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
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
King of the Ring: The Harley Race Story
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Harley Race, Gerry Tritz
Publisher: Sports Publishing
Released: 11/04
The Good
The pro-wrestling book craze has led to many of the old-timers publishing their memoirs to make some money and each book has it's own account of a part of history. Harley Race's in-ring career spanned from the early 60s to the late 80s, a time period that saw power shifts in the NWA and ultimately their demise and the rise of the WWF. He was not only a top pro-wrestler during that time, he was a touring NWA World Champion, booker in numerous places, part owner of the Kansas City territory and one of many who joined Vince after a tough battle against him. He candidly covers all that and wraps up things by talking about managing, retirement, his school and his recent involvement with various people and companies. All of this is fine and well. He talks about his numerous accidents that has left his body shattered, the importance of his family and even his faith, which is really the material most original to this book. This is one of those brief autobiographies that you'll enjoy if you like the wrestler and maybe don't know their story very well and haven't heard their shoot interviews.
The Bad
Any book that mentions Lex Luger several times and paints him in a positive light can't be good, can it? Actually, the big fault of this book is it's length, less than 200 pages. The chronology is good, but Race's fast-life seems to have made for a fast-book. I read this in a 24 hour period, which I had never done with a pro-wrestling book and was never had that "I can't tear myself away" feeling. Tritz is not the best ghostwriter, since he lacks credibility in many ways and probably kept this from being the book it should have been. Race was just as important as someone like Ole Anderson, but he never explains running a territory, how to book or any of that. In fact, he seems like a mark for himself just like Ole said he was. There are plenty of bad wrestling books, this isn't one of them, but it's far from the best. Borrow it if you can, read it in a day or two and you should be mildly satisfied.
The Rating: **1/2
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Harley Race, Gerry Tritz
Publisher: Sports Publishing
Released: 11/04
The Good
The pro-wrestling book craze has led to many of the old-timers publishing their memoirs to make some money and each book has it's own account of a part of history. Harley Race's in-ring career spanned from the early 60s to the late 80s, a time period that saw power shifts in the NWA and ultimately their demise and the rise of the WWF. He was not only a top pro-wrestler during that time, he was a touring NWA World Champion, booker in numerous places, part owner of the Kansas City territory and one of many who joined Vince after a tough battle against him. He candidly covers all that and wraps up things by talking about managing, retirement, his school and his recent involvement with various people and companies. All of this is fine and well. He talks about his numerous accidents that has left his body shattered, the importance of his family and even his faith, which is really the material most original to this book. This is one of those brief autobiographies that you'll enjoy if you like the wrestler and maybe don't know their story very well and haven't heard their shoot interviews.
The Bad
Any book that mentions Lex Luger several times and paints him in a positive light can't be good, can it? Actually, the big fault of this book is it's length, less than 200 pages. The chronology is good, but Race's fast-life seems to have made for a fast-book. I read this in a 24 hour period, which I had never done with a pro-wrestling book and was never had that "I can't tear myself away" feeling. Tritz is not the best ghostwriter, since he lacks credibility in many ways and probably kept this from being the book it should have been. Race was just as important as someone like Ole Anderson, but he never explains running a territory, how to book or any of that. In fact, he seems like a mark for himself just like Ole said he was. There are plenty of bad wrestling books, this isn't one of them, but it's far from the best. Borrow it if you can, read it in a day or two and you should be mildly satisfied.
The Rating: **1/2
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Brody: The Triumph and Tragedy of Wrestling's Rebel
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Larry Matysik; Barbara Goodish
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 8/07
The Good
There are numerous pro-wrestlers who have carried a certain mystique about them and Bruiser Brody is one of those for sure. His tale is unique, his legacy is complex and his death was tragic. Like many other pro-wrestling tragedies, there was a captivating book to be written and luckily reliable sources produced it. Larry Matysik, a close friend, works with the widow of Frank "Bruiser Brody" Goodish and many of his closest friends to tell his story. Amongst those quoted are: Stan Hansen, Buck Robley, Gary Hart and Pete Ortega, who was a long-time non-wrestling friend. There is much depth in telling about not only about his achievements in pro-wrestling, but his distinct place as an "outlaw" in the 1970s and 1980s. In addition, his widow adds a personalized touch that makes the man behind the Bruiser Brody more real. This book has dimensions to it that few others do. Although it is a biography, it offers more than the vast majority of existing pro-wrestling autobiograhies out there. This book offers accurate facts, interesting quotations and good commentary. Hopefully it lays the foundation for similar biographies done in the future.
