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Post by reality on Dec 26, 2008 22:43:42 GMT -5
You know, I loved Warrior growing up. He was tremendously popular and I have no problems saying that I enjoyed his work. However, looking back on this Arsenio clip, what in the world was Vince thinking? The Arsenio crowd was pretty much laughing at the guy about to beat Hulk Hogan for the belt. That's not good. What type of mainstream credibility were they expecting to get out of Warrior? Hogan was an over-the-top character too, but he had mainstream appeal and wasn't embarrassing to the non-wrestling fan. I almost cringed watching this clip with UW, and I can't imagine too many non-wrestling fans were interested in Warrior after watching that. But props to Arsenio for giving a great "WTF?" face at the 2:33 mark.  |
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Post by C2THAJ is a pretty princess on Dec 26, 2008 22:53:09 GMT -5
thank you sir for posting the single most awesome clip i have ever seen
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Post by Zombie Pig on Dec 26, 2008 23:09:42 GMT -5
That was just amazing.... Only way it could be better is if Warrior had come out in a suit and acted normal then went crazy and all warrior on Arsenio.
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Post by horsemen4ever on Dec 26, 2008 23:37:14 GMT -5
Yeah Hogan knew how to conduct himself in that type of situation. Look at today, you have guys like Tripple H and Cena who reguarly appear on shows like Conan and don't embarass themselfs.
I wonder what if the NWA / WCW were progressive enough to let Ric Flair to appear on these types of shows, I am sure he would have been great, he knows how to cut a promo in a interview. Flair on Arsenio know that would have cool.
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dizzy
Trap-Jaw
Posts: 477
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Post by dizzy on Dec 26, 2008 23:58:42 GMT -5
You know, I'm the last guy who would defend the Ultimate Warrior, but I will here.... However, looking back on this Arsenio clip, what in the world was Vince thinking? I can't imagine too many non-wrestling fans were interested in Warrior after watching that. And do you think that many non-wrestling fans were interested in watching Ultimate Warrior before that? Or if he'd conducted himself differently? No non-wrestling fan is going to care one way or the other, it isn't going to make them a fan. Look at today, you have guys like Tripple H and Cena who reguarly appear on shows like Conan The key word of that statement is today. Wrestling isn't kayfabed today as it was back then. Hell, today you have guys like the Big Show going on Conan and openly discussing the fact that the WWF has writers. BOTTOM LINE: The way Warrior acted there was good naturedly comical, not embarassing, and not out of line for the situation. I mean what would you want him to do at that time? Come out in a suit and then try to promote Wrestlemania and his character? |
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Post by -Lithium- on Dec 27, 2008 0:17:18 GMT -5
You know, I'm the last guy who would defend the Ultimate Warrior, but I will here.... However, looking back on this Arsenio clip, what in the world was Vince thinking? I can't imagine too many non-wrestling fans were interested in Warrior after watching that. And do you think that many non-wrestling fans were interested in watching Ultimate Warrior before that? Or if he'd conducted himself differently? No non-wrestling fan is going to care one way or the other, it isn't going to make them a fan. Look at today, you have guys like Tripple H and Cena who reguarly appear on shows like Conan The key word of that statement is today. Wrestling isn't kayfabed today as it was back then. Hell, today you have guys like the Big Show going on Conan and openly discussing the fact that the WWF has writers. Macho Man went on Arsenios show like a year before that. They kept everything kayfabe but he still was funny and I think he fit in. Warrior just sucks at cutting interviews. But even he was okay at talking, his character wasnt ever gonna look right anywhere but the wrestling ring. Oh and Arsenio Hall was a cool host. Was funny but real. He didnt suck up to everyone... |
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Post by horsemen4ever on Dec 27, 2008 0:26:55 GMT -5
You mention the Warrior and kayfabe, at what point did he actully think his character was real? I think he is living in the kayfabe world, he is a regular Timmithy North.
If any gets the Timothy North reference, I give you major props.
