Author: Evan Ginzburg

“These things come in threes,” my father used to say. And, yes, celebrity deaths often at least seem to do just that. But what happens when three pillars of our wrestling community pass away and don’t quite receive the recognition they deserve? These Things Come in Threes – Celebrating the Lives of “Shooter” Tony Jones, Hector Bosa & Dr. Thom Parks  Well, we tragically lost a trio of great men within a month. I am very grateful to honor them here: “Shooter” Tony Jones, Staten Island Public Access talk show host Hector Bosa, and Arizona-based wrestler/manager Dr. Thom Parks. APW’s (All Pro Wrestling) Tony Jones, who passed away…

The Iron Claw is a heart-wrenching, ever-so-painful Shakespearian-level tragedy with much going for it. And some significant flaws to boot. (Warning- This review has spoilers.) The Von Erich clan is led by patriarch and taskmaster- wrestling headliner turned promoter Fritz (Adkisson) Von Erich. Portrayed by Holt McCallany, he physically resembles Fritz far more than Zac Efron (Kevin), Jeremy Allen White (Kerry), Harris Dickinson (David), or Stanley Simons (Mike) do the Von Erich boys.  The film has an almost Will Smith as Muhammed Ali-type effect where, throughout, you’re thinking, “Zac Efron doesn’t look like Kevin.” Ironically, the actor got into such…

With the glut of wrestling on TV, you just can’t watch everything. And unfortunately, and maybe even unfairly, IMPACT sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. But having seen many excellent Bound For Glory pay-per-views over their historic 19 years and with this one loaded with world-class talent, it was an intriguing, can’t miss package. This is a jaded fan and journalist’s take on Bound For Glory 2023. Bound for Glory 2023 X Division Championship Chris Sabin vs. Kenta Two great veteran pros put on a clinic in the opener as they went move for move in a highly physical contest.…

The AEW Live Experience – Arthur Ashe Stadium, Queens, NY 9/21/22 “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley were about to battle for the AEW World Championship and Claudio Castagnoli vs. Chris Jericho for my beloved ROH World Championship. Yours truly was going to see some old-school wrestling in person. The kind with holds and moves and submissions and belts that mean something to its audience. Although a jaded fan of 50 years, I was nonetheless psyched to see these all-time greats. As I walked toward the massive Arthur Ashe Stadium in anticipation of Grand Slam, I noted not…

I listen when the late, great Roger Ebert gives a wrestling doc 3 1/2 stars and raves about it. In his review of 2011’s Fake It So Real, Ebert writes, “Robert Greene, the documentarian, is a cousin of (wrestler) Chris Solar. He likes these guys and doesn’t take cheap shots. The Rourke film (The Wrestler) contained a lot of painkiller use and illegal steroids. There are no drugs seen or referred to in this film, and my guess is they can’t afford them. There is a rough nobility in the way they strive for fame and success. The film is…

Everybody Loves Mickey – The Life and Times of “Irish” Mickey Doyle by Tim Keenan. As a kid, I discovered wrestling literally a half-century ago- on that mysterious UHF dial. For there on Spanish language, Channel 41 was the magnificent Los Angeles TV tapings from the Olympic Auditorium. Every Wednesday night I would savor the exploits of “The Maniac” John Tolos, Black Gordman, and Great Goliath, Victor Rivera, a young Roddy Piper, Chavo Guerrero, Greg Valentine, Crusher Verdue, Louis Tillet, “Butcher” Paul Vachon, The Hollywood Blondes led by Sir Oliver Humperdink, The Twin Devils, Raul Mata, Mil Mascaras, Fishman, Perro…

Its Chaos Be Kind. In one of noted comedian Patton Oswalt’s network specials, he speaks of becoming a young widower after his wife dies at the tender age of 46. His wife, a brilliant author, didn’t believe in fate, Karma, a higher entity’s will, or anything along those lines. She exclaimed to him, simply, “It’s chaos, be kind.” Now I had spoken to my friend JJ Maguire just the other day and we were planning and scheming as always. JJ was Executive Producer on a Sci-Fi spectacular with a script in hand that he was exceedingly excited about. A potential…

The WRLD on GCW. The first rule of show business is to “know your audience.”And Game Changer Wrestling does just that. When NYC’s Hammerstein Ballroom sells out almost immediately before a lineup is even announced with ticket prices reaching as high as $200 ringside, they most certainly are a hot property. And the 2,000 plus rabid fans were on fire for this Pay Per View before the first blow was even thrown. As I had never seen GCW, didn’t know too many of their wrestlers or any of the angles, I grew curious based on their growing reputation alone.   …

You Cannot Kill David Arquette. David Arquette is a lifelong wrestling fan who at the peak of his acting fame made the WCW movie, Ready to Rumble. In 2000 he was brought into WCW TV storylines. He did not expect nor want to become their champion, but it was a ratings and publicity ploy. During his brief reign, he was used as pure comic relief.  The fans, in turn, hated him with a passion and he was deeply hurt by 18 years of trolling. Despite the fan reaction, the noted actor still had a love and passion for the business. Proving…

Pain & Pleasure. I have been a wrestling fan for nearly 50 years. Yes, you read that correctly. Along the way, I’ve watched innumerable WWE pay-per-views live (and occasionally in person) and experienced the spectrum of emotions. From the sheer joy of seeing Randy Savage versus Ricky Steamboat at WrestleMania 3 elevate wrestling to Art- to Shaemus beating Daniel Bryan in seconds and feeling disappointed, angered, and downright cheated. Thus, I want to walk you through just what this old-school fan thinks and feels as he watches one of these supposed “spectaculars.” And there are similar peaks and valleys in…