B. Brian Blair [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
Brian Blair has managed to have some fringe relevance after retiring due to his political career, infamous altercation with his son that got some news and more infamously his role as the Iron Sheik's favorite target. I feared this shoot interview would not give enough time to the noteworthy parts of his career to focus on those parts, but luckily it did not. I've heard a few shorter interviews with him and new that he'd be a candidate for a solid interview with good stories and perspective, but this was much better than I anticipated. Blair is really an excellent storyteller and he shares some of his classic like Paul Orndorff biting off Tony Atlas's ear that you may have heard before. Brian Blair comes across as the most likable and honest guy as he describes himself being bullied as a child, weeping over misfortunes in his life and he gets choked up and emotional about a few individuals. He just seems like genuine nice guy and you wonder how the Iron Sheik took to hating him the way he does.
The Bad
If you wanted to here Brian Blair cut a promo on the Sheik, you're not exactly going to get that. Does he have choice words for him? Yes. Does he hold back? Not really and actually makes a pretty touchy accusation. I imagine many people, considering Brian Blair's recent news items, would be disappointed by the calm, cool and collected responses that Blair gives. Many people might disagree with his thoughts on a variety of topics, but even if you think he probably was not the tough guy he makes himself out to be or if you disagree with idea of a flat-tax, you'd probably still see him as well-spoken and thoughtful.
The Rating: ****1/4
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Triple H: King of Kings - There is Only One
Distributor: WWE Home Video
Release Date: 3/08
The Good
It seems like this familiar “best of” series is going to continue after the successes of DVD sets by Ric Flair, The Undertaker and Steve Austin. Instead of putting together a time-consuming documentary, a handful of excellent matches can be paired up with an interview or two by the featured superstar to produce something that can sell. Triple H talks about his career, highlighted by explaining his relationship with Shawn Michaels, the success of Evolution and Batista and lastly his rivalry with John Cena and Edge.
The Bad
Triple H, complete with his lame leather jacket, is the only one talking here and that provides a perspective that is not without baggage. Much of Triple H's career is filled with great angles and great matches, but it is not perfect. Although Evolution was mostly successful with getting Batista over, the same angle done with Randy Orton earlier was rushed and unsuccessful. Triple H talks about putting Batista over for months, which seems like his way of saying how generous he is. Next is his feud with Ric Flair, which was not as great as Triple H would make it seem like. There is also the discussion whether or not Triple H is past his prime and whether or not he will pass the torch gracefully.
The Rating: ***
Distributor: WWE Home Video
Release Date: 3/08
The Good
It seems like this familiar “best of” series is going to continue after the successes of DVD sets by Ric Flair, The Undertaker and Steve Austin. Instead of putting together a time-consuming documentary, a handful of excellent matches can be paired up with an interview or two by the featured superstar to produce something that can sell. Triple H talks about his career, highlighted by explaining his relationship with Shawn Michaels, the success of Evolution and Batista and lastly his rivalry with John Cena and Edge.
The Bad
Triple H, complete with his lame leather jacket, is the only one talking here and that provides a perspective that is not without baggage. Much of Triple H's career is filled with great angles and great matches, but it is not perfect. Although Evolution was mostly successful with getting Batista over, the same angle done with Randy Orton earlier was rushed and unsuccessful. Triple H talks about putting Batista over for months, which seems like his way of saying how generous he is. Next is his feud with Ric Flair, which was not as great as Triple H would make it seem like. There is also the discussion whether or not Triple H is past his prime and whether or not he will pass the torch gracefully.
The Rating: ***
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Bill DeMott [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
Bill DeMott had an unusual career as a long-time overseas foreigner turned WCW midcarder who worked his way up that ladder, failed to do so in the WWF, but found a niche as a trainer. His journey is a great little story in a way. I found his reflections on working Puerto Rico and Japan to be interesting as they were largely positive, despite the infamy associated with both (in Japan, he worked for the tiny, short-lived W*ings garbage group). He was pretty matter of fact about his less-than-stellar years as Hugh Morrus is WCW. Although he achieved remarkable success later on, DeMott's rollercoaster career seems to largely be on the mid-level of the card. When he eventually gets to the Invasion angle, he grows more upset. While he seems to understand and is able to explain the shortcomings of the feud, he clearly lost a chance to get a good slot in the WWF. Instead, his career pattered off and ended. Then came Tough Enough 3. Bill DeMott is clearly passionate about working with youngsters, developing talent and creating a learning environment for aspiring WWF/WWE superstars. As a key trainer in Deep South Wrestling, WWE's short-lived secondary development territory, DeMott was able to help people like The Miz, MVP and a handful of other young talent that are climbing the WWE ladder now. He still seems embittered by the sudden closing of DSW and wants to be involved in the business, but has few options now.
