By Reid McCarter on Dec 01, 2017 05:37 am
More to every story
Even The Room diehards may be surprised at some of the incredible oddities on display in James Franco's The Disaster Artist, which dramatizes the making of Tommy Wiseau's infamously bad 2003 film. And the movie doesn't even capture it all--there's more, of course, in the book on which the movie is based. The book was co-written by author Tom Bissell and none other than Greg Sestero himself--Tommy's best friend and co-star in The Room, played in The Disaster Artist by Dave Franco. And there are some details that couldn't even make it into the movie. To make sure everyone is on the same page, here's a selection of 27 of the wildest stories from the book, The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside The Room, the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made. Pick up the book if you want to know the full story--you just can't make this stuff up.
1. Tommy appeared hours late to the first day of production--because he was doing his hair
" . . . Tommy walked out of his bedroom wearing white surgical gloves stained to the wrist with black hair dye. Tommy had actually decided to redye his hair before heading over to the set . . . We were four hours late now." (p.25)
2. Tommy insisted on buying all the filming equipment
" . . . Tommy had made the breathtakingly expensive decision to purchase, rather than rent, all his equipment. This was a million-dollar investment that not even a large Hollywood studio would dare ... With one careless gesture, Tommy threw a century of prevailing film-production wisdom into the wind." (p.25-6) Image: The Disaster Artist
3. The Room's script actually was edited--albeit lightly
"It's hard to believe, but The Room's script was actually, at one point, worse than what was filmed. Script supervisor Sandy Schklair was given the unenviable task of trying to make sense of Tommy's original work (which he, of course, resisted). Sample dialogue before Schklair did his best: "'Promotion! Promotion! That's all I hear about. Here is your coffee and English muffin and burn your mouth.'" (p.28) Image: The Disaster Artist
4. Donny and "The Mark"
The role of Mark, played by actor and The Disaster Artist co-author Greg Sestero, originally belonged to an actor named Dan (who Tommy decided to refer to only as "Don"). After convincing Sestero to play Mark instead--by offering him a new car and truckloads of money--Tommy, afraid of firing "Don," decided instead to carry out an elaborate plan where both actors would be filmed, one after the other. "'The producers want to see him as the Mark,'" Tommy used as an excuse until he finally worked up the nerve to officially change the casting. For good measure, he also fired another cast member, Michelle, at the same time as "Don." (p.31)
5. Tommy had unusual casting call manners
"Tommy had a lot of trouble casting the part of Chris-R, probably because he chose to greet most of the guys auditioning for the part by jumping them when they walked through the door." (p.33)
6. Tommy explains why Chris-R's name is Chris-R
Dan Janjigian, who ended up getting the part of Chris-R made the mistake of trying to learn more about his character's background. "Why the name 'Chris-R,' for instance? What's with that hyphen? Tommy's explanation: 'He is gangster.' What about this drug business, which never comes up either before or after Chris-R's only scene in the film? 'We have big problem in society with the drugs. Chris-R is gangster and Denny takes drugs. So he must be rescued.'" (p.34)
7. They used green screens to recreate actual locations
Unafraid of spending money, Tommy decided not to film in actual alleyways or on actual rooftops, but to build them as strange sets instead. The final product, a surreal-looking assortment of locations, was completed with bizarre workarounds like compositing the San Francisco skyline with green screens. When asked why he made these choices, Tommy responded, "'We do no different than big studios." (p.63)
8. Filming terrible lines required many, many takes
The famous moment when an angry Johnny/Tommy enters a rooftop scene to deliver a tortured "It's not true! I did not hit her! It's bullshit! I did not . . . Oh, hi Mark" was extraordinary difficult for Tommy to manage. It was only completed with the aid of a hastily introduced water bottle prop. The seven seconds of footage used in The Room took "three hours" and "thirty-two takes." (p.71)
9. The Room almost had a supernatural twist
