The CCD Podcast: Episode #52 - Wrestlers in the Movies or "What Do You Mean You Haven't Seen "The Marine Part 7"? What Are You Waiting For?"

Wrestling played a huge role in most nerds lives back in the 70s/80s/90s and is still really popular today. The WWF/WWE, WCW, NWA, ECW and other organizations all gave us some memorable characters to cheer and jeer over the years. But some of those performers were lucky enough to expand their careers beyond the squared circle and branch out into acting... well, lets just say that they were in some movies (not much ACTING really taking place in most of these roles!). Some are no brainers, like Hulk Hogan in Rocky 3 or Jesse Ventura in Predator. But what about some of the others through the years? Check out wrestling fanatics Jedi Rob, Joey Esq, and The Supershow creator Steve Resk as they go through some of the best (or worst?) roles that wrestlers filled through the years! Episode #52 is up...

The CCD Podcast: Episode #20.5 - 'No Holds Barred' .5 Movie Review or "And Now Introducing... DEBOOOOOO!!!!"

No Holds Barred is one of the greatest hot messes to ever make it to the movie screen. At the height of the WWF's success in 1989, Vince McMahon put his biggest star Hulk Hogan in a movie that the WWF produced. They also introduced ole Debo himself, Zeus aka Tiny Lister. And that is where the wheels really come off.... this madcap wrestling flick is one of the late 80s greatest gems... so Jedi Rob, Steve and Joey Esq break it on down for ya. A small, short, .5 episode for that ass... What ya gonna do, when Hulk let's those 24 inch PYTHONS loose on you!!!!

Happy 61st Birthday Hulkster!!!

Hulk Hogan has crossed over from just being known as a wrestling superstar to being recognized by pretty much anyone with a pulse. Everyone knows Hulk, whether they watch wrestling or not. So this past week saw Hulk turn 61, and Vince McMahon and the WWE paid tribute to the aging vet with a classic party right in the ring on Monday Night Raw!!! Plenty of guests showed up, including: Jimmy Heart, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Ric Flair, and even a mustachioed Paul 'Mr. Wonderful' Orndorf!!! And then we even get to see the Hulster reunite with The Outsiders, NWO style! Holy shit, what a great tribute. Check out the full clip after the jump... for all the 80s babies who loved them a true American hero!

Wrestlemania XXX - A Recap by Joey Esq...

 

Well, WrestleMania 30 has come and gone and as I sit here writing this I have to say, I was definitely satisfied. In fact, I thought the show was great. Earlier in the weekend I said that I hadn't been this excited for a WrestleMania in probably 10 years. Turns out that's fitting because also haven't been this pleased with the results. Until this weekend, it's been 10 years since I've truly enjoyed being a wrestling fan. Sure there were bright spots between then and now, but for the most part I've found the WWE to be stale, boring and disappointing since WrestleMania 20 closed with two of my favorite wrestlers celebrating in the ring, both world champions, both having reached the pinnacle of their sport.

WrestleMania 20 was at Madison Square Garden. I was there, and getting to see Chris Benoit (one of the aforementioned favorite wrestlers, before he turned into a monster) beat HHH clean in the main event to become the World Champion will always be one of my fondest memories as a wrestling fan. In fact, until last night, that was probably my LAST fond memory as a wrestling fan*.  It makes sense then that the end result of WrestleMania ten years later has a lot of similarities. Daniel Bryan went over not only HHH, but also Randy Orton and Batista later in the night to finally, conclusively, become WWE World Heavyweight Champion.

More after the jump:

Randy 'Macho Man' Savage (1952-2011)

OOOOOOOHHHHH Yeahhhhhhhhh!!!

I am not the hugest follower of professional wrestling, but when I was a kid there was nothing I loved more then watching the WWF. The WCW/NWA/all other wrestling shows were cool, but they didn't have shit on the McMahon family and their crew of maniacs. My favorite? The Hulkster, Hulk Hogan. Everyone loved Hulk. My second? Had to be the Macho Man.

Macho Man & Miss Elizabeth

Randy Savage was the wildest, craziest, most high flying wrestler in the mid 80's/early 90's then anyone who laced up a wrestling boot during that era. Sure, I said Hogan was my fave... but thats cause it was hard to root against the perfection that was Hogan. But deep down inside, most REAL wrestling fans would agree that Macho Man was alot more fun to root for.

Macho Man dropping the flying elbow on Hulk Hogan

He made for some of the best moments I have ever seen happen in a ring. His costumes were always a spectacle, and he rarely started a match/interview without his trademark sunglasses. His bouts were legendary. He spent time as a good guy, a bad guy.... an Inter-continental champ, a heavyweight champ... Macho Man did it all. His match with  Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat in Wrestlemania III was one of the greatest ever. See for yourself:



Everyone loved Macho Man, but his real life wife Elizabeth became quite the attraction herself. The object of George 'The Animal' Steele's (and amny teenage boys) affections, the super sexy Elizabeth's visage decorated many walls around America.

I had this poster of Elizabeth on my wall... real talk!

Sadly, she left Macho Man and fell into a life of drugs. She died a few years back, and now Mr. Savage has moved on to the other side as well. I can't believe it myself, but Mr. OOOOOOOHHHHHHH YEAHHHHHHH!!!! himself is on to greener pastures. So all we can do is celebrate his career. Here are some of the highlights from throughout the years.



Always entertaining, I will miss Macho Man with his crazy outfits, hot manager, and high flying techniques that always brought me to my feet. His roles as a Slim Jim spokesman and as Bonesaw in the Sam raimi Spiderman movie made him memorable outside of the ring as well. He will be missed. Take it easy Macho Man... your the champ now!!!

Pink Trunks and Sun Glasses!!!!