DaveyBoy’s Wrestling Menu – World's Greatest Wrestling Managers DVD Review
Submitted by DaveyBoy on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 12:39 AM EST






THE WRESTLING MENU #223

Welcome one and all to the 223rd edition of The Wrestling Menu, the column that is sure to satisfy your taste buds when it comes to discussing all things wrestling.

Sorry folks, but I have to use the fall-back of another DVD review this week. I have had one of those weeks where seemingly everything has gone wrong (from injury to workload) & just haven't been able to find the time to write my usual 3 topic type of column.

I have been viewing your emails with regards to last week's column though & will address the feedback next Wednesday. So view this as a second chance to send some feedback my way on squash matches, the Money In The Bank Ladder Match & your Hall Of Fame choices that have yet to be inducted. For those that have yet to read last week's column, you may still do so by clicking on the following link: http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2007/articles/1173849222.php

On with the show.....


'GREATEST MANAGERS' DVD REVIEW

This is only a 1 discer & it's full title is ‘The World's Greatest Wrestling Managers’. As per usual with most WWE DVDs, it has a documentary portion which lasts 93 minutes (containing 23 chapters), some non-match extras (including promos, interviews & vignettes), as well as 3 matches. There is even an Easter Egg seeing it's almost that time of year!


APPETIZERS - Documentary

Following some brief miscellaneous introductory highlights of various managers, Todd Grisham kicks things off with some unnecessary comments, before the likes of John Cena, Ted Dibiase, Michael Cole & even Vince McMahon speak generally about what makes a successful manager. Vince makes the strong point that it is imperative that the managers didn't suck up all the heat themselves and, instead, passed it on to their wrestler(s).

The first manager specifically looked at is 'Classy' Freddie Blassie, who is put over as a legend & one of the best ever heels full stop. It's great to see some of his mic work here. Hulk Hogan, who was initially managed by Blassie, speaks highly of the 'Hollywood fashion plate'. Staying within the same era, The Grand Wizard (Ernie Roth) is featured next, especially while managing the likes of 'Superstar' Billy Graham, Sgt Slaughter & Killer Kowalski.

Following a chapter where it is discussed how important it is for a manager to be great on the microphone & how they are often used to cover for wrestlers who aren't that good on the mic, we take a look at how Sunny became very successful in the mid 90's. It is stated that Sunny was basically the first ever diva & helped pave the way for the future. However, Sunny didn't handle the success very well unfortunately & the likes of Vince, Tazz & Animal speak on that as well.

A true legend when it comes to wrestling managers is highlighted next & that is 'The Mouth Of The South' Jimmy Hart. Jimmy recollects the list of wrestlers that he has managed & speaks about how his megaphone was a real heat magnet. He also discusses his colorful clothing & how his motto was "Do things that stand out". Grisham then introduces a highlights package concerning female managers & how they can be just as effective as males, but in different ways. Sable & Chyna are given a little more time than most here.

Paul Bearer is showcased next & after seeing him as a blonde Percy Pringle early in his career, we view his work with The Undertaker & it is discussed how vital his role was with the dead man. Next up is 'The Golden Boy' Arnold Skaaland & it is said that results-wise he was the most successful manager ever, as he was behind long title reigns for Bruno Sammartino & Bob Backlund. As Skaaland had a long in-ring career as a wrestler, this leads into a poll of sorts regarding whether or not a manager needs to have a successful wrestling career first. Good points are raised for both sides with 'Yes' sneaking home 5 to 4.

The next manager profiled is 'Sensational' Sherri Martel. We see many good highlights of her, especially during her stints while managing Buddy Rose, Randy Savage & Shawn Michaels. Following Sherri is Jim Cornette & many of his break-neck speed promos are shown. You have to wonder if Cornette could talk under water! His management of The Midnight Express in the NWA is pretty much the only era looked at here. Todd Grisham then annoys for a little bit longer before Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan & Teddy Long speak about the art of cheating. According to these 2 managers, the major points to keep in mind are distracting & tripping opponents, as well as passing foreign objects to your wrestler. Obviously, explanatory highlights are shown as examples here.

The next featured manager is Paul Heyman, or his original character of the cell phone-carrying Paul E Dangerously. Many of his peers speak highly of Heyman as a successful manager, whether it was in WCW managing The Midnight Express, in ECW managing 911 & Sabu, or in the WWE managing Brock Lesnar & The Big Show. Next up is Captain Lou Albano, whose strange look is spoken of first. Albano's amazing success with tag-teams is highlighted, as is his successful transition from a heel manager to a face manager later on in his career.

We next take a look at the comic value that wrestling promotions gained from having non-wrestling managers get in the ring & battle it out. Jim Cornette taking part in a Scaffold Match & Bobby Heenan wrestling in 2 Weasel Suit matches were highlighted, as was the memorable ECW bout between Beulah McGillicutty & Bill Alfonso. The penultimate manager to be profiled is Miss Elizabeth, who is put over as being successful despite the fact she hardly spoke & rarely interfered in matches. Elizabeth was seen as a pioneer & practically the first ever female manager. Her real-life marriage to Randy Savage was spoken about & their in-ring renewing of their nuptials at a SummerSlam is also shown.