Unhappy with his work-in-progress, Tommy had a last-minute idea that, sadly, was never used in the film. "'I want my car,' Tommy began, 'to fly off the roof and into the sky.'" When asked how this would fit with the rest of The Room, he explained, "'It's just possible side plot. Maybe Johnny is vampire.'" (p.92)
10. There was a massive fight over $80 boots
Tommy resisted replacing Chris-R actor Dan's boots after asking him to wear his own shoes in a scene and scuffing them. "'I am not the Santa Claus'" Tommy told him, relenting only when Dan strongly reminded him how unprofessional he was being. After all, he had also recently re-shot a scene that "had no impact on the films plot"--which cost $80K. (p.98)
11. Tommy messed up stealing a line from another movie
The wonderful line, delivered by Johnny to his unfaithful fiancé Lisa during a tense moment, "You are tearing me apart, Lisa!" is meant to be an homage to James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause. Though he ended up filming the right words in the end, Tommy originally wrote it as "'You are taking me apart, Lisa!'" in The Room's script. (p.126)
12. The Room's set had a private bathroom--that only Tommy was allowed to use
Rather than deign to use the nearby bathroom provided for the rest of the cast and crew, Tommy built himself a private luxury facility close to the sound stage. "The bathroom had everything: separate plumbing, extrasoft toilet paper, a vanity mirror, a sink. One thing it didn't have: a door. Instead it had a little blue curtain for a partition ... Was [Tommy] really going to void his bowels in the middle of the studio, separated from the people with whom he was working only by a flimsy curtain?" (p. 29)
13. Things got so tense that Tommy feared he would be poisoned
Aware that his crew and actors were getting fed up with him, Tommy began to fear that someone would try to tamper with his food. "He didn't like anyone but himself preparing his food plate, especially after the difficult first week of production. He occasionally voiced concerns that someone might spit in his food or drink. Tommy also refused to eat off plastic utensils, which he worried could be poisoned." (p. 153)
14. The character Mark was named after "Mark Damon"
"'I know the name of your character now,' Tommy said, looking at me. 'You will be called Mark--like this guy Mark Damon.'" (p.189)
15. Tommy self-medicated with Nyquil and Red Bulls
"Tommy was sick with a cold and his voice was almost cartoonishly froggy. To combat that, he had drunk half a bottle of NyQuil. To combat the NyQuil, he'd drunk about seven Red Bulls. As a result Tommy wasn't making much sense. One moment he was weird and peppy, the next he was leaning against a wall for support. Just about everything he said was slurred." (p.194-5)
16. The "love scenes" were as awkward to shoot as they are to watch
Juliette Danielle, who plays Lisa in The Room, was unsurprisingly eager to find ways to make her love scenes with Tommy and Sestero more natural, but her suggestions didn't go over well. "Juliette, in an attempt to make things more comfortable, suggested playing an Alicia Keys song [during the shoot]. Tommy's response: 'We are not here to promote other people's work.'" (p.234)
17. Tommy believed showing his butt was crucial to The Room's success
"In the love scene's final shot, Johnny gets out of bed and walks bare-assed to the bathroom. Tommy thought long and hard about his decision to show his ass. 'I need to do it,' he told me. 'I have to show my ass or this movie won't sell.'" (p.235)
18. Johnny's sex scene with Lisa's dressed surprised everyone
"'Wait,' someone nearby me said. 'What is he … is he … Oh, dear God. He is. He's really … Oh, God.' Everyone knew they'd just witnessed one of the most genuinely perverse moments in the history of American cinema." (p.236)
19. Tommy couldn't tell if the flower shop dog was real
"'So is it real thing?' The flower shop owner looked at Tommy uncertainly. 'I'm sorry?' she said, after a moment. 'Your dog,' Tommy said, unfazed. 'Is it a real thing?' The woman kept looking at Tommy, probably trying to figure out whether this man who'd taken over her store was really asking if her dog was real. Did Tommy think it was a robot? An android pug of some kind? 'Yes,' the woman said finally. 'My dog is a real thing." (p.256)
20. Tommy had a weird approach to fine dining fashion
