video — page 6

RF Video Shoot Interview with Kurt Angle

18th July 2013 by Scott Keith
This interview was filmed in 2008.

The interview starts talking about Angle’s amateur background. He said he began wrestling at age six. His brothers and father were all wrestlers and he wanted to be as good as they were.
He first realized that he was good during his sophomore year of high school. He was actually pinned in his first ever varsity match but said his coach told him he would win the state title one day.
He then states how at Clarion University, he was on the student senate and had a rigorous training schedule. He would get up at 5:00am and do conditioning drills as well as practice his wrestling then go to class and take part in the student senate. He would finish his night by lifting for 1.5 hours. Angle goes on to state that you need a set schedule to keep you busy and motivated.
He made it as an alternate in the 1992 Olympics. He said he could not beat Mark Kerr and Mark Coleman at the time. He went back and conditioned harder, knowing that if he trained like crazy, he could wear them down, especially Kerr who did not train much at all.
He mentions that he tried out for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1994 and was offered a spot on the practice squad as a fullback, despite not playing football in college. He said that he would have became a 27 year old rookie by the time he made the active roster.
Angle said that all but one of his Olympic matches went into overtime. He was stuck between weight classes at the time but did not want to cut weight as it decreases your energy and as a result, your training will suffer. He then says how he was the only heavyweight in NCAA history to weigh under 200 lbs and win the National Title.
He is asked about the murder of David Schultz (Not the Pro Wrestler). He knew that John Dupont, the man who murdered Schultz, was acting crazy around the time, always carrying a gun and appearing sedated and paranoid. Anlge says he felt responsible for not picking up on these signs earlier but did not want to ruffle any feathers. He tells a story of Dupont pulling a machine gun on someone two days prior to the killing.
Angle then tells the story of how he injured himself at the Olympic tryouts. His opponent went for an arm throw but he was trying to prevent himself from losing points and put his had over then ended up falling on his head. He says he heard crackling and crunching in his neck and was unable to feel his arms. Instead of going to a hospital, he had chiropractors crack his neck and used acupuncture to help loosen it up. He said that he was also unable to take a cortisone shot because they tested at the Olympics and it was a steroid. He went on to compete in the National’s anyway, because the winner received an automatic bid in the tryout finals and won in overtime.
He brings up taking off three years before going to the WWF. He said he did a lot of dumb stuff and Vince even told him so, like going all out on house shows. He says he makes sure to always takes care of his opponents and would rather put them in a hold than make them bump.
He said he was a fan of pro wrestling growing up. He liked Bruno, Piper, and Orndroff. He was also a fan of Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, stating that he really liked Shawn when he came back to the WWE in 2002. He tells a story of him going up to Shawn at that time, not really knowing much about him prior, and telling him that he was really good. He said Shawn laughed it off. He calls him and HHH the greatest ring generals around. He also puts over Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, and Mysterio for their in-ring work.
He wound up in ECW when asked by Shane Douglas. He was hesitant at first but wanted to legitimize pro wrestling. He was offended by the angle were Raven was crucified and was pissed at Paul Heyman after the show, stating that he was giving speeches to children at the time and did not want to be associated with that. He liked the in-ring stuff and said that he gets offended easily when it comes to religion. He also claims that the locker room respected him.
He initially signed with the WWF because he was a sports broadcaster at the time and hated the job. He also thought about going back to the Olympics but did not want to go through with that training again. He was sent to Memphis first, where he did opening match stuff. He never got any help with his promos
He is asked if he received any criticism from the amateur wrestling community. He said he told them he was going into a different career and was amazed by the amount of people that have a bad perception of pro wrestling. He says that bad things happen in every career and that wrestling has less of a steroid and drug problem than in other sports. He goes on state how in football, a 350lbs lineman running a 4.8 40yard dash certainly raises a lot of eyebrows.
Angle talks about the Funkin Dojo, run by Dory Funk Jr. He said he had to babysit Teddy Hart and as a result, got a bad rap as the others thought he was doing stuff with him. He calls Teddy talented and is surprised that no one has taking a chance on him, despite his immaturity. He liked Dory but said it was not necessary to bump 300 times per day. Anlge said they should have bumped 20-25 per day and trained 15-20 days per month, instead of five. He said that Steve Bradley was his mentor there.
Angle is asked about his first match. It was with Brian Christopher. He said that Christopher had an attitude and was upset he was facing him so he would call stuff in the ring and take advantage for him. For instance, he would tell him that he was going for a suplex but would hit him with a DDT instead. Angle said he was pissed and was waiting for him in the back but Al Snow calmed him down. He realizes know that it was probably a rib but says that you should always be safe with guys in the ring.
His initial impression of Vince was that he loved him. Kurt says that Vince treated him like a son and Vince would joke with him, stating he wished Kurt was his son-in-law. He addresses the stuff he said trashing Vince but loves him and has a great deal of respect.
Kurt said that the “Three I’s” character was copied from “Family Ties.” He says that Vince booked him like he did the Rock when he first started but this time knew that the fans would hate him and would get him over when he turned heel. He said that character would have been a huge babyface in the 1980’s.
He recalls the fans chanting “Boring” in his match against Shawn Stasiak at the 1999 Survivor Series.  Angle said Vince told him to win the match then grab the mic and tell the crowd not to say boring to an Olympic Gold Medalist. When he said it, the fans hated him and it worked. He puts over Vince as always knowing what to do at the right time.
He says that Steve Austin was approachable and liked working with him. He says that he loved it when Taz broke his undefeated streak as he had more heat as a result and it helped get Taz over. He then goes on to say how pro wrestling is about pleasing the fans. He said that he liked working with Bob Backlund but that he was over-the-top.
He is asked about the love triangle angle between him, HHH, and Stephanie McMahon. He said that he and Stephanie had a good friendship and due to the amount of injuries, had to have someone step up. He said that HHH was in agreement of the angle. He was mad at how it ended, stating that it could have lasted another six months. He then said how the concussion he had during the triple threat match with the Rock and HHH might have had something to do with the angle ending. He then says how HHH never politicked to end the angle.
He loved his streetfight match with Shane McMahon but cant remember most of it and they both ended up in the hospital as a result. He tells the story of throwing Shane head first through the glass, which was plexi-glass and the shards fell and sliced him up badly. He says that was the worst type of glass to use and puts over Vince for almost always being prepared with good stunt coordinators.  He loves Shane, stating that he has a lot of balls.
He said that Steve carried him in their matches. He then said how Vince wanted Angle to be a moron outside of the ring and a killer once he started to wrestle. He then said that Vince saw money in Angle as a face and Austin as the heel. He says that Steve was supposed to win in his hometown just after 9/11 but that Angle thought a “red, white, and Blue” character should win so he asked Vince, who told him to tell Austin, then asked Austin, who was fine with that. He said that he was originally supposed to be the one who won the belt when the titles were unified but the plan was changed to Jericho five days before the PPV so they could get him over. Angle says he always wants other talent o get over and Vince put him in that role a lot.
He says that Vince told him to have his head as he thought he needed to look more rugged.
He said that Hogan was easy to work with and willing to put him over clean. However, he tells a story about Hogan showing up late to a six-man tag at MSG and was upset that Kurt put the match together. He said that he put it together because most of the guys in the match were green (Lesnar, Haas, Benjamin) and liked to know the match layout before they went out. Hogan didn’t do a planned spot so Angle stiffed him. After the match, Hogan told Vince, HHH, and Shawn that he was stiff.
He said that Team Angle was his idea but he originally wanted the Haas Brothers. When Russ passed away, they went with Benjamin, who Angle wanted as a singles wrestler. He blames himself for the group only lasting five months as he wanted to be a face when he returned from injury. He thinks that they could have had a long run if they stuck together.
Kurt talks about his Wrestlemania match against Lesnar. He said that Lesnar was uptight that night and worried about the finish as they shaved nine minutes off the match. Kurt said that he kenw there was an extra fourteen minutes on the show and told him not to worry. He said that the match could have been better and that Brock rushed through the beginning and was worried about Kurt’s neck. He was shocked that Lesnar was able to continue after the shooting star press and said that he actually got hit by the move and did not roll away from it, which is what it looked like on TV. He said that he chose to wrestle, despite the pain after a kid (who I assume was sick) asked him to sign an autograph with him and Lesnar on the cover of a Direct TV program, which made Kurt cry. After the match, Kurt had the chills and the company doctors told him that he had a tumor in his neck, which they knew for a while but waited until the match ended to tell him. He said that Lesnar was freaking out backstage and calls the entire night a nightmare.
He is asked about the Benoit tragedy. He doesn’t know what to think and is still shocked that Chris was able to do something like this. He knew that they were having marital problems and that Nancy was abusing prescription drugs at home, which had Benoit  worried about her and his kid while he was on the road. He heard that Nancy filed for divorce too. Angle said not to blame it on steroids or concussions but to look at Chris as a lonely kid who fell apart when his best friend, Eddie Guerrero, died. He thought that Eddie meant more to Chris than anyone else on the planet. He then says that Chris should have known that it was time to go or ask Vince to wrestle part-time so he could straighten things out.
He is asked about his fight with Eddie Guerrero. Angle prefaces it by stating how Eddie was having health problems and at the time, didn’t know that he was having health problems. Some nights he would look good and others, he was as white as a ghost. They had a lumberjack match one night and Eddie was unable to do anything and was yelling at Kurt to stay away. One night while backstage, Angle blew up at Eddie, saying he was carrying him for two months then shoved him and Eddie went to take him down. The Big Show broke up the fight. Angle said that was all his fault and he should have known, along with others, that Eddie was having health issues and that you cannot blame the WWE for his death.
He said that he took down Lesnar and that it was ridiculous of him to say that he took Angle down twice.
He is asked about Daniel Puder next and how he got taken down by him on Smackdown. Angle said his neck was in bad shape and Vince wanted him to wrestle two off the Tough Enough Guys, the one who looked like Jeremy Shockey (Daniel Rodimer) and the big black guy (Justice Smith). He ended up jamming his neck against the first guy and was unable to feel his arms. Puder was next and he took him down and went to grab his hand off the ropes but Puder grabbed him instead. He said he could have dropped Puder on his head but did not want to hurt him and calls Puder a moron for pinning himself,as he laid flat on his back, which is a pin in amateur wrestling. He called Puder a terrible pro wrestler with no promo skills and recalls running into him in the airport before the Royal Rumble, where Puder told Kurt that he was in the main event, meaning the Rumble match. Angle said he was for a program with him but Puder was unable to catch on and Vince knew he wasn’t going to keep Puder and cut his salary from $250k to $75k in the second year. Kurt said that Dana offered Kurt a chance to fight Puder in UFC but that he had to quit wrestling and Kurt did not want to do that.
He was asked about if there was ever a payoff to the “Hometown Hero” stuff that they did. He said no but it got Matt Stryker a contract.
Kurt said that getting drafted to the ECW brand was an opportunity but there was no one to wrestle after Sabu or RVD. He mentions how the ratings tanked after he quit. He mentions how everyone wanted to be on RAW and that he went from RAW to Smackdown when Batista got hurt because he was a team player and several others declined.
Angle is then asked about if he tried to hide his injury from the WWE. He said that he was getting run down from the schedule and while wrestling RVD in New York, he ended up tearing his abdominal muscle, hamstring, and blew out his groin. He called the office to tell them he was unable to wrestle but was told he had to go to TV. He went backstage and pulled down his pants in front of Vince, to show him the severity of his injuries. He said he was black and blue all over. He said he got pissed and asked for his release.
He is then asked about the death watch rumors that Wade Keller reported, due to his abuse of pain medication. Angle confirms those rumors, but that they were reported four months late as he was sober when the rumor came out. Angle said he abused pain pills from the end of 2002 until 2005. He stated that he asked Vince for a few months off in order to go to rehab but Vince told him he couldn’t and said that he was an Olympian, unlike 90% of the other losers. He said Vince used the line about losers to motivate him and not to disparage everyone. He said he ended up quitting cold turkey and went through hell. He blames himself, not the WWE, for getting addicted but is still pissed that Vince did not let him to go rehab. At the time, Vince was giving him a lot of tough love. He said that he thinks he can go back one day.
His initial thoughts of TNA was that it is still an opportunity but nowhere near the machine that is the WWE. He says that TNA needs more writers and production guys. He is thankful that TNA exists and is not going away and puts over the growth of the company over the past few years.
The interviewer brings up the time that the cops showed up to his house after someone reported that he was driving erratically. He said that at the time, he was talking and texting Vince Russo and might have crossed the yellow line. He passed a breathalyzer and the cops still wanted to bring him to the Emergency Room for drug testing. He said that later on, they found out that the person who reported him wrote down his license plate number on a receipt from the liquor store and was drunk. He said the cops felt bad afterwards.
He was then asked if he should have went over Samoa Joe in his first match. Angle said it was not his call and wouldn’t have minded doing the job but thought it was a good way for him to enter the company. Angle said he loves Joe but thinks that loss effected him.
He thinks that Kevin Nash is good for TNA and puts him over for helping the younger guys.
He wanted to elevate Joe and AJ Styles while in TNA. He also felt he revitalized Sting, as he was getting stagnant at that time. He puts over Bobby Roode and James Storm as well as the X Division guys. He thinks Storm can be a good babyface.
He said that Jarrett is the reason his wife is on TV. He thinks she is a great performer, best utilized as a heel. Angle says that he gets along with Jarrett but they have had it out over creative differences.
He is asked about his cage match with Joe. Said it was a hard match to do and they tried hard to make it believable but thought it should have either been all MMA or all wrestling, not a mixture of both. Angle seemed shocked when the interviewer told him that people liked the match
Angle is asked about his comment that he could take Chuck Liddell. He said that he could of 8 years ago but is turning 40 and doesn’t have enough training. He says that he was going to fight Couture but Dana had a deal for one more fight with him and it never took place.
He doesn’t want any part of being on the creative team right now, as he doesn’t want the fans and wrestlers to think he has control. He says he does what he is told.
When asked about the booking style of Russo, Angle says that he wants more wrestling but doesn’t want to say anything bad about him. He thinks more wrestling would be a better alternative to the WWE.
He says that Low Ki was a great wrestler with good presence and a deep voice but he couldn’t put all of that together and could have been a major player if he did.
He is asked if TNA scooping up all of the recently released WWE guys hurts the company. He says that sometimes it does as you need homegrown talent.
Angle says he was shocked that the WWE hired Chris Harris (Braden Walker), and that his partner, James Storm, was much better. The interviewer told him that he was already fired. Angle said he was in terrible shape.
He said that his wife, Karen, is level headed and wont let the business get together. He also says it will not interfere with their marriage. Sadly, it did.
He said that CM Punk is the one person that he wants to work with that he hasn’t yet. He was shocked by his popularity and thought he would be another “Independent flash in the pan.”
He said that he used to travel with Edge & Christian, then Randy Orton. He puts over Randy for growing up and says that he is a great guy. He also used to travel with Luther Reigns when he was abusing pills and that was a bad choice. After that, he traveled alone.
He the says that wrestling needs to go back to telling good stories and move away from too many highspots. He goes on state how he and HBK worked a twelve minute headlock in their Wrestlemania match.
He closes by stating he plans to wrestle for another five years and his clean and sober. He also thanks his fans.
Final Thoughts: I thought this was an excellent shoot interview. Angle did not have an axe to grind and did not bury anyone. He admitted to his shortcomings too, which a lot of wrestlers do not in these interviews. He ended up being dead wrong about is marriage though. I highly recommend this shoot and its long, lasting just under three hours. It is interesting to hear about his amateur background, which takes up the first forty minutes or so of the shoot. Highly recommended.
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RF Video Shoot Interview with the Honky Tonk Man, Volume 1