The Bad
Like Wrestling at the Chase, Matysik's stories can be scattered and disconnected from the flow of the story. Furthermore, he is not one to blast others, which seems like that may be in contrast to Frank Goodish, the shrewd businessman, and Bruiser Brody, the dominating and sometimes vicious wrestler. Matysik gives little voice to those who did not like Goodish and thus this seems like an incomplete story. The chapters by Barbara Goodish will probably bore some as they delve into her personal story, Goodish's home life and the emotions she felt and feels in relation to his murder. Although this book is solid, it lacks that element that really pulls you in and keeps you pulled in throughout.
The Rating: ****
Author, Ghost Writer, Editor: Larry Matysik; Barbara Goodish
Publisher: ECW Press
Released: 8/07
The Good
There are numerous pro-wrestlers who have carried a certain mystique about them and Bruiser Brody is one of those for sure. His tale is unique, his legacy is complex and his death was tragic. Like many other pro-wrestling tragedies, there was a captivating book to be written and luckily reliable sources produced it. Larry Matysik, a close friend, works with the widow of Frank "Bruiser Brody" Goodish and many of his closest friends to tell his story. Amongst those quoted are: Stan Hansen, Buck Robley, Gary Hart and Pete Ortega, who was a long-time non-wrestling friend. There is much depth in telling about not only about his achievements in pro-wrestling, but his distinct place as an "outlaw" in the 1970s and 1980s. In addition, his widow adds a personalized touch that makes the man behind the Bruiser Brody more real. This book has dimensions to it that few others do. Although it is a biography, it offers more than the vast majority of existing pro-wrestling autobiograhies out there. This book offers accurate facts, interesting quotations and good commentary. Hopefully it lays the foundation for similar biographies done in the future.
The Bad
Like Wrestling at the Chase, Matysik's stories can be scattered and disconnected from the flow of the story. Furthermore, he is not one to blast others, which seems like that may be in contrast to Frank Goodish, the shrewd businessman, and Bruiser Brody, the dominating and sometimes vicious wrestler. Matysik gives little voice to those who did not like Goodish and thus this seems like an incomplete story. The chapters by Barbara Goodish will probably bore some as they delve into her personal story, Goodish's home life and the emotions she felt and feels in relation to his murder. Although this book is solid, it lacks that element that really pulls you in and keeps you pulled in throughout.
The Rating: ****
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Bob & Brad Armstrong [RF Video Shoot Interview]
The Good
Bob Armstrong is one of the old-timers who still kayfabes and it seemed that it took getting him to sit down with his son Brad to get him to let his guard down. Although he wasn't all into using the lingo and such, he basically broke character and told the true stories behind some legendary angles and events. Bob was fairly reserved and Brad, who I think is a great interview in the shoot format, helps to keep the conversation going. There is a lot of focus on Bob's early career, how his children (specifically Brad) was impacted by his father's career and their time teaming together in Georgia and elsewhere. In spite of the usual RF Video limitations, this was really good and really informative. I think Bob Armstrong, if sitting down with the right person (Les Thatcher and the Ringside Rap crew?), could be an extremely informative and reflective interview. His statement about most territories only having a 5-year lifespan (or high period) has largely rung true when I've applied it and he had several other nuggets like that throughout.
