

The Good
Gypsy Joe is more than just the oldest active pro-wrestler in history and the man who was assaulted by New Jack on an indy show, he is a man who has traveled the world and experienced a great number of things.  His tales of working around Tennessee, battling Rusher Kimura in Japan and getting screwed over time and time again make for some unique listening material.  While criticizing George Gulas, Shawn Michaels and Jerry Lawler is not unusual, Gypsy Joe actually knocks Harley Race and some other people that would surprise you.  He definitely had an distinct career that has led him to his distinct perspective on the business and his place in it.

The Bad
Generally, pro-wrestler's backstories are over-covered, bland or unimportant, but when Gypsy Joe's childhood and late start in the business are not really covered, I became intrigued.  Coming up as a Latin-American and trying to get a break seems like a hard luck story that you'd want to hear, but he does not really touch upon it.  Instead, he goes on about how he is so tough, worked on top everywhere and how innovative he was.  Without undermining his true accomplishments, Gypsy Joe needed to be much more honest for me to take him seriously.  Instead, he sounds like what "El Guapo" Bas Rutten would sound like if he really was Spanish with all the accented nonsense he spews.  He hints at bitterness, disappointment and anger, but all along puts himself over again and again.  Once New Jack's name is brought up, he gets all fired up and is never able to bring it back down.  These qualities really brought this down into the mediocre category.

The Rating: ***