Down The Middle Episode 64: The Iron Claw

[00:00:37] And you know what's funny about that? Like really just never really think about it Like as kids you restaurant with your parents and stuff right? In my dad used to always do that move and I never Never like realize what it meant, what it done. Oh no

[00:01:09] At least we know the audio works. Ha! Okay now we have video. Sorry about that folks. I forgot to do one part A live pal. Now we have video. Sorry about that folks. And then making sure that I can hear you.

[00:01:30] There we go. Alrighty so when you were saying about the Iron Claw, you didn't When you were a kid like we I think we all kind of knew about the Iron Claw

[00:01:40] Or at least some version. Yeah my dad would always do that like we were wrestling around and like I didn't know what that resembled at that time and like Now watching the movie like I understand what it was. I understand what it means

[00:01:55] All these years later. Yeah, no it was I so it's you were saying before we went live that You know before going into this movie you didn't really know that much about the Von Erics

[00:02:08] Because it was for our time and I was the same way I had heard I was tertiary familiar with the Von Erics story like listening to Jim Cornette and some Dark side of the ring tails of the territory stuff like that. So I like I knew

[00:02:24] vaguely who they were but I didn't know the whole story and I knew there was a lot of tragedy But I didn't again I didn't know who all they were

[00:02:31] But when I saw the trailer for this movie, I did a bunch of research because that's what I do. I just nerd out like that and I Learned about the Von Erics and I'm like man To be a wrestling fan in Texas at that time

[00:02:45] Not just Texas, but I Think being a wrestling fan in the 80s was just Better than today I do I do I have a few eggs

[00:02:58] Yeah, there's there's some eggs don't get me wrong like I'm not romanticizing is saying oh nothing bad was ever done in the 80s Well, there's two people most of the be in it and I never seen them Who you were referring to?

[00:03:13] Chava was supposed to be the original chic I never seen I remember seeing he was in there. He was in that you okay

[00:03:21] I was like first let's second year the him wrestle in the midst inside of the match and it was like a quick move and that was it It was I

[00:03:29] See I was watching that work so like I was like I heard everything yeah and mjf was even faster It was a real blinking you'll miss it sort of thing Yeah, I didn't even notice mjf. That's the other one

[00:03:41] Like I didn't notice either one of them yeah, he would they were both in there. I saw both of them And although Chavo which I haven't seen Chavo in a number of years so he looks he looks a little different but it's definitely Chavo

[00:03:53] Yeah, they were both in there But I will have to either go back and watch again or it's like you come across that clip or no exactly what clip it is you can clip it to me. It's

[00:04:05] I forget they're supposed to be wrestling but it's Kevin Von Eric played by Zac Efron and then he's got a different tag team partner Which this is after the the brothers are died This was before Carrie

[00:04:20] Okay, I can't remember if Michael had died in the movie yet. I know I think Michael had recovered But he hadn't died yet but he couldn't wrestle so he this was yeah, so I can't remember the name of the fake cousin now

[00:04:36] But that's what so that was a scene where It's actually really good filmmaking because if you know which I'm gonna you remember the name of the fake cousin the fake Von Eric

[00:04:47] I think it started with an L like Logan or was it Lance was it Lance Von Eric It's see I didn't know like Like talking to some of the guys at once. It was Lance Von Eric okay cool cool

[00:04:59] And like now that you say that it makes sense to me now Because like they talked about how there was like a fake cousin but like in the movie

[00:05:07] They did go into detail about this fake cousin all like they didn't the reason I say it was good filmmaking though It's because for those those of us that are wrestling fans in that no

[00:05:17] When you see that scene all the all they do there's no dialogue it's just that guy front in a match with a tag team partner who's not Going with the flow of the match. She's leaving him out those of us that know

[00:05:28] Understand, oh that's Lance Von Eric but the movie There was very little wasted motion in this movie It was very very good. I have like a couple of minor nitpicks, but they're they're very minor weren't you doing

[00:05:46] Okay, I think I know what it is but anyway, so let me finish my point before we get off on a tangent but For someone who's just watching the movie who maybe isn't a wrestling fan or doesn't know about the Von Eric's

[00:05:59] You know that scene all you need to know from a narrative perspective is that things are not right with the Von Eric's and that scene still does that because You don't have to know what's a fake cousin

[00:06:09] But you just know things are not things are not copicetic things are not Jiven and See like like like you just said like I understood that like something wasn't right and like Now that you tell me that and the guys that talks about work

[00:06:29] About wrestling they were they were alive at that time and watched wrestling at that time New about the Von Eric's and like he was explained to me about like how there was like a fake cousin that is dad like adopted or whatever And

[00:06:46] Now that you say that it makes sense of why it wasn't working out Yeah, exactly but like I said for those of us that knew we were like oh it's Lance And I didn't know that and it makes sense now

[00:07:00] But it doesn't it's not a key detail that ruins the movie if you don't know that that's what I'm saying But it saves a lot of time because then you don't have to film a scene explaining yeah we're gonna You know

[00:07:15] He's gonna be your tag team partner. He's like But he's not family. So I what we're gonna say he is you know that kind of thing What thing I have to say? I didn't know their dad was such a dick

[00:07:28] I don't think he actually was though but in the movie definitely Yeah, I don't I think they took some liberties because For everything I've heard about Fritz Von Eric was he was tough but he was You know Very very

[00:07:46] My dog is being so stupid. Hey get down leave it alone Anyway She's trying to eat my cats food and it's like I put it up high. She could just barely reach it if she really tried but Just leave it alone you've already You're husky enough stop

[00:08:14] Anyway, so yeah, from what I've heard about Fritz Von Eric he was very tough But at the same time he also cared deeply about his family and I did I did or maybe Jim Cornette said maybe I read I can't remember

[00:08:29] What I do know is that it actually wasn't Kevin that found carry Von Eric after he Committed suicide. It was actually Fritz Yeah, part of 100% no it wasn't a hundred percent and I know that Kevin Von Eric was not directly involved in a

[00:08:46] Production but he was you know they asked for his blessing and I guess his one requirement was I want it to be clear How much I love my brothers and how much we love each other and that pool that movie Yeah

