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Archive for May, 2011

WWE Films is growing creatively.

Known initially for action films solely formulated to showcase their stars, the movie That’s What I Am represents a turning point for the company. The film, which is part of an anti-bullying campaign, carves out a new niche for the pro wrestling company; their film division has finally grown up and is making films worthy of mention in Hollywood.

Although WWE star Randy Orton makes a cameo in the film as a menacing father, his performance is not only understated, but is blended seamlessly into the overall tone of the picture, which is actually an Ed Harris vehicle. Harris turns in an award-worthy and understated performance as an eighth-grade English teacher who refuses to give in to bullying tactics by either confirming or denying an unkind rumor swirling about him.

Actually, there is one flaw in Orton’s performance, which is probably a flaw in the script: in one instance of dialog, Orton’s character uses the expression, “Guaran-DAMN-tee,” which is out of tone for the era, and may not have even been in use at that time. The expression seems to date back only to 1997 and was popularized by Jim Ross, The Rock, Vince McMahon and other WWE figures.

Aside from that, the film possesses a gentle, Wonder Years-type feel to it while avoiding over-the-top sentimentality. And kudos to WWE for realizing that many kids are bullied for a wide variety of reasons; while the issue of bullying in its modern context is usually highlighted as it relates to the bullying of gays, That’s What I Am includes that message while also demonstrating through their narrative that simply being too tall, having big ears, or anything else that makes a person stick out from the crowd can create social outcasts who are subject to bullying, and bullying is wrong no matter who the victim might be.

A remarkably mature film for the pro wrestling company’s film division. Well done. You may now return to browsing your hydroxycut reviews.

The man in the urban clothes and wild hair is no longer with us; Macho Man Randy Savage, one of the most electrifying wrestlers of the WWE/Hulk Hogan era of the 1980s, whose Wrestlemania III match with Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat nearly stole the show from Hogan-Andre, passed away this week.

Savage was driving in his car in Florida when he suffered a massive heart episode at the age of 58. His car left the road as a result and he did not survive. The death comes eight years after his wife, Elizabeth Ann Hulette, known to wrestling fans as Miss Elizabeth, died. Elizabeth had divorced Savage in 1992 and was living with long-time, post-divorce beau Lex Lugar at the time of her death.

Savage leaves behind his second wife, Lynn Payne, who he married only a year and ten days before his death. It appears he left behind no children, according to all online reports. Aside from a brief run in TNA in 2004-05, Savage had left wrestling behind for the past six years.

In one of the shorter and more unjust title reigns in recent memory, Smackdown’s Christian, who became World Heavyweight Champion at Extreme Rules 2011, lost the title on last Friday’s Smackdown to Randy Orton – all without WWE turning Orton heel again. It’s a bit baffling, and a transparent case of WWE doing short-term planning and then re-setting the table after the WWE Draft.

Extreme Rules’ card was set by the time the WWE Draft occurred. Orton, who was destined to move to Smackdown after the draft to replace the recently-retired Edge, was already booked to face CM Punk in a storyline ending match, while Christian had been booked to face RAW-bound Alberto Del Rio for the vacated World Heavyweight Championship title.

To avoid having Del Rio carry Smackdown’s title to RAW, they booked Christian to win, but it was clear by shipping Orton to RAW via the draft who WWE wanted as Smackdown’s standard-bearer. When Teddy Long came out and asked the crowd who they wanted to see face Christian for his first title defense – with two heels (Mark Henry and The Great Khali) and one face (Orton) to choose from, the crowd naturally chose Orton.

From that point, the intent was clear and predictable, so much so it set smart phones like the Android-based new Incredible S ablaze; Smackdown immediately books Orton to take the title from Christian without so much as a PPV match to make it interesting. Thus, Orton became champion while remaining a face.

It’s a blown opportunity. I have to believe an short program between Christian and Orton leading into the next PPV would have sold, and made Christian’s reign at least passingly legit. Besides, Orton works better as a heel anyway; that’s when he’s at his most effective.

Look for Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio to be the underdog match of the entire Extreme Rules PPV; both workers are solid, and with Del Rio drafted to Raw, there’s a solid chance for Christian to gain his first solo World Title reign, in light of the retirement of his former tag partner, Edge.

Christian has proven his ability to be a credible solo champion over in TNA, and while he’ll probably be a transitional champ until they put the belt around Randy Orton’s waist, where it will likely stay until Wrestlemania, don’t be surprised if Christian’s run is at least entertaining. He’s one of the guys on the roster who is always undervalued and therefore doesn’t need to look for Columbus jobsprior to every PPV.

One of the matches that holds some intrigue for me in the Miz vs. Morrison vs. John Cena match, mostly because I think WWE will surprise us all and let Miz remain champion; he’s selling tickets right now as Raw’s top heel, and the draft offered some interesting new feuds for Miz; most especially, Rey Mysterio.

John Cena’s quest to enter his Wrestlemania match against the Rock as WWE champion doesn’t need to be settled for a while, and meanwhile WWE doesn’t need a title around Cena’s waist to sell a summer-long feud with Alberto Del Rio. The best post workout supplement Cena has is a hardcore heel like Del Rio to feud with, not a cool heel like Miz.

Cena’s title quest can be put on hold until Summer Slam, and perhaps even until Survivor Series or the Royal Rumble.