Welcome to the 951st Edition of my series. I hope everyone is having a good Easter, however celebrated. That could be celebrating Jesus, hunting Easter Eggs, smoking Marijuana, or even watching WRESTLEMANIA. With this being WRESTLEMANIA weekend and next week being the Squared Circle Expo, I decide to dedicate this around wrestling. Both sections are wrestling related or have people who have been wrestlers or in the industry in general. I also have selections from WRESTLEMANIA celebrities. At the bottom is information for my play LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS happening next month at Richmond Civic Theater.
Dune: Part Two (2021): The wrestler chosen for this movie is WWE Hall of Famer and former WWE champion Dave Bautista who co-stars as Beast Rabban Harkonnen. Denis Villeneuve directed this film conclusion which is based on the classic sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert. Timothee Chalamet reprises his role of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani, reprised by Zendaya, and the Fremen and is out for revenge for the who destroyed his family. I'm not going to go into an actor list on this one as I feel it could spoil the first one which is featured in my "Wrestling Madness" section. This is a visual masterpiece with the main characters pretty well developed. It is a very complex story that is hard for me to explain, and I have never read the novel. As mentioned in my part one summary, I think it is best to watch these close together. Both parts are available to watch on Max.
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Grips, Grunts, and Groans (1937): This is my classic comedy short for the week which features the Three Stooges and their foray into the world of Wrestling. This one features the stooges Curly, Larry, and Moe as Curly must replace the wrestler Bustoff in a championship match. This takes a look into the earlier days of wrestling. I am not sure if the actors that were playing wrestlers were actual wrestlers. This does have some very comic moments into the Stooges' first array into wrestling. This is available to watch on Youtube.
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Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* But Were Afraid to Ask (1972): The one I chose for this selection is Burt Reynolds who got to be a guest ring announcer for the championship match between Bret Hart and Yokozuna at WRESTLEMANIA X. Also, a young Regis Philbin has a cameo as himself in a game show segment and he provided guest commentary for WRESTLEMANIA VII in the championship match between Hulk Hogan and Sgt. Slaughter. Woody Allen directed this sketch comedy which is based on the novel by Dr. David Reuben. This has seven different sketches which deal from sections of the book. Allen, Gene Wilder, Louise Lasser, John Carradine, Lou Jacobi, Anthony Quayle, Tony Randall, Lynn Redgrave, Jack Barry, Elaine Giftos, and many others co-star in this comedy. This is some very underrated Woody Allen in my opinion. I think my favorite sketch was the one involving John Carradine as a mad scientist. This could be a good double feature to go along with MONTY PYTHON AND THE MEANING OF LIFE. This is available to watch on Pluto TV.
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Airheads (1994): The one I chose for this one was former WCW champion David Arquette who was given the championship right around the time READY TO RUMBLE was on the rise. Michael Lehmann directed this rock music comedy which was written Rich Wilkes. Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, and Adam Sandler star as Chazz, Rex, and Pip who are in the band the Lone Rangers. They struggle to get themselves out there and they end up taking a radio station hostage with toy guns when the DJ refuses to play their song. Much of the people being held and spectators start to get behind them. Chris Farley, Judd Nelson, Michael McKeon, Ernie Hudson, Amy Locane, Nina Siemaszko, Marshall Bell, Reg E. Cathey, Michael Richards, Joe Mantegna, Michelle Hurst, and many others co-star in this comedy. I say just take this for it is which is a comedy. Fraser, Buscemi, and Sandler make quite the trio, and this is the first of many times Sandler and Buscemi worked together. I also liked Mantegna in a lighter role than usual. This has a really good comedic cast, and I think you'll all have a lot of fun with this one. I'm sure many bands can relate to this movie.
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Pork Chop Hill (1959): The person I chose for this one is actor Woody Strode. He had his own foray into the world of wrestling from the 1940s to the 1960s where he wrestled the legendary Gorgeous George. Lewis Milestone directed this war film which is based on the novel by S.L.A. Marshall. Gregory Peck stars as Lt. Joe Clemons who leads a unit in the Korean War trying to take a hill from the Communist Chinese forces. Harry Guardino, Rip Torn, George Peppard, Carl Benton Reid, James Edwards, Bob Steele, Norman Fell, Lew Gallo, Robert Blake, Martin Landau, and many others co-star in this war film. This is a very intense and authentic looking war movie. It is also one of the rare movies that feature the Korean war. This is available to watch on Prime, TUBI, and Pluto TV.