11th July 2013 by Scott Keith

This video was released in the beginning of 2001, with WCW still in business.

 
 

The interview starts with a clip of Honky, as Wayne Ferris
in Memphis,
teaming with Larry Latham as the Blond Bombers.

 
 
 

Honky says that he got into wrestling because he did not
want to grow up and it was an extension of his childhood. He said he knew in
the 3rd grade that he would be in sports or entertainment when he
grew up and wrestling gave him the best of both worlds.

 
 
He said he was trained by Herb Welch, who was the uncle of
Robert Fuller. He said that Koko B. Ware was in his class. He trained for nine
months straight.
 
 
Honky’s first payoff in wrestling was for $9. He said that
before wrestling, he was making $10,000 a year coaching football.
 
 
He confirms that Jerry Lawler was his first cousin. Lawler
began wrestling five years prior. His other cousin was Carl Fergie, who also
wrestled. Honky said he was the athlete of the family and those two never
played sports.
 
 
Honky said that he would wrestle the same towns for weeks at
a time then drive up to 400 miles away for some $9 payoffs.
 
 
He said that he liked teaming with Larry Latham as the Blond
Bombers. Honky staes the teamed first formed when he was sent to a tournament
in Atlanta and
thrown together with Larry in a team by Jerry Brisco.
 
 
The Tupelo Concession Stand Brawl is mentioned next. Honky
said it was a precursor to ECW and that a lot of people on the independent
scene do not realize that he wrestled a hardcore-style match before. He said
that Jerry Jarrett and Robert Fuller put the match together on the spot. He
said he had no idea at the time it would be considered a classic match but
looking back years later, thought it was pretty great.
 
 
He is asked about his memories of Tommy Rich. Honky said
that people have no idea how over he was back then and said they had good
matches
 
 
Honky then talks about how back when he started, he wrestled
in a lot of “Best of Three Falls” matches, which helps younger wrestlers as you
have to do a different match each fall. He then states how he recently saw a
younger wrestler in California do twenty minutes of highspots and after the
match, went up to him and told him that he did not do a single wrestling hold
and the kid replied that he did not know any. Honky says that this limits your
opportunities, as you can only work one style. He then adds that it helps to
learn a lot on the fly when wrestling.
 
 
Honky says that Bobby Eaton was overrated, stating he was a
great worker but could not talk and didn’t sell a ton of tickets. Honky also
said that Eaton worked really hard for lesser pay.
 
 
He is then asked about how he wound up in Calgary. Honky said that he was in Pensacola with David
Schultz at the time, who felt that he was getting screwed by the promoter, and
told Honky they could make money up there. Honky said that Schultz was cool and
would tell people his opinions right to their face. He also did that with
promoters and they hated that. Honky said he picked up some of Schultz’s bad
habits with promoters.
 
 
Honky says that Stu Hart gave him a lower guarantee than
promised and he threatened to walk out but Stu called him back. Honky puts him
over as a businessman and for the fact that he survived in the extreme
conditions, stating the Winter in Calgary
was like no other place. He also respects those who stayed up there for a few
years. Honky said that Stu asked him if he wanted to go to the dungeon but he
declined and Stu was fine with that, as he knew Honky was a show-business guy.
Honky says he has good relations with Stu’s sons then mentions how Bret never
wants to lose in Canada.
 
 
Up next is the Dynamite Kid. Honky said that he is another
person who destroyed his body for little pay and is now bitter and addicted to
drugs as a result. He is asked if he ever had problems with him and Honky
mentions how once after a show at the Boston Garden,
someone stirred up shit about Honky stating that he made enough there to pay
the boys rent and he flipped out. Honky says that he was hard to deal with when
he was on drugs. He then brings up how Dynamite thought it was funny to make
fun of Harley Race having a colostomy bag but didn’t think it was when Jacques
Rougeau knocked him out.
 
 
Honky is asked about Chris Benoit. He said he had a few
matches with him when he first broke in Calgary.
Honky says that Chris was actually trained in Edmonton
before arriving to Calgary
by a promoter. He says that his drawback is his size and that is what the WWF
promotes.
 
 
He is asked about Bret Hart. Honky says that he always
showed up late but worked hard. He then says that he always does the same
match, like Ric Flair, and is bland on interviews, like most Canadians. Honky
then says that he could never figure out his push but did like him in the Hart
Foundation.
 