Sestero describes Tommy's outfit on a night out at a fancy restaurant: "Nighttime sunglasses, a dark blazer as loose and baggy as rain gear, sand-colored cargo pants with pockets filled to capacity (was he smuggling potatoes?), a white tank top, clunky Frankenstein combat boots, and two belts. Yes, two belts. The first belt was at home in its loops: the second draped down in back to cup Tommy's backside, which was, he always claimed, the point: 'It keeps my ass up. Plus it feels good.'" To complete the look, Tommy "had dumped a bottle of Arrowhead water over his head to keep 'this poofy stuff' from afflicting his considerable curls.'" (p.1)
21. Apologizing to Tommy requires specific steps
Following a flubbed scene in their acting class together, Tommy, who considered the bad performance Sestero's fault, required an apology. "When class let out, he demanded I buy him 'apology chocolates' from the nearest See's merchant. 'Get me the mint,' he said." (p.74)
22. Tommy comes up with new names for hairstyles on the fly
Early in Sestero and Tommy's friendship, Sestero had slightly long hair. Tommy, for whatever reason, decided to point out to him that "'You have the donut hairstyle.'" (p.47)
23. Refreshments at Tommy's leave something to be desired
Rehearsing a scene for their acting class at Tommy's apartment, Sestero is offered a drink. "'How about some carrot juice?' Tommy asked. I checked the date on the bottle he gave me. 'This expired three months ago,' I said. 'Well, excuse me,' Tommy said. 'The maid is on vacation.'" (p.55)
24. Tommy created, filmed, and starred in a commercial to get his SAG membership
Without the film credits necessary to earn Screen Actors Guild (SAG) membership, Tommy shot and starred in a commercial for his clothing company, Street Fashions USA, to fulfill the requirement instead. In the ad, he sells jeans by dressing up as a strange Renaissance man likely meant to resemble Shakespeare and reciting "To be or not to be, that is the question."
25. Tommy is, of course, a roommate from Hell
"I was fast asleep when my door opened and Tommy began doing pull-ups on the bar he'd installed in my doorway, which I'd somehow not noticed. It was 4:00 a.m. After a grunty set of ten pull-ups Tommy dropped to the floor with a thud and turned to pace around the living room like a caveman, after which he hit the chin-up bar again. Once he completed four sets, he closed the door." (p.182)
26. Tommy wasn't afraid to rough it at home
"For a bed, Tommy had placed a regular twin mattress over a half-inflated air mattress, which meant he was sleeping at a tilty thirty-degree incline every night. For pillowcases, Tommy was using old T-shirts. He noticed me pondering these Wiseauvian masterpieces of squalid home décor. 'How do you like my new creation?' he asked, as he held up one of the pillows. 'This is my new thing.'" (p.184)
27. Tommy really loves Thanksgiving
"Tommy's favorite American holiday was Thanksgiving, but he didn't just celebrate Thanksgiving Day. He celebrated Thanksgiving Month, eating a full turkey dinner every day for the next thirty days. I once asked him about this. His explanation: 'We live in America. Anything is possible. I love living American life.'" (p.191)
By Jimmy Thang on Dec 01, 2017 04:34 am
Where To Stream 4K Movies And TV Shows
Prices on 4K TVs have come down dramatically over the past few months and there's more ultra high-definition (UHD) content to stream than ever. In light of new consoles that support 4K streaming, we've rounded up all the popular 4K streaming services and organized them alphabetically in the following gallery. What you'll Need In addition to needing a 4K TV and a 4K streaming device like the Xbox One X, PS4 Pro, or Nvidia Shield, you'll want a good internet connection. We recommend one that's rated at least 25 megabits per second. Related: Best 4K HDR Blu-ray Movies
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime costs $99 a year or $11 a month and comes with Amazon Prime Video, which provides access to several 4K movies and original TV shows such as Man in the High Castle, The Tick, and The Grand Tour. If you're not interested in paying for the faster delivery service and simply want the streaming capabilities, you can pay $9 per month just for Amazon Prime Video.
FandangoNOW
FandangoNOW allows users to rent or purchase from a selection of over 200 UHD movies. Rental prices start at $6 and popular movies include Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, The Fate of the Furious, and more. You can check out the complete list of 4K films here.