[00:09:02] That movie did it in spades and then what's another this is gonna be a really random. This is a review This is more of a discussion This is more of a quote all over the place. Yeah, so we're just this is just two friends talking about a movie

[00:09:14] We watch that song that Mike did in the movie. That's damn good song Especially for somebody that was kind of new to and just like really starting to get into music it was It was a good song

[00:09:29] I'm curious where it came from I wonder if that I don't think that was Song that was actually written by Mike Von Eric, but it would be cool if it was I think they probably just made it for the movie But it was Very good

[00:09:45] About a scene and like I get names mix up. I'm still trying to learn them yeah, they're all Von Erics Come on Eric number five So the youngest brother Probably youngest okay, so that's Mike Yeah, they're red hair Yeah, okay

[00:10:04] Here here's my biggest egg and you will probably agree The work there that they use is probably the worst Work there that we could ever have them personally the one that used on run young rock was three times better

[00:10:21] Yeah, and I even had my issues which here's the thing though. I give the movie a bit of a pass Well some one of a pass Because it's really hard to get actors that can play wrestlers

[00:10:33] Because especially in the 80s like this isn't a criticism it was an observation I will say I was I think I'm still right, but I'm not as right as I thought I was I okay so Jeremy Allen White the actor who plays Carrie Von Eric

[00:10:52] I'm actually I'm a big fan of his but I did say I was like he's a little small to play Carrie Von Eric now That was based on the trailer

[00:11:06] In the actual movie it's it's less distracting than I thought it was gonna be because Carrie was not the tallest But he's he's a big dude But it like Zach Efron was really the only one that I would say had an 80s wrestler build

[00:11:25] I mean that dude is a freak and you it's so funny because I'm not gonna say he took steroids or not I don't know but honestly he looked as though he was getting you it honestly looked like

[00:11:40] Not so much how he looked but how he was moving a lot of the time it looked like he was wearing a body suit because he wasn't quite Maybe he was just a little rigid in it. He seemed like he wasn't

[00:11:51] Not uncomfortable. What's the what's the word I'm looking for when you're just not moving as fluidly as you normally would I don't know he's always been like I've watched a lot of his movies and he's always seen like he's always been kind of jacked

[00:12:04] He's always been ripped but in this movie he got jacked Yeah, he went he'd like he did the whole he went for size But funny thing happened he looked like a wrestler

[00:12:18] Did he looked like not so much in the face but you can't help that but he looked like Kevin Von Eric He played the part right yeah, I mean Zac Efron. I never dislike Zac Efron but I was in different to Zac Efron until I saw him in

[00:12:36] Well, I saw him in a couple of things and every time I see him in a movie I like him a little bit more But I mean he's he's very very good and he nailed it. He hit it out of the park

[00:12:46] Yeah, I think they're like like a lot of the moves that I seen them in there has always been comedies Yeah, I know we can do comedy but I know he can do drama too

[00:12:56] Well, this is like a very it's drama but it's like very serious drama. Yeah, yeah, yeah, well, I shouldn't really call that I only say drama and that it's serious. That's what I mean He a dramatic role Harley race he looked good

[00:13:13] But I think I think I know somebody that could have played him even better Oh, we might agree on this but yeah, I agree so who whoever Murdock Yeah, but it can Trevor Murdock act He's a wrestler. Why no really we're gonna go down that can't work

[00:13:33] Be a wrestler it's it's a little different but I I know Harley race is probably the best impersonator out of Everybody they got I agree the Rick flare was all right. Although I I his promo was okay, you know who they should have gotten

[00:13:49] The shoot got an AJ styles Because AJ styles is a mean Rick flare and he's got the longer hair now They could have just died of lawn or put a wig on him He's the jaly put that point

[00:14:08] I mean it is it does make you wonder although you want to talk about casting check this out You know who Pedro Pascal is right? I'm just assuming you do Take up her name, but I'm not sure okay, so there are whispers and please

[00:14:23] Please let this be true and happening because of the success of the iron claw I heard this one already and Yeah, there's talk of an Eddie Guerrero Movie being made with Pedro Pascal starring as Eddie

[00:14:40] Well, I didn't hear that it was gonna be an Eddie Guerrero movie. I heard it was just gonna be a Guerrero family in general Maybe but I had heard an Eddie Guerrero biopic Yeah, either way. I would be okay with that

[00:14:51] Dude you should get chavo to just play his dad Just chavo's an actor now chavo acts And he looks a lot like his dad Chavo's dumb right as I've done to play get play Eddie no do I'm to well maybe for younger Eddie

[00:15:08] But for but for older Eddie you do Pedro Pascal's a dead ringer just die as hair a little bit darker Yeah, he's even got a he's got a similar facial structure and the dude is the dude is athletic enough with some training He can he can do it

[00:15:22] And right it right it's still play Ray Yeah, Ray could still play Ray not young Ray though, but I'm to see here's the thing though. I'm sure they can find

[00:15:33] I would like to see Ray in the movie though in some some capacity like maybe an older like luchador who so he can still be masked But I would like to see that I love to watch that movie man. I think it would be great

[00:15:46] Yeah, I mean I think I think they should make they're like This is going off like I think they should make more like we're a listed Autobiographies about Right some families. I well wrestlers in general because like are you telling me the a biop

[00:16:02] Well, we already know from the show, but a well maybe not a biopic at the rock because we already we've already done the show But I mean she's you I can think of a number like I can think of tons of Like a Rick flare movie come on

[00:16:19] The Simone dynasty movie. Yeah, well that that's how you get the rock involved. Yeah absolutely And that's a hell of a story man. That's why I love watching young rock because Even though I'm sure they take some liberties although rocks pretty heavily involved so

[00:16:36] What I read rock was like The final okay or stuff. Well, I mean it is his life. I would think so, but But yeah, I mean that shows great. I love it now half the time

[00:16:48] I do kind of just chuckle at the impersonators they get because let's be honest there impersonators And it's it's funny how sometimes They they tend to either get the look or the voice but never both No, no Because the voice for Stone Cole the look for Stone Cole

[00:17:13] Looks more like Gilbert than Stone Cole, but I don't know the guy the guy they got to play a adult rock isn't bad Yeah We have back to the movie like I just all around just work for just wasn't