 
Honky said he wound up in the WWF when Vince did another
talent raid so he could run three shows a night. He was the North American
Heavyweight Champ in Calgary
at the time. Honky stated that he didn’t even think he was good enough to go to
the WWF, after twelve years of training. He then brings up guys today who after
wrestling school think they belong in the WWF.
 
 
His first impression of Vince McMahon is that he knew Vince
was management and that he was talent. He makes the analogy of Vince as a small
child and all the wrestlers as their toys. Once the toy is done, it is pushed
aside and replaced with a new one. Honky says that he knew that he was just
labor to him.
 
 
Honky said that he came up with the Honky Tonk Man gimmick
from the song of that same title by Johnny Hark. Honky said he always believed
that wrestling and music went together and that he took a lot of his interview
material from songs and puts it over as a good way for younger wrestlers to cut
promos.
 
 
He is asked about his hair vs. hair matches with Austin
Idol. At the time, Honky was doing is Punk Rock character but he said the hicks
didn’t understand the gimmick so the matches were a good way to revamp his
character. Honky stresses the importance of being able to keep yourself fresh
in wrestling. He said they did a series of hair dye matches and would use a
spray that would come out after he washes his hair but used real dye during the
last of the matches, leaving a small blond spot in the front.
 
 
Honky is asked about his relationship with Hogan. He said
that he first met him in Pensacola
in 1977. He states that Hogan was in Tampa
but that Mike Graham hated him because he was small and wanted to be known as
the giant killer so his territory was stocked with small guys. Hogan was known
as Terry Boulder at that time and had a brother Eddie, who went on to become
Brutus Beefcake. Honky said that Brutus was never formally trained and learned
to wrestle by traveling on the road with them. He even let Brutus use his boots
when he started out. Honky said that later on, Hogan turned into an opportunist
when he got famous in the WWF and thinks that Vince McMahon had something to do
with that as all of the top guys turn out the same way.
 
 
He wound up with Jimmy Hart in Memphis after Hart was
brought in by Lawler to help him make an album. Honky puts over Hart as having
a strong mind for the business then says that a lot of promoters wasted his
talents as they only saw him as a music guy. Honky also says that Hart is
politically correct and did not mess around with any drugs or alcohol.
 
 
Honky is asked about the WWF locker room when he first
arrived. He said that it was tense as all of the veterans knew that they were
being replaced by stronger, faster, and cheaper talent.
 
 
Honky said the competition between the wrestlers was a lot
more tense than it is today as back then, there were no guaranteed contracts
and they were paid based on the gate receipts.
 
 
Honky also says that the pay discrepancy between the top and
bottom of the card was huge. For example, he said that working with Hogan at a
sellout in MSG could earn you $8,000 and the opening match on the same card
would earn you about $300. Honky states how that starts all of the politicking and
backstabbing. He said when he arrived in the WWF after 12 years of working all
over the place, he didn’t want to settle for shitty payoffs.
 
 
When asked about what he first thought of the Elvis gimmick,
Honky said he told Vince that no one wanted to cheer for that. He then says how
Vince’s sees the business as a circus and looks to see how much merchandise he
can sell. Vince was imaging all sorts of Elvis jumpsuits and wigs being sold
with the character.
 
 
Honky is then asked if he kept in touch with Lawler. He said
that he last spoke to him when he left Memphis. Honky also called him “Chester
the Molester” and tells us a story about him receiving a payoff for the Tupelo
Concession Stand match. Lawler told him how he felt about his first thousand
dollar payoff. Honky looked at the check and it said $999.99 and told Lawler it
was not a thousand dollars. Honky then states how Lawler turned to be teenager
he was dating and told her he knew he wouldn’t be grateful for the check. After
that, he stayed a few more months in Memphis and was rarely booked and would
then receive calls that he was missing shows he was never told about. He saw
the writing on the wall and left soon after.
 
 
He is then asked about refusing to drop the Intercontinental
Title to Randy Savage. At the time, Honky said he would only drop the belt to
two people, Hogan and Vince, after he told him he can have the belt after he
can to his home and took it off the mantle above his fireplace. Honky then says
that Vince used that line on TV with Steve Austin. He tells the story about how
they wanted Savage to win and parade Elizabeth around on his shoulders. Honky
asked about what would happen to him and was told that he was going to be
rebuilt, which Honky remembered Schultz telling him that was promoter bullshit
about getting buried at the bottom of the card. Honky did not want that to
happen and called Jim Barnett in the NWA. He said he was about to leave and fly
to the Bahamas but Jimmy Hart told him to reconsider as Vince would find out.
Honky couldn’t reach Vince and told agent Jack Lanza that if not called back,
he was going to leave and take the belt with him. While at a cheap hotel in
Winnipeg, Vince called him. Honky said to Vince that he was a model employee
and sold out shows two weeks in advance. He said that there were a million
finishers they could use but jobbing him in the middle of the ring was the
worst. Vince agreed then he said he made a deal with Vince that as long as he didn’t
job on TV and drew with the belt, he would get paid and if he didn’t draw, he wouldn’t
get paid at all. Honky said after that, Wrestlemania IV was changed to a
tournament with Savage winning and getting to parade Elizabeth around on his
shoulders.
 
 
He was asked about the relationship between Savage and
Elizabeth. He said that Elizabeth used to run with the boys in Kentucky and use
to be with Rip Rogers. He confirmed that Savage was extremely overprotective
and did indeed lock her in a storage closet in Poughkeepsie, where the TV
tapings were held for Championship Wrestling.
 
 
He is asked about working with Brutus Beefcake at
Wrestlemania IV. He said that he would have offered to have his hair cut if
gotten paid. He said that he made sure to drop subtle hints about that in his
interviews. He then goes on to say he received $8,000 for his payoff while
Hogan received a million dollars.
 
 
When asked about working with the Ultimate Warrior, Honky mockingly
hums his theme song. He tells a story of him asking Hercules about working with
him and being told that you will dread getting up in the morning knowing that
you will have to work with him. He said that you had to protect yourself
working with him and puts over Rick Rude for teaching him how to work. He then
said that he made $22,000 jobbing to him in thirty seconds at SummerSlam.
 
 
Honky then is asked about teaming with Greg Valentine. He
says the team worked because they wrestled two different styles and that is
needed to make a good team. He said at one point they were promised the belts
but that Vince was looking to bring in the Road Warriors and that plan got
squashed.
 
 
He is then asked about his opinion on a few workers. He puts
over Steamboat, saying he was one of the best faces of all time. He liked
working with Snuka, although taking his splash hurt like hell. He calls Dusty
Rhodes a liar and does an impression of him. He said that Dusty lied to him
about getting a job in WCW and did the same thing to Rick Martel and Dino
Bravo. He then said how Kerry Von Erich couldn’t read off the cue cards during
the tapings of the house shows promos and everyone else had to wait in line
forever. He says that on a plane ride, Kerry got fucked up on GHB and they had
to land the plane so they could take him to the hospital.
 
 
He was asked about doing commentary with Roddy Piper and
called him Daffy Duck. He said Piper was all fucked up on drugs and you could
not get a word in with him. He then adds that position, commentary next to
Vince, is a prestigious one and a lot of backstabbing goes on to try to get
there.
 
 
Honky says that Shawn Michaels was nice at the beginning but
became an asshole after rubbing up against Vince.
 
 
He said he asked for his release after not being booked in
anymore matches.
 
 
Next, Honky is asked how he
wound up in WCW. At the time, Honky was teaching in Phoenix. Jimmy Hart called
him and said they needed some ex-WWF guys to come in and make an impact. He
spoke with Ric Flair, who told Honky that he could fly in so they good get a
look at him. Honky told Ric that he knew him for years and that he already knew
what he looked like. He asked Ric about the money and he said he didn’t handle that
to Honky asked him to tell the person that did to give him a call.
 
 
Honky flew to WCW and went to
shake Eric Bischoff’s hand, who told Honky he was not a fan and was only
inviting him down as a favor to Jimmy Hart. Honky told Eric that he would try
to win him over but was blown off. At that point, Honky knew that this wouldn’t
last very long. Later that day, Bischoff talked to him about a contract and
told Honky that they had some really bad contracts expiring soon and when that
happened, they could offer him a deal that would be more than Vince ever paid
him. Honky then says that months later, he spoke with Brad Armstrong who told
Honky that he just got renewed for three more years. He then said how Steve
Regal complained to Florida sports writer Alex Marvez about wanting to leave
and join the WWF and was offered a $175,000 contract. Honky hen went to speak
with Bischoff about a contract and was told that at his current rate, he would
make about $200,000 a year but Honky said half of his dates were cancelled.
 
 
He is then asked about
refusing to job for Johnny B. Badd. Honky said that he told Bischoff he would
walk if not given a contract. He also said that he told Bischoff that he got
paid doing jobs in the WWF. He then shook Bischoff’s hand and left in a cab, as
his music was playing in the arena. He states that Hogan went over to him
trying to get him to stay but Honky said he told Hogan that he could have
helped get him a contract then called him a piece of shit. Honky then brought
up the lawsuit Hogan filed against Russo and said it would never win in court.
 
 
Honky talks about how Hogan
copied the “Hulkamania” gimmick from Austin Idol and his “Idolmania” gimmick. He
also said that Schultz came up with the Wrestlemania idea when they were in
Memphis and insinuated that Hulk stole that from him. He said that Schultz not
being part of that card broke him. He then tells a story about when Schultz was
fired from the WWF, he threatened Vince and told him he knew where he lived and
that Vince hired 24 hour surveillance around his home. Honky claims to this day
that Hogan is still afraid of Schultz.
 
 
Honky is asked about Jeff Jarrett
taking his guitar gimmick. He said that Jeff could only get over in his dad’s
territory. Honky said that he needed to do the gimmick better than he did to
get it over. He then said that Jarrett was spineless for taking his gimmick
while he was still in the WWF, stating he would not do that in the same
territory or company as someone else.
 