Google Play
Google Play allows users to rent or purchase digital copies of 4K movies. There are over 130 UHD films to choose from. You can check out the complete list here.
Hulu
Hulu costs $12 a month for its premium no-commercial subscription. The streaming service offers the entire James Bond collection in 4K along with many of its own shows, which include The Handmaid's Tale, Shut Eye, Chance, and more.
iTunes
Apple's iTunes allows you to stream a plethora of 4K movies including Wonder Woman, Baby Driver, Alien: Covenant, and more. It also doesn't charge extra for UHD content. While iTunes allows you to download standard HD videos, one caveat here is that you can only stream 4K movies, and can't download them. Apple also recommends a minimum internet speed of 25 megabits per second.
Netflix
Netflix supports 4K streaming, but you need the premium tier, which costs $14 per month. The company shoots many of its own shows natively in 4K, including popular shows like Orange is the New Black, Stranger Things, and Daredevil. Netflix recommends an internet speed capable of 25 megabits per second or higher, or else the feed will dip below 4K.
UltraFlix
UltraFlix is an app that focuses on delivering UHD content. The service has over 600 hours of 4K videos, 100 of which is free. Rentals range between $2 and $10, and are generally based on how recent the movie is. UltraFlix requires an internet connection that's capable of at least six megabits per seconds, but recommends 25 megabits.
Vudu
Vudu is an on-demand service that lets you rent and buy movies that support 4K HDR, such as Wonder Woman, Guardians of the Galaxy, and more. You can check out the complete list here. Movie rentals start at $4 and the company recommends a minimum 11 Mbps internet connection.
YouTube
YouTube offers a plethora of 4K content. In addition to the UHD videos that users personally upload, the streaming service allows you to rent or buy popular 4K movies. To see if the movie you're interested in streaming is UHD-compatible, look to see if it features a 4K tag under its description.
By Jimmy Thang on Dec 01, 2017 04:33 am
Head-To-Head: Xbox One X VS PS4 Pro
The Xbox One X and the PlayStation 4 Pro share a lot of similarities. Both are mid-generational upgrades that are capable of making games look and perform better than their respective predecessors. Both are also newer flagship consoles that are geared (and priced) towards enthusiasts with 4K TVs. But which one should you get? In this head-to-head article, we'll break down winners across five categories: specs, design, game library, operating system, and value/features. Table of Contents For relevant articles, check out:
Specs
| | Xbox One X | PlayStation 4 Pro | | CPU | 2.3GHz 8-core AMD custom CPU | 2.1GHz 8-core AMD custom "Jaguar" CPU | | GPU | Integrated AMD graphics with 6 teraflops of performance | Integrated AMD graphics with 4.2 teraflops of performance | | RAM | 12GB GDDR5 | 8GB GDDR5 | | Storage | 1TB HDD | 1TB HDD | | Optical Drive | 4K HDR Blu-ray/DVD | Blu-ray/DVD |
Just looking at the comparative spec chart above, it's hard to see how the PS4 Pro can win here. The Xbox One X essentially has more of almost everything. Both consoles use a custom 8-core AMD CPU, but the Xbox One X's processor is clocked 200MHz faster at 2.3GHz. In the GPU department, the Xbox One X has an even bigger advantage. Microsoft's recently-released console offers six teraflops of graphics performance. This is 1.4 times as much as the PS4 Pro. The Xbox One X also offers 12GB of GDDR5 RAM. Microsoft says that 3GB of it is reserved for operating-system tasks, with the rest of the 9GB going towards games. This, alone, is more than the entirety of the PS4 Pro's 8GB GDDR5 allotment. In terms of storage, both consoles offer a 1TB hard drive and allow you to use external USB drives for additional storage. One advantage that the PS4 Pro offers is that it allows you to swap the HDD out for an SSD or bigger drive. While the PS4 Pro has a Blu-ray player, only the Xbox One X has one that's capable of playing 4K HDR media. Ultimately, real-world performance is going to come down to how developers can leverage either console's hardware, but on paper, the Xbox One X has better overall specs. Winner: Xbox One X
Design
