The Wrestler (1974) | Wrestling With Wregret

[@plcthelegacy4131]

"Dusty, your not with Murdoch are you?" Seriously Dusty, he's a Klansman! Get out of there!!!

[@nathanrivers3707]

something the 1974 version has in common with the 2008 version, the movie doesn’t have a conclusive ending, it just ends on a move. kinda interesting

[@TV-Tony]

But you can tell Bullard won because the drop kick move they showed was the setup for his sleeper finisher. Just like you can tell Mickey Rourke's character died at the end because of him clutching his chest before the end of the match.

[@ashleyburns6752]

Pre-steroid wrestling was pretty hairy.

[@Djarra]

+Ashley Burns Look up British Wrestling Superstar Big Daddy, he makes The Big Show look like the Small Show.

[@Hellwyck]

Real name: Shirley Crabtree. Check out Giant Haystacks too, he was Loch Ness in WCW.

[@Djarra]

@Bili Warren Girth not height.

[@RealGateGuardian]

Imagine them in full frontal nudity

[@Djarra]

@Bili Warren When he was 22 he had a 65" chest and 26" waist according to the Guinness Book of Records. Although he was best known later in life for just doing cloths lines and splashes in the 50's he was middleweight heel. He was blacklisted due to a falling out with an influential promoter and ran a nightclub getting fat. When he brother became a big deal promoter he bought him out of retirement and for whatever reason the gimmick caught on, he turned face and was a huge mainstream star.

[@Elementa2006]

The actor who played Oddjob also had a lengthy career as a pro wrestler especially during the territories era so him being in this film makes sense.

[@MikeyMUnited]

I'd love to hear your actual review of the 2008 one. I really liked it, and thought it was quite respectful to the business (from an outsider's view)

[@MikeyMUnited]

People seem to think that they're all millionaires - just because they're on TV.

[@johnt.campbell316]

lol... That movie with Mickey Rourke was a joke. I don't really understand *why* it's held up so highly by wrestling fans. _Of course_ it's a hard life choosing such a life. I just cringe hearing them mostly _wrongly_ use "wrestling terminology" in that stupid movie. The _actual_ wrestlers in that movie probably enjoyed that attention from that movie, but not how they presented it.

[@KasumiRINA]

@@johnt.campbell316 reason Darren Aronofsky's Wrestler is held in such a high regard is because it was his best movie since Requiem for a Dream, the acting was brilliant, and the director is the best at depicting addiction, obsession and personal demons of a human being whose whole life revolves around one single thing, often their profession... He later made a very similar movie in Black Swan. And nobody cares if it had some ballet terminology wrong or use a wrong term. That's not the point of the film. Perfectionism is. Similarly, topic of Requiem was addiction (drugs, food, TV) and the Wrestler's key phrase is "One Trick Pony," a person unable to adjust or adapt to changes, and someone who only knows his trade, sacrificing everything else, including family interpersonal relationships and personal growth. It's a classic drama, and Hollywood is rare to put out a good one.

[@TimeBunny]

John T. Campbell actually I’d say The Wrestler (2008) accurately depicts what it can actually be like for wrestlers. Yes okay maybe some bits are incorrect but, overall, it gets it spot on especially the seedier side of things.

[@TimeBunny]

Kasumi Rina Gaming you summed it up perfectly.

[@motorheadnwbm1992]

No one pointed out Vince McMahon Sr in the meeting with the promoters.

[@landrykkb]

+motorheadnwbm1992 I know,that one was a surprise to me,too.

[@paultownsley5521]

Angry Tenay I hadn't noticed till now

[@abdullahalajeelalaskar1464]

Whatculture did

[@calamaty9963]

Angry Tenay your user name kicks ass.

[@Huskers_fan99]

Bass: "Dusty, you're not with Murdock are you?" Dusty: "He's gotta bicycle" Fuckin hilarious

[@SoupySpirit]

You are like the AVGN for wrestling fans.

[@ThePunkrocker37]

Straight Edge Libertarian he even looks like him 0_o

[@jarchgoddess3252]

Spirit of Soup Not nearly as annoying or forced as AVGN. This guy is more likable and calm.

[@MW3ISBEAST77]

He's more like John Paula from Movie Nights.

[@ultimaonline9034]

you know they are related right?

[@ChameleonKhNerd]

I'd say his approach, sense of comedy, and overall more calmness brings Linkara to mind more than AVGN.

[@Djarra]

Eugene Gump, who was generally known as Don was a high school wrestling coach who wrote the original screenplay for this. He died a few years ago and some news organisations picked up on his obit erroneously thinking he wrote the 2008 film.

