The New York Post has published an interview with TNA Wrestling star Kurt Angle discussing his Olympic aspirations. The interview includes discussion of his professional wrestling career, and he explains how he made the transition between the professional and amateur ranks.
"It was a complete career adaptation. It wasn't a step above, going from amateur wrestling to pro wrestling, it was going from real wrestling to sports entertainment," Angle said. "A lot of people put me up there as far as saying he's one of the best ever. And I've only been wrestling for 11 and a half years. I think that Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker, guys who have put 30 years into it deserve it. Me getting that praise after only 11 years—it's not fair.”
Though Kurt Angle has not competed inside a WWE ring in over five years, his impact is still seen today. The Olympic Gold Medalist, however, does not appreciate his moves and style being replicated.
"When Jack Swagger copies my ankle lock and Randy Orton does my Angle Slam, it's disrespectful," Angle said. "I didn't come up with the Ankle Lock, Ken Shamrock came up with the Ankle Lock but I waited until he retired to do the Ankle Lock. That company has no respect for me."
Despite his displeasure with WWE grapplers using his moves, Angle is grateful that he has been able to parlay Vince McMahon's vision for him into a successful career in both WWE and TNA Wrerstling.
"I love Vince McMahon. He came up with the Kurt Angle character,” Angle said. "He ran with it and then I was able to run with it. I thank him for the opportunity he gave me. Vince McMahon was one of my best friends, period. Now I'm loyal to Dixie Carter."
Saturday, 7 January 2012
Friday, 6 January 2012
Maryse |nterview Highights
Former WWE Diva Maryse was a guest on the Hit The Ropes radio show Wednesday night. Highlights from the interview are as follows:
What she's been up to recently with House of Maryse:
"Well, I have been working on House of Maryse for about a year and a half now, so you know I'm very excited about it and I'm hoping we will be launching in the summer. Hopefully June or July. So basically House of Maryse is all of those little things that I love. You know I'm a girl and when it comes to fashion and you know lingerie, make-up, shoes. It's just something that I love so I decided to create lines about it, something that would be creative and made by me. So I think it's something my fan's would love to have access to.... it will be available world wide at HouseofMaryse.com and available in 400 stores in the states also."
Other goals:
"Well I'm in LA and being in LA, like they say I surround myself with a lot of good people and a good team and it's so important. That is one of the elements you need when you out there, and I love acting, I love being a character. I mean if you watch my character on TV, you'll know I have so much fun with it. Now it's like- I wanna play other characters, you know it's like a TV show. I'm done with that one, I want another one. So I'm ready to play different character. So yeah, of course, acting is like my main goal and I'm working really hard on it and it's awesome."
Thoughts on current Divas Division:
"Oh, right now I wish management would give them more time, because like I said, I think there's a lot of potential. It's hard to perform and give everything that you have, it one or two minute match every week. So the girls need to get the microphone, you need to be able to get time to talk so people can relate to them and like I said they need more time, that's for sure. More time on TV."
Her feelings on her release:
Well, you know I had six fantastic years with the WWE. I, you know, if I would have to do it again I would do it. I mean it's a big part of my life, I've been traveling so much, I've been learning so many experiences and you know there's nothing like it. There's nothing like performing in front of the WWE fans. Any job you could do, you could imagine like performing for the WWE Universe. But I mean, I had fun and now it's kind of like, next chapter of my life. Like what would I want to do, I have other dreams, I have other stuff I wanna work on and it was impossible being under contract with WWE. Now I'm free, I'm free to do whatever I want. But I had a good time, but now it's like next. I want better, I want bigger and I'm working towards it. So it's all positive stuff, it's all positive.
The school girl that was Maryse:
"Well, I remember the I was involved so many things. I even did hockey for about three years. Then I moved to cross country and I really used to be involved in all of those sports. It's funny because people couldn't imagine me doing that. Tall, blonde looking girl, everyone said I was a model, and couldn't do sports. I was very involved in sports and very athletic. Then when I got to be 18-19-20 I kind of calm down and got more into hair, fashion, make-up. But in college I was very athletic with the boys."
What she's been up to recently with House of Maryse:
"Well, I have been working on House of Maryse for about a year and a half now, so you know I'm very excited about it and I'm hoping we will be launching in the summer. Hopefully June or July. So basically House of Maryse is all of those little things that I love. You know I'm a girl and when it comes to fashion and you know lingerie, make-up, shoes. It's just something that I love so I decided to create lines about it, something that would be creative and made by me. So I think it's something my fan's would love to have access to.... it will be available world wide at HouseofMaryse.com and available in 400 stores in the states also."