Both consoles sport a matte black finish. Arguably the biggest difference between them is that the Xbox One X is significantly smaller at 11.8x9.5x2.4 inches (29.9x24.1x6 cm), which makes it Microsoft's smallest console yet. In comparison, the PS4 Pro measures a much larger 12.8x11.6x2.1 inches (32.5x29.4x5.3 cm). Despite its smaller size, the Xbox One X is 1.2 pounds heavier than the PS4 Pro, weighing 8.4 pounds. In terms of ports, both consoles offer three USB 3.0 ports, SPDIF, and Ethernet connections. The PS4 Pro does have a port for its PlayStation Camera, however, whereas the Xbox One X features an extra HDMI-in and an IR-out. Both consoles run very quiet, but the Xbox One X does run warmer and consumes more power. In our testing, we clocked the Xbox One X consuming over 170 watts during gameplay. At the same time, temperatures rose past 61 degrees Celcius. Conversely, we clocked the PS4 Pro consuming around 150 watts with temperatures hovering in the mid 40 degrees C during similar tests. Despite this, we're going to give the nod to the Xbox One X for its smaller footprint and its clean, minimalist design. Winner: Xbox One X
Games Library
To make this comparison as objective as possible, we counted all the games that scored 70 and above on our sister site Metacritic to see which console offered more compelling games. At the time of this writing, the PS4's library comes ahead with 796 games. It's exclusives consists of notable games like Persona 5, Uncharted 4, Bloodborne, and Horizon Zero Dawn. The Xbox One's library consists of 563 games that have scored a 70 and above. It's anchored by console exclusives such as Gears of War 4, Forza Horizon 3, Ori and the Blind Forest, Cuphead, and Killer Instinct. It's important to note that if you missed the Xbox 360 generation, Microsoft has enabled backwards compatibility with Xbox 360 games, too; some of which will get Xbox One X enhancements. This category should ultimately come down to your personal preference, but when you look at the raw numbers comparing this generation's games, Sony's console currently comes out ahead here. Winner: PS4 Pro
Operating System
While the user interface for PlayStation's operating system is simpler than Microsoft's, the Xbox One's UI has undergone numerous overhauls. Its newest dashboard, released last month, is its most responsive and arguably best iteration yet. It still has a deeper learning curve than the comparatively minimalistic PlayStation equivalent, but it offers more features like 4K video capture, Cortana voice support, and integrates Microsoft's Mixer streaming app into the OS, which provides lower latency video streams than Twitch. While Xbox's new dashboard offers slightly more features, it is less intuitive than Sony's solution. Whereas the PlayStation UI pushes a simpler design that puts a greater emphasis on your games, Microsoft's UI is more cluttered and highlights news, deals, games, apps, and entertainment. The Xbox One operating system does allow you to simplify navigating by allowing to you pin your favorite apps and games to the home menu, however. Both Microsoft and Sony's UI have their strengths and weaknesses, but at the end of the day, owners will mostly use their consoles to play games and stream movies/TV shows. Both systems support your standard array of popular video streaming apps that include Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video and more. Considering both consoles do good jobs of getting you to your most-played games and apps, we're calling this one a draw. Winner: Draw
Value and Features
The Xbox One X comes with AA batteries to supplement its included controller, whereas Sony bundles in a supplemental USB charging cable with its peripheral. We prefer Sony's solution a bit better here since it saves users the trouble of purchasing additional batteries. The PS4 Pro also includes a mono headset, whereas the Xbox One X does not. While you can stream 4K HDR videos on the PS4 Pro, Sony's console doesn't come with a physical 4K HDR Blu-ray player like the Xbox One X. Microsoft's console does cost $100 more at $500, however. Another advantage that the PS4 Pro offers is that it supports virtual reality through its PlayStation VR headset. Microsoft's console currently does not support VR. When we take into consideration its cheaper price tag, included goodies, and VR support, we're going to give the PS4 Pro the nod when it comes to value and features. Winner: PS4 Pro
Conclusion
Coming into the conclusion, we have two wins for the Xbox One X and two wins for the PlayStation 4 Pro. As we've highlighted in this story, both consoles have their strengths and weaknesses. Perhaps the biggest advantage that the PS4 Pro offers is its bigger, arguably more compelling game library. At the same time, however, the Xbox One X has its own exclusives, will likely play third-party games better, and comes with a 4K HDR Blu-ray player. It's a good idea to base your choice on what exclusives you prefer and what system your friends game on. Do you prefer franchises like Halo and Gears of War? Or are you more of an Uncharted and The Last of Us fan? The good news is that both high-end consoles are great and you can't go wrong choosing either one.