The Bad
Brad Armstrong has already done an extensive RF Video shoot interview, so really this was more a vehicle to get "The Bullet" to shoot. They tried to include Brad, which makes sense, but you really wanted to hear about and from Bob (although Brad was much more entertaining). If it didn't happen after 1977 in the top territories, then RF Video seems not to have much information about it. Obviously, the Armstrongs run in Georgia when the cable push was changing the game is worthwhile, but the Southeastern/Continental discussion was grossly limited here. No talk of the Flame (Jody Hamilton), Ken Lucas, Buddy Colt and only a little talk of the Fullers, Jimmy Golden, Jerry Stubbs and other legendary stars of the Alabama region. This was "good," but it was really only scratching the surface.
The Rating: ****
The Good
Bob Armstrong is one of the old-timers who still kayfabes and it seemed that it took getting him to sit down with his son Brad to get him to let his guard down. Although he wasn't all into using the lingo and such, he basically broke character and told the true stories behind some legendary angles and events. Bob was fairly reserved and Brad, who I think is a great interview in the shoot format, helps to keep the conversation going. There is a lot of focus on Bob's early career, how his children (specifically Brad) was impacted by his father's career and their time teaming together in Georgia and elsewhere. In spite of the usual RF Video limitations, this was really good and really informative. I think Bob Armstrong, if sitting down with the right person (Les Thatcher and the Ringside Rap crew?), could be an extremely informative and reflective interview. His statement about most territories only having a 5-year lifespan (or high period) has largely rung true when I've applied it and he had several other nuggets like that throughout.
The Bad
Brad Armstrong has already done an extensive RF Video shoot interview, so really this was more a vehicle to get "The Bullet" to shoot. They tried to include Brad, which makes sense, but you really wanted to hear about and from Bob (although Brad was much more entertaining). If it didn't happen after 1977 in the top territories, then RF Video seems not to have much information about it. Obviously, the Armstrongs run in Georgia when the cable push was changing the game is worthwhile, but the Southeastern/Continental discussion was grossly limited here. No talk of the Flame (Jody Hamilton), Ken Lucas, Buddy Colt and only a little talk of the Fullers, Jimmy Golden, Jerry Stubbs and other legendary stars of the Alabama region. This was "good," but it was really only scratching the surface.
The Rating: ****
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Icons of Wrestling: Abdullah the Butcher
Director: n/a
Distributor: TWC (The Wrestling Channel)
Released: 1/06
Featured Talent
Abdullah the Butcher, Jim Melby, Antonio Inoki, Martha Shreeve
The Good
The "Icons of Wrestling" series from TWC in Britain does some cool short documentaries on some legendary figures. This one of Abby is better than others I have seen because he is a more recent star, so they had more quality footage (including he and Hulk Hogan in New Japan, although they overplay the impact of that match). Seeing the house where he grew up, hearing from his mother and his restaurant in Atlanta made this unique. However, his views and stories about his family made this a real human story.
The Bad
At twenty-two minutes, it is difficult to really capture a career like Abdullah's. This has a long and unnecessary part about World War II, which adds something in other shows, but not this one. The lack of commentary from people keeps the scope of this narrow. The worst part however is when they call Bruiser Brody "Tug Taylor" and Carlos Colon "Calos Stalone." Despite these gross errors, they do not detract greatly from the story.
The Rating: ***
Director: n/a
Distributor: TWC (The Wrestling Channel)
Released: 1/06
Featured Talent
Abdullah the Butcher, Jim Melby, Antonio Inoki, Martha Shreeve
The Good
The "Icons of Wrestling" series from TWC in Britain does some cool short documentaries on some legendary figures. This one of Abby is better than others I have seen because he is a more recent star, so they had more quality footage (including he and Hulk Hogan in New Japan, although they overplay the impact of that match). Seeing the house where he grew up, hearing from his mother and his restaurant in Atlanta made this unique. However, his views and stories about his family made this a real human story.
The Bad
At twenty-two minutes, it is difficult to really capture a career like Abdullah's. This has a long and unnecessary part about World War II, which adds something in other shows, but not this one. The lack of commentary from people keeps the scope of this narrow. The worst part however is when they call Bruiser Brody "Tug Taylor" and Carlos Colon "Calos Stalone." Despite these gross errors, they do not detract greatly from the story.
