A Hollywood Movie Which Divided The Real-Life Wrestling Business
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Compared to other sports, such as baseball or football, professional wrestling has not garnered the same level of respect in its big-screen showings as other fields. One example of how great a wrestling film can be though was shown to audiences in 2008 with the release of Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler, which starred Mickey Rourke in the lead role. Scoring acclaim from audiences and critics, the film was not only a movie about wrestling, but a deeply personal, emotional story about self-destruction and fame. The Wrestler also left personalities within wrestling split, as the likes of Jim Cornette and Bret Hart would take issue with its presentation of the sport, while others, including Vince McMahon, Roddy Piper, and Mick Foley, would all praise the film.
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'The Wrestler' Led To Mickey Rourke Appearing At WrestleMania 25
Released in 2008, Darren Aronofsky's The Wrestler tells the tale of Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a former wrestling superstar who once headlined Madison Square Garden before sizzling out of superstardom. The movie features an incredible lead performance from Mickey Rourke, playing a former main-event talent returning to the business on the independent scene despite major health issues, with an ominous ending teasing that he may have died in the ring. It is an often depressing movie, but one that connected with general audiences, wrestling fans, and wrestlers alike.
Originally planned for WrestleMania 25, Mickey Rourke was going to take on Chris Jericho in a marquee singles match in order to promote the film. Following major awards buzz for Mickey Rourke, plans would be changed, as the movie studio behind the film felt that it would hurt his chances of winning the Oscar for Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role. Instead, Jericho would face off against Roddy Piper, Jimmy Snuka, and Ricky Steamboat in a tag-team match, with Rourke at ringside. Following the match, Mickey and Jericho would have a stare down, with Rourke laying Y2J out with a punch before celebrating with Ric Flair.
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Jim Cornette Publicly Bashed 'The Wrestler'
Never one to not let his opinions be known, whether popular or unpopular, Jim Cornette would not be quiet with regard to his own feelings towards The Wrestler. Following the film's release, Cornette would publicly bash the movie in a somewhat bizarre way. While the famed wrestling personality would not say that the film was bad, he was overwhelmingly adamant that it portrayed wrestling in an unrealistic manner.
Stating that the movie presented professional wrestling in an unrelenting, depressing manner, Cornette seemed to be hoping for something more positive about the wrestling business. That would not be all either, as he would also make the claims that the film as a whole was a totally unrealistic representation of wrestling and was not accurate to how most wrestlers worked within the business. Compared to most major wrestling personalities, Cornette would mostly remain on an island in regard to his take on the film, as a number of wrestling legends would voice their support for The Wrestler following its release.
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A Number Of Wrestling Legends Loved 'The Wrestler'
While Jim Cornette would voice his displeasure for The Wrestler, many others would do the exact opposite following the release of Darren Aronofsky's film. Names like Mick Foley and Jim Ross would both endorse the film in a positive light, and while Bret Hart would praise the film's lead performance from Mickey Rourke, he would be one name that sided with Cornette in saying that it was a misinterpretation of wrestling. Arguably the biggest reaction from a legendary wrestler would come from Roddy Piper, who was said to have broke down during a screening before embracing Mickey Rourke afterwards. Piper would be included in a Round Table filmed for the film's DVD release.
Not only would wrestlers come out in support of The Wrestler, but when speaking to NPR, Aronofsky would share that Vince McMahon gave it his seal of approval, stating, "Vince McMahon saw the film, and he called both me and Mickey Rourke, and he was really, really touched by it. It happened a week ago. We were very nervous wondering what he would think, but he really, really felt the film was special. Having his support meant a lot to us, especially Mickey." As if getting some huge support from wrestlers was not enough, the head of WWE (at the time) would share his own love for the movie with the director, offering a totally different reaction than that of Jim Cornette.