[00:17:33] He didn't he didn't have like that work for their lives for anything No, I agree. I Didn't love the Rick flare that they got but he got the point across and at that time Where were still kind of built oh Yeah, yeah But that player was like

[00:17:53] 90s flare with the 80s flare hair And you know what I love I've said this before, but what what cracks me up about Rick flare Is Rick flare actually isn't very good at wooing

[00:18:10] He's kind of got one of the worst woes I've ever heard but everybody even Charlotte does she does like a real woo Whereas Rick flare series like woo woo It's like I don't know it's funny to me

[00:18:27] But I like not like going in this movie not knowing much about it like I really enjoyed this movie And like honestly, I would watch it again. Oh, I'm going to yeah because I'm gonna be doing up like

[00:18:38] Real movie review for it on my channel so that'll be coming relatively soon like when in the next month or so So I'd like I'd like to have a physical copy of it. They're like no, no this digital media stuff Oh, you'll be able to buy it

[00:18:56] There's there's a best by me by me that like does no physical copies anymore Like movies or CDs or anything like that. Oh, no man Yeah, it'll be available at Walmart or whatever best buys weird and then onto your same

[00:19:13] Oh, I would say my biggest gripe with this movie which again is not that big of a gripe is how late carry comes into the movie Because I mean you're you're pretty far in We don't even see carry on screen until after

[00:19:30] Kevin's had his NWA title match against Harley race and then David not yeah David David yeah, and then David David makes his debut in the ring And they tagged together

[00:19:48] It's still even some time after that we're carry we don't even see carry and then we see him training And we find out the Olympics got canceled but he's mentioned the prior so it's it's kind of odd But that's that's a pretty small gripe

[00:20:04] Just like I didn't know he was gonna be in a Olympics either or he was training to be in a lot of that that I didn't know But once again I complained about this in the trailer

[00:20:16] There's so many scenes where people are eating and I just you can't explain it to me It's just I don't get it Why explain to me why you're in your 20s run around in your oidie tidies around your parents well their sheltered lads

[00:20:38] Yeah, and I'm like there's yeah, there's a lot of how should we say there's a lot of junk shots in this movie Oh, yeah, and I'm like didn't want to see that. I think it was an 80s thing Either it was too

[00:20:51] But that less like the move was great. I love the movie I really dug the beginning where they start with fritz as match in black and white Yeah, and I'm glad they didn't show Kevin's older brother actually dying because

[00:21:11] I don't think we need to see a child die but I was not prepared for the end like I said before who went live I was not ready for the end of the movie Well the thing is like

[00:21:22] Like I didn't know they had an older brother like until we're talking to like the guys at work Like maybe we'll be able to watch and then they they'd come out this and the other we just should talk about it

[00:21:33] Like I didn't know they had no older brother and then once I got to the end in like Is that seen where they're all there but they're like the past or the Spirroader whatever you want to call it yeah

[00:21:48] Like we're all together. It's a family and I'm like Like that was kind of sad oh Was real sad and like I said I was not prepared for that at the end they really although so that's my other

[00:22:01] Probably my actually this is probably my biggest gripe with the movie is if you watch the end of it Which by the way spoiler alert although it's a biography so it's not really spoiling it

[00:22:13] The move the end of the movie kind of glorifies suicide in a way if you read too much into it Because Carrie is miserable and then he commits suicide and then he's happy Yeah, I think about that at first I

[00:22:34] Like I said if you read too much into it It's no denying. I'm sure they were suffering but And then to get to the ending where it is uh then it's Carrie and his kids and he's watching his kids play

[00:22:47] And then he's crying and then they come up and like As I'm a strong moving explains explains it then like Then they're like I'll be your friends like that really hit me most also because like and then I've two young kids in my own

[00:22:59] I was gonna say that one hit me and I don't even have kids but the line that got me probably more than any of them is like well It's just that I used to be a brother and now I'm not and I'm just like

[00:23:14] Right in the feels oh And like it hit me in a way of like Like I still have my brother and I still have my sisters but like I never had an older sibling and like

[00:23:27] Bingey was that older sibling to me that I was close to you so like Him being gone now like it hit me hard too because it's like I don't have that older sibling now So it's like I mean that's where hit me hit me breath

[00:23:42] Yeah, and then the other thing this this movie does is it kind of makes you believe in Kerzes because I mean all all that stuff is legit like what happened as far as like what happened and ended up ultimately

[00:23:56] Killing the Von Erics that that died. I mean that'll actually happened Yeah, I didn't Like I and I knew one I knew the one that was in WVF shot himself. Yeah, that's carry. Yeah That one was carry. Yeah, Kerri went to the WWF as Texas tornado

[00:24:19] Which one was the one at end was that Kevin Kevin's the one that is still alive Okay See that's where I get all mixed up and trying to yeah, Kerri and Kevin get

[00:24:30] But yeah like the Kerri when I knew about that one but like the mic in the David situation like I didn't Well, and they didn't even have there's one more brother. There's the youngest brother Chris Von Erics who they didn't even have in the movie for time constraints

[00:24:46] I didn't even know they had to even younger brother. Yeah. Yeah Chris Von Erics. I believe it was Chris Von Erics But yes, so let's see Fritz had Kevin Kerri David Mike Chris Fritz Von Erics had six sons and lost five of them

[00:25:09] So I'm not a superstitious man. I'm a little bit superstitious, but I mean and it's not even like Two or two were suicide if I can remember correctly No, I think three were but one was kind of brought on by

[00:25:33] Because Mike Von Erics was kind of brought up I believe and I think a lot of other people believed too that his was brought on more by brain damage from the toxic shock syndrome because he's the one who

[00:25:45] had his shoulder separated and then when he was having surgery somehow some way he had toxic shock syndrome and actually I believe it caused brain damage if I'm not mistaken Yeah, well, I think partial that was kind of pressure from his dad also trying like

[00:26:01] pushing to get it back in the ring again and he like he he seemed like he didn't want He was the one it kind of seemed like he didn't want to wrestle see I think and I could be wrong here

[00:26:11] But if I remember correctly Mike wanted to wrestle but he just didn't have the natural aptitude that Kerri and Kevin and David had he was he was by far the smallest Von Erics But he just wanted to be with his brothers. That's if I remember correctly Chris also