Last, but definitely not least, is Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan. Bobby clears up the misconception that he began as a wrestler, as he started as a manager in Indianapolis right from the beginning. Heenan then went to the AWA where he managed Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens, before heading to the WWE to continue his Heenan Family, where he managed the likes of Big John Studd, Mr Perfect, Harley Race, Ric Flair, King Kong Bundy, Rick Rude & even Andre The Giant. His famous 'weasel' nickname is discussed & many of his humorous exploits are shown. Vince McMahon concludes stating his opinion that Heenan is "the greatest manager of all time"!


ENTREE - Matches

'CAPTAIN' LOU ALBANO vs 'GOLDEN BOY' ARNOLD SKAALAND (WWWF. December-19, 1977): Emanating from Madison Square Garden, Skaaland (who bears a rather strong resemblance to Jerry Lawler) begins with many fists that send the heel Albano back towards the locker-room. The Captain returns & heads towards the tights for some sort of foreign object that results in him gaining the ascendency. Many minutes of 'hide the object from the ref' are interspersed with numerous strikes. And nothing changes when the Golden Boy gets his hands on the object as Albano is busted open & simply walks out of the match at the 4 minute mark. Not a wrestling move to be seen as it was punches, punches & more punches. Considering that, they did well to make it last 4 minutes! The crowd were decently involved, but not greatly. Match Rating... 2

BOBBY 'THE BRAIN' HEENAN vs GREG GAGNE (AWA. August-17, 1980): This is a 'Weasel Suit Match' where the loser had to put on a white human-sized weasel suit (complete with tail). The match is joined in progress (only slightly I think) with Gagne wrapping Heenan's (possibly injured) arm around the ring-post. Gagne then gets in a few strikes before Heenan fights back with a few forearm smashes that have better effect than usual due to the cast he is wearing. A shoulder block attempt by both men leads to the 2 of them being knocked down for a moment, before Gagne fails to hold on to a sleeper-hold. Another cast shot saves Heenan & he even gets two lots of 2 counts as a result.

A couple of dropkicks by Gagne regains the momentum for the face & then he finishes the bout off with a top-rope cross body block after 6 minutes of footage. Heenan initially resists being dressed up in the weasel suit after the match, but a Gagne sleeper-hold changes his mind so to speak, to the raptures of the crowd. I don't know how many of the early minutes we missed, but from what we get to see, this was actually quite decent. It was quite even & had good crowd involvement, with the aftermath (meaning we got to see 13 minutes of footage all up) decently entertaining. Match Rating... Not Rated, but THUMBS UP as a DVD Extra

JIM CORNETTE vs PAUL E DANGEROUSLY (aka Paul Heyman) (NWA Great American Bash. July-23, 1989): This was a 'Tuxedo Match' where the winner would be the first to disrobe their opponent of their tuxedo. Paul E gains control initially by throwing powder into Cornette's eyes & then striking the knee with his ever-present cell-phone. The action then spills to ringside where Dangerously continues to target the knee. Back in the ring, the heel then fires away with fists, before Cornette hulks up & responds with fists of his own that allows him to take Paul's shirt off, after both men had previously had their jackets taken from them. Heyman then heads back to the powder, but it mis-fires as Cornette kicks it back into his face, allowing him to take Paul's pants off & get the victory at the 6 minute mark. Pretty ho-hum, this didn't really hit the mark in any way, without being anything too terrible. Match Rating... 3


MAIN - Non-Match Extras

Vince McMahon Interviews Blassie & Volkoff (WWWF. No Date Given): This is a ringside interview where a very young Vince allows Classy Freddy Blassie to put over Nikolai Volkoff before he berates the crowds on their looks, intelligence, etc... It's an effective promo where Blassie rattles on at a million miles per hour & mentions the words "pencil-necked geeks" at least 6 times. 5 minutes in length.

Tony Schiavone Interviews Jim Cornette (NWA World Championship Wrestling. June-29, 1985): Cornette doesn't take a breath for 2 minutes as he puts over his Midnight Express. This sounds like a promo he did not long after entering the NWA and, if that is correct, it is very effective.

Fuji Vice (WWF Tuesday Night Titans. May-7, 1986): This is an unbelievably corny vignette where some kids playing beach volleyball find a dead man & the city's 2 best vice squad members are brought in to solve the case. Of course, those 2 are Mr Fuji & Don 'The Magnificent' Muraco spoofing Crockett & Tubbs from the 'Miami Vice' television series. Goes on a bit too long at 8 minutes in length, but the tongue-in-cheek shenanigans are so bad that they are almost good!