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Bullet (1996): The One I chose for this one was Mickey Rourke, fresh off THE WRESTLER, who makes an appearance in WRESTLEMANIA 25 where he knocks out Chris Jericho. I understand the original plans where that Rourke was going to have a match with Jericho, but his PR advised Rourke against it. Julien Temple directed this film which was written by Bruce Rubenstein and Sir Eddie Cook aka Mickey Rourke. Rourke also stars as Butch "Bullet" Stein who has just been released from prison after eight years and seems to have no intentions of going straight. As soon as he is out, he insults a drug dealer which does not sit well with the drug dealer Tank, played by Tupac Shakur. Adrien Brody, Frank Senger, John Enos III, Joe Dain, Manny Perez, Jerry Grayson, Suzanne Shepherd, Ted Levine, Matthew Powers, Nick Scotti, Donnie Wahlberg, Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, Larry Romano, Michael Kenneth Williams, Peter Dinklage, and many others co-star in this film. Essentially, what we have here is Rourke vs. Tupac and how much better can it get? This is a very gritty film and there is nothing feel-good about this one. Rourke, Brody, and Levine were a very diverse trio of brothers.
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Walking Tall (1973): The one chosen for this one is the person featured in this biopic in Buford Pusser. Before he becomes the famous sheriff, he was a wrestler named Buford the Bull in 1950s. I don't really have any information of how long his career lasted or what he did in the wrestling world. Phil Karlson directed this biopic on Buford Pusser. Joe Don Baker stars as Buford who returns to his Tennessee hometown after retiring from wrestling with his wife Pauline, played by Elizabeth Hartman, and his kids Mike and Dwana, played by Leif Garrett and Dawn Lyn. Buford did not like the corruption he was seeing and decided to run for sheriff. Noah Beery Jr., Lurene Tuttle, Lynn Borden, Brenda Benet, Arch Johnson, Russell Thorson, and many others co-star in this film. This came out about a year before Pusser died and he was a consultant on the film. This tends to play on a lot of emotions when people come after Pusser and even his family. This brought out two sequels, a tv show and reboots with the Rock and Kevin Sorbo. This is available to watch on MGM + and Plex.
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Jesus Christ Superstar in Concert (2018): The one I chose for this one was Alice Cooper who accompanies Jake "The Snake" Roberts in WRESTLEMANIA III in his match against the Honkytonk Man. David Leveaux and Alex Rudzinski directed this NBC adaptation of the musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. John Legend stars as our savior Jesus Christ in this musical retelling which also stars Brandon Victor Dixon as Judas who we all know what he would do in the end. Sara Bareillis co-stars as Mary Magdalene in this musical. Alice Cooper is amusing in his cameo role as King Herod. Ben Daniels, Erik Gronall, Jin Ha, Norm Lewis, Jason Tam, and many others co-star in this film. This was a live adaptation on NBC when this first came out. Some of those NBC adaptations flopped but this one was really well done. I believe people who enjoy this musical in general will enjoy this adaptation. This is available to watch on Broadway HD.
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Neptune's Daughter (1949): The one I chose for this one is actor Mike Mazurki who was also a wrestler. He is also the founder of the Cauliflower Alley Club which is still going today and try to help people in the wrestling industry falling on hard times. Edward Buzzell directed this romantic musical. The aquatic queen Esther Williams stars as swimsuit fashion designer Eve Barrett and is concerned when she hears that her sister Betty, played by Betty Garrett, is dating South American polo player Jose O'Rourke. The person Betty really is dating is Jack Spratt, played by Red Skelton, who Betty thinks is Jose O'Rourke, played by Ricardo Montalban. Jack continues the charade, but things get complicated when they fall in love while Eve starts to fall for Jose. Keenan Wynn, Ted de Corsia, Mel Blanc, Frank Mitchell, and many others co-star in this musical. Blanc is known for being a voice actor and is in a rare live appearance where he would use a voice that would resemble and become Speedy Gonzalez four years later. This also introduces us to the song BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE which would become a holiday hit song. The lyrics in the later years would also become rather controversial in the modern era. This is a good musical and love story of mistaken identity. This is available to watch on Max.
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The Protector (2005): The wrestler chosen for this one is Nathan Jones who did get to be in WRESTLEMANIA XIX where he helped the Undertaker fight off the Big Show and A-Train. Unfortunately, Mr. Jones was a failed WWE project and decided to walk away from wrestling and get roles of big men in action films. Prachya Pinkaew directed this martial arts film that introduces us to Thai fighter Tony Jaa. Jaa stars as Kham who has been raised around elephants all his life to the point they are seen as family. A couple of them are stolen and must go to Australia to retrieve them and must take on a Thai mafia group lead by Madame Rose, played by Xing Jin. Phettai Vongkumlao, Lateef Crowder, Jon Foo, and many others co-star in this martial arts film. Okay, maybe the plot is a bit absurd, but it still has some really great fight scenes. It was also really easy to get behind Jaa which his elephants are stolen. This is available to watch on the CW, TUBI, Pluto TV, Fawesome, Plex, and the Roku Channel.