[00:26:30] wanted to wrestle but he just did not have the athletic ability for it And I think they kind of molded Mike and Chris together Yeah, and made it into one character because

[00:26:42] I think it was Jim Kornite who was talking about once he was like from what I understand Chris you know really really wanted to and it's not like he was small like he I mean he was shorter but it's not like he didn't work out like he

[00:26:54] especially for his ability he was jacked to the gills but he just didn't have the physical ability to do it whereas I think Mike was just inexperienced but I could be wrong So I don't how Mike and Kerri died but how did Chris and the youngest I believe

[00:27:15] The oldest oldest the one who Kevin's older brother Would have been the kid yeah, so From what I understand he stepped over a trailer hitch and ended up getting electric cuted in then drowned in the snow because he fell face forward in Lost consciousness Okay, so I didn't

[00:27:38] Sure that went and then how did Chris because I didn't know there was I didn't know Chris was a brother also Well, I'm gonna look that up because I believe Chris committed suicide as well but I'm gonna Check myself on that The fact check that

[00:27:52] Well, I don't want to speak out of Yeah, Chris to your Von Eric Yeah, he uh he shot himself Yeah, didn't even know about I didn't even know about them too

[00:28:15] Yeah, he wasn't in the movie because I think they cut I like I said I think they kind of molded him and Mike together I mean this movie was like they did so much in

[00:28:24] Two hours and five minutes. Yeah, I know it did not feel like two hours and five minutes I could have sat in there for another at least another 30 to 40 minutes for sure I couldn't walk me. I'm wondering It would be nice if there was a director's cut that

[00:28:39] Delved a little bit more into that stuff. I think I understand why you wouldn't roll that out in the theater But I think Personally, I would like to see something like that But I really want that Eddie movie man

[00:28:52] That would be such a nice move. I really want the Eddie Guerrero movie or the Guerrero movie I should say because There's a lot to tell there There's a lot and now Eddie and now Eddie son is in WWE Oh dear, you say that I'm kidding

[00:29:13] That's what they're going for I know but he's why he's doing it well like I was gonna all my god like you said it's like yeah if you want to play a 20 to 25 year old Eddie Guerrero. I mean There's your man

[00:29:28] Think about it three years ago or whatever We like we were kind of shit on a metta time like hey, he's not that great but like Look who he's doing now

[00:29:37] I mean he's he's doing and shame on me because sometimes I forget sometimes the performers are just doing what they're being told to do Exactly So I will eat my words on that one

[00:29:52] Hey, well what did I want to throw in there real quick and that's not about the movie. I see something I see something new Oh you like See something new Yeah The redesigned t-shirt which has actually been up there for a while. I just hadn't gotten one yet

[00:30:10] I need to try to get me one I'm working on it It's weird because they have certain kinds of t-shirts that I can get that size in but for summary

[00:30:20] I can't for some reason I can't pick the right kind of shirt. I don't know so I emailed them and said hey, what a shirt Don't need to make this to get that size Because this is getting annoying

[00:30:31] I'd like to get me one now we'll get we'll get you one buddy we'll get you one We'll get you one with your your Peter Griffin vissage I'm important I you leave me alone No, I thought that that's so funny. I love telling that sir

[00:30:46] So you notice in the shirt his shirt is green because the original design was white And when I sent you the proof just to get you signed off on it you and I thought the same thing

[00:30:55] But I was like, I think I'm gonna have her change the shirt color color but let me just send it to him

[00:31:00] And he really like can we please change the shirt color? And I was like okay. I'm not the only one who noticed yes. We'll change the shirt color So there's everything if they if you had round glasses on the in the image student very beta Hey, Loish Doody

[00:31:23] Christ All around I mean I Really enjoyed the movie for like a rest of movie for somebody coming in not really known any kind of history about the von Eric that I didn't like

[00:31:33] Harry being in being as Texas tornado like that's the only like that's only knowledge. I had it the von It's like I knew there were big thing But like only note of Terry because of Texas tornado WV or WF yeah, and actually the wrestling

[00:31:49] I was I was pleased at the amount of wrestling that was in the movie they did not Not wrestle you know what I mean There was there was a lot of wrestling as as there should be its movie about wrestlers and

[00:32:01] I did I was told that when you saw the Von Eric's wrestling it was the actors. They weren't stumped up on that And I do I did see a Our Smithman or something where Who was it Kevin

[00:32:17] Kevin got interviewed and he was doing a frog splash from the top row And I guess one time they did it after they cut one of the guys on the outside that was an actor said Man that boy can jump. Yeah, yeah

[00:32:34] Yeah, and then there's a bunch of really subtle things in this movie like you had Kevin Von Eric wrestling without boots You know he wrestled barefoot so That was a thing Like when Carrie went out to ride the motorcycle and Like he knew something was wrong and

[00:32:52] Then the whole chain seems just changed and it was very going through with his crutches and like you notice his leg and it's like Like I knew about that part Like If you didn't know that's what it led to then you didn't know

[00:33:06] Exactly and which is funny because I did know and I was I was like oh Oh How are they gonna handle that for which for those who don't know when Carrie went to the WWE F He was wrestling with a prosthetic foot Yeah, and no yeah and no

[00:33:28] What do you knew until after way after So like that the scene where like he was in WF any one icy title should have came after the motorcycle accident

[00:33:39] But that's just not with the way they lined it up well no they did he he had the motorcycle accident after he won the NWA title Maybe you're right. Yeah, I cuz I remember which okay, so I'm actually mad at myself So I knew

[00:33:58] They were setting up for the NWA title. I thought I had some time. I actually went to pee And I didn't come back until he was At the kitchen table looking at the bell and I went Fuck I missed it No, but I

[00:34:17] Went back and watch the original match and That's what I mean I didn't know Mike died because of a Reptited intestines yes And I'm like well that like over there in Japan like they wrestle hardcore so like I like I can expect it

[00:34:38] I mean nobody in here's the thing to this day nobody knows what caused it They're at the time there's a lot of speculation about a drug overdose, but I guess At this point all the evidence does actually point to

[00:34:53] A rupture an intestine from a I forget what the disease is but But yeah, so you're right it probably well no cuz he was feeling ill before he went to Japan So he went over Japan, but he came back for the wedding