By Kevin Wong on Dec 01, 2017 12:45 am
Too real
Fans love when WWE feuds get personal. It's all about the the real, believable emotions behind the pre-planned punches, kicks, and clotheslines. They just seem to hit a little bit harder if there's something on the line. But sometimes, the feuds gets a little too personal, and the involved characters go to a dark place beyond the title belts. They stop attacking each other with fists, and they move on to chairs. And if that doesn't solve things, they move on to sledgehammers and gasoline. Or vehicles, driven at top speed. Here are the most notable times that WWE wrestlers have "attempted murder" on each other and crossed that fine line between competitiveness and homicidal tendency. Many of these moments have been buried and forgotten, with visual footage of them difficult to find. But try as we might, we can't get them out of our head.
Roman Reigns Uses An Ambulance As A Weapon
The ongoing Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman feud is something special. Strowman set the bar high on the evening after WrestleMania 33, when he pulverized Reigns backstage and then tipped over the ambulance that was taking "The Big Dog" to the ER. But Reigns got his revenge at the Great Balls of Fire PPV. After stuffing Strowman in the back of an ambulance, Reigns got in the driver's seat and floored the gas, launching the vehicle backwards into a truck. WWE needed the jaws of life to extract Strowman from the wreckage, and when he emerged, he had blood running down his face.
Kane Lights Jim Ross On Fire
When WWE decided to unmask Kane in 2003, the decision was controversial. And the writers knew they had to establish, very quickly, that new Kane was just as unbalanced and dangerous as old Kane. That resulted in this segment, where Kane poured gasoline on Jim Ross, and then lit him on fire. There was no wink or tip of the hat; WWE played this completely seriously. The entire time Steve Austin begged Kane to stop to no avail.
The Miz, Sheamus, Cesaro, And Kane Crush Braun Strowman In A Garbage Truck
This is the most recent entry on this list. Strowman turned on his teammates during their match against The Shield at TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (2017). And The Miz, Sheamus, Cesaro, and Kane decided, collectively, that they were better off eliminating Braun instead of trying to work with him. They stuffed him in a garbage truck, and then they yelled at some poor WWE schlub to pull the lever. Because this is WWE, Strowman emerged from the back of a different garbage truck eight days later on Raw. It was as stupid, ridiculous, and awesome as professional wrestling gets, which why the fans love it so much.
The Undertaker Drowns Paul Bearer In Cement
After his match against the Dudley Boyz at the The Great American Bash (2004), The Undertaker had a change of heart. Rather than saving manager Paul Bearer, Undertaker drowned him in cement. WWE got a several complaints for showing such a graphic act on television, and the company was forced to clarify in a statement that Bearer was still alive. This was also one of the few times in the company's history that backstage rehearsal footage leaked to the public. Bearer was never in any real danger; much of the segment was filmed beforehand and then spliced together with footage from the live show.
Rikishi Commits Hit-And-Run On Steve Austin
After a botched piledriver that nearly paralyzed him from the neck down, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin needed neck surgery. And since he would be out of action for a considerable amount of time, WWE decided to have a mystery wrestler hit him with a car at the 1999 Survivor Series. The culprit turned out to be Rikishi, who was acting on orders from Triple H. It didn't go over with fans, who liked Rikishi's babyface dance routine. And after a mercifully brief run, Rikishi went back to being a good guy, and no one ever mentioned his homicidal past again. As for the Texas Rattlesnake, he would get his revenge a year later at the 2000 Survivor Series...
Steve Austin Traps Triple H With A Forklift
One year after plotting the hit-and-run on Austin, Triple H faced off against him in the main event at Survivor Series. But this time, the Texas Rattlesnake was ready for anything. When Triple H got in his car (the match was a No DQ and spilled into the backstage area), Austin lifted it up with a forklift, and then dropped it upside down onto hard concrete. The following night on Raw, Stephanie McMahon came out to the ring to confirm that Triple H had survived the fall. Austin came out to confirm his intentions, and he bragged that he should have sent Triple H to the morgue instead of the hospital.
Triple H Swings His Sledgehammer
How is this even a thing? There's is no way to wave it away; whenever Triple H swings his trusty sledgehammer, he's seeking to cave his opponent's skull in. The first time Triple H used the sledgehammer was on Raw in 1999--he locked The Rock in a casket, and then he used his signature weapon to bash massive dents into the box. After that, It just sort of hung around under the ring, where Triple H had easy access to it. It used to be that when Triple H clocked someone, the opponent would "blade" and bleed all over the mat. But these days, Triple H is more likely to use the weapon for a gutshot rather than a headshot, which is hilarious WWE logic. Is this somehow meant to be less extreme? It's a sledgehammer; a gut shot could certainly kill someone too. In a business founded on suspension of disbelief, this is one of the larger leaps of faith.
Hulk Hogan Drives A Mack Truck Into The Rock
Hulkamania is strong. So strong, in fact, that when Hogan returned to WWE to fight The Rock at WrestleMania X-8, the fans booed Rocky and cheered for Hogan, despite the Hulkster's attempt on the Rock's life several weeks prior. With the help of Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, Hogan padlocked The Rock in an ambulance and then crashed a mack truck into its side. Jim Ross screamed, "Dammit, dammit, dammit!" as Hogan backed up and drove the truck into the ambulance again and again. When Hogan finally got out of the truck to look at what he had done, he had a funny look of panic and regret on his face. There were of course, zero repercussions for this. Hogan, Nash, and Hall got in the ring the following Raw to "apologize," and from then on, it was business as usual.
Kane Lights The Undertaker's Casket On Fire
The Undertaker has been "killed" so many times by so many wrestlers over the years. Usually, it's a clever way for Mark Calaway, the man behind The Undertaker, to take time off. And then, when he "rises from the dead" weeks or months later, he's more powerful than ever. One of the most memorable "deaths" was at the Royal Rumble (1998), when Kane trapped his brother in a casket, poured gasoline on it, and lit it on fire. But two months later, the Dead Man resurrected himself and defeated Kane at WrestleMania XIV.
The Undertaker Hangs The Big Boss Man
Oy. By any metric or standard, this segment was in incredibly poor taste. In 1999, The Undertaker was in full Satan worship mode as the head of the Ministry of Darkness, and he fought the Big Boss Man in a massive steel cell at WrestleMania XV. At the conclusion of the match (Undertaker scored a non-competitive victory), the Brood--Edge, Christian, and Gangrel--descended from the ceiling and dropped a noose to Undertaker. He cinched it around Boss Man's neck, and signaled for Paul Bearer to raise the cell. Most of the time when there is a "murder" moment in WWE, the camera pans away or doesn't show the moment of contact so that WWE can use a stunt double, dummy, or editing trickery to make it look real. But this took place in the center of the ring. Big Boss Man even kicked his legs and did the "dance of death" before finally going limp. The best part of this segment is commentator Michael Cole, who probably realized how bad this all looked and tried to save the segment by yelling loudly about "symbolism." Sorry Cole; there was nothing symbolic about this. It was exactly what it looked like; a scripted, live execution on national television.
The Big Boss Man Kills Pepper The Dog
One more thing, just in case you start feeling bad for The Big Boss Man. During the Attitude Era, Boss Man was one of the most despicable heels on Raw, a show that also had mock crucifixions, and that's saying something. There was the time that he crashed Big Show's father's funeral and dragged the casket with his car. But there was also the time that he killed a dog. Yes, you read that correctly. There was actually a storyline where Big Boss Man kidnapped Al Snow's beloved chihuahua companion, Pepper, and fed him to Snow in a hotel room. Jerry Lawler's shocked, horrified face at the end of the segment says it all.
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