 
He is asked if he saw star
potential in the Rock. Honky said he did because he was big, could work and can
talk. He says Austin is a flash in the pan and wont last long with his neck and
knee injuries.
 
 
Honky is then asked about the
1997 Survivor Series. He says he missed what happened as he went back to the
hotel after being in the locker room earlier in the day. He said he knew Bret didn’t
want to job, especially to Shawn. He brings up their locker room fight a month
prior in Hartford. Honky said that Rick Rude called him the next day and said
that Bret beat the shit out of Vince.
 
 
Honky is asked about his
nephew, Brian Christopher. He said they are not close but thinks he is talented
and that his height is the thing holding him back. He tells a story of Jerry Lawler
running over to Arnold Skoaland after Brian showed up two minutes late to RAW, yelling
at him to fine his son he adds that Lawler basically disowned his kids.
 
 
Honky is asked about doing
commentary. He said that when Jake Roberts was writing TV, he put him in but
that Vince Russo would take him out. He calls Russo power hungry for making himself
the champion in WCW and said that he had a few good ideas for shock TV but did
not turn around the WWF, stating that Mike Tyson appearing on Wrestlemania did.
 
 
He calls Kevin Nash “Big Lazy”
and said that Scott Hall never impressed him. He compares Nash to an overpaid athlete
and that if WCW doesn’t change, the company will be finished by the time this
interview gets out. Well, Honky was spot on with that.
 
 
He is asked on his thoughts
about ECW. Honky said there is a place for a 3rd company but it is
too extreme. He says it is a shame that the workers are ruining their bodies and
not getting paid. He said there is nowhere else to go with that company once
you hit a certain point because you can only try to be more extreme each night
and that wont last in the long run.
 
 
He is asked about the
Rockabilly character and said that was Vince’s way of punishing Gunn for threatening
to go to WCW. He said that Gunn was roided up at the time and frequently blew
up in the ring.
 
 
Honky is asked if the business
is overexposed. He said that most cycles last nine years but this one will not
and it will nosedive hard when it is finished.
 
 
He is asked about the best
rib he ever saw. He said he didn’t partake in them but mentions the stuff that
Dynamite Kid did, cutting up Terry Taylor’s clothes, saying that stuff is not a
rib. He also says that shitting in a bag is not a rib.
 
 
He is asked if he keeps up a
lot with the current product and says that he does not. He says the same five
guys are on top in the WWF and the undercard guys cant hack it. He says WCW is
filled with wrestling school guys. He then says that Russo is unable to realize
that you cannot create stars and a wrestler needs to have something to take
that next step.
 
 
He is asked if he would want
to become a booker. Honky said no and that he is not good at coming up with
angles and finishes. He can add to stuff that is already in place.
 
 
He then mentions wrestling
books and how he wouldn’t want to do one He says most of them leave stuff out
and brings up a story of Arn Anderson leaving something out of his book. He
says that Arn’s first match against Bob Armstrong, he got picked up and Arn’s
toupee got ripped off in the process. Honky can’t believe why you would leave
that out.
 
 
Honky is asked about having any
regrets. He says that too often, he let his emotions get involved in his decision
making process and that he made things get bigger that they should have been.
 
 
He closes by stating that he
still wrestles independent dates and tells anyone looking to break in to finish
college first and use wrestling as a hobby unless someone throws money at you.  He also said that it should be fun and you
should not be killing yourself out there.
 
 
Final Thoughts: Wow. I highly recommend this shoot. Honky is very
candid and even if you don’t always agree with him, it is still worth a listen.
Some might be turned off by his always putting money over anything else but
really, in the wrestling world, you need to get paid as much as you can while
you still can get work. Honestly, look at the guys who he says beat up their
bodies for no pay. Dynamite Kid and Bobby Eaton are in terrible health and
broke. My only complaint was that the interviewer jumped around all over the place and did not go in chronological order. Honky would put out a second shoot with RF Video ten years later and has
done a bunch of stuff for Kayfabe Commentaries (his first YouShoot is a riot),
which is all very entertaining.
Rants →

RF Video Shoot Interview with The Outlaws

27th June 2013 by Scott Keith
For the record, this shoot beat out the London & Kendrick one by a single vote.
Due to legal issues, they could not refer to themselves as the “New Age Outlaws”
This was filmed in 2005, with both men working for TNA at the time.
The video starts with Road Dogg joking about how they are not calling themselves the “New Age Outlaws” due to Vince owning the name. Gunn is eating a burger while Dogg is cracking jokes.
They were asked about how the team formed. They said they were stuck with shitty gimmicks (Rockabilly and The Real Double J) and talked with Russo, who put them together. They then said they got over so quickly that HHH and Shawn Michaels asked them to make them cool. Dogg rags on HHH for cutting twenty minute promos while they were background scenery.
They said they weren’t close before teaming up but thought it felt right when they started. They also said the timing was perfect as the Attitude Era was just beginning
Dogg says that Russo  did help the team, even though he didn’t always agree with his writing. They then both play up their WWE boycott angle from TNA.
Dogg then tells a road story about how he got all fucked up on somas and pisssed all over the AC and door in the hotel room. Gunn said he had to babysit him all night. Shortly after that, they were driving down the road and hit a deer as soon as Dogg lit up the joint. He threw it away and Gunn said he almost beat the shit out of him. Luckily, Flash Funk pulled up and saved the day.
They are asked about the 1997 Survivor Series. Dogg says he can’t even remember last night, let alone back then. They both think it was a work though. They recall a story of Bret and Shawn fighting in the locker room and how it looked like two girls going at each other with their hair flowing around. Billy then says how Bret did not want to drop the belt in Canada but probably would have the next night. They then both comment on how none of this is real and Billy says he would lay down for two midgets as Dogg recalls how he laid down for Zach Gowen. Dogg says how Vince likes to work the boys and says that even though he has kids, it’s just a facade and that he is gay. Dogg works the “He’s gay” comment as a joke throughout the shoot.
In a funny moment, the interviewer asks them what they thought of Bret’s comments about how they were both just mid-carders. They both never heard that before and then rag on him for a bit. Dogg then tells a story that Bret once asked him to come into first class so he could ask him why he wrote that Shawn was a better wrestler than him on the internet.
They are asked about some of the teams they worked with. They liked the Headbangers, even though Mosh was really out there. BG says he was afraid of Bradshaw because he was really stiff in the ring. BG then tells a story of how Hawk punched him the face a few times during a match and he ran to the back, where Blackjack Lanza screamed at him to go back and finish the match. They both said that Hawk was for the head shaving angle though.
When asked about winning the tag belts for the first time, Dogg said that he marked out because it was against the Road Warriors.
Dogg said that the Stone Cold character worked so well because everyone feels like kicking the bosses ass and that is what the character did so well.
They were asked if they could influence Vince. Dogg said that one time, his wife was in the hospital with a collapsed lung and he was told he had to go to TV. Dogg then states he went into the production meeting and threw his belt on the table, telling Vince to go fuck himself. Dogg said he got a little bit of clout once they started to make Vince money.
Dogg is asked about Funk calling him one of the best talkers in the business but that he did the same thing everytime. Dogg says he stuck to the same mic routine because it got over so well. Gunn talks about how Funk is one of the toughest men on the planet. He recalls Funk getting powerbombed on the dumpster during their RAW match and how he whacked it hard but did not sell it one bit in the locker room.
They are asked about the formation of D-X. Originally, HHH and Shawn said they were not over but changed their tune after a few weeks. Dogg said how they had their own entrance that got them over but thought it worked out since those guys could leech off their heat and they could get closer to Vince.
They are asked if they got along with them. Dogg said he used to ride with HHH and Chyna, who looked down on him for his drug use. Dogg then brings up how Chyna is fucked up all the time on the “Surreal Life.” They both said that HHH was always a dick as Gunn says his current mustache makes him look like a fucking idiot. He then brings up how he wanted to punch him in the face but did not want to get fired and buries HHH for not wanting to put over the other talent on the roster, because he wants to be on top by himself. The whole time Gunn was going off, Dogg kept talking about HHH’s mustache. They both liked X Pac. They said Shawn had his good and bad days then but now respect him more now as he is born again.
They are asked about the Accolytes and Gunn wonders how Bradshaw became the champ. Dogg says Bradshaw is one of the only people who have gotten worse since he started. He then mocks Cena, calling him Marky Mark and mocking the “You cant see me” hand gesture.
When asked about whether or not Bob Holly is a bully, they both said that he was not. Gunn said that he works stiff and gets pissed at younger wrestlers who do not shake hands in the locker room. Gunn says that Tough Enough is not what wrestling is about, due to all of the perks they received while training. He says that wrestling is about being married to your road partner 300 days a year. Dogg mentions how he almost quit TNA after refusing to job to one of the Tough Enough guys (It was Jonah from season one). He also recalls how he refused to job for RVD during the ECW invasion angle because he was not part of the company, and that how X Pac refused to have them job to the Dudley Boyz. This contradicts what he said earlier about doing jobs.
They loved working with Jeff Jarrett and Owen Hart, stating they were great workers. Gunn says that Owen used the business for his own amusement.
They are asked about HHH again. Dogg says that he had to separated from him once when he was teaming with K-Kwik. He was all fucked up on drugs at the time and HHH wanted to have an intervention. Dogg says that HHH actually brought up the “Armstrong Curse” and that he almost lost it but X Pac intervened.
Dogg was asked about putting over Chris Jericho when he first arrived. He says that he didn’t understand why they couldn’t have used someone else and that Jericho was already over from WCW. Dogg then says how Jericho did not have great timing in the ring but likes him as a person.
Once again, they are asked about HHH. Gunn even asks why are there so many questions about HHH then calls him a cock-sucking piece of shit who stabs people in the back. He brings up how HHH buried Orton when he was getting over as the champ.
They are then asked about the D-X invasion angle against WCW. They were told that going into the building was off limits and that they would be arrested for trespassing. They would have gotten into the building and sat in the front row if they let them. Dogg brings up how he was freaked out because he had two ounces of grass in the van that they rented and there were cops everywhere. Both agreed that this is what turned around the ratings war. Dogg said that his brother, Brad Armstrong, loved the angle and that they heard through the grapevine that a good portion of WCW loved the skit.
When asked about the drug use, Dogg said that it was really bad for him because he was a redneck who became a millionaire and had no idea how to handle the fame. Gunn said he used socially but was more into the stuff that made you look good.
Both men put over the Undertaker, stating that he was the godfather of the locker room. Dogg states that he would not belittle people.
When asked about ribs that take in the ring, they both said it takes place all the time and that it keeps everyone loose.
They are asked about other tag teams. Gunn said that Edge & Christian could do more moves but that they didn’t need to take the risks all the time and that alone does not make a good match. They apparently put in good words to the office about the Hardy Boyz. Dogg says that Matt would sew some of their stuff.  
Gunn says that some of the WCW guys that came over from the buyout were subject to gentle ribs but did not carry a stigma.
Dogg is asked about teaming with K-Kwik (Ron Killings). He started when Gunn was out for over a year after shoulder surgery. He said they meshed well together but did not have the same connection that he did with Billy.
Gunn says that after Dogg was fired, they did not keep in touch. Dogg says that his life was spiraling out of control at that time and joked that he did not have his number.
Dogg says he hates Jim Ross and how he has lied to his face several times.
Gunn mentions how the tag titles today are nothing more than garnish. He claims that they were as popular as the Heavyweight Championship at one time.
When asked about Bret working on a DVD with Vince, Gunn says who cares and they joke some more about the mid-carder comment.
James is asked about the rumor that he could go back into the WWE once he cleaned up. He says he sort of heard about that but would rather people greet at Walmart than go back there. Funny how that works out.
Dogg didn’t think that TNA would last a year.  He states that Jarrett and Russo drifted apart due to Jarrett being the boss. He says that there is no one else to hold the belt but Jarrett. Gunn says that Vince has everything down to a science and that TNA doesn’t have the names or production values to compete.
They are asked about some of the talent in TNA. They put over the X Division guys but state that they need to slow down and incorporate more psychology into their matches. Gunn puts over AJ Styles and Monty Brown as good workers. Dogg says that the Dudley Boys seem to look down a bit on the rest of the TNA locker room then puts over America’s Most Wanted and the Naturals as good tag teams.
They are asked about which deaths hit them the hardest. Gunn says that Chris Candido as he just strated to turn his life around and he died in an unusual manner. Dogg says that it was Owen’s death.
They call the WWE a house divided right now.
Dogg says that the road sucked because you are away from your family.
When asked about the favorite ribs, Dogg brings up when X Pac shit in Sable’s bag and in Mark Henry’s Subway sub. He also brings up how when Arnold Schwartzenegger came to RAW, he and X Pac shit in the locker room toilets and did not flush.
They are asked if a good TV writer can write good wrestling. Gunn says fuck no and it might work but only if they are with a wrestling mind.
They are asked about Raven and they both hate him. Gunn says he only gives a shit about himself. They also say that DDP takes himself way too seriously and that he hands you a piece of paper with the match written out to you backstage.
They are asked about the business today. Dogg says that WWE sucks and that it actually deters you from watching wrestling. He also mentions the lack of star power. Gunn says that the shows do not leave you wanting more and compares it to General Hospital and how after the hour, you can’t wait for next week. He also brings up how once the WWE became a public company, everything changed.
Dogg says that after he was released from the WWE, he blew through $335,000 in six months and wound up in jail. He mentions how he is starting to get back on the right track. Gunn joked that his money went to his ex-wife. tHey also put over how they would not like to go back to the WWE schedule.
They both say that D-X would not work today but it might for a short time as a novelty act.
Dogg says that even though it might sound selfish, he believes that they might be the greatest tag team of the past ten years. He puts over the fact how they were extremely over with the crowd as that reason, saying that some of the other teams were better workers.
They joke about how this interview cost themselves a shot at the WWE Hall of Fame but dont give a shit.

Gunn says that wrestling could work as a seasonal business but Vince would never do that as he would be losing money.

They are asked about any regrets. Dogg says he took too many drugs and Gunn said that he regrets not punching HHH in the face, with prompts Road Dogg to say that he now has a second regret.
Final Thoughts: For a shoot that is just under two hours, both men say a lot. They both shit a lot on HHH, but some of that can be contributed to the fact that the interviewer kept asking HHH questions. There were also a lot of questions about Bret Hart too, which seemed out of place as these two never really worked with him. Still, both guys gave a ton of insight here and I highly recommend this shoot. They do not hold anything back and seem honest. Dogg admitted that he was high in the shoot and its pretty obvious as he was cracking jokes throughout the shoot. I find it funny how Road Dogg is now an agent with the WWE and according to the recent observer, is now more involved with the production meetings. Both guys did a follow up shoot interview a few years ago and were sober, thus not cracking jokes or burying people.   
Rants →

RF Video Shoot Interview with Kevin Nash

20th June 2013 by Scott Keith
I will put up another poll at somepoint tonight on which shoot interview to review for next week.
This shoot interview was filmed in 2007, while Nash was still in TNA

He starts by saying he was a fan of wrestling while growing up in Detroit, watching the Big City Wrestling promotion. He mention coming back to Detroit after playing pro basketball in Europe and seeing Hogan wrestle at the Joe Louis Arena and decided he wanted to pursue wrestling. He said that he approached the Steiner’s in a gym in Atlanta about how to break into the business. He got trained by Jody Hamilton and nine months later, was wrestling on the Clash of the Champions.
In regards to his training, he said that Hamilton taught him a lot about psychology and told him not to do much more than look convincing in the ring, due to his size.
He is asked about the Master Blasters tag-team in WCW. He said that Ole Anderson had an idea about him having a red Mohawk. Nash thought that they were testing him with this and said with the Mohawk, he couldn’t live a normal life. He said that his original partner, Cory Pendarvis (Who went by the ringname of Iron), was supposed to lead the team but quit after six days. Nash said that he was illiterate too. They then gave him Al Greene as a partner but several months later he bitched about jobbing to the Steiners and was fired. Nash was then sent home and told to grow out his hair.
Nash says that the Oz character was all Dusty’s idea and he hated it. After that failed, he became Vinnie Vegas, who we says he modeled after Steve Martin’s character in “My Blue Heaven.”
Nash said that Rick Rude was his mentor in WCW. He states that he instantly went into character when his music hit. He would be smoking a cigarette backstage and throw it away when his song it and went right into the Rude character.
Nash brings up that he was making nothing in WCW at this time. He said that he was making more money bouncing. He then is asked about Bill Watts, who Nash refers to as a bully and an asshole. He said that Watts was the type of person who would tell the executives at Turner that they were paying these guys too much and that they would wrestle for free.
Nash is asked about others at this time. He said that he couldn’t believe that Jim Herd was in charge, because he didn’t know a thing about wrestling, but that was how Turner was run. He liked DDP and Scott Levy a lot too.
Nash tells about how he got out of his contract and joined the WWF. He said that he was riding with Barry Windham, who was close with the office, and constantly stated to him that his wife wanted him closer to home. Soon after that, he went to the office and they let him give his notice. He states that he then asked to borrow their fax machine, were he sent the letter to JJ Dillon and the WWF. The next day, he helped HBK win the Intercontinental Title.
Nash is asked if he immediately hit it off with Scott Hall. He said they did, due to their love of pot smoking. He then said that his first several months in the WWF, he learned by watching Hall and Michaels wrestle.
Nash says that he loved working with Bret. He said that if you let him be the “Hitman” character, he will work with you.
He is asked about the Bruise Brothers (Harris Brothers) and if he witnessed them roughing up HBK. Nash says he got the call while in Germany and it was about Shawn being Shawn and them being sick of it.
Nash says that when he was told he was getting the World Title, his mom was dying of breast cancer. She passed a month after he won. Nash said working with Backlund was tough because they had him chain wrestle.
He is then asked about the incident with Pierre in the WWF. Nash said that he was marking out while in Montreal and wouldn’t do the planned finish. He said that the Undertaker, HBK, and Hall were all yelling at him. During their match, he landed on Nash’s head during a leg drop and Nash got pissed and stiffed him. He said that Pierre tried to fight him in the locker room and Nash said he wouldn’t stop until he killed him. He then said he never got in trouble and that management loved this stuff.
Nash says that the drug use was bad then. He said that they tested for not so the boys all drank and took pills. He said he never used pills until getting to the WWF.
Nash says that the Kliq formed in the Manhattan Center during the RAW face-to-face tapings. He said the days were long and you needed running mates. He said they were giving processed lunch meats and crammed in a tiny room so they needed to get buzzed.
He is asked about his Wrestlemania match against HBK. He said that HBK tried to blow him up and liked their No Holds Barred match at the In Your House PPV a lot better.
Back to the Kliq, Nash said that they used to arrive early to the arena and put signs up that said “Kliq” all over some of the doors. He said that it pissed off everyone else because they thought the Kliq had private dressing rooms.
Nash is asked about comments from Chris Candido and Shane Douglas stating that the Kliq were hard on them. Nash said that he personally was not but that the others drove them crazy. He said that Douglas had a bad house show match against Waltman, who was the barometer, and after that they all thought he couldn’t work. He also refuted Douglas’s claim that Scott sandbagged him in a match by saying that Scott never did that to anyone.  He said about Candido that his girlfriend (Sunny) was fucking half the locker room.
He is asked about the incident at Madison Square Garden where the Kliq broke kayfabe. Nash said that it was fair and Vince knew about it before hand. He says it was the first sellout in years and that they were only leaving due to money. He said the problem was that all the boys stirred up stuff and word got back to Vince and they decided to punish HHH, because HBK was the champ.
He said that DDP brokered the deal to bring him and Hall back to WCW. He said he wrote a letter to Vince but called him before he sent it out. He said that Vince could not match the money and that the guaranteed deal was a lot easier to eal with then wondering how much you will make and waiting for Wrestlemania payoffs.
He says that Bischoff came up with the nWo angle and ran it by Hall. He thinks that Sting was supposed to be the third member but Hogan saw it and wanted to be a part of that. He sid that Hogan was killing the angle at first by doing his rambling wrestling promos. Nash thought that it should be done in a different style. He credits Bischoff for editing the black-and-white promos and puts him over for managing egos.
He said that he and Hall were resented by a lot of the locker room for their big contracts.
He then says how Sean Waltman was not giving TV time in WCW because they told him he couldn’t talk.
Nash is asked about the Arn Anderson retirement bit. He says that Arn thought it was funny but his friends and family stirred him up. He claims it was never meant to be malicious.
He brings up a story about Roddy Piper and how they had an incident backstage in Boston. Piper was no selling Nash’s offense and wouldn’t go with the match plans. He says he slapped him backstage and Piper did not retaliate. They are fine with each other now but never discussed the incident again.
He said that the political tension was real He said that Hogan was making a shitload and had creative control, including a PPV deal. He said when he booked later on, that contract killed him.
Nash said that he noticed Hall became out of control with alcohol when he divorced his wife. People were coming up to him about his drinking all the time
Nash is asked about him refusing to job for the Giant. He said that h was hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat and jokes about people thinking he made up injuries to get out of jobs.
When asked about the death of WCW, Nash says that a lot of wrestling writers live in a bubble, briefly referencing the “Death of WCW” book (Well, Bryan Alvarez definitely lives in a bubble, that’s for sure). He said that Jamie Kellner wanted wrestling off of TNT and wasn’t going to have it any other way. He did talk about how the product was overexposed, thus making them give away too much stuff for free. He refers to Thunder as their “Waterloo.”
Nash said he liked Russo but he never got to do what he wanted as he was always monitored. He said that a Standards & Practice guy from the network would sit in their meetings and shoot down 90% of their ideas. The only thing they could do was comedy and Nash says that never works well in wrestling.
He also loved Kevin Sullivan as a booker but stated that all of the faces complained because the heels were booked too strongly.