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Post by tmc1982 on Dec 27, 2008 0:39:39 GMT -5
You know, I'm the last guy who would defend the Ultimate Warrior, but I will here.... And do you think that many non-wrestling fans were interested in watching Ultimate Warrior before that? Or if he'd conducted himself differently? No non-wrestling fan is going to care one way or the other, it isn't going to make them a fan. The key word of that statement is today. Wrestling isn't kayfabed today as it was back then. Hell, today you have guys like the Big Show going on Conan and openly discussing the fact that the WWF has writers. Macho Man went on Arsenios show like a year before that. They kept everything kayfabe but he still was funny and I think he fit in. Warrior just sucks at cutting interviews. But even he was okay at talking, his character wasnt ever gonna look right anywhere but the wrestling ring. Oh and Arsenio Hall was a cool host. Was funny but real. He didnt suck up to everyone... Arsenio seemed to be a huge wrestling mark since he had at the very least, Warrior, Randy Savage, Bad News Brown, the Twin Towers and Slick, Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan, Rick Rude and Bobby Heenan on his show. |
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Post by Cap'n Crud on Dec 27, 2008 0:55:46 GMT -5
Look at today, you have guys like Tripple H and Cena who reguarly appear on shows like Conan The key word of that statement is today. Wrestling isn't kayfabed today as it was back then. Hell, today you have guys like the Big Show going on Conan and openly discussing the fact that the WWF has writers. BOTTOM LINE: The way Warrior acted there was good naturedly comical, not embarassing, and not out of line for the situation. I mean what would you want him to do at that time? Come out in a suit and then try to promote Wrestlemania and his character? Co -signed. Back then it was to the point guys couldn't even play cards togther in the lockerroom. I guarantee you had Mick Foley written his book before the attitude era he probably would have been blackballed to the point he couldn't even work a backyard fed. Given those circumstances you really couldn't blame Warrior for behaving as was expected of his character. Anything less and he probably would have been fired. |
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bretclark
Bubba Ho-Tep
Scrutinize this...
Posts: 503
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Post by bretclark on Dec 27, 2008 4:09:23 GMT -5
First, to reality, THANK YOU VERY MUCH for this clip, I never seen this before, and I must say it is awesome. I used to watch Arsenio Hall, and it was a great show. Considering the time this came out, it was perfectly acceptable due to the kayfabe nature and all. Plus, when Arsenio said "You have a short attention span", that made me crack up. Plus the WTF look on Arsenio's face at 2:33 was classic. Also, and this sounds weird, but this is probably the most sense the Ultimate Warrior has made in the few times he was given a mic.
- bretclark
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Post by reality on Dec 27, 2008 9:05:39 GMT -5
And do you think that many non-wrestling fans were interested in watching Ultimate Warrior before that? Or if he'd conducted himself differently? No non-wrestling fan is going to care one way or the other, it isn't going to make them a fan. Who knows? Randy Savage was on Arsenio before WM V and while he was completely in character he came off as a likable and hyped the match (with Hogan) like crazy. The audience was laughing with Savage, not at him (at least in my opinion). Hogan, Piper, Rude, Bad News, and others were also on Arsenio, 100% in character, and didn't embarrass themselves either. Maybe they wouldn't attract the non fan, but how about the casual fan who lost interest at some point? Trust me, I said the same thing when Undertaker was on Regis in the early-90's. Why? That's the problem I think. I agree completely that it was perfectly acceptable for Warrior to act like that given the time and his character. But why have that type of character on national TV? Let Hogan promote the match. I realize Vince wanted to promote his new star, but that character + mainstream audience is a bad combination. Or at least tell him to keep it kayfabe but tone it down a bit. And like I said, I liked Warrior. Oh well. I'm just glad someone on YouTube posted this. I have been looking for it for a while. Arsenio was definitely a wrestling fan. He always kept it kayfabe and never seemed like he was making fun of the wrestlers (unless he was with heels). |
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dizzy
Trap-Jaw
Posts: 477
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Post by dizzy on Dec 27, 2008 22:43:20 GMT -5
. Or at least tell him to keep it kayfabe but tone it down a bit. During that era of the Utimate Warrior, the words "kayfabe" and "tone it down" didn't belong in the same sentence. The character at that time wouldn't be accepted if he weren't anything less than completely frenetic. |
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Post by Monster Under Your Bed on Dec 27, 2008 23:16:38 GMT -5
I finally understand Ultimate Warrior's gimmick. Really a masterful interview by a master interviewer.