[@LostOneOmega]

Review The Wrestler 2008. I'd love your take on it.

[@RealGateGuardian]

He'll do that if his milestone on Patreon is reached.

[@KobashiTV]

Please do this!

[@RONTHEGOAT]

The Sedaiv he did it!

[@kidcanada44]

Called it

[@hesnotquitedead]

You got your wish.

[@alexarce5642]

R.I.P Ed Asner you were a legend

[@philipdefibaugh5683]

"You will learn how to fall right" Verne was already exposing the business back in the 70's long before Vince did it back in 1989!

[@jb888888888]

Honestly part of learning to fight is learning to fall so it doesn't hurt or at least minimizes the pain. That line doesn't "expose the business."

[@Aikaz45]

he's got a bicycle ... god damn that got me off guard ... good job :D 6:49

[@ColeVecsion]

So many death threat comments were deleted by youtubers after that first minute

[@clearspira]

Only from those who fail at reading comprehension. The title immediately blew the joke for me.

[@notryangosling3065]

HE GOT A BICYCLE!!!

[@cliffslatterly2893]

Seeing all the old wrestlers is kinda cool. But the movie looked horrendous.

[@taffysaur]

"Can the movie decide whether or not it wants to fully expose the business?" Hell, can actual WRESTLING decide that NOW, please? They're walking this weird Twilight Zone line where the wrestlers are ostensibly competing legitimately, while talking about how they're "entertainers", and heels complain about booking choices. I mean, the divas acknowledge the show Total Divas on WWE TV. In the show Total Divas, the divas are performers, putting on worked fights with scripted angles. Shoot, it's on the Network, so every programme starts with a disclaimer regarding the "actors" (ACTORS! When I was a lad, insinuating to a wrestler that he was an actor was a good way to get choked out) portraying "fictional characters". So... what is Total Divas within the WWE continuity..? It is real or a work? This is the convoluted, and imo unsustainable, state nWo and the "attitude" era left us in. I really think it did way more harm for the art form than it did good. The very moment I would say it started to unravel (because it was being impulsively picked at) was "Bret screwed Bret". In that moment, with Vince talking about the "time honoured tradition", he's not only saying Bret Hart never actually won all those championships, he's also saying that the CURRENT champion wouldn't be champion except for Vince ended the match before the agreed-upon time. Sure, Bret and Shawn DIDN'T win those belts, but you don't SAY that. It's like when Paul Heyman would say "okay, now I'm gonna shoot!" Okay, so everything you've said UP UNTIL now has been bullshit..? Why are you reminding me of that? I mean, again, I know it actually is a show, but Spider-Man doesn't turn to the audience mid-climax and say "hey kids, just reminding you none of this is actually happening, and we are all actors", before launching back into character and into battle against Mysterio. IT PULLS ME OUT OF THE STORY.

[@taffysaur]

Spic'n Spanish TV​​ It's still great in terms of wrestling (imo, and with the concession that it can't ALL be gold), and a lot of the characters and stories are the best ones in years, again imo. They've pulled back on a lot of the problems I had with the 'attitude' era and the period immediately following (excessive, REAL violence, adolescent titillation, etc.), it's just this one-- very large and fundamental-- problem I still have, really. They had these Wrestlemania Today shows in the week leading up to 'Mania this year, and on one they had Ric Flair and I swear he didn't know whether it was a work or shoot interview. He's talking about Bray Wyatt in terms of whether going over or doing the honours would be better for his career, and saying what a good, hard-working kid he is, and René Young and them had to keep steering him back toward talk like Bray Wyatt is a sick monster and the Undertaker is his biggest challenge yet... And who can blame Naytch?! When they sit him down in front of another camera once or twice each day for another Network special or blu-ray exposing EVERY aspect of the business (a fan like me really ought not even know terms like that), and when the TV output is so geared toward 'realism' anyway, who can blame him for being confused about wtf they're even doing anymore..?

[@GuyNamedSean]

That's exactly why I prefer the booking in EVERY OTHER PROMOTION than in WWE. Shit, even TNA can get shit together sometimes.

[@taffysaur]

GuyNamedSean No, they do it to; relying on fans knowing complicated backstage stories and relationships in order to understand what's happening in the ring. I haven't watched in a few years, but when I _was_ watching, they were way _worse_ about it than WWE has been in a while.

[@kenrickkahn]

Cause Pro Wrestlers choking a untrained person out but can't even fight in real life in Boxing or MMA.. Would get destroyed quick.. Pro Wrestlers are not tough guys or tough girls! Remember that...