Other goals:
"Well I'm in LA and being in LA, like they say I surround myself with a lot of good people and a good team and it's so important. That is one of the elements you need when you out there, and I love acting, I love being a character. I mean if you watch my character on TV, you'll know I have so much fun with it. Now it's like- I wanna play other characters, you know it's like a TV show. I'm done with that one, I want another one. So I'm ready to play different character. So yeah, of course, acting is like my main goal and I'm working really hard on it and it's awesome."
Thoughts on current Divas Division:
"Oh, right now I wish management would give them more time, because like I said, I think there's a lot of potential. It's hard to perform and give everything that you have, it one or two minute match every week. So the girls need to get the microphone, you need to be able to get time to talk so people can relate to them and like I said they need more time, that's for sure. More time on TV."
Her feelings on her release:
Well, you know I had six fantastic years with the WWE. I, you know, if I would have to do it again I would do it. I mean it's a big part of my life, I've been traveling so much, I've been learning so many experiences and you know there's nothing like it. There's nothing like performing in front of the WWE fans. Any job you could do, you could imagine like performing for the WWE Universe. But I mean, I had fun and now it's kind of like, next chapter of my life. Like what would I want to do, I have other dreams, I have other stuff I wanna work on and it was impossible being under contract with WWE. Now I'm free, I'm free to do whatever I want. But I had a good time, but now it's like next. I want better, I want bigger and I'm working towards it. So it's all positive stuff, it's all positive.
The school girl that was Maryse:
"Well, I remember the I was involved so many things. I even did hockey for about three years. Then I moved to cross country and I really used to be involved in all of those sports. It's funny because people couldn't imagine me doing that. Tall, blonde looking girl, everyone said I was a model, and couldn't do sports. I was very involved in sports and very athletic. Then when I got to be 18-19-20 I kind of calm down and got more into hair, fashion, make-up. But in college I was very athletic with the boys."
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
WWE DVD Review - Greatest Rivalries - Shawn Michaels Vs Bret Hart
WWE DVD Review: Greatest Rivalries – Shawn Michaels Vs. Bret Hart
By Phil Allely
I like countless other wrestling fans of a certain age have been waiting for this DVD box set for a great many years now. Why you may ask, well because it not only features two of the WWE’s most popular and influential superstars, but also finally lets us hear their own (perhaps slightly WWE endorsed) thoughts on the infamous ‘Double Cross’ form Survivor Series 1997 that saw Bret hart get screwed out of the WWE World Title by Vince McMahon (with assistance from Michaels and referee Earl Hebner).
Over three (or two on Blu-ray) packed discs we get a nicely made documentary/sit down interview with Bret & Shawn, plus a good mix of their best matches, including a few early bouts and never seen before on DVD ones.
The sit down interview is the main selling point here. Hosted by good old Jim Ross this is a well-paced and decently put together piece. We get brief glimpses of the pairs early years as tag team grapplers, their progression to singles runs and their subsequent title wins.
There are of course numerous parallels in the in-ring careers of both men. Hart being form a wrestling family had it in his blood and was destined for greatness. Michaels was the stand out tag team star who needed an attitude adjustment to find his true role in the WWE (then WWF).
Jim Ross does provide some interesting questions here and he does probe both guys about early matches, their title wins, match highlights and the fact that no matter how much they disliked each other, these were two men who kept the WWE ticking over in the 1990s.
Michaels and Hart appear to be genuinely pleased to have buried the hatchet with each other. The legendary ‘Double Cross’ was a situation that McMahon felt was necessary, Hart was about to leave for WWE rivals WCW and he was unwilling to drop the title to Michaels on PPV in his home country of Canada. This volatile situation grew out of Hart’s 20 year contract with the WWE being shot to pieces due to budgets and him having to source a new contract elsewhere, it also spiralled out of control as his and Michaels’ turbulent relationship began to blur reality with storylines.
It is interesting to see how these men now feel many years later about what transpires that November night in 1997. Hart did indeed sign with WCW, he also saw his brother Owen die in a freak accident live on WWE PPV, he himself suffered a career ending concussion and went on to see many other friends die early due to their grappling career. Michaels had to retire from the WWE himself due a severe back injury and somehow returned a few years later to surpass his previous successes, now with a new found faith in god he tore the house down and stole the show wherever he could.
Now both retired this release is perhaps the best way to see two pioneers of the sport at their best, it also highlights just how real a planned sport can become.