[00:35:09] Right, but then he went back and when he went back is when he passed away and it's exactly yep Exactly Everyone's like hey you need to go get checked out and they're like you just didn't listen

[00:35:20] I'm I see that's something I don't know. I don't know if that conversation actually happened or not I'm not sure it may have it may have it may have it um No, it needs any of Kevin's kids to live then oh yeah, he's got two

[00:35:38] Suns and okay, so I'm turn remember What's I'm trying to remember what Lacey Von Erick's Lineage is so I'm gonna look that up real quick. Oh, okay, so she's carries daughter I didn't know carry had a daughter

[00:36:05] I didn't know I carry had a kid either. Yeah, so Lacey Von Erick is Carry Von Erick's daughter But I think she's retired Would she a wrestler to then? Yes, she did I'm trying to see yes Hang on let's see that would have had a vendor like

[00:36:30] The midnighties oh no no this is relatively new back at least in 2010 cuz she wrestled in TNA for a while Okay, so she You see I should go under Von Erick when she wrestled. Yeah, she was Lacey Von Erick

[00:36:48] It looks like I want to say at some point I saw her mentioned I could be wrong though in WWE but it looks like she was in Hang on She was oh she was part of the beautiful people No, yeah, she aligned herself with the beautiful people

[00:37:07] Restalicious and okay, so oh world wrestling entertainment 2007 She was in FCW and she made an appearance at WrestleMania 25 Where The Von Erick family was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Let's see Lacey Von Erick So yeah, I briefed it in the WWE developmental system

[00:37:42] Independence and then TNA she departed from TNA in 2010 And then maybe she never officially retired but the last thing they talk about was no Vemba or 2010 more you know The more you know Anywho

[00:38:14] So yeah, but Kevin does have two sons and they do wrestle but I don't think I they appeared recently on a WWE television but that was to promote the iron claw

[00:38:25] Well, I don't think I know the real the real last names aren't Von Erick so because Kevin didn't want them to have the Von Erick name Yeah, I think it's Adkinson as their actual Last name but they they do wrestle as of Von Erick's

[00:38:42] Okay, I see I don't know if that was legit conversation if that was a legit conversation or if that was just for the movie Well, the thing is like watching me like I can see Kevin saying that because like how

[00:38:55] Out of wrestling he was gaining and like many say then he sold the company And then like I could I could see that like I can picture that actually happening but like

[00:39:06] We don't actually know that oh yeah, I could it was believable for sure. I could see it Most definitely I'm trying to think but yeah Jeremy Allen why I saw more carry Von Erick as I was actually watching the movie as opposed to the trailer

[00:39:28] Yeah, and that's really true for everybody because there are certain moments where I saw Zach Efron But that was very few and far between I always say the mark of a great performance is when you have a well-known actor

[00:39:39] But as I'm watching the movie, I don't see Zach Efron playing a wrestler I see in terms of my mind I'm seeing Kevin carry and David Von Erick Yeah, Fritz the who the I can't remember his name the actor who played Fritz is

[00:39:55] He did good but I could think of one other actor that I thought might have been a slightly better Fritz Von Erick and his name Which I'm ashamed because I'm actually a fan of his I'm just blowing it so hold tight. I need to look up his name

[00:40:16] Uh Steven Lang he uh, did you watch Avatar the first one? Yeah, courage the the bad general dude. Okay Right Yeah, he would have made a hell of a Fritz Von Erick Yeah, okay

[00:40:41] But the actor the actor who played him did I thought did very a very very good job Well, I think the actor to play the the free birds also Yeah, they were good Now remind me would that have been No, okay, no, I'm I'm the

[00:41:03] Wait did Jim cornet manage the free birds. It was that just the rock and roll express I think he was with the free birds for like a slight stare Yeah, but I don't think it was when I Because Jim's talked about the Texas territory before

[00:41:19] But I don't know what he was doing when he was there so maybe he was managing the free birds See, I'm not sure. I'd have to I'd have to look it up and it's gonna take a long time to look something like that

[00:41:31] But I was kind of like it would have been nice to see the tennis racket make it appearance Here's what I can see what have been fun to watch that's what I'm saying that's what I'm saying So how was though the

[00:41:45] Because I missed it how was the carry versus flare match for the NWA title in the movie? See, I I don't I never watched the actual match from back then so like I Honestly, I didn't really understand the match like Kevin kind of just went like

[00:42:04] Flare was doing his day and then then Kevin just kind of went haywire and then he put the call on him and then flare was bleed and I'm like

[00:42:11] I don't know I saw that match. Yeah, I that didn't so I'm glad you said that because that brought up another Sort of criticism I had of the movie which was it never really decided if wrestling was fake or real in this movie

[00:42:28] Because it never which I think I understand what they were thinking Because they never ever actually came out and said yeah, this is fake because I actually liked that scene when Kevin is having dinner with his The woman who would become his wife For the first time

[00:42:47] She even said She was like is it She even said isn't it all fake and he said fake and she said well Sorry about that And then she said well pre-determined and then he said look and he goes into the whole she'll about how

[00:43:02] You know the title is a reward so if I go out there and do the best job in the ring then The promoter, you know I don't remember exactly what he said but he basically said she was right without saying she was right. You know what I mean

[00:43:19] And then there are moments in the movie like When Fritz has given him grief for being slow getting up when he had the Harley race match Kevin And which this was I'm not criticizing the scene because Again Zach Afron did phenomenal job acting

[00:43:37] Because again that's when wrestling show you it's like oh is he heard or is he selling? I didn't know And then but they're acting like he's actually fighting for the title but then at the same time they acknowledge that he's not like after that flare match

[00:43:52] They're making it seem like Kevin laid into it too hard and they actually had to break it up But then flare comes back there and it's like man. That was awesome

[00:44:01] Yeah, and he's like you can have room at your time and I'm like that's a good thing isn't it But everybody's like what happened out there and I'm like what do you mean? Was he supposed to win like I don't get it

[00:44:18] That's what I didn't understand either and they're like Players started like randomly bleeding which I guess I could Will the aspect of him doing a claw making him as head bleed from him but like But flare also Got flare got juice all the time