[@kenrickkahn]

And P.S. mid 1990s wrestling didn't exposed the business! Vince letting celebrities and investors in plus the news was investigating on either pro wrestling was real or fake... All of this started in the 1980s buddy! Oh yeah in the early 1990s Vince McMahon in court admitted under oath that pro wrestling is a work and is fake in court.. he said that in his steroids trial.. but hey the Attitude Era and The NWO Era exposed it first right?

[@yoboibacon16]

Anyone else revisiting this after he finally did the wrestler 2008 review

[@meirnissim5927]

RIP Ed Asner you’ll always be Lou Grant to me

[@koolaid28]

Both Ric Flair and Don Muraco appear in the Wrestler as well; Flair's one of the guys having dinner in the scene with Gagne and Robinson.

[@philipdefibaugh5683]

So true, Flair is the one with black hair and drinks the milk. Also Vince Sr. appears in an AWA film.

[@NewYork975]

R.I.P. Ed Asner.

[@TNNSports94]

6:25 one last thing, 44 years from now, a 10-year-old will win a championship

[@Eric-wu7bp]

46 years from now, a Female will win a Males World championship

[@rickyrosay33977]

@@Eric-wu7bp also 46 years from now a transgender will win a womens title

[@Jason_Altea]

@@Eric-wu7bp 26 years from now, a man will win a women's championship as well.

[@Eric-wu7bp]

Jason Ultimate who Nyla rose?

[@Jason_Altea]

@@Eric-wu7bp Harvey Wippleman won the Women's Championship in 2000.

[@mikepeterson764]

Dory Funk is bald, man.

[@donwax3061]

That old dude in the steam room was trying to show Ed asner the old school RAM JAM

[@ErikZarins]

13:56 And a few years later....reviews Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy

[@ultimaT]

Ugh, am Ithe only one reaching for a tracking dial when the picture has static?

[@speedy932key4]

Man, watching that bar fight scene made me realize that dusty Rhodes had one of the best smiles I've seen from anyone. Just seeing that makes me wish he was still with us

[@bobbyknightmare]

Wait...WHAT?!!? Mobsters betting on PRO WRESTLING?!!? I guess that's why the Minneapolis Mafia didn't get mentioned much by Bill Kurtis!

[@Dynaman21]

So the film has an 8 minute instructional in it? Why? Billy Robison wouldn't make those for another 25 years.

[@blackmumba111]

When you talked about them properly exposing the business or not, to me, (maybe it was the clips) it sounded like they were arguing over attributes beneficial to publicity. "Vitality" in this case meaning if they can be a good worker in the ring anymore.

[@brutaleyez908]

lmao he turned so red it's hilarious that face at 9:41 is one of the funniest things I've ever seen

[@princeofcupspoc9073]

Bruiser and Crusher steal every scene they are in. Definitely the high points of the film.

[@misterprickly]

oh BTW (Sorry for the double post) the guy sitting next to Ed Asner at the 9:25 is Vice McMahon Sr.

[@TexMexFerguson]

I love the "He's got a bicycle" part added in.... That caught me by surprise and gave me a good laugh....

[@BigLee1901]

14:10, and Eugene played Forrest Gump in one of the WrestleMania 21 previews (William Regal: "Run Eugene! Run!")

[@RamblinErikk]

This film is a curio, yet essential viewing for any old-school fan, if anything for the parade of mat-legends who appear in it. In spite of the poor production values, the storyline is compelling enough to keep your interested throughout.

[@TOFKAS01]

"Paradise Alley", one of Sylvester Stallones early would deserve a mention.

[@larrysweeney12large]

The DoppleGagne, OMG "This Man Is Dead" Can't Stop Laughing.

[@Ultradude604]

If that was the ending, the drop kick, then there's no conclusion to the match. We don't know who wins really.

[@markula_4040]

9:28 The moment I became a WWW subscriber. BZ's reaction is priceless

[@hairband5410]

In 1993.i met Ed Asner at a taping for a pilot (that actually was picked up.) He was super cool and funny. He probably wouldn't be as nice if o brought this movie up.

[@Filmation77]

9:36 but remember the National Wrestling Alliance for many years to decide their World Champions it was done by Commitee of the main NWA Promoters/Territories.so that meeting wasn't far off the mark

[@PlatinumRoseLady]

Not for nothing, but a movie about Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch getting into bar fights and all kinds of wacky hi-jinks probably would have made so much money back in the '70s. It probably would have directed by Hal Needham and their co-star would have been Jerry Reed.