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Well, that is all for this section but continue on for "Wrestling Madness" where I feature movies with people involved in the wrestling industry, mostly those who have been in WRESTLEMANIA. Tell me what you like and dislike and stay tuned for the next couple weeks which so far includes Donnie Yen, Emma Stone, and many others.
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WRESTLING MADNESS
Dune: Part One (2021): The wrestler chosen for this movie is WWE Hall of Famer and former WWE champion Dave Bautista who co-stars as Beast Rabban Harkonnen. Denis Villeneuve directed this film which is based on the classic sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert. Timothee Chalamet stars as Paul Atreides who is just starting to learn his destiny. He must travel to a dangerous planet to ensure the future of his family and his people. Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Stellan Skarsgard, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Chang Chen, David Dastmalchian, Charlotte Rampling, Babs Olusanmokun, Benjamin Clementine, Souad Faress, Golda Rosheuvel, and many others co-star in this film. This is part one of the two-part movie which was the first featured in my other section. This has some really great visuals, and this is more setting the stage for the next one. I would wait until having enough time to watch them both like for me, I watched these a day apart. This is available to watch on Max.
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Predator (1987): The wrestler I chose for this one is WWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura who was a big part of the early days of WRESTLEMANIA as a commentator. John McTiernan directed this classic sci-fi horror film. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Dutch whose military unit is sent to a mission in a Central American jungle. On the mission, they encounter an extraterrestrial warrior who is picking off the unit one by one. Carl Weathers, Kevin Peter Hall, Elpidia Carrillo, Bill Duke, Sonny Landham, Richard Chaves, R.G. Armstrong, Shane Black, and may others co-star in this sci-fi film. This is ranked very high in the world of sci-fi and horror and still holds up today. It also has some great one-liners like "I ain't got time to bleed". There is not much that needs to be said about this iconic film which was the start to a franchise. This is available to watch on Disney Plus
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The Call (2013): The wrestler I chose for this one is David Otunga who was part of the first season of NXT and would be a part of WRESTLEMANIA XXVII as well as WRESTLEMANIA XXX. Brad Anderson directed this thriller that centers around a 911 call center. Halle Berry stars as veteran 911 operator Jordan Turner who must deal with a kidnapped girl named Casey, played by Abigail Breslin, and realizes the kidnapper is the same from another call she had that failed. She takes initiative in trying to find the culprit herself and save Casey. Evie Thompson, Morris Chestnut, Michael Eklund, Justina Machado, Jose Zuniga, Roma Maffia, Denise Dowse, Ella Rae Peck, Jenna Lamia, Ross Gallo, Ella Rae Peck, Jenna Lamia, Ross Gallo, and many others co-star in this thriller. Having worked in a call center, I could relate to this movie a little bit. This does seem to be a good look into a 911 center and a well-written story of an operator. I did desire a different ending but still a good performance out of Berry and was worth a look.
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Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017): The wrestler I chose for this one is Austin Theory who has a bit role as one of the inmates so don't blink. Theory has been making a name for himself the last few years for WRESTLEMANIA. Jon Watts directed this entry into the MCU. Fresh off from CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, Tom Holland reprises his role as Peter Parker who leads a double life as Spider-Man. As he is under the watchful eye of his mentor Tony Stark, reprised by Robert Downey Jr., Spider-Man must take on the bitter Adrian Toomes, played by Michael Keaton, who is wreaking havoc as the Vulture. Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Gwyneth Paltrow, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Jacob Batalon, Laura Harrier, Tony Revolori, Bokeem Woodbine, Tyne Daly, Abraham Attah, Hannibal Burress, Kenneth Choi, Selenis Leyva, Angourie Rice, and many others co-star in this superhero film. Holland is a lot of fun as the web slinger and brings that nerdiness of Peter Parker really well. Holland and Downey also had a really good dynamic where Stark is a father figure to Parker. This is available to watch on Disney Plus.