On the match front we have some true classics, these include The Rockers versus The Hart Foundation (1989), a ladder match for the IC Title (1992), a good Steel cage match (1993) and the highly regarded Iron Man scrap from WrestleMania 12. There are also both men’s Hall of Fame inductions.
Greatest Rivalries – Shawn Michaels Vs. Bret Hart is available now from www.silvervision.co.uk and all good retailers.
RRP £29.99 (DVD), £34.99 (Blu-ray)
Running Time 7hrs 5mins (DVD 3 discs), 8hrs 22mins (Blu-ray 2 discs)
By Phil Allely
I like countless other wrestling fans of a certain age have been waiting for this DVD box set for a great many years now. Why you may ask, well because it not only features two of the WWE’s most popular and influential superstars, but also finally lets us hear their own (perhaps slightly WWE endorsed) thoughts on the infamous ‘Double Cross’ form Survivor Series 1997 that saw Bret hart get screwed out of the WWE World Title by Vince McMahon (with assistance from Michaels and referee Earl Hebner).
Over three (or two on Blu-ray) packed discs we get a nicely made documentary/sit down interview with Bret & Shawn, plus a good mix of their best matches, including a few early bouts and never seen before on DVD ones.
The sit down interview is the main selling point here. Hosted by good old Jim Ross this is a well-paced and decently put together piece. We get brief glimpses of the pairs early years as tag team grapplers, their progression to singles runs and their subsequent title wins.
There are of course numerous parallels in the in-ring careers of both men. Hart being form a wrestling family had it in his blood and was destined for greatness. Michaels was the stand out tag team star who needed an attitude adjustment to find his true role in the WWE (then WWF).
Jim Ross does provide some interesting questions here and he does probe both guys about early matches, their title wins, match highlights and the fact that no matter how much they disliked each other, these were two men who kept the WWE ticking over in the 1990s.
Michaels and Hart appear to be genuinely pleased to have buried the hatchet with each other. The legendary ‘Double Cross’ was a situation that McMahon felt was necessary, Hart was about to leave for WWE rivals WCW and he was unwilling to drop the title to Michaels on PPV in his home country of Canada. This volatile situation grew out of Hart’s 20 year contract with the WWE being shot to pieces due to budgets and him having to source a new contract elsewhere, it also spiralled out of control as his and Michaels’ turbulent relationship began to blur reality with storylines.
It is interesting to see how these men now feel many years later about what transpires that November night in 1997. Hart did indeed sign with WCW, he also saw his brother Owen die in a freak accident live on WWE PPV, he himself suffered a career ending concussion and went on to see many other friends die early due to their grappling career. Michaels had to retire from the WWE himself due a severe back injury and somehow returned a few years later to surpass his previous successes, now with a new found faith in god he tore the house down and stole the show wherever he could.
Now both retired this release is perhaps the best way to see two pioneers of the sport at their best, it also highlights just how real a planned sport can become.
On the match front we have some true classics, these include The Rockers versus The Hart Foundation (1989), a ladder match for the IC Title (1992), a good Steel cage match (1993) and the highly regarded Iron Man scrap from WrestleMania 12. There are also both men’s Hall of Fame inductions.
Greatest Rivalries – Shawn Michaels Vs. Bret Hart is available now from www.silvervision.co.uk and all good retailers.
RRP £29.99 (DVD), £34.99 (Blu-ray)
Running Time 7hrs 5mins (DVD 3 discs), 8hrs 22mins (Blu-ray 2 discs)
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Sunday, 1 January 2012
WWE DVD Review - SummerSlam 2011
WWE DVD Review: SummerSlam 2011
By Phil Allely
SummerSlam has traditionally been one of the WWE’s biggest events of the year. SummerSlam usually has a nice mix of top class bouts and will feature some matches that have evolved from the company’s big show WrestleMania. SummerSlam 2011 was a very reasonable event and one that for the most part ticked all of the relevant boxes when it comes to PPV shows.
The card saw a returning CM Punk take on John Cena to crown an undisputed WWE Champion in an eventful and exciting scrap. Triple H as guest referee is an interesting dynamic here too.
We also got to see Christian defend his World Heavyweight Championship against his best opponent and perennial thorn in his side Randy Orton. This is a match that makes this DVD well worth purchasing alone.
Another well received bout is Ireland’s own Sheamus battling ‘Worlds Strongest Man’ Mark Henry.
Elsewhere we have a nice six man match with Rey Mysterio, John Morrison and Kofi Kingston versus The Miz, R-Truth and Alberto Del Rio. There are also reasonably well paced efforts with Kelly Kelly taking on Beth Phoenix (Divas Championship) and Daniel Bryan versus Wade Barrett. Both of which are equally entertaining for differing reasons.