[00:44:36] Like I just sure it was part of that that's what I'm saying is like and this might only affect wrestling fans But it's like I'm watching it seem like that and then I'm like well wait a minute

[00:44:44] Did he screw up or was that part of the match because flare acting like it was part of the match? Which I believe because I would believe that

[00:44:51] The deal with the NWA was yeah, I'm having him win the match but he's got to get disqualified so flare keeps the title But then Fritz is acting like he meant he did something wrong and I'm like no If the NWA tells you

[00:45:05] You beat our champ, but you get de-hued then Kevin did exactly what he was supposed to do I was I was corn fuzzle Yeah, it's pretty corn fuzzle It's real corn fuzzle

[00:45:25] Now I did like I did like the see where Kevin's trying to do the interview and he keeps tripping it up Oh my gosh Who was it was it was it David that was in there David was in there with them. Yeah, what you're apparently

[00:45:39] David was the talker Kevin was the athlete but Carrie had just like the body and the charisma Yeah, so I guess if you put all three of them together You would have had the perfect wrestler

[00:45:52] So basically if you put all of them together you would have had John Cena Yeah, they would have a super senior Super senior They just formed together like Dragon Ball Z Super senior Which uh

[00:46:15] Speaking of Cena Cena's another really good actor. You really surprised me with the comedy though Cacena's funniest yet Like Cena's done some things and moved. Done things and movies like I'd never expect like This scene did to do oh have you seen blockers?

[00:46:32] I'm not yet oh my god It's it's one of the funniest scenes I've ever seen in a movie and I'm not gonna ruin it for you because By the way, you can watch it the same way you watch there and call Okay, so

[00:46:48] There's a scene in the movie if for those of you who haven't seen it I promise I'm not ruining it for you Because you will still laugh your asses off Because you do see the joke coming a mile away. It's still funny

[00:47:00] So the part of the movie blockers is there are three girls that have been Friends since they were like in Great school and it's their senior year They're going to prom together and they all decide that they're gonna lose their virginity on prom night

[00:47:13] John Cena plays one of these girls fathers And their parents three of their parents so it's one girl's mom and then the other two girls their dads decide they're gonna stop them

[00:47:26] And at one point the girls go to a party after prom and the parents are trying to get in but they're all like 40s so they're being told no you're not coming yet and they're like no come on we're totally kids He's like fine. We'll uh

[00:47:41] We'll let you in if you can beat us in a chugging contest and then scene is just like bring it and they're like And then they're like no, we're gonna butt chug Okay, I have seen that one

[00:47:51] That's that's the big of a bring-up to you, but I know that's what I've called and I'm like That's it How dare you oh my god and then the face he makes when he's just like I Dude, okay, I have to tell it like

[00:48:15] All laugh often but it's pretty rare that something catches me off guard to the point where I can't control myself I'm I'm I'm in the theater right watching this movie and I've only gone to watch this movie because I know seen as in it

[00:48:29] And by this point I know seen as funny. So at the very least I'm gonna get laughs out of scene that scene happens and It's I fall out of my chair. It hurts to breathe because I'm laughing so hard. It just was not expecting.

[00:48:44] And to this day when I watch that movie, I still laugh out loud because it just kills me. I don't know why I find it so funny. Well, I do because it's Cena. But and then the other the other part that makes me laugh is

[00:48:56] when the car explodes and Cena's the one who's like overselling. It gets me. It gets me every time. I love to see Cena and F. I've seen it and F. I'm doing a movie together. That'd be hilarious. That would be some funny. Well, we saw Cena.

[00:49:14] We saw F. I'm on the rock to a movie together and that was funny. I was much better and I thought it was going to be. Yeah. So before I have to go, let's talk a little bit of actual wrestling.

[00:49:31] Okay, but this before you do that, which what when do you have to go? 945. Okay. So before we do that, Brian, you know what holidays coming up right here. You're married. Man, you know what's up. Did you forget? I know what that day's coming up.

[00:49:50] It's what day is it, Brian? It's Valentine's Day. Yes, sir. And you need to get your wife a gift, I bet. I probably should. Well, I've got you covered, buddy, because Stevie Wix has an entire line of Valentine's Day

[00:50:06] candles and candle sets that you can get your significant other so you can get your yearly hanky pinky on Valentine's Day, including the little piece of my heart candle set, which the chicks love that one.

[00:50:18] Or you can get her the big one, the big three-week candle and everything in between She'll love you forever. It'll be the best candle you ever get her. Go ahead and order yours now so you're taking care of.

[00:50:30] And if you use promo code down at checkout, you say 10% off your entire order. So get on to Steviewix.com today. That's STEV, I, STEV, I, E, W, I, X, dot com. I can't fail. And the link is in the description below. But okay.

[00:50:47] Take yourself out of a hole today. Exactly. You know what? By an extra one in case you ever get in the dog house. So anyway, you were running to talk some actual wrestling. I knew you were going to disappoint me or put me in a bad mood. What?

[00:51:07] Well, we're talking to AEW or WWE. Uh, wrestling. There's a few things I want to hit on AEW. But it's just all around wrestling. So let's just get the bad to do that first. And I don't really find it too bad.

[00:51:25] Really you didn't think that the culmination of that devil story line was just the biggest as Jim Kornett would say popcorn fart in the history of pro wrestling. And I'm not sure. Didn't we call that? I mean, we call it was going to be Adam. Hold on.

[00:51:45] Didn't I call it okay. I'll give you that. I'll give you that. Didn't you call that word months ago. Well, I think we actually at separate times. I think we called every bit of that because I know at one point.

[00:52:00] I said, well, rather strong and Adam cooler obviously working together. I think you called that stuff. Yeah, I called that and then at one point I said, well, it's word low. And it turns out we were right three different ways. Yeah.

[00:52:14] So like you called that stuff on that. I will give you. But the Adam cold turn the way happened. I called that one. Well, and I agreed. I agree with you because I said this is the only thing that can do.

[00:52:26] But like, like I called it being Adam cold, but I also thought it could have been. Like I knew it was Adam cold. But and there's an added think of Adam cold and the mask. I really thought it was Brett Baker. Oh, that would have been funny.

[00:52:42] I think it would have been better if it was Brett. Uh. Well, then they can incorporate Brett Baker and actually would have given her something to do. But like why yeah, I mean, it would have gave her something to do.