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Precious Cargo (2016): The person I chose for this one is WWE Hall of Famer Torrie Wilson who will be at Squared Circle Expo next week. Max Adams directed this action movie were we essentially see Mark-Paul Gosselaar taking on Bruce Willis. Gosselaar stars as thief Jack, who is recruited by an ex-lover in Karen, played by Claire Forlani, to steal a cargo of precious gems. Things go wrong and murderous crime boss Eddie, played by Willis goes after them. Jenna B. Kelly, Nick Loeb, Daniel Bernhardt, John Brotherton, Lydia Hall, Sammi Barber, Tyler Jon Olson, Christopher Rob Bowen, Ashley Kirk, and many others co-star in this action movie. Wilson has more of a cameo in this movie but looks good in those handful of minutes. This is more of a popcorn movie to watch among friends and maybe have a riffing session. This is available to watch on Fawesome, Plex, the Roku Channel, TUBI, and Tribeca Shortlist.
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The Bad News Bears Go to Japan (1978): This has a cameo from Japanese wrestling legend Antonio Inoki who plays himself and is in the WWE Hall of Fame. He might be most known for his wrestling match with Muhammad Ali but was far more than that. John Berry directed this entry into the franchise of the foul-mouthed little league misfits. Tony Curtis stars as hustler Marvin Lazar who uses the Bad News Bears in some scheme to play the top Japanese little league team. Jackie Earle Haley, Tomisaburo Wakayama, Lonny Chapman, Erin Blunt, David Pollack, Regis Philbin, and many others co-star in this comedy. This was mostly of worth to see Inoki in his appearance. Otherwise, it is a legendary bad movie and not one of Curtis's finest.
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Bubble Boy (2001): The one I chose for this one was Stacy Keibler who has a cameo in this comedy. She has been a part of WRESTLEMANIA, maybe most notably in WRESTLEMANIA XX in a tag team evening gown match where she teamed with Jackie Gayda taking on Sable and Torrie Wilson. Blair Hayes directed this comedy which I suppose is a parody of THE BOY IN THE PLASTIC BUBBLE. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Jimmy Livingston who was born with no immunities, so he has had to stay in a plastic bubble all his life. His neighbor Chloe, played by Marley Shelton, befriends him and is someone that Jimmy has loved all his life. He soon learns she is to be married in Niagara Falls so he builds a portable bubble suit in hopes of winning her affections. Swoosie Kurtz, Danny Trejo, John Carroll Lynch, Verne Troyer, Dave Sheridan, Brian George, Patrick Cranshaw, Stephen Spinella, Ever Carradine, Geoffrey Arend, Beetlejuice, Matthew McGrory, Bonnie Morgan, Jason Sklar, Randy Sklar, Ping Wu, Zach Galifianakis, Mandy Moore, Cleo King, Fabio, and many others co-star or have cameo appearances. This was a pretty fun movie essentially about a road trip with a lot of interesting characters that Jimmy meets on his journey. While the movie is a little out there sometimes and maybe politically incorrect, it has a pretty good message.
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Firepower (1993): The one I chose for this one is the polarizing WWE Hall of Famer Ultimate Warrior who made himself known in WRESTLEMANIA, most notably defeating Hulk Hogan the championship in WRESTLEMANIA VI. Richard Pepin directed this sci-fi action movie. Chad McQueen and Gary Daniels star as police officers Darren Braniff and Nick Sledge who are partners going undercover to expose possible counterfeit AIDS vaccines. In order to do this, they must join a fight ring. That's about all I really know about this Dystopian movie. George Murdock, Joseph Ruskin, Pablo Mars, Art Camacho, and many other co-star in this movie. Warrior co-stars in his first and only feature movie where he plays the Swordsman. He did not have any dialogue but did do that usual Warrior grunt. I have no idea how the actors felt about working with him as he did have a reputation of being hard to work with. Chad McQueen is the son of Steve McQueen and is probably most known as Dutch in THE KARATE KID. This is available to watch on Prime, TUBI, the Roku Channel, and Fawesome.
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Pain and Gain (2013): I chose Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson for this one who has made his presence known at WRESTLEMANIA on many occasions. This year, he will likely make his presence felt in some way in the championship match between John Cena and Cody Rhodes. Michael Bay directed this true crime film which is based on a magazine article by Pete Collins. Mark Wahlberg stars as bodybuilder Daniel Lugo who wants the American dream and have more money which I suppose is something we all want. Daniel enlists the help of fellow bodybuilder Adrian Doorbal, played by Anthony Mackie, and ex-con, Christian bodybuilder Paul Doyle, played by Johnson, on a kidnapping and extortion scheme which goes terribly awry. Tony Shalhoub, Ed Harris, Rob Corddry, Bar Poly, Rebel Wilson, Ken Jeong, Michael Rispoli, Kelli Lefkovitz, Emily Rutherfurd, Larry Hankin, Tony Plana, Peter Stormare, Vivi Pineda, Ken Clement, Yolanthe Cabau, and many others co-star in this film. Look for wrestling legend Kurt Angle in a bit role. I had no idea what to expect from this movie. I also believe, the less known the better. It is a very intriguing and very sad story told in a dark comedy way.
