London and Kendrick’s Bogus Journey
What happens when you put two stoned guys together for an interview? You get the first rendition of the duel shoot interview between Brian Kendrick and Paul London. The 2010 version of these men were in a very dark place. Perhaps in other places as influenced by certain recreational drugs. Boy were they not afraid to show how out there they were as they spread their vitriol across a number of different people and federations. Two years later, Highspots got these two men together once again while they were at the Wrestlereunion show in Los Angeles earlier this year. What was presented on this DVD was vastly different than the first one.
Although Kendrick is drinking beer, both men come off ten times more lucid this time around as opposed to the first time when there were a number of “stoner moments” and other such parts of the DVD where it did not appear these men were completely in control of their own thoughts. This time around, London and Kendrick discuss wrestling and life in more positive terms. In a sense, both men seem to be distancing themselves away from the sport they once loved while also trying to maintain some connection with it. If you liked the zaniness and wackiness of the first DVD, you might be disappointed, but if you are someone who doesn’t mind listening to the deep thoughts of two young men seemingly at the crossroads of life, there is a lot to be gained from this DVD.
London clearly is not a fan of Triple H and CM Punk based on some of his commentary. He even goes so far as to call Punk the Triple H of Ring of Honor. The best analogy I can come up with with London and wrestling is the ex-lover trashing his ex but secretly wanting to get them back. I don’t say this as a knock against him because it’s something I’m sure we’ve all gone through at some point in our lives, but it is interesting to hear London’s conflict within himself. On the one hand he talks about hating wrestling and in particular corporate wrestling. However, he is sure to toss in some thoughts about enjoying the creative aspects of going out to the ring and improvising for the hell of it and even opening up some sort of wrestling school at the end of the DVD.
Brian Kendrick is a bit more politically correct in what he says and seems genuinely embarrassed by the first DVD after he talks about being afraid to watch the original interview. He is now afraid to pull any punches when talking about certain wrestlers (El Generico being cited as one example) not wanting to leave their comfort zone and try other things in the ring. He also seems to have little love for Job Moxley because of what happened with an angle containing Tommy Dreamer at the Dragon Gate USA show in January 2010. His non-wrestling thoughts are surely a source of entertainment and joy for fans. He does not disappoint as he discusses some of his favorite conspiracy theories and whether they’re true or not.
While very different from the first shoot, London and Kendrick’s Bogus Journey is another fun and engaging interview with a lot more insight into the business and a lot less negative. Solid recommendation on this one.
A Full Case of Tales with the ANX
The first interview with Kenny King and Rhett Titus now seems all the more relevant with the departure of Kenny King from Ring of Honor to TNA wrestling. King and Titus took very different paths toward their success, but in a sense June 24, 2012 will be their crowning achievement with a victory over Charlie Haas and Sheldon Benjamin to win the world tag team titles. Sadly, that may end up being the lasting image of their tag team. How ironic that mere weeks before King’s life would change dramatically twice over, they would come together for an interview to discuss their lives in wrestling and what is to come.
Unlike London and Kendrick, King and Titus are still seemingly on the way up. They provide context for their own careers. King openly discusses his feelings on Tough Enough and its process. In addition, he talks about his frustration with TNA during 2005 and 2006 as the company was seemingly ready to take off in one direction and then inexplicably went back in time to the attitude era. He talks a bit about his experiences about the west coast and how it contrasts with what his tag team partner had to go through on the east coast. Titus talks about his time with the Ring of Honor training school and why he was seemingly the most successful student to ever come out of that school. Titus also has some funny tales about working the east coast, particularly using a rather naughty word in Chikara.
As they came together in Ring of Honor, King and Titus discuss their reservations about even being a team and not necessarily liking each other. Their struggle to gain credibility encompassed three bookers as Gabe Sapolsky is the man who brought each into the promotion. Adam Pearce is the one who brought them together as a team. Delirious and Jim Cornette are the ones who truly elevated the All Night Express to the next level where they could be considered on the same level as the Briscoes, Kings of Wrestling, and Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team. Because they’ve been around for all these transitions, King and Titus are able to provide great insight into recent Ring of Honor history. Though they have a great deal of admiration for what Gabe tried to as far as constantly looking forward and always trying to remain on the cutting edge, they also fear Pearce’s booking allowed them to slow things down and allowed Ring of Honor to be eventually accepted as a television product.
The juiciest part of the interview comes in the last 40 minutes as King and Titus have enjoyed quite a few adult beverages. After talking about their love of Ring of Honor and so many of the opportunities they’ve received, they express their frustrations with the product, in particular Sinclair Broadcasting. They question some of the decisions that have been made but don’t seem willing to completely contextualize their frustrations. King attempts to bring it all together by saying the wrestling and television product need to come together and ultimate allow the promotion to gain momentum to push the company forward. While I was appreciative by what came off as honesty throughout the interview, I could not help but be frustrated by the end of the interview. What am I supposed to think about these two men, especially in light of what happened recently with Kenny King? What am I supposed to think about Ring of Honor. This interview is one thing, but Davey Richards doesn’t exactly seem thrilled about many aspects of Sinclair Broadcasting either.
I would recommend this interview, particularly for those fans curious to know why King decided to leave for TNA. I think you’ll understand just why he did indeed depart. Very fun two hour interview a solid thumbs up from me.
To purchase these DVDs and so many others, check out Highspots. They allow for one to purchase DVDs, MP4 downloads, or even streams on Highspots.TV.
In addition to wrestling podcasts, I am also a proud co-host of a show specifically geared toward Mad Men. Please check out all of our previous podcasts here. You can also download them off of iTunes.
Contact Pro Wrestling Ponderings!
E-mail: prowrestlingponderings@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ProWrestlingPonderings
Twitter: www.twitter.com/pwponderings
Youtube: www.youtube.com/pwponderings
Contact ME!
E-mail: jcusson07@gmail.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeromepwpeditor