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"The Wrestler" Premiere And After Party Recap

"The Wrestler" Premiere And After Party Recap

Posted: Jan 3rd 2009 By: CMBurnham

The Academy Theater in Beverly Hills, CA was the site of the premiere of
Darren Aronofsky's latest directorial offering, "The Wrestler", starring
Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, and Evan Rachel Wood.

I settled in about an hour prior to showtime, and watched quite an eclectic
mix of professional wrestlers and Hollywood celebrities make their way into
the auditorium. Actors, Chaz Palminteri and Robert Davi enjoyed the
festivities, as did Harry Hamlin ("LA Law") and his wife, Lisa Rinna
("Dancing with The Stars"). And no Hollywood event would be complete without
an appearance from adult film legend Ron Jeremy and his "Surreal Life"
co-star, the lovely (and she looked amazing) Joanie "Chyna" Laurer.

Darren Aronofsky began the proceedings with a brief introduction of the
film, in which he brought up the film's stars, and then acknowledged several
of the wrestlers in the audience, all of whom he refers to respectfully as
'legends'. We were treated to brief glimpses of Rowdy Roddy Piper, who
received an especially impressive round of applause, along with Diamond Dallas Page, who gave us all a nice "Bang!", and unofficial film consultants Greg "The Hammer" Valentine and Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake.

Aronofsky then mentioned another legend in attendance who he was looking
forward to meeting, and then introduced none other than Ric Flair. Every
head in the room, including mine, spun around looking for him. I quickly
located him on the aisle 4 rows behind me. The reaction was bordering on
reverance. It was a great lead-in to the film.

The film received a lengthy ovation at its conclusion, which was followed by
a stream of people heading for the afterparty. At which I spotted director
Oliver Stone ("Platoon", "JFK"), actor/singer Jared Leto, actress Edie
McClurg ("Ferris Bueller's Day Off"), John C. McGinley ("Scrubs") and Matthew Perry ("Friends").

But I was here to talk to wrestlers. Unfortunately I missed out on Ric
Flair, who apparently called it an early night, and Lex Luger. But I did get
the chance to speak with Ernest "The Cat" Miller, who plays "The Ayatollah",
Randy "The Ram"s arch-rival in the film, Greg Valentine, Brutus Beefcake,
Diamond Dallas Page (including a great story about himself, Kevin Nash and
strip clubs that you MAY hear another time), "The Fallen Angel" Christopher
Daniels (he assured me that his return to TNA is imminent, as soon as they
can find a proper situation in which to re-introduce him), and after chasing
him for about an hour, Roddy Piper. Everyone was incredibly cooperative,
and Page, Daniels and Piper were exceeding gracious and generous with their
time. You'll be able to hear some of my conversations with them on "Ringside
Live".

Thus concludes 2 of the busiest, and most enjoyable weeks of my life.
Hopefully, I'll have the opportunity to share more with you in the year to
come.

Happy New Year, everybody!

 

Tags: Roddy Piper, Greg Valentine, Ric Flair, TNA

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  • 1969 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 1985 King Parsons def. John Tatum for the WCCW Television Title
  • 2005 Mitch Carter def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Title
  • 2006 J. T. LaMotta def. John O'Malley for the IZW Cruiserweight Title
  • 2017 MVP def. Damon Windsor for the IWR Heavyweight Title
  • 2017 Spirit Squad (Kenny [1st] & Mikey [1st]) def. Excellence Personified (Duke Swellington & Dustin Heritage) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 2022 Tego def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 2023 Wolf of War def. Martin Justice for the EPW International Title
  • 2023 Johnny Dynamite def. Johnny Lightning for the WFC Prime Title
  • 2023 Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
  • 2023 Malik Mayfield def. Clayton Bloodstone for the NCWO Choctaw Nation Title
  • 2023 Dominik Whiteheart def. Luke Richmond for the NCWO United States Title