The Bad
When I original got my hands on this, I thought it was the Highspots shoot that looked like (according to the trailer) the raging promo of a bitter cast-off. It was not that. Although, that Highspots shoot wasn't necessarily that either. Bill DeMott is clearly angry, or at the least disappointed, in a number of people. He seems frustrated that as he was peaking in WCW, he was dealt a tough hand with the company dying and his role did not work out in the WWF. Bill DeMott seems at peace with some of the unfortunate events of his career and even admits that he was a bit over-the-top in the aforementioned shoot interview. While those bitter and angry shoot interviews are not always the most palpable, they can be pretty bland if you expect that and do not get it.
The Rating: ***1/4
The Good
Bill DeMott had an unusual career as a long-time overseas foreigner turned WCW midcarder who worked his way up that ladder, failed to do so in the WWF, but found a niche as a trainer. His journey is a great little story in a way. I found his reflections on working Puerto Rico and Japan to be interesting as they were largely positive, despite the infamy associated with both (in Japan, he worked for the tiny, short-lived W*ings garbage group). He was pretty matter of fact about his less-than-stellar years as Hugh Morrus is WCW. Although he achieved remarkable success later on, DeMott's rollercoaster career seems to largely be on the mid-level of the card. When he eventually gets to the Invasion angle, he grows more upset. While he seems to understand and is able to explain the shortcomings of the feud, he clearly lost a chance to get a good slot in the WWF. Instead, his career pattered off and ended. Then came Tough Enough 3. Bill DeMott is clearly passionate about working with youngsters, developing talent and creating a learning environment for aspiring WWF/WWE superstars. As a key trainer in Deep South Wrestling, WWE's short-lived secondary development territory, DeMott was able to help people like The Miz, MVP and a handful of other young talent that are climbing the WWE ladder now. He still seems embittered by the sudden closing of DSW and wants to be involved in the business, but has few options now.
The Bad
When I original got my hands on this, I thought it was the Highspots shoot that looked like (according to the trailer) the raging promo of a bitter cast-off. It was not that. Although, that Highspots shoot wasn't necessarily that either. Bill DeMott is clearly angry, or at the least disappointed, in a number of people. He seems frustrated that as he was peaking in WCW, he was dealt a tough hand with the company dying and his role did not work out in the WWF. Bill DeMott seems at peace with some of the unfortunate events of his career and even admits that he was a bit over-the-top in the aforementioned shoot interview. While those bitter and angry shoot interviews are not always the most palpable, they can be pretty bland if you expect that and do not get it.
The Rating: ***1/4
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Pat Tanaka [SmartMarkVideo Shoot Interview]
The Good
Sometimes you just get the feeling that shoot interview is going to be excellent with no real reason. Pat Tanaka had a somewhat uneventful career and I had no real reason to believe that he'd have some keen insight or hilarious road stories because I'd never heard him in a shoot or really mentioned for that matter. However, he did tour around a lot, he was the son of the legendary Duke Keomuka, he broke in over in New Japan and he and partner Paul Diamond were pretty successful for a time as Badd Company. What I did not expect was that Pat Tanaka was almost a carbon copy of his one-time best friend Marty Jannetty. He was a hellion who was more into wine, women and song than working out, developing mic skills or trying to get over with the office. Pat Tanaka was by his own admission, a "f**k up." He was the son of a legend, the nephew of a legend and in one of the hottest territories in the world, but screwed around too much to gain much from those advantages. He was a fun-loving guy who spent much of his time in Japan getting in trouble for excessive partying. He was a big ribber who tried to stay even with Curt Hennig and the Nasty Boys. He was a small guy in a big man's business, who was a great natural worker, but let poor choices stop him again and again. This was an excellent look into Tanaka's career and he seemed frank about himself and loved to put people over. Although brief, his recollections of his time in Japan are priceless. Obviously, there are not many gaijin who got as entrenched as he did with the native talent, so getting some perspective on them is unique. I found this to be a really positive and interesting shoot interview and it did not disappoint me.
The Bad
How many "what a fantastic guy," "he was a great worker" and "no comments" can you sit through. Although this did not reach Jimmy Snuka levels of vagueness, Tanaka certainly spent plenty of time dishing out these generic statements. The "no comment" crew was obviously intriguing: Scott Hall, Tojo Yamamoto and a few others. Obviously, the juicy details behind those were such that he just did not want to share them. This was not free of burials though. He knocked Konnan as a "nobody," Shinya Hashimoto as a "piece of sh*t" who took dangerous liberties in the ring and even his partner Paul Diamond as an endless complainer who enjoyed making moves on other guy's girlfriends/wives/etc. If Tanaka would go on about those people and not others, you have to wonder what the story is behind his "no comment" statements. The biggest question mark in this is the almost complete absence of discussing his Orient Express run in the WWF. He talks about getting the call, teaming with Akio Sato (mostly beforehand) and his departure (due to Diamond stabbing him in the back), but that is about it. No Mr. Fuji, no Rockers feud, no Sato being replaced by Kato (Diamond), it was just missing here.
The Rating: ****
The Good
Sometimes you just get the feeling that shoot interview is going to be excellent with no real reason. Pat Tanaka had a somewhat uneventful career and I had no real reason to believe that he'd have some keen insight or hilarious road stories because I'd never heard him in a shoot or really mentioned for that matter. However, he did tour around a lot, he was the son of the legendary Duke Keomuka, he broke in over in New Japan and he and partner Paul Diamond were pretty successful for a time as Badd Company. What I did not expect was that Pat Tanaka was almost a carbon copy of his one-time best friend Marty Jannetty. He was a hellion who was more into wine, women and song than working out, developing mic skills or trying to get over with the office. Pat Tanaka was by his own admission, a "f**k up." He was the son of a legend, the nephew of a legend and in one of the hottest territories in the world, but screwed around too much to gain much from those advantages. He was a fun-loving guy who spent much of his time in Japan getting in trouble for excessive partying. He was a big ribber who tried to stay even with Curt Hennig and the Nasty Boys. He was a small guy in a big man's business, who was a great natural worker, but let poor choices stop him again and again. This was an excellent look into Tanaka's career and he seemed frank about himself and loved to put people over. Although brief, his recollections of his time in Japan are priceless. Obviously, there are not many gaijin who got as entrenched as he did with the native talent, so getting some perspective on them is unique. I found this to be a really positive and interesting shoot interview and it did not disappoint me.
The Bad
How many "what a fantastic guy," "he was a great worker" and "no comments" can you sit through. Although this did not reach Jimmy Snuka levels of vagueness, Tanaka certainly spent plenty of time dishing out these generic statements. The "no comment" crew was obviously intriguing: Scott Hall, Tojo Yamamoto and a few others. Obviously, the juicy details behind those were such that he just did not want to share them. This was not free of burials though. He knocked Konnan as a "nobody," Shinya Hashimoto as a "piece of sh*t" who took dangerous liberties in the ring and even his partner Paul Diamond as an endless complainer who enjoyed making moves on other guy's girlfriends/wives/etc. If Tanaka would go on about those people and not others, you have to wonder what the story is behind his "no comment" statements. The biggest question mark in this is the almost complete absence of discussing his Orient Express run in the WWF. He talks about getting the call, teaming with Akio Sato (mostly beforehand) and his departure (due to Diamond stabbing him in the back), but that is about it. No Mr. Fuji, no Rockers feud, no Sato being replaced by Kato (Diamond), it was just missing here.
The Rating: ****
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Ronnie P. Gossett [Highspots Shoot Interview]
The Good
If you don't know who Ronnie P. Gossett is, he is a heel manager of the Percy Pringle, Jim Cornette or Kenny Bolin grain. A slick talker who plays an arrogant, yet blubbery Southern jerk, Gossett never really traveled much outside of Tennessee where he was staple for a long time. Sometimes listening to that guy who worked a territory for many years is more fascinating because there is more depth. Listening to his thoughts on Nick Gulas, Jerry Jarrett and Jerry Lawler was insightful. I've always been under the impression that Jarrett's booking was superior to Lawler's (they switched off every six months), but Gossett refutes that. He has choice comments for all kinds of stars who came through the Tennessee region. Certainly there were many and he had anecdotes about many and opinions on people whether they came through or not. There is all kind of great tales here, whether it is Ronnie selling Nick Gulas's promotion to some "marks" (a lawyer, a doctor, etc.) or him talking about Brian Pillman being a gigolo. Gossett is a fantastic talker (he was a great Southern manager after all), so he is able to really bury some people. The Jarretts, Hulk Hogan, Bill Dundee, Missy Hyatt, Bert Prentice and on and on, no one is immune to the wrath of Ronnie P. Gossett.
The Bad
If you don't have any interest in Southern wrestling, specifically Tennessee rasslin', then you probably will not care for this. Honestly, Gossett does not seem bitter, but he certainly has some grudges. He has a lot of negative things to say and rips on a lot of people, if that seems bitter or angry to you, then avoid this shoot interview. The one thing I felt was missing was that it was pretty widely known that Gossett was gay. Although not part of his persona, it just seems that his life in pro-wrestling as a gay man has some intrigue that was never touched upon here. Sadly, Gossett died shortly after this interview.
The Rating: ***3/4
The Good
If you don't know who Ronnie P. Gossett is, he is a heel manager of the Percy Pringle, Jim Cornette or Kenny Bolin grain. A slick talker who plays an arrogant, yet blubbery Southern jerk, Gossett never really traveled much outside of Tennessee where he was staple for a long time. Sometimes listening to that guy who worked a territory for many years is more fascinating because there is more depth. Listening to his thoughts on Nick Gulas, Jerry Jarrett and Jerry Lawler was insightful. I've always been under the impression that Jarrett's booking was superior to Lawler's (they switched off every six months), but Gossett refutes that. He has choice comments for all kinds of stars who came through the Tennessee region. Certainly there were many and he had anecdotes about many and opinions on people whether they came through or not. There is all kind of great tales here, whether it is Ronnie selling Nick Gulas's promotion to some "marks" (a lawyer, a doctor, etc.) or him talking about Brian Pillman being a gigolo. Gossett is a fantastic talker (he was a great Southern manager after all), so he is able to really bury some people. The Jarretts, Hulk Hogan, Bill Dundee, Missy Hyatt, Bert Prentice and on and on, no one is immune to the wrath of Ronnie P. Gossett.
The Bad
If you don't have any interest in Southern wrestling, specifically Tennessee rasslin', then you probably will not care for this. Honestly, Gossett does not seem bitter, but he certainly has some grudges. He has a lot of negative things to say and rips on a lot of people, if that seems bitter or angry to you, then avoid this shoot interview. The one thing I felt was missing was that it was pretty widely known that Gossett was gay. Although not part of his persona, it just seems that his life in pro-wrestling as a gay man has some intrigue that was never touched upon here. Sadly, Gossett died shortly after this interview.
The Rating: ***3/4
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Stan Hansen [RF Video's "Behind Closed Doors" Shoot Interview]
The Good
RF Video's second shoot interview with Stan Hansen is not much different from the first. It is a little more scattered, but that can be okay. Stan Hansen has a variety of experiences in both the US and Japan that could be explored. Rob goes more into the Japanese experiences than I would have expected, but ultimately his ignorance of the culture, product and legacy of Stan Hansen limit the depth of discussion there. Hansen explains how he grew to enjoy Japan, why the preferred that style and some of his experiences with different people in and out of the ring. Overall, he seems to understand the nature of this interview better than previous outings, so he is a little more open. I found this enjoyable, but it was certainly not all I would have hoped for.
The Bad
A notorious kayfaber, Stan Hansen even says, "What's kayfabe?" when asked about it. Rob takes the bait and tries to explain it before realizing how stupid he is. Hansen sort of knows what the score is and answers a fair number of question with "that's what I've heard, so it must be true" and perpetuates old angles with a grin (i.e. breaking Bruno's neck with the Lariat). While he was not as bad as I've heard, it got aggravating at times as he did not give the straightforward answer you'd hope for. Overall, it seems that Rob's inability to develop a narrative, ask follow-up questions or carefully ask more prying questions really hindered this. If Stan Hansen wants to play the kayfabing game, you've got to be a better interviewer to get more out of them. People like Arn Anderson, Jimmy Valiant and Stan Hansen will always be worthwhile people to interview, but it takes a quality interviewer to get them to really shoot.
The Rating: ***1/2
The Good
RF Video's second shoot interview with Stan Hansen is not much different from the first. It is a little more scattered, but that can be okay. Stan Hansen has a variety of experiences in both the US and Japan that could be explored. Rob goes more into the Japanese experiences than I would have expected, but ultimately his ignorance of the culture, product and legacy of Stan Hansen limit the depth of discussion there. Hansen explains how he grew to enjoy Japan, why the preferred that style and some of his experiences with different people in and out of the ring. Overall, he seems to understand the nature of this interview better than previous outings, so he is a little more open. I found this enjoyable, but it was certainly not all I would have hoped for.
The Bad
A notorious kayfaber, Stan Hansen even says, "What's kayfabe?" when asked about it. Rob takes the bait and tries to explain it before realizing how stupid he is. Hansen sort of knows what the score is and answers a fair number of question with "that's what I've heard, so it must be true" and perpetuates old angles with a grin (i.e. breaking Bruno's neck with the Lariat). While he was not as bad as I've heard, it got aggravating at times as he did not give the straightforward answer you'd hope for. Overall, it seems that Rob's inability to develop a narrative, ask follow-up questions or carefully ask more prying questions really hindered this. If Stan Hansen wants to play the kayfabing game, you've got to be a better interviewer to get more out of them. People like Arn Anderson, Jimmy Valiant and Stan Hansen will always be worthwhile people to interview, but it takes a quality interviewer to get them to really shoot.