The Rating: ***
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Ted Dibiase [x2 57Talk Shoot Interviews]
The Good
Gary Cubeta is really good at asking pointed questions and conducting straightforward interviews and he had several direct themes to this one. He wanted to talk about Mid-South, he wanted to talk about the birth of the "Million Dollar Man" and he wanted to get some perspective on the business, the world and faith from DiBiase. I would say he accomplished his goals. I think Cubeta definitely intended to have DiBiase on more, but as with some guests it didn't happen and as of February 2011, they are out-of-commission (again.) Anyway, this was decidedly different than other interviews that I've heard with DiBiase. He certainly talked a lot about fresh events (he had just pre-taped a segment with his son) and was wanting to talk about mostly the modern situation. There was a fair amount of defending the current product, the current situation (ie WWE dominance and lack of companies) and even Vince McMahon himself. I think these were genuine sentiments, although I can imagine some might interpret them otherwise. This had a lot of non-wrestling content that I found interesting.
The Bad
I can imagine many people finding shoot interviews that put over Jesus, Glenn Beck and Vince McMahon while burying Barack Obama, John McCain and Eric Bischoff to be off-putting. I have read that this was a rambling interview that was really hard to listen to, but that is largely up to your own taste. Yes, DiBiase went on some odd tangents. Yes, he seemed to have done a 360 from his staunch anti-WWF stance due to the "sex and violence" of the Attitude Era. Yes, he put his son over again and again. I generally like listening to Ted DiBiase and I enjoyed a good portion of this, but a lot of it was take-it-or-leave-it level content.
The Rating: ***
The Good
Gary Cubeta is really good at asking pointed questions and conducting straightforward interviews and he had several direct themes to this one. He wanted to talk about Mid-South, he wanted to talk about the birth of the "Million Dollar Man" and he wanted to get some perspective on the business, the world and faith from DiBiase. I would say he accomplished his goals. I think Cubeta definitely intended to have DiBiase on more, but as with some guests it didn't happen and as of February 2011, they are out-of-commission (again.) Anyway, this was decidedly different than other interviews that I've heard with DiBiase. He certainly talked a lot about fresh events (he had just pre-taped a segment with his son) and was wanting to talk about mostly the modern situation. There was a fair amount of defending the current product, the current situation (ie WWE dominance and lack of companies) and even Vince McMahon himself. I think these were genuine sentiments, although I can imagine some might interpret them otherwise. This had a lot of non-wrestling content that I found interesting.
The Bad
I can imagine many people finding shoot interviews that put over Jesus, Glenn Beck and Vince McMahon while burying Barack Obama, John McCain and Eric Bischoff to be off-putting. I have read that this was a rambling interview that was really hard to listen to, but that is largely up to your own taste. Yes, DiBiase went on some odd tangents. Yes, he seemed to have done a 360 from his staunch anti-WWF stance due to the "sex and violence" of the Attitude Era. Yes, he put his son over again and again. I generally like listening to Ted DiBiase and I enjoyed a good portion of this, but a lot of it was take-it-or-leave-it level content.
The Rating: ***
Friday, November 25, 2011
Bam Bam Bigelow [Wrestling Universe Shoot Interview]
The Good
One in the Wrestling Universe's series that is definitely a standout. Bam Bam Bigelow, who passed away in 2007, conducted this in 2002, so he was on the comeback trail after severe burns (from saving some kids from a fire) put him on the shelf. He seemed like such a friendly guy who had many good stories and a really good memory. Bigelow's tales of breaking in were about what you'd expect, but the parts about Japan (which started early on for him) were fascinating. Here is a guy who traveled over there many times and worked for four of the top companies and he had some thoughtful and honest comments. He had no problem burying Akira Maeda for his unprofessionalism, FMW for its second-rate status or Genichiro Tenryu for subpar booking decisions. At the same time, he put over the talent, the culture, the learning experience and the style. Puroresu fans should enjoy that aspect of this shoot. There was plenty of time talking about his runs in the WWF (2), WCW (3) and ECW (2), which were filled with great successes and some unfortunate situations. Bigelow seems to have everything in a proper perspective that he can address the good and bad of each. I've heard him put over strongly by Sid (as the greatest ring general he ever worked) and buried by Lanny Poffo (as someone that no one would ever pay to see), but I tend to think the majority of his peers liked him and respected his work. From this shoot interview, you can kind of understand why.