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Post by tmc1982 on Dec 28, 2008 0:53:07 GMT -5
And do you think that many non-wrestling fans were interested in watching Ultimate Warrior before that? Or if he'd conducted himself differently? No non-wrestling fan is going to care one way or the other, it isn't going to make them a fan. Who knows? Randy Savage was on Arsenio before WM V and while he was completely in character he came off as a likable and hyped the match (with Hogan) like crazy. The audience was laughing with Savage, not at him (at least in my opinion). Hogan, Piper, Rude, Bad News, and others were also on Arsenio, 100% in character, and didn't embarrass themselves either. Maybe they wouldn't attract the non fan, but how about the casual fan who lost interest at some point? Trust me, I said the same thing when Undertaker was on Regis in the early-90's. Why? That's the problem I think. I agree completely that it was perfectly acceptable for Warrior to act like that given the time and his character. But why have that type of character on national TV? Let Hogan promote the match. I realize Vince wanted to promote his new star, but that character + mainstream audience is a bad combination. Or at least tell him to keep it kayfabe but tone it down a bit. And like I said, I liked Warrior. Oh well. I'm just glad someone on YouTube posted this. I have been looking for it for a while. Arsenio was definitely a wrestling fan. He always kept it kayfabe and never seemed like he was making fun of the wrestlers (unless he was with heels). People like Hogan, Savage, Rick Rude, and Piper had a relatively down to earth gimmick/persona (even though they still remained in the confinds of kayfabe). Because Warrior's gimmick was so "out there", it's understandable for non-wrestling fans to instantly laugh at Jim Hellwig's theatrics. |
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Post by tmc1982 on Dec 28, 2008 17:05:29 GMT -5
Here's a more subdued, "normal" interview with Warrior at a parade circa 1990:
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Post by Monster Under Your Bed on Dec 28, 2008 18:32:50 GMT -5
I really like the bit where he basically says "My homies call me U.W."
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Post by thesunbeast on Dec 28, 2008 18:46:12 GMT -5
Here's a more subdued, "normal" interview with Warrior at a parade circa 1990: You see, I disagree with both of these. My opinion is right in the middle of this. I believe that you should have your WWE TV kayfabe charactor, and you should have your out-of-ring kayfabe charactor. Because real life, has it's strange people anyway, and wh is going to believe that a WWE superstar isn't one of those semi stragnge people? You do have maralyn manson like guys out there in the real world. So, I think warrior should be over the top on WWF tv in kayfabe, and when he does a sit down interview, he should have his "real life kayfabe" charactor, as should all wrestlers. On WWE TV. John Morrison can wear fur coats in August and look down as if he's in a trance and talk about slaves to society and the palace of wisdom, but when he's on Conan Obrian, he can wear expensive suits with shades and say that he's just a highly philisophical guy who needs to "get into the zone". Even if neither of these two are the real John Morrison (Hennigan). I don't believe that any wrestler should show you who they really are, and I have many good reasons that I don't want to get into, It's just my philosophy that it makes you concentrate on the charactor less, and makes you outright forget. Anyway, here's the way I think that the warrior should have done all of his Arsenio Hall style interviews outside of the WWF: Warrior, 1991: |
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dizzy
Trap-Jaw
Posts: 477
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Post by dizzy on Dec 28, 2008 23:48:30 GMT -5
Anyway, here's the way I think that the warrior should have done all of his Arsenio Hall style interviews outside of the WWF: I commented on this on the other thread. This particular interview featured a calmer Warrior because Vince wanted it this way. For the purpose of the storyline, he wanted Warrior to be appear more human and mortal in the face of the Undertaker's challenge. |
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Post by Al Wilson Lives: Thread Killer on Dec 29, 2008 2:51:48 GMT -5
1:23 - Warrior lays on the couch like he's in the psychiatrists office
3:18 - "THE GREATEST DUBBA DUFF CHAMPION"
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Post by chunkylover53 on Dec 30, 2008 23:58:26 GMT -5
Here's a more subdued, "normal" interview with Warrior at a parade circa 1990: You see, I disagree with both of these. My opinion is right in the middle of this. I believe that you should have your WWE TV kayfabe charactor, and you should have your out-of-ring kayfabe charactor. Because real life, has it's strange people anyway, and wh is going to believe that a WWE superstar isn't one of those semi stragnge people? You do have maralyn manson like guys out there in the real world. So, I think warrior should be over the top on WWF tv in kayfabe, and when he does a sit down interview, he should have his "real life kayfabe" charactor, as should all wrestlers. On WWE TV. John Morrison can wear fur coats in August and look down as if he's in a trance and talk about slaves to society and the palace of wisdom, but when he's on Conan Obrian, he can wear expensive suits with shades and say that he's just a highly philisophical guy who needs to "get into the zone". Even if neither of these two are the real John Morrison (Hennigan). I don't believe that any wrestler should show you who they really are, and I have many good reasons that I don't want to get into, It's just my philosophy that it makes you concentrate on the charactor less, and makes you outright forget. Anyway, here's the way I think that the warrior should have done all of his Arsenio Hall style interviews outside of the WWF: Warrior, 1991: I agree with you in a way. If you ask me, they should've had the Ultimate Warrior flesh out his character to appear more human before his World Title Reign. They did it during his feud with Randy "Macho Man" Savage in 90/91. That way, on Arsenio Hall, his interview would be understandable to the normal human being, but he wouldn't be breaking character. |
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