Week of Sun 10-18 to Sat: 10-24

  • 10-18 2009 Carnage def. Spoiler 2000 for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 10-18 2019 Tego def. Prince Mahalli for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 10-18 2019 Will Allday def. J. D. Griffey for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
  • 10-18 2024 Luther Zay Diamond def. Brandon Warhawk for the MajCW Flawless Title
  • 10-18 2024 Nashoba became the MajCW Wetumka Indian Community Centre Champion
  • 10-18 2024 Auzzy def. Kari Wright for the TexPro Dynasty Title
  • 10-18 2024 The Strays (Barrett Brown & Izzy James) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
  • 10-19 1976 Karl Kox & Ken Patera became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
  • 10-19 2013 Tyson Jaymes def. Brock Landers for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 10-19 2013 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. Nasty Swag (Ace Archuleta & Robert Lee) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 10-19 2013 Jon Cross def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 10-19 2014 Jon Cross def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 10-19 2019 Luke Langley became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 10-19 2024 Anarchy [2nd] def. Damien Morte for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 10-19 2024 E-Bone def. Trench Blythe for the EPW International Title
  • 10-20 1969 Danny Hodge def. Chuck Karbo for the TSW North American Title
  • 10-20 1971 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
  • 10-20 1986 Crusher Yurkov def. Steve Simpson for the WCCW Television Title
  • 10-20 2001 The Texas Outlaws (Beau Dalton & Butch Dalton) def. The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 10-20 2001 Amanda St. George became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 10-20 2001 Big Daddy Moore became the OPW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 10-20 2007 Chris Fury became the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-20 2007 Impact, Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) def. Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-20 2007 Tyson Armstrong became the SECW Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-20 2007 The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) became the SECW Tag Team Champions
  • 10-20 2012 Kevin James Sanchez def. Austin Tacious for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 10-20 2012 The Static Knights (X-Statik & Keith Knight) def. Dynamic Storm (Justin Dynamic & Daemon Storm) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 10-20 2018 Fuel def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 10-20 2018 Galaxy Cruzers (Paul Puertorico & Steven Cruze) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 10-20 2018 Dusty Gold became the UWE Apex Champion
  • 10-20 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Dusty Gold for the UWE Apex Title
  • 10-21 1969 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-21 1985 King Parsons def. John Tatum for the WCCW Television Title
  • 10-21 2005 Mitch Carter def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Title
  • 10-21 2006 J. T. LaMotta def. John O'Malley for the IZW Cruiserweight Title
  • 10-21 2017 MVP def. Damon Windsor for the IWR Heavyweight Title
  • 10-21 2017 Spirit Squad (Kenny [1st] & Mikey [1st]) def. Excellence Personified (Duke Swellington & Dustin Heritage) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 10-21 2022 Tego def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 10-21 2023 Wolf of War def. Martin Justice for the EPW International Title
  • 10-21 2023 Johnny Dynamite def. Johnny Lightning for the WFC Prime Title
  • 10-21 2023 Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
  • 10-21 2023 Malik Mayfield def. Clayton Bloodstone for the NCWO Choctaw Nation Title
  • 10-21 2023 Dominik Whiteheart def. Luke Richmond for the NCWO United States Title
  • 10-22 1984 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. The Long Riders (Bill Irwin & Scott Irwin) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 10-22 2005 Big Van Vader def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2005 Carnage def. John O'Malley for the IZW Hardcore Title
  • 10-22 2005 Ryan Davidson became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 10-22 2005 The Lone Shining Star def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Tri-State Title
  • 10-22 2005 Michael Faith def. Outlaw for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2005 The Real Impact Players (Aaron Neil & Se7en) def. The Red Dirt Outlaws (Devon Monroe & Kevin James) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 10-22 2011 Fuel def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2022 Justin Lee def. Koko for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 10-22 2022 Dutch Hagen def. Wesley Crane for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2023 Tunnel Vision (Derek James & Logan Knight) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 10-22 2023 Luke Richmond def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 10-22 2023 Trench Blythe def. El Gallardo for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 10-22 2023 The Stage Dive Mafia (Rook Tyler & Axel Savage) def. Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 1965 Lee Fields & Bobby Fields became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
  • 10-23 1967 Spoiler #1 & Gary Hart def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 1968 Manuel Perez & Pepe Perez def. The Blue Demons (Blue Demon #1 & Blue Demon #2) for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 1988 Jerry Lawler def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Title
  • 10-23 2003 Payton Scott def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 10-23 2005 Matt Garza & Mr. Brown def. Brandon Bishop & John Zorthos for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 2005 Pretty Young Things (Cade Sydal & Mitch Carter) def. Matt Garza & Mr. Brown for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 2011 Javi Hernandez became the UWF06 Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-23 2015 Vinny Pacheco def. Buster Cherry for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 10-23 2015 The Creepsters (Buster Cherry & Mr. Barnes) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 10-23 2021 Richie Adams def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Prime Title
  • 10-23 2021 Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) def. The Space Age Cowboys (Paul Puertorico & Jason Jones) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 2021 Luke Langley def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 10-24 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
  • 10-24 1998 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2004 Se7en def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 10-24 2009 Xavior became the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 10-24 2009 Dawn of Extreme (Ty Thunder & Crucifer) def. Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2009 The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 10-24 2009 Rated N (Crisstopher Crow & Shane Sanchez) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2020 Sam Stackhouse def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 10-24 2021 Ryan the Ripper def. Drake Gallows for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 10-24 2025 Merc def. Riker for the BUW This Is Wrestling Title
10-21
  • Devan Scott Oct 21st Today!
  • Bushwacker Butch Oct 21st Today!
  • Tom Jones Oct 22nd
  • Porkchop Cash Oct 22nd
  • George Knight Oct 22nd
  • Red Eagle Oct 23rd
  • Bobby Lambert Oct 24th
  • Bill Dundee Oct 24th
  • Ray Durán Oct 24th
  • Daniel Powers Oct 24th
  • Phil Shark Oct 25th
  • Sheriff Schultz Oct 25th
  • Paige Turner Oct 25th
  • Double D Oct 25th
  • Halo Oct 26th
  • Eddie Williams Oct 26th
  • Anthony Wayne Oct 26th
  • Troy Graham Oct 26th
  • Miss Linda Oct 27th
  • AWOL Oct 27th
  • Doberman [2nd] Oct 27th
  • MVP Oct 28th
  • Jake Boulder Oct 28th
  • Mike Sharpe, Jr. Oct 28th
  • Chris Smith Oct 28th
  • D. J. Hall Oct 29th
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  • Mischief Oct 29th
  • Jesse Beeler Oct 30th
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  • George Wells Oct 30th
  • Danny McShain Oct 30th
  • Jayson Boss Oct 31st
  • Big Daddy Moore Nov 1st
  • Dutch Hagen Nov 1st
  • Bugsy McGraw Nov 1st
  • Mike Davis [2nd] Nov 2nd
  • Rob Barnes Nov 3rd
  • Kenny Silva Nov 3rd
  • Dylan Michaels Nov 3rd
  • Stephen Nitro Nov 3rd
  • Michael La Noy Nov 3rd
  • Korstia Korchenko Nov 3rd

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