I'm seeing The Wrestler this weekend, so I don't need it sold to me anymore, I'll watch these clips after I've seen it less anything be spoiled. I did just want to point out that these wrestlers are really old and some were very average at wrestling... maybe a tie-in with the plot? Lex Luger, for example, is atrocious.

Damn, Lex Luger and Diamond Dallas Page fell off...they used to be so cool when I was a kid...but 'The Wrestler' was a great movie and it was really interesting to see actual the pro-wrestlers' reactions to the movie...

Lex and DDP fell off....they used to be cool when you were a kid.....
I would assume that they would probably say the same thing about you. "You used to be cool when you were a kid, damn you fell off now." I thought they represented wrestling and themselves extremely well.

I'm here to kick ass and chew bubble gum, and I'm all out of bubble gum

I'm a huge wrestling fan, and I went two hours away to see this movie. Possibly one of my favorite movies of all time. Its interesting to see that some wrestlers(and wrestling community) are split right down the middle on this movie.

It's hard to hear them talk about wrestlers who, after the pyrotechnics and music are over, just don't really know what to do, without thinking of John Cena. Haha.

And yeah, I loved the Wrestler, one of my favorites of all time for sure, because it reveals a certain side of a struggle that most people never really cared about. It's easy to say "wrestling is fake" or "wrestling is dumb" but on the same note so are movies. So is acting, if that's the mentality you want to have.

Wrestling, especially wrestling with storylines, is about a battle, a struggle. It's something between a dance, a sport, and a film. In the core of the human heart there is a desire to see the battle between good and evil. This battle exists in the human mind when we question our own morality and decisions. The battle is portrayed through wrestling as well. Sure it has a bit more flair, ridiculous catch phrases and the like, but it's still a depiction of struggle like any movie you might see.

The only complaint I have with the Wrestler isn't really even a complaint - I just wish there would have been a bit more of a show of fans. Show why they love the sport so much as to legitimize it a bit more. But it wasn't called the Fans, or the Audience or the Crowd so I'll let that slide.

Am I the only one who didn't think The Wrestler was that amazing? Sure it was a good, solid film...or maybe it's just that I'm not a wrestling fan....but I didn't think it was as fantastic as most people glorify it to be.

It's not really about being a wrestling fan. It's about the struggle and dynamics of characters and the human heart. What made The Wrestler especially good is that the hero was also the villain. He made mistakes but they were all made with good intentions.

*spoiler alert*
Sleeping through his commitment to meet someone at a restaurant can even be explained by the notion that the man's life is incredibly lonely. He had a chance to find some sort of connection with someone and went with it - his irresponsibility aside, he was just trying to be happy, and sometimes they needs to neglecting other things. Happens to even the best of us.

Randy "the Ram" was not a perfect person, nor did he try to be, but he was human. And his tale was a tragic one. I can't really argue objectivity so I won't try to, but it was one hell of a film for its many themes and statements. Especially the one wherein Marisa Tomei's character wants to get out of her job and out of the image, she only does it to support her child - Randy "the Ram" however loves the image, and prefers to live that persona. He would do it forever if he could but his body is taking a heavy toll and he won't be able to do it much longer, even though its the best he can do. Back to Tomei's character, she's getting old and as such she's becoming less appealing, The Ram can certainly relate as he's not quite the star he was back in the 80s.

There's so much going on in this film and I didn't feel anyone really has to look for it but I suppose I can't speak for everyone.

i agree, the movie was well made and rourke did a great job, but the movie is being hyped a bit much.

I guess you really have to be a wrestling fan to get it or understand what he went through. I'm sure you got the story but to see him go from a glorified wrestler to an embarassed deli worker in less than 20 years makes you wonder how that happened and how he's had to deal with it.

Man, I could hardly recognize some of them. So many memories....

Yeah Lex looks nothing like he used to.

Very interesting to hear these guys talk about the respect and how they went through the same sort of stuff.
Mickey Rourke seems to have made a bunch of new friends.

They WERE awesome.

Totally agree with you Regina Nicholson. I'm a huge Aronofsky admirer, especially for P and Requiem (though the Fountain had a kind of aura that made me like it). But the Wrestler... Brilliant film but I guess part of the answer is that becoming a pro wrestler in the first place defies my notion of rational human choices and that finally I didn't connect with its universe...

this is so cool. i am really glad they did this. i actually did wonder what real wrestlers thought of this movie. and seeing some of the older generation of wrestlers like rowdy piper and lex luger was also nice. i now wonder what the undertaker things of this movie.

It's so awesome to see these guys as ..HUMAN BEINGS. I love it.

Though the westlers selected were not exactly elite wrestlers they were part of wrestling history in that they were there during important periods. With that said they also have gone through many of the dramas that the Ram went through in the film and I think you could not have picked a better set of mess-ups for this round table. This really adds more depth to the Ram character and I hope these are added to the DVD release.

