Directed By:Jim Westerman
Produced By:W.R. Frank and Verne Gagne
Written By:Eugene Gump
StarringEd Asner, Elaine Giftos, Verne Gagne, Billy Robinson, Dusty Rhodes
There have not been a lot of movies that center around a wrestling promotion. There’s No Holds Barred, Mad Bull and Ready to Rumble but none are like the 1974 classic “The Wrestler”. Legendary actor Ed Asner plays Frank Bass, a wrestling promoter who has built his promotion around his aging champion. The champ Mike Bullard is played by the AWA’s one and only Verne Gagne.
At the center of everything Mike Bullard is the champ, but he is getting old. Frank is feeling pressure from different places to replace his aging star, even from the Bullard’s wife who wants her husband to quit before he gets hurt. Bass believes he might have the young challenger who can take the reigns when he sees Billy Taylor who is played by the legendary Billy Robinson. Bass is also forced to deal with mobsters and his fellow promoters.
The movie opens up and the first face you see is Larry “The Ax” Hennig. The movie also features Superstar Billy Graham, Ken Patera, Dick The Bruiser, just to name a few stars. The highlight maybe the scenes with Dick Murdoch and Dusty Rhodes. The movie also shows of the acting chops of one Vince McMahon Sr. Now there lightening can be a little dark at times, remember this movie was made in 1974 but still fun to watch. If you have Amazon Prime you can currently stream the film.
The Movie Gets: World Title
Written By
Keith B. Holt
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