Since the initial writing of this article Turgid Worm has already posted about this, but I will also say that I am very enthusiastic about the upcoming film, The Wrestler. When Nic Cage was attached to this film I thought it would be a complete joke. Mickey Rourke being attached gave the film some serious credibility in my opinion. Rourke in his younger years had the potential to be a tremendous actor, but took some very questionable roles, became a boxer that got his face mangled in real life and went into seclusion for many years. In other words, he is a perfect fit for a down on his luck, washed up wrestler. I thoroughly enjoyed the Iron Man film because the Tony Starks’ character being egocentric, rich but with “personal demons” fit Robert Downey Jr. impeccably. Isn’t that what wrestlers are truly supposed to be, great characters? You believed Stone Cold was a beer drinking redneck, The Rock is exceedingly charismatic and Ric Flair is larger than life because they all are. Even when Hulk Hogan became Hollywood Hogan and pretended to be a narcissistic, backstage manipulator, it worked because fans began to view him as someone who really is that. Vince McMahon is another perfect example (just watch his DVD). Mickey Rourke is looking for that real-life comeback and if his performance is as good as many of the critics (the same critics who scoff at wrestling) are saying, this should be a must watch. There is even talk of Rourke garnering an Oscar nomination. I never would have thought the word “wrestling” and Oscar would be in the same sentence, but apparently director Darren Aronofsky really captured the business in a justified light. The inevitable question: will Vince like this film? Mick Foley says no and I have to agree as well. Most of my critics will often point out that I am way too WWE-biased, but I will be the first to say I would be very surprised if Vince “gets it.” I feel he would probably see the film in an unflattering light and does not want any of the fans to know what goes on behind the scenes when a wrestler is finished with his company. Evidence of this is his reaction to Hulk Hogan’s celebrity wrestling show on CMT (not that I can actually watch it). He hates it because he does not want anyone to know any of the “secrets” of the business. If this movie shows life after the stardom in wrestling and paints an ex-wrestler as down on his luck, Vince will think someone is attacking HIS business. As long as he realizes that he evolved the business and didn’t invent it, he should be flattered that professional wrestling his finally getting the proper big screen treatment. Who I am to say how someone will feel (although I hear Piper loved it)? I haven’t even seen the film yet. I hope to review it soon, perhaps video review if I can get my stuff together. I will be very interested to see Saturn (one of the most talented guys that completely fell off the face of this planet) and R-Truth acting chops in the movie as well. Speaking of R-Truth…

The Truth is already out; WWE officials already sour on Ron Killings. That was way too quick (or K-Kwik). He seems like a high spot guy without a lot more substance in the ring. One of the biggest problems the company has had in recent years (because of a lack of competition) is pushing guys too hard too soon. They should have started R-Truth in ECW, have him dominate the competition there and move up. Instead, he is thrown into situation where they never really had anything for him on Smackdown. What was the point? I think R-Truth has had a number of years to hone his ability (after he was teaming with the Road Dogg in the early 2000s), so if he can elevate his game and put up with the WWE’s criticisms, he may just be able to hang in there and receive the proper push he deserves (although fan reaction looks to be underwhelming so far).

I’ve defended professional wrestling through thick and thin. From being forced to suffer through Doink the Clown and the Dungeon of Doom to advocating for the new style that the original ECW brought to the table. I have, many times on this site had to defend wrestling through the Chris Benoit tragedy, which is still a year and a half later hard to fathom. Now I read, supposedly, that the WWE is offering long term contracts to wrestlers that basically protects the company if the wrestler is injured or has attitude problems. This is a bit hard to defend and I can’t fault McMahon 100% because guys will be guys and often times deserve their release, but this simply does not protect the wrestler. That can lead to these typical cases that we see of the washed up wrestler trying to make their way back, to often a sad ending and a shell of their former self. This leads me back to The Wrestler. These stories have become too common for us longtime fans and a proper well-crafted film about the business is long overdue. I can honestly say I am as excited for this flick as I was The Dark Knight and that is saying something. I hope to walk away from this film saying, “Finally, someone actually captured what I’ve known for so many years.” I also hope we don’t get some pundit saying, “See I told you it was a terrible business.” If we can come to some healthy medium and help sports entertainment, professional wrestling or whatever you want to call it, get some respect I’ll be a happy man. Maybe this time if the media doesn’t blame Vince McMahon for every wrestler’s “demons”, maybe he will actually see things differently too.

- Luscious Jonny F