The Rating: ***1/2
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Italian Stallion [Highspots Shoot Interview]
The Good
A classic underneath talent, whose legitimacy, influence and background made for some surprising and fascinating listening. Stallion's background as a decorated amateur wrestler with Olympic potential was nothing short of shocking. Furthermore, he took that skill set and became a bookie is just as shocking. The story of this tough guy who set a World record in spaghetti-eating transitioning to pro-wrestling is so bizarre it seems unlikely. Stallion did work with a lot of big stars and was able to have a distinct career, so he has the types of stories and perspectives that make for a worthwhile shoot interview. He was a good storyteller for the most part, so I think Michael Bochicchio's assumption that old-school fans of Jim Crockett Promotions are the ones who'll buy this shoot is an accurate one. The one story in here that stood out above all the others, in my opinion, was the one where Ronnie Garvin recruited him to get back money from Angelo Poffo from back in the ICW days. Garvin and Lanny Poffo are the only two talking and neither says much about the ICW, so any tidbit (such as this, true or not) is welcome.
The Bad
An amateur wrestling career that reached almost Olympic proportions? A personal recommendation letter from Vince McMahon Sr. to get into the business? A free ride from the Crocketts while breaking in? I do not have information to contradict this, but it seems almost ludicrous enough that I want to doubt it at face value. Many pro-wrestlers though, especially pre-wrestling school pro-wrestlers, have these kinds of unusual tales of getting into the business. Then comes Stallion's interaction with the Hardy Boyz. While I'm sure both of them did exactly tell the whole truth, his version is a rebuttal to their's so it seems more plausible. The Hardy Boyz were untrained, undersized, underaged backyard wrestler when the Italian Stallion came across them. He claims that their ability to do incredible spots was the catalyst to him bringing the WWF as jobbers. Although it becomes muddled after that. He took them, got them breaks and took all (or almost all their earnings) because, in his view, he took a huge risk by bringing them in. Now, the Hardy Boyz got a break, became huge stars and the WWF repaid Stallion by never using him or his charges? Somehow, I simply cannot believe everything that he says about this story, however it did make me question the Hardy Boyz's version as well.
The Rating: ***1/2
The Good
A classic underneath talent, whose legitimacy, influence and background made for some surprising and fascinating listening. Stallion's background as a decorated amateur wrestler with Olympic potential was nothing short of shocking. Furthermore, he took that skill set and became a bookie is just as shocking. The story of this tough guy who set a World record in spaghetti-eating transitioning to pro-wrestling is so bizarre it seems unlikely. Stallion did work with a lot of big stars and was able to have a distinct career, so he has the types of stories and perspectives that make for a worthwhile shoot interview. He was a good storyteller for the most part, so I think Michael Bochicchio's assumption that old-school fans of Jim Crockett Promotions are the ones who'll buy this shoot is an accurate one. The one story in here that stood out above all the others, in my opinion, was the one where Ronnie Garvin recruited him to get back money from Angelo Poffo from back in the ICW days. Garvin and Lanny Poffo are the only two talking and neither says much about the ICW, so any tidbit (such as this, true or not) is welcome.
The Bad
An amateur wrestling career that reached almost Olympic proportions? A personal recommendation letter from Vince McMahon Sr. to get into the business? A free ride from the Crocketts while breaking in? I do not have information to contradict this, but it seems almost ludicrous enough that I want to doubt it at face value. Many pro-wrestlers though, especially pre-wrestling school pro-wrestlers, have these kinds of unusual tales of getting into the business. Then comes Stallion's interaction with the Hardy Boyz. While I'm sure both of them did exactly tell the whole truth, his version is a rebuttal to their's so it seems more plausible. The Hardy Boyz were untrained, undersized, underaged backyard wrestler when the Italian Stallion came across them. He claims that their ability to do incredible spots was the catalyst to him bringing the WWF as jobbers. Although it becomes muddled after that. He took them, got them breaks and took all (or almost all their earnings) because, in his view, he took a huge risk by bringing them in. Now, the Hardy Boyz got a break, became huge stars and the WWF repaid Stallion by never using him or his charges? Somehow, I simply cannot believe everything that he says about this story, however it did make me question the Hardy Boyz's version as well.
The Rating: ***1/2
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