Vince McMahon Interviews The Grand Wizard & Bob Duncum (All-Star Wrestling. April-2, 1975): This is a ringside interview where The Wizard puts over Duncum & his shoulder-breaking capabilities. Ivan Putski is specifically targetted & even Duncum gets in a few words in amongst the Wizard's rather uninspiring diatribe. 5 minutes in length.

'Mean' Gene Okerlund Visits The Hart Foundation (WWF. No Date Given): This is a so-called 'Special Investigative Report' where Mean Gene visits The Hart Foundation's executive office. He messes around with numerous secretaries for a few minutes before cornering Jimmy Hart, Bret Hart, Jim Neidhart & Danny Davis for an interview. Overlong at 14 minutes in length & mostly unfunny apart from seeing Bret & The Anvil play with their own action figures!

Bobby Heenan Wins The 1976 Manager Of The Year Award (AWA All-Star Wrestling. December-25, 1976): Bil Apter from 'Inside Wrestling' magazine presents Bobby The Brain with his 3rd successive manager of the year award in the ring. This only becomes an excuse for a face turn by Ray 'The Crippler' Stevens though, as he attacks Heenan & the AWA Champion Nick Bockwinkel. 4 minutes in length.

Captain Lou Albano Wins The 1985 Manager Of The Year Award (WWF Tuesday Night Titans. September-27, 1985): 'Mean' Gene Okerlund is in the ring with the 3 nominees for the award (Heenan, Albano & Hillbilly Jim). After some politicking with proxy votes, Captain Lou is declared the winner of the award, which leads to Heenan breaking the trophy over Albano & Heenan Family members King Kong Bundy & Big John Studd attacking Hillbilly Jim. Decent extra that lasted 5 minutes.

Larry Nelson Interviews Paul E Dangerously (AWA Championship Wrestling. September-30, 1987): Heyman takes the microphone & gets rid of Nelson immediately, before targetting Tommy Rich, as he had just left the Dangerous Alliance. 2 minutes in length.

"TOGETHER"; Randy Savage & Miss Elizabeth's Wedding Video (WWF SummerSlam (August-26, 1991): 4 minute highlights package of sorts that showcases Savage & Elizabeth together throughout the years. Of course, it's all set to some corny romantic ballad duet!

Sensational Sherri Visits The Funeral Parlor (WWF. February-1, 1992): Sherri professes her love for Shawn Michaels not long after he threw Marty Jannetty through 'The Barber Shop' window. Standard 4 minute extra.

Bruno Sammartino Interviews Arnold Skaaland (Championship Wrestling. May-27, 1980): An uncomfortable sounding Bruno interviews Skaaland about guidance that he was giving to a young up & comer. Just over 1 minute in length, this was definitely no Rock & Jericho!

Sunny Sings "Happy Birthday" (WWF Raw. February-19, 1996): 30 second vignette where a lingerie wearing Sunny sings "Happy Birthday" to whichever president she was referring to at the time.


DESSERT - Easter Egg & Conclusion

EASTER EGG

- Go to page-2 of the 'Chapters' menu & highlight 'Sensational Sherri'. Then press 'left' twice to see Shawn Michaels talk for 30 seconds about his 'Sexy Boy' entrance theme & how Sherri initially did the vocals for it.

CONCLUSION

All in all, this was pretty cookie-cutter stuff from the WWE & almost seemed like an over-extended episode of the old 'WWE Confidential' television show (without any of the so-called "confidential" parts). It never really had the content to make acceptable viewing over a 3 hour duration, although some fans would probably feel that more promos & interviews of the managers would have better helped fill the time.

The documentary was a decent enough watch, but really wasn't anything too special or memorable. The matches were pretty much only there for entertainment & comical value & even then, they were pretty unsuccessful. The Non-Match extras were, like the documentary portion, pretty good, but nothing too special at all. If anything, they were memorable for their corniness.

So, in conclusion, this DVD cannot be recommended for purchase & is only useful to the loyal old-school fan for passing a few hours away on a rainy day.


Ok, so that is the end of my 'Greatest Wrestling Managers' DVD Review. I hope I didn't bore the hell out of too many of you with this. Anyone that has any feedback or questions regarding this DVD is more than welcome to fire away & email me at DaveyBoy123@bigpond.com. Alternately, if you are an LOP Forums member, it would be much appreciated if you could leave feedback on my thread at http://www.lopforums.com/showthread.php?t=217&page=5.

Back to normal next Wednesday in ‘The Wrestling Menu’. And believe it or not, the time has finally come for WrestleMania 23 to be upon us. So I will have my predictions for the grand-daddy of them all, as well as hype up the card a little more to have you quivering with anticipation for April-1 to come around! Other than all things WrestleMania related, I will take a look back at some of the feedback that I have received regarding squash matches & the Hall Of Fame. So look out for that column same Wednesday time on the same LOP channel. Until then, this is DaveyBoy signing off & asking you to remember that dinner is best served in 3 courses.


DaveyBoy’s Wrestling Menu. 2002-2007

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