[@chevextreme]

keep these videos coming man , great job

[@jimbo-fk4dq]

I guess you could say there big event was a "Super Clash".

[@TheAoalec14]

He has reviewed The Wrestler (2008) for those in the future hoping for or looking for that content.

[@delyssandra]

"then Oddjob appears because…why not" ROTFLMFAO I LOST IT xD

[@MIKELIN8]

Elaine Giftos is the name of the actress who played the secretary. She was mainly a TV actress in the 70s.

[@5TailFox]

Well, nowadays, he's known more for his portrayal of Granny Goodness.

[@michaelbandada9887]

Ed asner is also the voice of Carl from the Disney movie up and the voice of Jonah Jameson in the 1994 spider Man cartoon

[@lewisaino]

When Granny threatened Supergirl lol

[@austinsangels12345]

I tried watching this recently and yuck yuck yuck - I couldn't get through the first few minutes. But maybe just maybe it got re-edited to push Ed Asner as he is the most known in it....

[@AceRuiner1979]

I lost it at "Super Big Fun time Gridiron Battle" LMFAO

[@borneojimmy1431]

I recall reading about this movie in the Apter mags & wanting to see it so badly!When I finally saw it in the 90s, a small part of me died from disappointment.

[@tigerdar]

RIP Ed Asner

[@G33kCulture]

Wretro Wrestling With Wregret, gotta love it. Hope you are well, brother.

[@Benwah]

Did he skim over the fact that the referee in the "Big Title Match" was Verne's son, Greg.

[@doomed2063]

Wow. I've never even heard of this film and after watching this review, I'm glad I haven't. I think there is a reason that this 1974 film has been relegated to obscurity.

[@landrykkb]

+DOOMED ! I bought it at Superstore one day grocery shopping because I had heard about and it was selling for dirt cheap,so I figured why not and just buy it since I'd rent it for about the same price anyway.Keep in mind this was 2007 when video retal stores still existed,although they were slowly fading off then.

[@MrTulley2]

i started to panic glad i read the description first

[@borneojimmy1431]

Funny at 1;35 how the announcer talking about Gagne's character is basically listing the same things the Iron Sheik would always brag about in promos.

[@ShatteredPsyche]

Why do I feel like this is Jim Cornette's favourite wrestling movie?

[@Dynaman21]

He did say he loved the film when asked for wrestling films to recommend. Which is hilarious.

[@ShatteredPsyche]

​@@Dynaman21 Hilarious and very, very fitting.

[@mgb4692]

Is it weird that mid 20s 275 lb Naitch looks like an odd mix of Murdoch and future Dustin Rhodes?

[@jb888888888]

When Ric was just starting in the business he wanted to be Dusty's nephew "Ramblin' Ricky Rhodes."

[@EnvyDSin]

You got yourself a new subber:) Question: When it comes to movies, have you seen (and reviewed): No Holds Barred, Nacho Libre and The Tiger Mask? I know the second one is more of a comedy than a wrestling movie, but, I'm sure it's better than Ready to Rumble and The ('74) Wrestler, lol.

[@Knowthyrole]

Hahaha "What a f***ing hero"

[@bigolehonk9832]

Had the cricket wireless John Cena ad before this video 😂😂

[@coreylineberry8557]

Are you sure about that?

[@jeffnettleton3858]

The sleazy mobster is Slammin' Sammy Menacker, pro wrestler in the 40s and 50s, actor/stuntman in Mighty Joe Young, and the announcer for Dick the Bruiser's WWA promotion, in Indianapolis (also did a stint for Verne, doing color commentary). He was also married to June Byers, the women's champion (after Mildred Burke, before Moolah). I grew up with him and the WWA; Bobby Heenan used to needle him something wonderful. Best part of this film is when you first see Billy Robinson and he is obviously waiting for his cue and awkwardly starts doing his action and saying his line. Almost as bad as the backstage stuff in WCW, when you would catch them counting down a wrestler or catch the cameraman in a mirror.

[@24Reference]

Hearing the review of the Wrestler 1974 is both educational and hilarious. I enjoyed hearing about Verne Gagne, Billy Robinson, Dick Murdock, etc.

[@kenrickkahn]

Jack Cutter is dead... Duh Duh Duuuuh(That Grand piano is killing me) 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@sammylane21]

Whoa..Flair used to have fatty meat on him??

[@DrJReefer]

Before the plane crash he looked more like Dino Bravo than Ric Flair.

[@flippy7035]

THICC FLAIR!

[@SyndicateSuperman]

@@flippy7035 WOOOOOO!🤣

[@dr.options]

The love interest that was introduced between Ed Asner's character and the sexy secretary seemed very out of place, and frankly a bit ludicrous based on their massive disparity in attractiveness.