Nash is asked if Bret changed in WCW. He says that what happened in the WWF changed him. He did admit that WCW misused him.
When he is asked about beating putting himself over Goldberg, he said that it wasn’t his choice and that the match happened in December and he became booker in February. He then said even if he was to put himself over Goldberg, how would that get him over? He mentions how there were “Goldberg Sucks” chants at the arenas during this time. Then when asked about the Fingerpoke incident, Nash claims that everyone came up with that finish. He said if Goldberg didn’t fuck up his hand punching a window, it would have worked great with him running through the nWo before beating Hogan.
Nash is asked about Bischoff referring to him as “Big Lazy” in his book. Nash states he doesn’t care and said he lost his desire, much like everyone else at the top of the card.
Nash is asked about the deal with Jarrett, Russo, and Hogan at Bash and the Beach. Nash thinks it was a work. He also thinks part of the incident in Montreal  between Bret and Vince was a work too, stating that the WWF produced that tape with Vince staggering around and he would never show himself in that light if it was legit.
He is then asked about WCW getting bought out. He said that Bischoff had a group of guys who could have bought it but they did not want wrestling on TNT at all so they sold to Vince. He said that his contract was backloaded and had fourteen months left and was told he could give half of it back and go work for WWF or stay at home for the same money. He also said he was not surprised that Vince did not run WCW separately and knew he would make sure they looked inferior to his guys.
When asked about reforming the nWo in WWF, he said that no one wanted them back and that once the fans cheered Hogan, he knew it was over. He says that Austin did not want to work with Hall. He then mentions of Hall’s contract had him work ten days a month but he did 23 in his first month there, which stressed him out further as he already had custody of his kids.
He said that after he left, he was approached about being a road agent and working with creative, stating that Michael Hayes talked with him. He turned it down because he did not want to move away from the beach.
He is asked about John Laurinaitis. He says that he is too stupid to be evil and calls him a stooge who hired the wrong one-legged man.
Nash states that his biggest regrets were taking too many pills and that he could have been nicer. He does state that you have to be aggressive in this business in order to make it big. He equates it to being on a pirate ship, sleeping with one eye open at all times.
He says he wound up in TNA because of Jarrett. He said his feud against the X Division was an old Mark Madden idea of a cruiserweight bully. He said they were never buried because he won by cheating, then stated that he couldn’t have killed their credibility because in a shoot, he would destroy them. He does put over the workers in the X Division, stating that they are great to watch and improving their psychology. He calls Alex Shelley a breakthrough guy and thinks Jay Lethal does a fantastic job with comedy. He thinks TNA can compete but it’s a slow process.
He is asked about his favorite rib. He says the ones that involve feces are his favorite and states the shit sandwich they gave Sunny was there favorite. He says the shit was his but Waltman put it together.
He is asked about his favorite road story and recalls a time in the WWF when he, HHH, HBK, Hall, and Waltman rented a van in Indianapolis. Everyone except HHH was fucked up on Somas and booze. They parked in front of a hotel and left about fifteen empties on the curb before entering the restaurant attached to the hotel. Waltman was having the “soma shakes” so he just sat in the back of the van.    When they went inside, there were 20 or so cops eating inside. They didn’t want to make it obvious by walking out. They had HHH go outside to take care of the empties but inside, HBK started to have the soma shakes and he started to carry him out but in the process, started bumping into things, which caught the attention of the cops who stopped him. Nash said that HBK was epileptic and the cops were trying to arrest him. He then was given the option of taking HBK to the hospital and did. He stated that he was laughing in the hospital room as the doctor was pissed.
He recalls his first road trip in the business. He was in WCW with Sid, Dutch Mantell, and the Iron Sheik. He said Sheik called him a giant jabroni and smoked a joint then made them stop for a six pack before they went to the gym.
He said the nWo would not work today, but maybe later on only with guys who can grow together. He said he would make Ric Flair their mouthpiece.
He then said that his same problem with newsletter writers is the same one he has with food critics. That problem is that they have never done the work so who are they to state who can work good or not.
Nash says UFC is what’s hurting wrestling. He then says that the more they try to replicate UFC, the worst it will get. He says everyone knows wrestling is fake so they shouldn’t even bother copying their style.
He closes by thanking his fans, stating that he took them for granted during the prime of his career. He says it means a lot when someone gives him an old piece of memorabilia as it brings up a lot of old memories. He gets pissed when people try to rush fans through the lines at signings.
Final Thoughts: I highly recommend this shoot. Nash comes across as relaxed here and doesn’t try to bury anyone. He also gave a lot of backstage details on one of the most popular eras in wrestling. You can tell that he does have a solid mind for the business, especially when it comes to making sure he gets fairly compensated.  It seems like his goal in wrestling was to make money and chill with his friends and he succeeded in that department. If there was any criticism of Nash here, it was that he did seem to rationalize when asked about situations that made him look unfavorable, even after he admitted he had no part of what took place. Anyway, this runs over two hours and forty five minutes and is worth every minute.
Rants →

RF Video Shoot Interview with Bob Holly

13th June 2013 by Scott Keith
This is my first attempt at reviewing a shoot interview. I
went back and forth about how to approach writing this and I decided to write
down all the important things he touched on in this interview.  I thought just by writing a summary that was a
few paragraphs long, I wouldn’t really be giving a lot of information. I don’t know
if I trimmed off enough fat but any suggestions or thoughts are welcome.

 
Bob starts by stating how he was a fan of wrestling as a
kid. He states he was born in California and first saw wrestling at age 7 when
he moved to Oregon. After graduating from high school, he moved to Mobile, AL then
commuted there to Pensacola, FL, where he went to wrestling school. His
trainers were Bob Sweetan and Rip Tyler. He says he never got discouraged during
his training and picked it up quickly. His first match was against a guy named
Bob was for the WOW promotion that was owned by Rip Tyler. He says he has it on
tape and would not show it to anyone as it was terrible. 
 
He says that during training, Sweetan would try to break
him. The interviewer mentions if he was a hard ass on “Tough Enough” because
of his training and he says he was just respecting the business because the
students were fucking around, thus not respecting the business.
 
Bob talks about NASCAR and how he always wanted to race. He
brings up an old girlfriend who brought him to a guy involved in NASCAR. This
guy also owned a plumbing company and Bob would work for him on the side and he
would help him build a car. Bob says that he placed 4th in his first race and
was told he would not win one for about two years. The following weekend, he
won his first race.
 
Bob mentions that he first got into Smoky Mountain Wrestling
rom meeting Jim Cornette in WCW, when he was a job guy. Bob says that Corny
told him to stop coming up and doing jobs on TV because he had something
special.
 
Bob says that he liked Cornette and he liked him back. Bob
then says that he worked in Memphis for Jerry Jarrett before SMW. He says that
he made no money at all and was sleeping in his car in rest areas. He says that
he couldn’t afford gas to drive around to the different towns. He had a partner
named Pat Rhodes and left shortly after that to get a job due to the shitty
pay. He worked as a welder and would travel to shows after work to wrestle independents.
 
He mentions Brian Lee, Tim Horner, and Tracy Smothers as the
guys who stood out in SMW. Bob also states that the funding was why SMW went
under as you could watch so much wrestling on TV for free from the WWF and WCW
that there was no reason to pay to see SMW.
When asked about how he got into the WWF, Bob says he sent a
tape to Paul Bearer, who then gave  gave
it to JJ Dillon and that was how he got hired. He says he traveled to Stamford
to meet with Vince and JJ Dillon and he was hired, without a tryout match.
Bob says that they already had the racecar gimmick for him
due to his background. He thought it as corny but did not mind, even though he
was not comfortable at all with that character. He wrestled his first TV match
against Barry Horowitz and said it was easy.
 
The interviewer mentions the Kliq and Holly says he hated
them because they never gave anyone a chance due to their politicking.  When asked if they held him down, Bob says he
wasn’t sure. He did state that he would smack Scott Hall if he ever saw him
again though. When asked about HBK, Bob states that he hated him then but likes
him now since he came back. He even mentions how HBK approached him after his
comeback and apologized for his behavior.
 
About the Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels feud, Bob says that
Bret should have done what was right for business and dropped the belt to
someone else if he wanted to leave. He doesn’t blame Vince for what he did. He
has no hard feelings against Bret but felt he got what he deserved. He says he
got along with Bret and he was nice to him.
 
Bob is asked about his memories working with various
workers. He puts over everyone as being nice. He starts that he learned a lot
about psychology from Rick Martel. He really put over Billy Gunn, stating that
when he was on, he was great. He liked teaming with Sean Waltman because he was
over.
 
Bob is asked about any ribs that Owen Hart pulled.  He tells a story about a rib that he pulled
when he picked up a hitchhiker in 90 degree heat and told him they were in a
religion that required them to drive with the windows up and the heat turned
on. They put him in the back seat with Hakushi. They brought him to the arena
and into the locker room. After the show, Owen left him there after promising
him a ride home.
 
He tells a story about Steve Austin, stating that he asked
him to do a slap spot. Apparently Bob slapped him so hard that after the match,
Austin told him to never to that again.
 
He is asked about the ECW invasion. Bob thought it was cool.
He also said that he was paying attention to both ECW and WCW at the time.
 
When asked about Bart Gunn and the Brawl for All tournament,
Bob said that Jim Ross had it in for him when he beat Steve Williams and had
him fight Butterbean, knowing that Bart didn’t stand a chance. He is then asked
about a rumor during his match with Bart that they had a gentleman’s agreement
not to punch each other. Bob says that was bullshit and that he had a black eye
after the bout. He said they agreed not to take each other down. He said he got
into the tournament when Bruce Pritchard called him and he agreed.
 
Bob said that he liked the Job Squad, because it kept him on
TV. He then tells a story about traveling with Al Snow and Mick Foley driving
him shithouse during a car trip by playing Christmas music in October. He said
Al was a funny bastard and was over but someone in the office was holding him
back. He says that Mick is a great guy and that he always wanted to have a
hardcore match with him.
 
Bob is asked about his first Wrestlemania. He says at WM X,
he was supposed to be in a Battle Royal but Shawn and Razor went long in their
ladder match, because they refused to “go home”, and it got squashed.
 
He is asked about the New Midnight Express and says that he
knew they could never compete with the original and thinks it was Cornette’s
Idea.
 
He also says that he liked hardcore matches. His favorite
were one with him and Bart he and Al when they ended up in a river. That was
the match, I believe, that gave him the Hardcore Holly name. It was at the St.
Valentine’s Day Massacre. In regards to the hardcore matches, Bob says the
office would go over stuff with them but they had some freedom.
 
When asked about the Over the Edge PPV and Owen’s death, Bob
was standing around warming up, he was in the next match, then heard Bruce
Pritchard says he fell. He recalls several people rushing towards the ring and
after 20 minutes, Owen came by on a stretcher and was white as a ghost with his
arms hanging off. Bob says he wrestled next and doesn’t even remember who he
went against (It was against Al Snow). He then states that it was tough to say
whether or not they should have continued the show.
 
He first realized that Stone Cold was turning business around
with bigger crowds and an increased paycheck. He then says that Austin changed
with success, developed a big ego and wouldn’t listen to anyone else. He brings
up how he ignored Billy Gunn and himself, even though they used to ride
together.  
Bob also traveled with Ken Shamrock and Steve Blackman,
besides Al and Mick. He also traveled with Sid Vicious for three years and thought
it was easy, because they didn’t go out a lot and worked out early in the
morning.
 
He is asked about Crash Holly. Says he found out about him
when he showed up at a show in Milwaukee and learned they gave him a cousin. He
says it randomly ended one day and thinks it was because someone else was mad
that it got over. He wasn’t close with Crash outside of the ring, so his death didn’t
affect him that much.
 
Bob says that he didn’t mind losing to Chyna, because it was
a work, and says if it was real, it wouldn’t last more than fifteen seconds. He
then says that Chyna was difficult to work with and complained about guys
hitting her too hard. Bob also states that she almost got Chris Jericho fired
by making up lies to the office that he was beating her up in their matches.
 
Bob is asked about politics with Rock and Austin on top. He states
he didn’t get involved in that and would only complain to his wife and friends,
because he didn’t trust anyone.  When
asked about HHH changing with power, Bob states that he is a nice guy but doesn’t
use his power to put over guys who are talented and getting over.
 
In regards to “Beyond the Mat,” Bob states that he was out
with a shoulder injury when that happened and wasn’t around for the filming. That
injury was occurred when he wrestled Kurt Angle.
 
When asked about Brock Lesnar, he calls him a big bastard
with a good look but not a great worker. Says Brock respected the business but
hated travel.  He is asked about the
rumor that he sandbagged Brock on a powerbomb that led to his broken neck. Bob says
that is a bullshit internet rumor. He states that Brock had the flu and that he
would have been strong enough to pick him up anyway, as he had given the Big
Show a belly-to-belly suplex in the past. Bob also says that you can blow him
if you do not believe him.
 
He says that things went downhill when WCW was bought out by
Vince, citing that competition was good. He never felt that is spot was threatened
by the WCW guys. He is asked about Biff Bagwell coming in and pissing everyone
off. He says that JR told him, Bradshaw, and Ron Simmons to take care of him in
the ring. The following week, he was fired.
 
He mentions that he did negotiate with WCW at one time when
his contract was up in the WWE. He says that he went to JR about his contract
before a PPV, gave him a number, and JR begrudgingly accepted that number.
 
Bob is then asked about Tough Enough. He says that after the
first season, he asked Big John about wanting to the next season. JR wanted him
to do it as well, stating that Taz was a bully on the show and that if he was
called out by one of the students, they would probably kick his ass and knew
that it wouldn’t happen with Bob.
 
He is asked about the Matt Cappotelli incident. He says that
he was a guest trainer for that season. There was a match going on and everyone
was laughing and giggling the entire time and this was pissing him off. He told
Big John that he needed to get in the ring and said that Matt was fucking
around the most out of everyone. Bob said that he did this to show him that
this was how it is in wrestling and was going to make a believer out of him. He
then says that he was crying and couldn’t take a simple ass kicking. He did not
get any heat from the office and talked with Al Snow on the phone, who was mad
at him. Bob told Al that he was nothing but a mother to them. Bob says that
after a few years on the road, Johnny Nitro came up to him (He was on the show
at the time) and told him that he understands why he did that to him. Bob puts
over Johnny has a good worker and thanked him for the comment.
 
Bob is asked about HHH going on TSN and saying that what Bob
did was inexcusable. Bob says that HHH hates violence and that if he can’t see
that he was trying to protect the business, he can kiss his fucking ass.
 
He is asked about Randy Orton. Bob puts him over and says
that when he first came up, he worked with him on the road. They asked Bob to
test him and he beat the shit out of him and Randy did not complain.  
 
He is asked about rumor that he works out with Vince. Bob
says that is another bullshit internet rumor. He says Vince has always been
nice to him.  
 
Bob is then asked about Chris Benoit. He says that it was a
terrible tragedy that should not have happened. He says that he talked to
Benoit regularly on Wednesday’s and one day after Benoit just got home from a
long trip, he decided not to call him as he felt that he wanted to see his
family. Bob then says how Benoit called him up and was pissed off that Bob didn’t
call him. He said that a week before the murder, he was with Benoit and he jokingly
referred to Nancy as Hitler. Bob then said how he felt guilty after the deaths
because he felt that if we saw Benoit that Wednesday, he might have been able
to prevent what happened. Bob says that he didn’t notice any paranoia prior to
what happened. When asked about if he was surprised that government became
involved in drugs and concussions in wrestling, he says that he wasn’t then
says that government should be involved in drunk drivers because they kill more
people then concussions.
 
Bob is asked about Steroids. He says that you have to take
something to keep up with that schedule. He says he took Deca and when he got
off, his joints started to hurt badly.  
 
He is asked about his nearly fatal staph infection. He says
that he got it from working with Orlando Jordan on a house show one night. The
next day, he could barely use his arm. The doctor says that he needed to go to
the hospital ASAP but John Laurinaitis said that he had to go on the overseas
tour. He flew over and they made an incision in his forearm. He was getting his
arm drained every night and kept getting sicker and sicker. He got home and was
in the hospital for a month then sent home with an IV. He states he nearly had
to have his arm amputated and was down to around 180 lbs. Bob says that the
only ones who called him were Stephanie McMahon, Benoit, and Booker T. Bob says
that he nearly sued the WWE for what happened to him.  
 
The next incident is the one involving Rene Dupree. They were
on the road in Spokane, WA and he had to go back to Mobile to help his mother
prepare for a hurricane. Rene was riding with him and not old enough to rent a
car so Bob left it with him and told him to fill the tank before dropping it
off. Three months later, his mother called him and said that he got a letter in
the mail, addressed from Spokane, that his license was suspended and he had a
warrant out for his arrest due to an unpaid parking ticket. They are at the
airport in Houston and Bradshaw screams Rene’s name. Bob is bullshit and asks Rene,
who denies what happened, and Bob called him a liar. He had to fly back to
Spokane and spent an entire weekend there, missing a good payoff at the MSG
house show, to take care of the ticket. Bob claims that Rene never offered to
pay for what happened (In his RF shoot interview, Rene claimed that he indeed
offered to pay for everything) and a month later, they had a match in which Bob
roughed him up. According to Rene and people at the show, Bob hit Rene from
behind with a chair and punched him hard outside the ring. Rene ran to the back
and complained and it got back to Vince. He talked with Vince and told him the
story. Vince said he would have done the same thing. Bob claims that HHH got in
Vince’s ear and because of that, he was fined $10,000. Bob said would do it
again as he stands up for his beliefs.  In
regards to this incident, I would be bullshit too if I was Bob. You let someone
borrow your rent-a-car and they get a ticket and throw it away (According to
Dupree, he claimed he didn’t know what to do with a ticket and asked someone in
wardrobe, who told him to throw it away. I mean, how fucking stupid can you
be). However, settle it outside the ring and not with an unprotected hair shot
to the back of the head. That is a chickenshit move.
 
