Paul Orndorff [57Talk Shoot Interview]

The Good
Paul Orndorff is a great interview in that he really was great, he really got the shaft and he has really been tragically lost in history. It is not simply bitterness, delusions of grandeur or anything like that, it is all true. That makes you really get into the interview. You know the sad story and it's so different from those of Buddy Landell, Chris Benoit, David Von Erich, Owen Hart and on and on. Orndorff had worked hard and developed into perhaps the most complete package that pro-wrestling had ever seen. That seems to be the narrative that Cubeta is trying to get across that from breaking in down in Florida and developing in Memphis and Alabama to bringing his game to a new level in Mid-South, Georgia and Mid-Atlantic, Paul Orndorff was one of the very best in the world when he came into the WWF. He drew as a top heel opposite Hulk Hogan and was a cut above guys like Big John Studd, King Kong Bundy and the other giants they fed to Hogan. He looked better, worked better and when paired with Piper was undoubtedly a better promo. Then he hurt his neck, worked to keep himself at the top level, but ultimately his body failed him and he was never a top star again (although still a great worker as late as 1994). Cubeta really gets that tragic story across and it makes me think he'd be a wonderful candidate for WWE Documentary.

The Bad
The 57Talk interviews are typically very good, but they are not as open-ended or pessimistically-directed as many of the others. Gary Cubeta wanted to tell Paul Orndorff's story through the man himself. You could say this is too one-tracked, especially for those who like the storytellers who go off in all kinds of directions in the 2-hour plus formats that RF Video, Highspots, SmartMarkVideo, etc. use. You might also feel that this is too favorable to Orndorff as Cubeta certainly strokes his ego throughout this. I've seen his RF Video shoot called "Return to Bitterness," which is very telling of its content. Orndroff certainly can come across as a bitter character if you do not take into account where he was prior to his neck injury. I think some people like to hear the angry tirades of people like Ole Anderson, the Honky Tonk Man, Bruno Sammartino and others and simply dismiss them as bitter old men. This is not that interview.

The Rating: ****1/4

Barbed Wire City: The Unauthorized Story of ECW

Directors: Kevin Kiernan & John Philopavage

Released: 4/13

Talent

Don E. Allen, Angel, Bob Artese (Announcer / staff), John “Hat Guy” Bailey (fan), Blue Meanie, Charlie Bruzzese (production), Billy Corgan, Steve Corino, Tony DeVito, Danny Doring, Shane Douglas, Sign Guy Dudley, John Finnegan (referee), Kathy Fitzpatrick (staff), Joel Gertner, Tod Gordon, Johnny Grunge, Missy Hyatt, Mike Johnson (PWInsider), Mark Keenan, Wade Keller (PWTorch), Dan Kowal (staff), Ronnie Lang (security), Tony Lewis (fan), Jerry Lynn, Balls Mahoney, Dave Meltzer, Bruce Mitchell (PWTorch), New Jack, Nova, Jason Powell (Prowrestling.net), Dave Scherer (PWInsider), Raven, Rhino, Stevie Richards, Rocco Rock, Axl Rotten, The Sandman, Gabe Sapolsky, Frank Talent (Penn. Athletic Commission), Michael Tearson (radio show host), Mikey Whipwreck, Joe Wilchak (security), Ed Zohn (staff)

The Good

ECW is simply one of the most fascinating movements that pro-wrestling has ever seen.  Despite its short run, limited audience and niche product, it has this massive legacy that people are still cashing in on years later.  Curiously, the period between ECW’s death and the release of this documentary is greater than the period in which ECW existed.  That should indicate something about the influence of ECW, but also the scope of this doc.  When the WWE released the “Rise and Fall of ECW,” it was a huge success to the point that it led them to do the One Night Stand shows and eventually create an ECW brand.  The “Hardcore Forever” documentary that was released around the same time was a nice compliment, it had a different group of people, but it lacked footage.  This production is, simply put, amazing in many ways, but I will highlight three.  First, it maximized resources amazingly.  These interviews were shot over a long period of time, the footage was RF Video Fan Cam footage, the footage from panel / fanfest events, the still photos were animated and this will perhaps be the first in a long line of crowdfunded docs about pro-wrestling.  Second, the scope of perspectives is incredible.  The WWE production had a number of people who were never involved, this had wrestlers and personnel, it also had security, fans and journalists.  Although one could argue that it lacked many key voices, it told a story masterfully with the voices it had.  Third, it did not purely romanticize ECW.  This is a common trap and this doc explored the positives and tackled the negatives.  In showing a balance, this really gave itself credibility that the WWE documentaries seem to lack.  Whether you liked ECW or not, this documentary is worth checking out because it is so well done.

