I Listen So You Don't Have To: Wrestling Pictures, Episode 3

Wrestling Pictures takes a look at Rocky's turn in a cult biopic remake Photo Credit: WWE.com

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Wrestling Pictures
Episode: 3
Run Time: 1:02:49
Guest: none

Summary: Greg Evans and Wil Jones are two British gentlemen with a simple goal: to do a podcast reviewing every film ever produced by WWE Studios. This week, they're taking on Walking Tall, the 2004 Rock-starring remake of the 70's cult classic. After putting this film in perspective by looking at The Rock's overall filmography, they realize there is not much positive to say about Walking Tall. It is very boring and cliched and it's barely even an action movie. Greg and Wil note the total lack of chemistry between The Rock and Johnny Knoxville, who are supposed to be lifelong friends but often look like they've just met each other. The final segment of the show finds Greg pitching his own WWE Studios film based on the title of a WWE show, and his is Capital Carnage.

Quote of the Week: Greg, on The Rock taking certain roles - "People don't give him credit for being a good actor. The problem is that no matter what role he takes on, he's still going to look like The Rock. And this is why in Pain and Gain, he's fantastic because he looks the part. He looks like a cheesy meathead... but then in Snitch, he goes into the drug dealers den, and it's like, 'Don't pussy about or get a wiretap, just People's Elbow them!'"

Why you should listen: Greg and Wil have a natural chemistry as two friends who are excited, or properly bummed out, to talk about this movie. They make each other laugh, but they don't engage too much in the self-congratulatory laughing that can grind certain shows to a halt. If you've never seen Walking Tall, they actually do quite a good job of describing the plot and putting its images in your head.

Why you should skip it: It's a highly specific idea for a podcast, and the amount of people who've seen Walking Tall is relatively few. If you need your podcasts to address deep issues of concern to the world, then hearing about The Rock's third movie is not going to do it for you.

Final Thoughts: My main worry for Greg and Wil is that as they go on and get deeper into the WWE Studios filmography, they are going to start seeing movies that not only suck, but have very little about which you can discuss. I've seen Dean Ambrose starring in 12 Rounds 3: Lockdown, and it felt like a fever dream from which I could barely wake. Not only will their patience be tested, but their ability to come up with interesting points about these movies will also need to stay strong. Perhaps you need a break from wrestling podcasts that talk about the same three or four topics of interest within the wrestling world, and if so, Wrestling Pictures will be your weekly escape into the comforting fantasy world of crappy movies starring wrestlers.