[00:52:57] And I think I think it would have done better for Brett because like. You could still to had you still could have had Brett Baker. Being with like word load and Roger Strong and all that and the kingdom or whatever whatever they're called.

[00:53:09] And then like you still have Adam cold. All right, see what you mean I see what you mean so like Brits jealous. Yeah, like, Brits, Brits jealous but in the background like Adam post still working with the devil. I got you okay. Okay.

[00:53:28] That would have been the cover. You took my best friend away from me. Yes. Not my best friend. You took my boyfriend away from me. Yeah, but like I see why they did it because like. I don't.

[00:53:40] I will MJ has been I guess hurt for past couple weeks. Correct. I'm aware I'm aware of that but here's the thing. It basically invalidates. Okay, so this so we're going to step out of wrestling for a hot second.

[00:53:57] And I was thinking about this today so I'm glad you brought that up again. You've done it like three times a set of so thank you. From a storytelling perspective. MJF's face turn is now completely wasted. And here's why. Well, that's only it.

[00:54:15] He stays with a W because like. It's contract set. He hasn't wrote a contract. Who knows where he's going to go. No, I was just like, is this contract up? I had heard that it it wasn't. It's either up or supposed to be at very, very soon.

[00:54:31] He, I'll be honest. I don't know this he probably has an extension on his contract. I'm I'm saying this based upon how they're booking this. I'm guessing he probably has an extension the A W has the option or not.

[00:54:44] Yeah, an optional extension on his contract, which is probably for another two years. So if Tony cons says yes, I want to exercise this extension. He might be under contract for another two years because there was another wrestler. I can't remember who that had that extension as well.

[00:55:00] So it's like AEW can opt to have that extension or they can say now we're going to pass and then you just don't renew your contract. Yeah, I'm not sure it would be curious.

[00:55:14] Although I guess it would kind of make sense to make MJF look like an idiot on his way out if he's not going to resign. But I'll be honest. If I'm MJF, I wouldn't go to WWE right now. No, I think it's a T. Do soon too.

[00:55:29] He's he's got more stuff that he can do even though AEW's booking is horrendous. He is a top guy there and he still has a lot he can do before he's exhausted his top guy possibilities.

[00:55:44] So believe it or not, yes, if I were him, I would stay in AEW at least for another couple of years. Now the one advantage for him going to WWE now would be assuming which again, Vince isn't in charge anymore.

[00:55:59] So I think WWE's philosophy of acting like wrestling is a vacuum is going to go away. At least to a certain extent. If he could get in there and do a program with punk or Cody right out of the gate,

[00:56:15] I think that could set him up well enough in WWE to differentiate him from everybody else. But if they're not going to do that, I agree with you.

[00:56:25] I think he's going to get lost in the shuffle and it's funny because of his age he might go to NXT, but I think for MJF that would be a mistake. Yeah. I think well, not a mistake, but I think it would be a waste of his time.

[00:56:39] So yeah, I would agree. I think he should stay in AEW at least for a little while longer and who knows. They also AEW also needs MJF so I wouldn't be surprised if Tony Gondris like,

[00:56:50] Oh, you know that pile of money you were asking for will hear you go. Well, in AEW isn't negotiating a television deal right now. So I don't think he'd get rid of MJF right now. There's a lot of views have really been there.

[00:57:07] Like, well, gee, imagine that. Wait, who? Well, not just us. Everyone who's watched wrestling for more than a year has said, let's see when when Warner Brothers Discovery literally asked you to create another wrestling program.

[00:57:26] So you can showcase CM Punk more and then you fire the person that you've been that you created a television show for. Um, yeah.

[00:57:40] And then here's the funny thing. I don't know if this is true, but I also heard that the CW was interested in picking up a ring of honor. And that Tony Gond told them no because he wanted to stay loyal to Warner Brothers Discovery.

[00:57:54] And I'm just like, well, if the rumors are to be believed they're talking to your competition.

[00:58:01] Yeah, which. And I guess here's what I would have done if I was Tony Gond and assuming that was true is say, you know what CW I'd love to discuss this more with you. Send over your offer.

[00:58:18] And then in that meantime, I would talk to Warner Brothers Discovery and say, hey, look. CW wants to pick up my other wrestling program right now. It's connected, but it doesn't have to be.

[00:58:29] And in fact, I would I think I would prefer and I would prefer an independent ring of honor. At least yeah, at least showcasing it as independent. But I mean, just go to Warner Brothers and say, hey, look, you know, they want to put the show on.

[00:58:44] I wanted to offer to you guys first. If you're not interested, CW wants, wouldn't that, wouldn't this be a, wouldn't this be a fucker? So, a, W programming is on TNT TBS. The CW is a network.

[00:59:00] Wouldn't it be hilarious if the CW had gotten ring of honor and then ring of honor got better ratings than a, W? Oh, I would die. Well, just not even from a programming standpoint from a numbers game.

[00:59:13] It's kind of likely because again, the CW was a free channel that you get over the air. Yeah. Which a lot of people don't even watch antenna television anymore. So that might have been true. That might have been more true in like 2008, 2010 even.

[00:59:30] Now I don't think it would make much of a difference to be honest, but I mean, a network is network is a network. Yeah. Um. So how about? I'm not Adam Copeland winning the TNT title and then losing all within five minutes. I'm, I'm not gonna lie.

[00:59:51] I haven't actually watched an episode of wrestling in months. I've kind of sort of kept up with the go, the goings on because I just, I've been super busy and I've had almost no desire to watch AEW television because it's.

[01:00:07] I mean, I just want child lights here and there but like, Edge wanted it. They had a pretty decent match him and Christian. And Edge wanted it then. Kill switch as they call him now. Um, Legion Soros they've been calling him kills switch for the last couple weeks.

[01:00:30] Um, he has a name and a face. They call them, they've been calling him kills switch or kills shot. Kill shot or kills switch. One of the two. Um, he had one sort kind of contracted face for the TNT title I guess.

[01:00:50] And he went to cash in and to be Edge. Adam Copeland. And Christian looked down and said, no, let me have this. Christian took it. Rotor's name on it. And then pinned and beat Adam Copeland back for the title.