The Bad
Although I found Bigelow to be pretty straightforward, he was not as professionally self-effacing as I might have expected. While he never put himself over as strongly as many people do in shoot interviews (certainly not personally as he seemed quite humble and down-to-Earth), I expected him to perhaps reflect upon his unfulfilled potential, drug problems and inconsistent pushes over the years. He admitted to not being a complete package (good body, good interviews, good work), but felt he had the third category for sure. I wouldn't argue that point, but it seems like he might have been a little more reflective as to why someone of his in-ring ability never got the consistent shove that so many expected time and time again. He seems to blame injuries, politics and poor booking more than I care to believe. My other issue is his mellowness. Bam Bam Bigelow seems like an intense individual who would speak his mind and have no problem burying people, but here, he is relatively reserved in his comments on Big Van Vader, Andre the Giant and even the Kliq. He always seemed to temper a negative comment about someone being a "pain in the ass" or whatever by putting over their hard work, status or something. Regardless of those concerns, I felt this was a good look at pro-wrestling from 1985-2001 with some detailed inclusion of Japan and even Mexico.
The Rating: ****1/2
The Good
One in the Wrestling Universe's series that is definitely a standout. Bam Bam Bigelow, who passed away in 2007, conducted this in 2002, so he was on the comeback trail after severe burns (from saving some kids from a fire) put him on the shelf. He seemed like such a friendly guy who had many good stories and a really good memory. Bigelow's tales of breaking in were about what you'd expect, but the parts about Japan (which started early on for him) were fascinating. Here is a guy who traveled over there many times and worked for four of the top companies and he had some thoughtful and honest comments. He had no problem burying Akira Maeda for his unprofessionalism, FMW for its second-rate status or Genichiro Tenryu for subpar booking decisions. At the same time, he put over the talent, the culture, the learning experience and the style. Puroresu fans should enjoy that aspect of this shoot. There was plenty of time talking about his runs in the WWF (2), WCW (3) and ECW (2), which were filled with great successes and some unfortunate situations. Bigelow seems to have everything in a proper perspective that he can address the good and bad of each. I've heard him put over strongly by Sid (as the greatest ring general he ever worked) and buried by Lanny Poffo (as someone that no one would ever pay to see), but I tend to think the majority of his peers liked him and respected his work. From this shoot interview, you can kind of understand why.
The Bad
Although I found Bigelow to be pretty straightforward, he was not as professionally self-effacing as I might have expected. While he never put himself over as strongly as many people do in shoot interviews (certainly not personally as he seemed quite humble and down-to-Earth), I expected him to perhaps reflect upon his unfulfilled potential, drug problems and inconsistent pushes over the years. He admitted to not being a complete package (good body, good interviews, good work), but felt he had the third category for sure. I wouldn't argue that point, but it seems like he might have been a little more reflective as to why someone of his in-ring ability never got the consistent shove that so many expected time and time again. He seems to blame injuries, politics and poor booking more than I care to believe. My other issue is his mellowness. Bam Bam Bigelow seems like an intense individual who would speak his mind and have no problem burying people, but here, he is relatively reserved in his comments on Big Van Vader, Andre the Giant and even the Kliq. He always seemed to temper a negative comment about someone being a "pain in the ass" or whatever by putting over their hard work, status or something. Regardless of those concerns, I felt this was a good look at pro-wrestling from 1985-2001 with some detailed inclusion of Japan and even Mexico.
The Rating: ****1/2
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