SummerSlam 2011 is a very good release by the WWE/Silver Vision and one that will please fans with ease, match wise they do range from average to very good. On the extras front however we simply get a fun interview with Alberto Del Rio.
SummerSlam 2011 is available now from www.silvervision.co.uk and all good retailers.
RRP £17.99 (DVD), £19.99 (Blu-ray), runtime 2hrs 50mins (DVD), 4hrs 8mins (Blu-ray).
By Phil Allely
SummerSlam has traditionally been one of the WWE’s biggest events of the year. SummerSlam usually has a nice mix of top class bouts and will feature some matches that have evolved from the company’s big show WrestleMania. SummerSlam 2011 was a very reasonable event and one that for the most part ticked all of the relevant boxes when it comes to PPV shows.
The card saw a returning CM Punk take on John Cena to crown an undisputed WWE Champion in an eventful and exciting scrap. Triple H as guest referee is an interesting dynamic here too.
We also got to see Christian defend his World Heavyweight Championship against his best opponent and perennial thorn in his side Randy Orton. This is a match that makes this DVD well worth purchasing alone.
Another well received bout is Ireland’s own Sheamus battling ‘Worlds Strongest Man’ Mark Henry.
Elsewhere we have a nice six man match with Rey Mysterio, John Morrison and Kofi Kingston versus The Miz, R-Truth and Alberto Del Rio. There are also reasonably well paced efforts with Kelly Kelly taking on Beth Phoenix (Divas Championship) and Daniel Bryan versus Wade Barrett. Both of which are equally entertaining for differing reasons.
SummerSlam 2011 is a very good release by the WWE/Silver Vision and one that will please fans with ease, match wise they do range from average to very good. On the extras front however we simply get a fun interview with Alberto Del Rio.
SummerSlam 2011 is available now from www.silvervision.co.uk and all good retailers.
RRP £17.99 (DVD), £19.99 (Blu-ray), runtime 2hrs 50mins (DVD), 4hrs 8mins (Blu-ray).
DVD Review: TNA Twin Pack - No Surrender 2011/HardCore Justice 2011
TNA Twin DVD Review : TNA Twin Pack - Hardcore Justice 2011 & No Surrender 2011
By Phil Allely
I’ve said it before but it needs saying again TNA’s concept of putting two recent Pay-Per-Views together on one reasonably priced DVD is a masterstroke for the company.
We have already reviewed both these shows (so you can see our comments here elsewhere), so here let’s give you a rundown of what Hardcore Justice and No Surrender 201 have to offer.
This two disc box set runs for over six hours and both events are well worth viewing once again.
HardCORE Justice 2011
On August 7, 2011 live from Universal Studios, TNA Wrestling presented "HardCORE Justice" featuring a six man match with an all-out war between Immortal and Fortune as well as the continuation of the "Bound for Glory Series."
NO SURRENDER 2011
In the live pay-per-view event, TNA Wrestling's "No Surrender" on September 11, 2011 featured the finals of the "Bound for Glory Series" and the main event for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship with Kurt Angle vs. Sting vs. Mr. Anderson! You do not want to miss all this high impact action plus exclusive backstage post match interviews, bonus footage and more!
These events featured:
HardCORE Justice 2011
X Division Championship
Austin Aries vs Alex Shelley vs. Brian Kendrick
Knockout Tag Team Championship
Rosita & Sarita vs. Tara & Miss Tessmacher
Bound for Glory Series Match
The Pope vs. Devon
Knockouts Championship
Winter vs. Mickie James
Bound for Glory Series Match
RVD vs. Crimson
Fortune vs. Immortal
Bully Ray vs. Mr. Anderson
Tag Team Championship
Mexican America vs. Beer Money
No Surrender 2011
#1 Contender for the X Division Championship
Jesse Sorrenson vs. Kid Kash
Bound for Glory Series Match
Bully Ray vs. James Storm
Knockouts Championship
Mickie James vs. Winter
World Tag Team Championship
Mexican America vs. the Pope & Devon
Matt Morgan vs. Samoa Joe
Bound for Glory Series Match
Gunner vs. Bobby Roode
X Division Championship
Austin Aeries vs. Brian Kendrick
Bound for Glory Series Finals
Bully Ray vs. Booby Roode
World Heavyweight Championship
Mr. Anderson vs. Sting vs. Kurt Angle
This TNA Twin pack is available now from all good retailers and more information can be got via www.impactwrestling.com
By Phil Allely
I’ve said it before but it needs saying again TNA’s concept of putting two recent Pay-Per-Views together on one reasonably priced DVD is a masterstroke for the company.