[01:01:07] What a really overly complicated and contrived way to make Christian gauge the actual TNT champion. Yes. Tony Khan needs to be stopped. I'm being serious. He's he's and I don't want this to happen. He's going to kill a W.

[01:01:36] I mean, look at the ratings and they can throw all the excuses and say it's great as much as they want. But it's not the ratings certain noticeably down.

[01:01:48] And it's it's not hard you still have a great roster even though you've pissed away certain parts of said roster. You still have it when when's the last time FTR was on TV? When's the last time brick Baker was on TV? Adam Cole was still injured.

[01:02:07] You have a point. I mean, it's like he has it's it's it's it's the most frustrating thing and I've been there.

[01:02:21] It's like watching somebody who has all the ingredients to have a great product or a great company or a great idea and they literally misuse every piece of it.

[01:02:30] It's it's even worse than you know watching somebody who doesn't have a lot to work with but they make the best with what they have and the only reason it's not better is because they don't have the tools.

[01:02:41] It's 10 times more frustrating than that because they have the tools and they just choose to misuse them all. Like why did you sign broader extra? Why to do this? Why is Adam Cole taking up television time when he can't wrestle yet?

[01:03:00] I'm not dog and on Adam Cole, but I mean the factor means he's injured. He cannot wrestle and yet his girlfriend or I don't know if they're engaged is partner girlfriend,

[01:03:11] fiance, whatever who can wrestle and at one time was the most over woman in the company in the women's division is not on television. But by God you know who is? Rihoo! Now jumping ships to the WWE now. I'm sure I owe you.

[01:03:37] Oh you said that you're telling my refo and I'm like no she's not. They don't have a children's division yet. Thanks for coming good over there in my opinion. Whoo! Thanks got real good over there real fast.

[01:03:55] Actually on day one, I mean we've seen the WWE Champion come out. Junior, Junior my balls. Which I love the fact that I watched that and they...

[01:04:06] So I give the, I give the AEW social media managers grief a lot but I'm like like they had crowd shots of showing people that were actually surprising. I'm like really you found the one person who thinks it's all real.

[01:04:20] I mean, I mean we want to say one last thing about AEW. So there was a shot of guy holding up a pro extrovert AEW and it says, I just got out of coma. I came here to see CM Punk. Ah! That is so great!

[01:04:38] That is so great! Well, by the way, I'm actually disappointed in the AEW fanbase. Where are the CM Punk chance? No they've been too worried about that crystal thing going on. Oh yeah, that. Yeah, I'm not even gonna touch on that because it's...

[01:04:58] That's an whole episode of itself. I'm not defending Chris Jericho but I think that... Well, wait, which part are you talking about? The whole NDA thing or whatever's going on with that girl. Okay, so you are talking about the Kylie Ray thing.

[01:05:15] I-I'd be-I'm not saying I don't believe it. I'd be more inclined to believe it if Kylie Ray hadn't. If she had only left AEW that way. I'd be more inclined to believe it.

[01:05:31] However, she's done that in at least one other company because I think she did the same thing in impact. I'm not sure though. I mean, I don't know enough. It may very well be true. I don't know. I think if it is true and needs to come out.

[01:05:45] But apparently... I don't know how it can't come out if NDA's were signed by Kylie Ray. I mean... I sure are there. I don't know. And I saw... Somebody had a Chris Jericho in DAsign too. I can't remember what it said, but that seemed kind of funny.

[01:06:03] But you know, going back where the wrestling is good... The rock name dropped in Rome and like that... Yeah? Which unfortunately... Okay, here's my thing. Here's the couple guys that talked to her work. We're talking about the same thing and they're like... But Roman has a belt. Okay.

[01:06:27] We also have the Saudi shows, which are big things to us now. Like they are the next WrestleMania to us. I mean, that's the way they've been pushing it. I mean... Yeah, they're certainly marketing them that way, yes.

[01:06:45] Who's to say Roman doesn't lose the belt before Mania or the Saudi show... The next Saudi show and then faces the rock. Or who's to say... He doesn't face the rock, but it's not for the title. Because then it's pointless.

[01:07:17] I see what you're saying, but even if that's true... Like let's be real here. If you want to tell this story the right way... It's gotta be Cody winning the belt at WrestleMania. It's gotta be. It's gotta be. And I think this way it's gonna go.

[01:07:37] It's gonna be close to him. It will be Cody Roman night to you. It will be Seth Punk night one. Yep, I'm totally cool with that. I'm fine with that. Actually, it'd be funny. It'd be nice to see Cena Punk again. One more time, one more time.

[01:07:55] You'll see... Punk did say if you were to retire. He'd want to buy Cena. Yeah, and see... It's funny how the universe works sometimes. But you gotta go, don't you? Unfortunately. Pollocks. Okay, well, well, you tell you what. Maybe next time we'll just talk about...

[01:08:17] We'll just do another wrestling update. Because it'll incentivize me to watch wrestling like a good boy. Maybe we'll do that in two weeks. We'll just do another wrestling recap episode. Just... I'll just... Are you free Thursday? Uh, I should be, yeah. Maybe. Maybe in the graces of God.

[01:08:38] We can get us a little session in. Even if it's half an hour, 45 minutes. And then you could be the bitch talk session. There we go, just bitching. It's... We can do a quick 30, 45 minute session.

[01:08:52] And we'll go do that, do like a little rundown like we were just doing. What's going on with wrestling right now? There you go, wrestling recap. I like it. I'll be free around... I'll be free around the same time. A 30. Let's do it. All right.

[01:09:08] You gotta work and remember everyone. Get your Stevie Wix candles. Go ahead and get your Valentine's Day taken care of. And St. Patrick's Day candles are coming too. So do that. But thank you for enjoying this episode of Down the Middle. As always, please like, share and subscribe.

[01:09:21] Tell your friends about it, especially if they're wrestling fans. Because we just like to have a conversation amongst friends talking about wrestling. But I will leave you with this. Go watch the Iron Claw. It is a fantastic movie. Whether or not you're a fan of the Von Erics,

[01:09:35] or don't know that much about them. It's a wonderful movie. And please give us that a digger error movie. But until next time, this has been Down the Middle. And we'll see ya.