Billy Gunn comes in and interrupts the interview.
 
The interviewer brings up how a former WWE wrestler said
that Bob is a stooge and that he goes and tells on the boys, which is why he
has a job. Bob says that person can come and say it to him. Billy laughs at
that too. I don’t know which wrestler that was but oddly enough, Mike Bucci
(Nova) said after bob mentioned him in his book, that Bob was a stooge and had
been known to steal pills from wrestler’s bags. Rene Dupree also called him a
stooge and said that he did that to Heidenreich and Mark Jindrak. Then again,
Dupree was also rumored to have stooged off Billy Gunn. And they think that video
games were the main problem in the locker room.
 
Bob tells a Billy Gunn story. They were in Kuwait and Henry
Goodwin dared Bob to punch Billy in their match. Bob decked Billy and started
to laugh afterwards. Billy left and came back and Bob was laughing harder.
 
Next up is Bob’s issue with Ken Kennedy. He says that he
wants to kill him. They used to be close on the road and Bob mentions that the
locker room used to help each other with prescription meds if needed. Bob said
Ken told him that could take his stuff from his bag if he needed something.  Ken then told others that Bob was going into
his bag behind his back and word got back to Laurinaitis. Shortly after this,
Bob had surgery on his elbow and was released. He then says John knew that he
would beat the fuck out of Ken when he returned and was fired. Says that he
would go to jail for beating Ken.  
 
Bob is asked about TNA and says that he wouldn’t mind going
there. He said he would return to the WWE if asked.
 
Bob is asked about the independent scene. He says it’s just
a bunch of guys doing highspots. He then says that you no longer need talent to
get into wresting as you can just send a picture to FCW and waste you money and
go to their training camp.
 
Bob is asked about his wrestling school and he says that he
does not have one. Bob says that its another internet rumor.
 
He says that he would like to write a book one day. His book
recently came out.
 
When asked about what makes a good worker, he says that
someone who can perform, put a match together, and makes it seem believable. He
puts over HBK as the best worker he has seen and once again puts him over as a
person since being sober and finding religion.
 
Bob states he is now focused on racing. He is building his
own car, which can cost up to $50,000.
 
 
Final Thoughts: After
this interview, I don’t know what to make of Bob. He didn’t seem to have an axe
to grind or an agenda, which is a good thing. He didn’t hold anything back when
asked about his controversies. I think Bob was honest for the most part but
something tells me that there is a bit of truth about those rumors that he was
stooging guys off. The guy was around forever and didn’t draw anything and
combine that with all of these controversies, he very well could have ratted
out his peers to keep his job. He also admitted to going through Kennedy’s bag
to get pills, stating that he said that he could when he wanted too. Now, that
might be the case but he also talked about this code of those sharing pills and
if he believes in that, he very well could have taken from other’s bags because
he stands up for his beliefs. I would recommend watching this shoot though
because he doesn’t hold anything back and has a lot of thoughts and stories
from 15 years in the WWE.
 
Send any feedback, thoughts, criticism, to my
email, [email protected]
Rants →

Post Smackdown Video Game Streaming

18th May 2013 by Scott Keith

Hey there guys, if you need something to do after Smackdown tonight. I’m streaming again over on Twitch TV if you’re up for watching some simmed Fire Pro Wrestling Returns matches. Originally I had plans to sim extreme rules in WWE 13, but apparently the servers are down and I couldn’t download creations for the shield.

Here’s the link if you’re so interested.

twitch.tv/thepiledrivingcritique

Rants →

The Complete WWF Video Guide Volume I

1st November 2012 by Scott Keith

Hi Scott,


Please allow me to introduce myself; my names is James Dixon, an independent author from the UK, focusing on my passion: wrestling. As a longtime reader and fan of yours, you have been something of an inspiration to me as I began writing, so thanks for that.

I just wanted to inform you of my latest book; The Complete WWF Video Guide Volume I. The series is a full detailed and in depth guide to every WWF release since the first Coliseum tape in 1985. This particular volume covers the 80s and features around 80 tapes. The book is part of a larger series, and many other volumes are due every 4-6 months thereafter (with Volume 2 coming a little sooner). Each book contains 300+ pages, around 50 exclusive pieces of cartoon style artwork, and a whole host of other awesome and interesting stuff.

Here is a link to the book: http://www.lulu.com/shop/james-dixon-and-arnold-furious-and-lee-maughan/the-complete-wwf-video-guide-volume-i/paperback/product-20461618.html;jsessionid=949057D9771A49C68C3F48806F4516EA

I would really appreciate a plug if possible. The work I feel speaks for itself, but generating interest and increasing awareness in a cliquey community is the hard part.

Many thanks

James

No problem.  Hopefully this does well for you!  
Rants →

Best Hype Video

8th September 2012 by Scott Keith

In the Stone Cold vs Rock favorite moment discussion the wrestle mania 19 "my way" hype video came up, and it seemed like a good topic for blog discussion.  My favorite is the Undertaker vs Michaels package they aired on Raw after elimination chamber.  after that package I was the more stoked for a WrestleMania than i had been in a long time.  I included it below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC7V-ayjorg

"My Way" was for Wrestlemania X7.  Nonetheless, the point stands, it's great.  My favorite is "Mr. McMahon's Utopia." from Over the Edge 98:
I'm also pretty excited about that WWE Network that's coming in 2012:
Rants →

The future of wwe home video

22nd July 2012 by Scott Keith


Hi Scott
 
I wanted to get your opinion on the future of WWE home video releases.  I'm amassed a fairly large collection of wrestling footage over the years and I was wondering what's going to happen to it with all the talk nowadays of streaming/digital video and such.  How much longer will my DVDs be good for?   How would I be able to convert my collection to streaming/digital if it comes to that?  Will WWE offer a service to do that or am I SOL and have to find a way on my own?  Will WWE continue to do home video releases if we move to digital?  How would they be delivered to us? 
 
I don't know if you have the answers to this question, but considering your contacts in WWE, it's worth a try, I figure.

Uh, I assure you that if WWE had any interest in no longer making money from DVD sales, they would have switched to digital delivery many many many many many many years ago.  Collectors and obsessive wrestling nerds will ALWAYS want something for their shelves and unless the entire industry does a major shift that seems unlikely, there will always be DVD or Blu-Ray or some other physical media to buy.  
Rants →

Some video fun

19th June 2012 by Scott Keith

Sorry about my failure to appear last night. I had a family reunion in the southwest this weekend and my flight home was delayed. Sorry about that guys but it happens.

I owe you something, however, so with the announcement of Arsenio Hall returning to late-night television (could be a short-lived return I must admit) I wanted to turn back the clock and show some of the fun the WWF/E boys used to have on his show in the past.

There’s epic, then there’s Ultimate Warrior’s version of epic.

The Macho Man was a frequent guest of the show, this was his lesser known appearance.

And my personal fave, Rick Rude and Bobby Heenan trade barbs with the host.

Rants →

Video Game Plug

23rd February 2012 by Scott Keith

Hey Scott, I’ve been working on a retro wrestling video game review series for a few months, found athttp://www.youtube.com/mikeandtompresent.  We’ve already covered a lot of the classic (and not-so-classic) games of the 8-bit, 16-bit, and arcade era, and we’ll be hitting the N64 games soon.  In honor of the new Wrestlefest remake, here’s a review of the original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTs7ygQV84M

I’ve actually been following your reviews on The W and I’m a big fan, in fact.  And speaking of WWE Wrestlefest, here’s the video of the new version for anyone who would like to avoid it:

Rants →

Video Game Plug

23rd February 2012 by Scott Keith

Hey Scott, I’ve been working on a retro wrestling video game review series for a few months, found athttp://www.youtube.com/mikeandtompresent.  We’ve already covered a lot of the classic (and not-so-classic) games of the 8-bit, 16-bit, and arcade era, and we’ll be hitting the N64 games soon.  In honor of the new Wrestlefest remake, here’s a review of the original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTs7ygQV84M

I’ve actually been following your reviews on The W and I’m a big fan, in fact.  And speaking of WWE Wrestlefest, here’s the video of the new version for anyone who would like to avoid it:

Rants →

Video Game Plug

23rd February 2012 by Scott Keith

Hey Scott, I’ve been working on a retro wrestling video game review series for a few months, found athttp://www.youtube.com/mikeandtompresent.  We’ve already covered a lot of the classic (and not-so-classic) games of the 8-bit, 16-bit, and arcade era, and we’ll be hitting the N64 games soon.  In honor of the new Wrestlefest remake, here’s a review of the original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTs7ygQV84M

I’ve actually been following your reviews on The W and I’m a big fan, in fact.  And speaking of WWE Wrestlefest, here’s the video of the new version for anyone who would like to avoid it:

Rants →

Video Game Plug

23rd February 2012 by Scott Keith

Hey Scott, I’ve been working on a retro wrestling video game review series for a few months, found athttp://www.youtube.com/mikeandtompresent.  We’ve already covered a lot of the classic (and not-so-classic) games of the 8-bit, 16-bit, and arcade era, and we’ll be hitting the N64 games soon.  In honor of the new Wrestlefest remake, here’s a review of the original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTs7ygQV84M

I’ve actually been following your reviews on The W and I’m a big fan, in fact.  And speaking of WWE Wrestlefest, here’s the video of the new version for anyone who would like to avoid it:

Rants →

Video Game Plug

23rd February 2012 by Scott Keith

Hey Scott, I’ve been working on a retro wrestling video game review series for a few months, found athttp://www.youtube.com/mikeandtompresent.  We’ve already covered a lot of the classic (and not-so-classic) games of the 8-bit, 16-bit, and arcade era, and we’ll be hitting the N64 games soon.  In honor of the new Wrestlefest remake, here’s a review of the original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTs7ygQV84M

I’ve actually been following your reviews on The W and I’m a big fan, in fact.  And speaking of WWE Wrestlefest, here’s the video of the new version for anyone who would like to avoid it:

Rants →