We have already reviewed both these shows (so you can see our comments here elsewhere), so here let’s give you a rundown of what Hardcore Justice and No Surrender 201 have to offer.
This two disc box set runs for over six hours and both events are well worth viewing once again.
HardCORE Justice 2011
On August 7, 2011 live from Universal Studios, TNA Wrestling presented "HardCORE Justice" featuring a six man match with an all-out war between Immortal and Fortune as well as the continuation of the "Bound for Glory Series."
NO SURRENDER 2011
In the live pay-per-view event, TNA Wrestling's "No Surrender" on September 11, 2011 featured the finals of the "Bound for Glory Series" and the main event for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship with Kurt Angle vs. Sting vs. Mr. Anderson! You do not want to miss all this high impact action plus exclusive backstage post match interviews, bonus footage and more!
These events featured:
HardCORE Justice 2011
X Division Championship
Austin Aries vs Alex Shelley vs. Brian Kendrick
Knockout Tag Team Championship
Rosita & Sarita vs. Tara & Miss Tessmacher
Bound for Glory Series Match
The Pope vs. Devon
Knockouts Championship
Winter vs. Mickie James
Bound for Glory Series Match
RVD vs. Crimson
Fortune vs. Immortal
Bully Ray vs. Mr. Anderson
Tag Team Championship
Mexican America vs. Beer Money
No Surrender 2011
#1 Contender for the X Division Championship
Jesse Sorrenson vs. Kid Kash
Bound for Glory Series Match
Bully Ray vs. James Storm
Knockouts Championship
Mickie James vs. Winter
World Tag Team Championship
Mexican America vs. the Pope & Devon
Matt Morgan vs. Samoa Joe
Bound for Glory Series Match
Gunner vs. Bobby Roode
X Division Championship
Austin Aeries vs. Brian Kendrick
Bound for Glory Series Finals
Bully Ray vs. Booby Roode
World Heavyweight Championship
Mr. Anderson vs. Sting vs. Kurt Angle
This TNA Twin pack is available now from all good retailers and more information can be got via www.impactwrestling.com
DVD Review: The Steve Austin Collection
wrestling legend Steve Austin has made a very impressive mark on the movie/TV industry and has forged himself a nice career in it since he hung up his wrestling boots.
This triple disc boxset is a very good introduction to Austin's movie output and a testament to his acting prowess.
With his recent return to WWE TV and a wonderful performance as host of the wrestling company's Tough Enough TV show it is now highly likely that Austin will work between his acting committments and his big screen ones.
Stone Cold as he is most well known in wrestling circles is one of the few fomer grapplers that has done well for himself outside of the ring. I have even had the priviledge of interviewing him on multiple occasions and found him to be a very nice man indeed.
The films on offer here include Austin's breakthrough hit The Stranger, a bu the numbers action romp, Hunt to Kill (featuring Eric Roberts) which heads down a more rugged ass-kicking route and the feel-good tale Born to Fight, which sees Austin strut his acting chops to the best of his ability.
With huge hit action flick The Expendables under his belt Austin's career is now going to the next level, he can indeed pick and choose his films, he can also jump genres too.
This boxset is a great way to introduce yourself to Steve Austin the actor and you know what you will be very pleasently pleased too.
The Steve Austin Collection is on release now from all good retailers.
This triple disc boxset is a very good introduction to Austin's movie output and a testament to his acting prowess.
With his recent return to WWE TV and a wonderful performance as host of the wrestling company's Tough Enough TV show it is now highly likely that Austin will work between his acting committments and his big screen ones.
Stone Cold as he is most well known in wrestling circles is one of the few fomer grapplers that has done well for himself outside of the ring. I have even had the priviledge of interviewing him on multiple occasions and found him to be a very nice man indeed.
The films on offer here include Austin's breakthrough hit The Stranger, a bu the numbers action romp, Hunt to Kill (featuring Eric Roberts) which heads down a more rugged ass-kicking route and the feel-good tale Born to Fight, which sees Austin strut his acting chops to the best of his ability.
With huge hit action flick The Expendables under his belt Austin's career is now going to the next level, he can indeed pick and choose his films, he can also jump genres too.
This boxset is a great way to introduce yourself to Steve Austin the actor and you know what you will be very pleasently pleased too.
The Steve Austin Collection is on release now from all good retailers.
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