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F9: The Fast Saga (2021): I now bring on John Cena who is introduced to the Fastverse as Dom and Mia's estranged brother Jakob. Tonight, John Cena takes on Cody Rhodes for the WWE World Champtionship at WRESTLEMANIA. Justin Lin directed the 9th installment of the Fast and Furious universe. Vin Diesel reprises his role as Dominic Toretto who is finally leading a quieter life with Letty, reprised by Michelle Rodriguez, and his son Little Brian. They get a visit from Roman, reprised by Tyrese Gibson, Tej, reprised by Ludicris, and Ramsey, reprised by Nathalie Emmanuelle, and are informed that Mr. Nobody's, played by Kurt Russell, plane was attacked by rogue agents. Dom agrees to help when learning his estranged brother Jakob, played by Cena is part of the group. Jordana Brewster, Charlize Theron, Finn Cole, Sung Kang, Anna Sawai, Helen Mirren, Lucas Black, Shad Moss, Thue Ersted Rasmussen, Don Omar, Shea Whigham, Michael Rooker, Jim Parrack, Bad Bunny, Cardi B, and many others co-star in this action movie. This seems to be more of a transition into the next movie in my opinion. There is still a lot of very unrealistic action scenes in this adrenaline rush. This came out 20 years after the first franchise movie THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS. This is available to watch on Peacock.
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I, Tonya (2017): The person I chose for this one is Paul Walter Hauser who has been doing some wrestling and will be at Squared Circle Expo next week. Hauser started working in wrestling in 2023 and is signed to Major League Wrestling and likely most known for his match with "Indy God" Matt Cardona. Maybe one day he'll get a WRESTLEMANIA moment. Craig Gillespie directed this docudrama on former figure skater and boxer Tonya Harding. Margot Robbie stars as Harding where we see her getting raised by her overbearing mother LaVona, played by Allison Janney, and her volatile marriage with Jeff Gilooty, played by Sebastian Stan. This shows her rise in the figure skating world and her fall after the incident with rival figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, played by Caitlin Carver. Julianne Nicholson, Bobby Cannavale, Bojana Novakovic, McKenna Grace, Jason Davis, and many others co-star in this dark comedy. This is shot like a documentary a lot of times and is also done in a ROSHOMON way where statements are very contradictory which they make clear in the beginning of the movie. It is also shot like a dark comedy which worked really well. This is available to watch on TUBI.
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Fast X (2023): I bring back John Cena for the 10th installment of the Fast franchise where he reprises his role as Jakob. Louis Letterier directed this installment of the franchise. Dom, reprised by Vin Diesel, is in the fight of his life when the vengeful son of Hernan Reyes named Dante, played by Jason Momoa targets him and his family. Michelle Rodriguez, Jason Statham, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Nathalie Emmanuel, Charlize Theron, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, Brie Larson, Scott Eastwood, Alan Ritchson, Luis Da Silva Jr., Daniela Melchior, Leo Abelo Perry, and many others co-star in this action movie. I found myself enjoying this more than F9 which is also featured. Mamoa clearly had a lot of fun as the villain in this movie. This is full of the family references and unrealistic action scenes. I just tried to enjoy this for what it is, an adrenaline rush essentially. I also bet just about all of us wish we had the sort of family this franchise has built. This is available to watch on Starz.
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You Cannot Kill David Arquette (2020): I decided to end with this wrestling documentary which was directed by David Darg and Price James. Much of us know the basic story where David Arquette starred in the WCW wrestling comedy READY TO RUMBLE. To promote the movie, World Championship Wrestling decided to put him on the show to the point where he was WCW champion much to the dismay of the wrestling fanbase. Years later, it is still eating at him and decides to try the wrestling again in hopes of earning redemption I suppose. This shows his rocky return to wrestling where he starts out in a backyard show, to some Lucha wrestling in the middle of the road, and to some independent bookings Arquette would receive. The scare one was a death match he had with Nick Gage. Much of his family get interviewed for this documentary and some of the wrestlers who have helped him along the way. Arquette may not have deserved the championship, but he was just doing what was told to him. During his time in WCW, he donated his salary to the families of the late Brian Pillman and Owen Hart. This is a great story on trying to earn respect. This is available to watch on TUBI.
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