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"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