The Bad

The obvious knock on this documentary would be the talent that is not interviewed.  It is a substantial number of key people, but most of them gave their perspectives in the “Rise and Fall of ECW” or the “Forever Hardcore” documentaries.  I am curious why they did not tap into shoot interviews that are already out there.  It seems like since they worked with RF Video to use the Fan Cam footage, they could have also dipped into their vast collection of extensive shoot interviews.  They did a great job using Fanfest footage of Paul Heyman to give him a more active role in this, but it seems like they might have done that for others.  I have also heard the complaint that they relied on journalists too much, although if you think about it, those people tend to provide the most objective and coherent perspective.  Their tying this to the Extreme Reunion/Rising promotion seems to date it.  However, they are trying to convey ECW’s unusual legacy and a reunion more than a decade later seems to demonstrate that fact.  When you look at this and recognize its limitations, it seems like a documentary that, like the company it is exploring, was fighting an uphill battle and trying to simply produce something for the fans even if there is little money made.  This is a labor of love.

The Rating: *****

Matt Borne [SmartMarkVideo Shoot Interview]

The Good

At the time of this recording, about ten years before his passing, Matt Borne was seemingly pulling himself together.  He had long been a notorious drug abuser who never lived up to his potential.  In this fairly standard shoot, Borne goes over his career, the characters in it and seems pretty honest about his failures.  While he had some good runs in World Class and Mid-South, which he talks about, most remember him best as the original evil Doink.  The gimmick was over-the-top, but he really did it perfectly for the short time he was working it.  Borne definitely had a dark side that he tapped into to play the role.  Ultimately, his demons spoiled that run and he never quite got another chance as he slipped into a deep depression and his personal and professional life were in shambles.  This is lengthy interview that flows pretty quickly.  Borne has some great anecdotes and worked a number of territories, so this was interesting for an overview of the pro-wrestling scene of the 1980s.

The Bad

It seems like ripping on a shoot interview that is not full of vitriol is a bit unfair, but it certain can make them dull and uninteresting.  Borne seems at peace during this and does not want to say much about people like Rip Oliver, Buddy Rose, Bill Watts or others that he had issues with.  Thankfully, Borne is honest about his personal problems and gives the impression that he recognizes how they harmed his life, career and opportunities.  Understandably, he still had issues as his death was linked to pain medication.  This shoot is not going to blow anyone away with its insight, controversy or humor, however, it offers a glimpse into that period of the early 1980s through the mid-1990s when pro-wrestling was probably its wildest with all the sex, drugs and rock-n-roll that you could expect.

The Rating:  ***1/2

CM Punk - Best in the World

Distributor: WWE Home Video

Released: 10/12

Featured Talent

Daniel Bryan, Colt Cabana, Cassie (“sister”), John Cena, Chez (best friend), Chez’s Mom,

Chaleen (“sister”), Lars Frederiksen (friend / Rancid), Curt Hawkins, Michael Hayes, Chris Hero, Paul Heyman, Kofi Kingston, Lita, The Miz, Joey (Matthews) Mercury, CM Punk, Justin Roberts, Jim Ross, Zack Ryder, Natalie Slater (former girlfriend), Ace Steel, Triple H

The Good

This documentary came out with great anticipation as rumors of it being very different had people talking.  For all intents and purposes, it delivered.  CM Punk, a completely unique sort of underdog, had a great story to tell and, like with much of his material, he wanted to dictate how it was told.  While this doc did have some WWE formula to it, the inclusion of many people not associated with the company, the amount of footage from IWA Mid-South and Ring of Honor and some of the harsh criticisms of the WWE really shocked some people.  Those elements really set this apart and made it excellent.  Perhaps when they tell the Daniel Bryan story, they will take that to another level, but this is true breakthrough.  The discussion of the Punk-Hero matches on a WWE DVD were kind of mind-blowing as I remember watching them through tape trades.  Hearing Dave Prazak on a WWE production seemed so bizarre.  Realistically, the story of CM Punk is so different and the WWE has reached a point where people are no reflecting on their time in WCW, their runs with ECW or any of that, they are coming from the independents.  This, like most WWE documentaries, featured chapters about dimensions of his personality - punk and hardcore music, the straight edge subculture, comic books and tattoos.  This seems like an above average WWE doc and one that I would recommend anyone to see.  CM Punk’s story is one of perseverance and self-reliance that could inspire many.

The Bad

What bad can you say about a documentary that basically delivers what you expect?  I think this was better than most WWE docs, but it still had that formulaic feel to it.  It was different in that it included music by Rancid and interviews with Colt Cabana and Ace Steel, but it was distinctly a WWE production.  Obviously, contractual obligations and bad blood would prevent this, but I think the absence of Samoa Joe, Raven and Gabe Sapolsky jumped out in the context of things.  I was also kind of hopefully for some really shocking inclusion like Ian Rotten or Chuck E Smooth.  The other issue was the constant reference to CM Punk’s detractors, but they were never given a voice.  Michael Hayes played the role of explaining those views while saying that he never agreed with them.  Vince McMahon was definitely a notable absence, but it seems like some of those who took issue with Punk never really shared their thoughts here.