Number 2 (of 4 :P ) ends kind of insensitively, no? You've got Lex Luger pouring his heart out about hardships, about being paralyzed, he's waving what looks like a crippled hand around... and cut to BANG YOUR HEAD!!!!!

I didn't see The Wrestler as a film about wrestling, but rather a film about , one trick ponies. In that light, these guys reviewing the film is about as relevant as having a group of Nascar drivers review Speed Racer. Whatever.

I might be wrong, but I'd venture to guess that the core audience of Wrestling, won't be seeing The Wrestler any time soon, so, as a marketting device, these clips aren't going to be for much.

Interesting point, i can see what you mean by wrestling fans not rushing out to see this film. I thought the film was ok, i more enjoyed Mickey's performance then i did the film. But over all i think the film did well.

Thought you were serving us up a plate a spam with that link but it turned out to be very funny. Lex and his non interviewing skills.

What a wonderful idea. I wondered what some of them would feel about this. I certainly felt guilty for ever having been a fan of wrestling - I certainly know it is their choice but my participation as an audience is part of the driving force. It's unfortunate that most people don't take wrestlers seriously. Say what you will of the event itself - wrestlers are athletes who love to entertain, and they put their lives on the line for it.

Most sports have an off season, not pro wrestling. Higher paychecks from management and merchandising come from the ability to get over with the fans - this means not only putting on a good show but consistently appearing and putting your body on the line. The body can only suffer so much abuse before it starts to feel consistent pain- what does this leave the wrestler with?

The choice to get out of the spotlight, make much less money and be forgotten, essentially 'retiring' or getting demoted is one choice that seems to be the best decision morally, unless you're a family man and you have other people who need your support.

Then you fall into one of two categories (or both): steroid abuser / painkiller abuser. You use steroids so that you can continue to be the product fans want to see, the big guy who looks absolutely devastating and believable in addition to abusing painkillers so that the constant pain the wrestler feels can be ignored and they can continue showing up week after week without losing their place in the spotlight. Eddie Guerrero died from this and many others have as well.

It's a shame because Rob Van Dam doesn't use painkillers that will enlarge his heart and screw him up for life. He's one of the few smart ones. He decides to smoke natural marijuana instead, which hasn't caused a death (irresponsibility aside) throughout all recorded history of mankind. But he got busted because its illegal and he got suspended - his Championships were taken away.

It's a rather tragic tale and I think it's well past due that the government step in to regulate this, as ridiculous as it sounds. I know they have dealt with wrestling and steroid abuse as well, and there's now a 'Wellness Policy' in place, but certain measures should be taken so that the performers don't find themselves in such dire situations where they must risk their lives to continue their careers.

"The more you know."

I just think it needed more spandex.

I agree.

I concur.

This is a great idea. They really know how to market this film.

I'm watching The Wrestler tonight in Albuquerque, NM. Taking a few friends from the "industry" with me, too. If anyone is in the area send me a message and I'll fill you in on the details.

It's great to be living in a city that has a blockbuster films being made down the street in Downtown or at ABQ studios.

Peter next time you're in Alb. you should let us know

Wow these are awesome. i really hope they put them on the DVD too. I remember watching most of these guys wrestle back in the day.

I feel like the wrestling back then was more of an art form, from the moves they performed to the way they captivated the audience. NOW wrestling is pretty much a joke, they have half naked girls wrestling, with stupid story lines. I think the movie wrestler brings out that old school feel of how wrestling used to be and thats why these old school wrestlers understand where the movie is coming from.

Damn. I really loved The Wrestler. An awesome film that gives a real insight into a wrestlers life and times. Sad but uplifting too, kind of how I imaged it would be.

It felt really great to see Roddy and Brutus etc who I watched as a kid come out and lend credability to the movie. Great stuff. Kudos to Lex for addressing the drug taking aspect too.

Hahahaha!!! Go cry about it...

??? From that response it is evident that you are still a kid after all. Maybe you're still cool and you haven't fell off.....NOT.

What is your problem? TO ME THEIR ASSES DID FALL OFF!!! THEY WERE ONCE ON TOP, NOW THEY CAN'T EVEN GET ON THE BIG STAGE BECAUSE THEY FELL OFF!!! YOU GOTTA BE ONE OF THOSE GUYS WHO THINK WRESTLING IS ACTUALLY REAL WRESTLING AND NOT A SHOW...Just go fuck yourself, my little kid ass is gonna go play videogames and chew bubblegum cause I fell off...go bother someone else, if you didn't like my OPINION of these guys then gimme a thumbs down...I really don't need your 2 cents Cole...

Wow. You are awfully touchy. Interestingly enough I assumed that you were one of those people who believed wrestling was real. As far as your opinion goes, we all have them I am simply sharing mine based on what yours was. I would prefer to think my opinion is worth at least twenty five cents. No worries and feel free to give me a thumbs up or down.

Fine you get 25...peace...

i the videos.

they had that plasma displaying The Wrestler for quite some time. I bet its got a wicked ghost image