[@Eric-wu7bp]

LOL Eugene Gump, and you know what else is funny, Eugene played the role as Forrest Gump in one of the Wrestlemania 21 trailers

[@DidYaServe]

rewatching this because of the lapsed fan wrestling podcast's life and death of the awa tour

[@TheJL555]

Gagne was a sucker for technical wrestling, which probably explains the wrestling school crap. That is why AWA went straight in the toilet bowl.

[@Dynaman21]

MrJeff Verne was the original smark.

[@joem5315]

"Wow! What a fucking hero!" I died lmaooo

[@vidishkarkera2630]

He did it.

[@vidishkarkera2630]

Thanks brian

[@vidishkarkera2630]

Respect from your fan in India

[@johnsuperdude9912]

The funniest part of this video was that Brian mistakenly put The Wrestler (2008) video

[@Vol4Life75]

RIP Dusty

[@jeffreycoogan09]

***** I know the movie was very poorly written and the acting is mediocre. But it is a good recommendation for any die hard Wrestling fan.

[@doomed2063]

It sucks even if you are a diehard wrestling fan. Lol. Its bad.

[@jeffreycoogan09]

+DOOMED ! Worse then Body Slam?

[@OldSchoolRasslin]

It is the best wrestling movie, you don't know what you are talking about.

[@lewisaino]

RIP Ed

[@k1ngmount899]

The wrestler (2008) is the greatest wrestling movie yet it's not all about wrestling it's about the side effects of wrestling in an indie wrestlers point of view, no matter what anyone says that was the greatest wrestling movies ever made and will ever be the best westling movie

[@InLohmansTerms]

Zane, that Santa Claus joke hurt, man.... but the Arquette thing?... I thought we were friends?

[@NoirFan01]

The movie is great because, as you point out, there are so many cameos of past and future all star wrestlers. I marked out seeing Vincent J McMahon in the wrestling promoters scene

[@darkworldinc]

Your videos are great.

[@stickygaloop]

"Fuckin' Hero" OMG just the way it's said man lol

[@josephmiller9424]

Dusty Roads would've been perfect as the star of the movie as the champ he could talk and move

[@shadowman2192]

I was disappointed when I saw he wasn't talking about Mickey Rourke's The Wrestler. Even if he liked the movie, I still wish he'd review it.

[@jbj7599]

The 2008 version i originally hated but then is shut my brain up and enjoyed it!

[@dukeman3ca1]

I've seen this review a few times, and I enjoy it every time!

[@ccfunk1]

You should get and review the Sheiks "I Like To Hurt People" movie.

[@MrDman21]

Verne Gange was the man in the AWA days though. But this looks like another boring early 70s biopic. But if it wasn't for this movie we wouldn't have the 2008 version. So Verne did something right.

[@docsdomain]

What's up with the In Search Of music in the background? Lol. Could you please review both No holds barred and The marine?

[@philipdefibaugh5683]

This POS movie used to available everywhere during the attitude era/ruthless aggression era, that's how long this damn DVD has been availiable.

[@juppukun]

The dramatic DUN DUN DUNNNNNN sound when the wrestler died made me laugh for how over the top it was.

[@kobythomas9164]

HE GOT A BICYCLE!!! Oh, so sad that that wasn't actually in the movie.

[@armandotorres8962]

Kinda insane we’re nearing the 10 year anniversary of the review. I was in high school when I first watched this.

[@kenterminateddq5311]

This movie is bad but at least, it's not Ricky 1.

[@fatality9137]

Ricky 1? Are you talking about Rocky 1?

[@kenterminateddq5311]

Fatality No no, Rocky 1 is AWESOME!!!! Check out AVGN's review on Ricky 1, the movie is terrible!

[@fatality9137]

kenterminatedbygoogle oh ok

[@stephencatchdudeknight4623]

9:28 not that kind of bold Zane, bet took that long to figure it out as Mojo Rawley would say

[@frankbonini9128]

A Texas Outlaws &/or a Dick the Bruiser & Da Crusher Buddy Picture Would Have Been FREAKING EPIC!!!

[@K-dawg26]

the super show is basically super clash 3.

[@richardeicholtz4868]

Very funny review BUT there is nothing wrong with Zombie Strippers!

[@micshork]

I blame the bad audio on the face that he's watching it on a bootlegged DVD. I wonder if he'd ever re-review this with a better copy of the film.

[@ricstormwolf]

Zane is going to give himself a heart attack. He gets worked up way too much and way too fast.