The Rating: ****1/2

Guest Booker with JJ Dillon - A month of WWF TV [KayfabeCommentaries]

The Good
JJ Dillon is one of my favorites to listen to because he is very articulate and is able to express a deep understanding of the business. I knew this "Guest Booker" would be excellent and it truly delivered. The premise is that JJ will book a month of WWF TV around the 91-93 era that will include a late night special and build up to a pay-per-view. The catch is, it's an inter-promotional deal, so people like Sting, Nikita Koloff and others who never set foot in a WWF ring are thrust into fresh matches with Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart and The Undertaker. While JJ does not touch on angles and such for all the matches, he hits on the big ones and has some very simple, politically aware and effective stories that help build everything up. They spend ample time talking about Vince McMahon's creative style, his micromanagement, the process of writing TV and the use of "A" and "B" shows. While getting into one of the great minds of pro-wrestling is great, it is the sharing of that process that only a few have been privy to that is so amazing.

The Bad
"Guest Booker" is always limited by time and scope, but usually it works out. They spend so much time going into the details of weekends at Vince's that JJ does not have as much time to develop his TVs. He keeps it basic and is working in the old squash match format, so the TV expectations are a bit different nowadays. Instead of numerous angles, intricate details and every match having a backstory, Dillon keeps it simple. Some might find this less interesting in that regard than, say, Kevin Sullivan or Jim Cornette when they were the "Guest Booker," but that is largely up to your perspective. JJ Dillon is certainly an acquired taste as he is not particularly funny, does not cuss out or bury people and has a very measured approach. I guess that is why he was such an effective Head of Talent Relations for over five years.

The Rating: ****1/2

"The Patriot" Del Wilkes [One-on-One Shoot Series]

The Good

Japanese promotions brought in anyone who was anyone up through the 1990s, but very few had extended runs and even fewer of those people have done shoot interviews and talked extensively about their experiences in Japan.  Del Wilkes, in this nearly three hour shoot, talks about his career in an engrossing way.  An accomplished collegiate football player who broke in with the Great Moolah and had a few unique chances before hooking up with All Japan, this is a guy who can really pull listeners in.  He was a man with a dream and he worked hard to accomplish that dream.  That is one of the charming aspects of this shoot.  However, Wilkes is honest about the people he liked, disliked and worked with over the years.  Without coming across as bitter, he goes into his thoughts on people like Jeff Jarrett, Eric Bischoff, Bret Hart and Giant Baba and his justifiable issues with those people.  He talks about how Tom Brandi "stole" his Patriot persona and gives some very candid thoughts on the matter, which are among the more noteworthy parts of this.  While some of his anecdotes about WCW, the WWF and other American companies are interesting, the meat of this is his reflections on his time in All Japan.  From the workrate and workers to the hierarchy and cultural differences, Wilkes goes into all of it.  What is unfortunate, to an extent, is there is not a lot of specific questions and there is not much chronology.  Luckily, Wilkes is a good storyteller and does not need much direction, even better, they periodically stop so he can collect his thoughts.  Actual editing in shoot interview?

The Bad

I sometimes listen to interviews and realize that while I enjoy it, others might not.  The Patriot obviously had a more significant career in All Japan than in the States.  If you have little knowledge or interest in 90s All Japan, you might not think much of this.  There is also the issue that hearing about him breaking in through Moolah's camp, starving in Memphis, working as The Trooper in the AWA and becoming The Patriot in Global and some of those might be irrelevant to some folks.  If you were a Monday Night Wars fan, he has a some stuff about his WWF run, but it is limited.  Overall, this is great shoot, but it probably only has interest to a smallish group of hardcore fans.

The Rating: ****1/4

Terry Funk [RF Video Shoot Interview]

The Good
Conducted in 1998, not too long after Terry Funk's WWF run, Terry Funk delivers what was perhaps the best RF Video shoot at this point in time. He is a natural storyteller and this was at a great point in his career for him to look back. Before his autobiography, his numerous interviews and coverage in "Beyond the Mat," this was an amazing piece of pro-wrestling history. Several parts of this such as looking at Amarillo, his NWA Championship run and the early days of ECW were interesting, but have been covered in greater detail in various places (including in future shoots by Funk himself). I felt the highlights of this, which stand up are the details concerning his time with All Japan and relationship with FMW head Atsushi Onita. Stories of Japan are not uncommon in shoot interviews, but Terry Funk's experiences are distinctly different as he worked in the All Japan office, saw many changes and worked with many of the top wrestlers (like Onita) when they were "young boys." This is also back in the day of matches being integrated into RF Video shoots, so you can catch some great (and not-so-great) action from Terry Funk's career.

The Bad
Although this was the first Terry Funk shoot I heard and was, at the time, one of my favorites, this seemed so old and limited looking back. I don't think RF Video really started delivering quality shoot interviews for another five years, but they sure secured some great names, did longer interviews and had one of the only forums for shoot interviews. I've since heard Terry Funk partnered with all kinds of people from Harley Race and Bob Backlund to Shane Douglas and Steve Corino. I have to say, I've preferred those. His interaction with others and that necessarily limiting structure just work so well for a rambler who has seen so much. This "was" amazing nearly fifteen years ago, but it is not as great today.

The Rating: ****1/4