Previewing Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling
The latest reality show from Hulk Hogan makes its debut tomorrow night on CMT. No, it’s not about his son trying to profit off the car accident that left his friend in a vegetative state. It’s Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling, an elimination competition in which “celebrities” are trained to wrestle.
On the trailer for the show, which is being produced by Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey’s production company, the competitors are described as “10 celebrities brave enough to step into Hulk Hogan’s ring.” What it should have said is: “10 D-list celebrities who have extremely limited options these days step into Hulk Hogan’s ring.”
According to show’s Web site, the contestants will be judged on “their performances througout various challenges, which include mastering complex moves, trash talk to intimidate the opponent and working a live audience.”
The cast members are a virtual who’s who of has-beens and never-wases: Danny Bonaduce, Todd Bridges, Butterbean, Trishelle Cannatella (who?), Dustin Diamond, Erin Murphy, Dennis Rodman, Frank Stallone, Tiffany (the girl who used to sing in malls, not Teddy Long’s assistant on ECW) and Nikki Ziering. I guess Cousin Sal and American Idol reject Ace Young were too busy – or too “famous” for this show.
Predictably, the judges and trainers for the program are all Hogan associates and hangers-on. Bischoff and Jimmy Hart are the judges, and Brian Knobbs and Brutus Beefcake serve as trainers.
The trailer also has a line about the show being “more than you think it is.” Judging by the clips, however, it’s exactly what I think it is. All the staples of reality shows are there, including bottom-of-the-barrel celebs, contrived conflicts with lots of yelling and crying, and the requisite “serious” moment (Rodman suffers a shoulder injury and is taken to the hospital in an ambulance).
I am not a fan of reality competition shows, but as a wrestling fan, I have to admit that I am intrigued by the subject matter. And this series might just be so bad that it’s good. What I’m having a hard time getting past is that it is a Hulk Hogan project. I can’t see Hogan without being reminded of the reprehensible comments that he made about John Graziano – the Hogan family friend who was critically injured in the accident – during taped jailhouse conversations with his son, Nick.
I will at least watch tomorrow’s episode for sure. As far as who will emerge as the celebrity wresting champion, I’m going with Bonaduce. Luckily for him, I don’t think the show tests for steroids.
Comments
Frank Stallone is an American icon, how dare you disrespect him?
Actually, I think today he literally stands in the street next to homeless men, around a barrel, and sings old Rocky movie songs.
Posted by: Elevation | October 17, 2008 8:05 PM
Lol I forgot all about Danny Bonaduce taking steroids! I haven't thought about "Breaking Bonaduce" in a couple years.
At least he's doing better than his ex-wife. She's on a reality show on Fox's reality channel (yeah, it exists - "Fox Reality") called "Gimme my Reality Show!" She, along with several other "celebrities" - Kato Kaelin and Traci Bingham - are trying to win a reality show.
She's on a reality show where the winner gets a reality show.
Posted by: Chris Slater | October 17, 2008 8:25 PM
How dare you disrespect Ace Young, too? Anyone having gone through the rigors of "Idol" is a "finalist" in my opinion, and never a "reject." You try doing what they did and see how you do. Ace is playing Kenickie in "Grease" on Broadway now, a role he has always wanted to play; for your information; that is why he is not on the show.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I understand that you're hopelessly devoted to Ace, but if he's so great, why isn't he playing Danny? Rejected once again.
Posted by: wtgm3 | October 17, 2008 9:35 PM
Kevin , you missed your calling .
Seriously , as you mentioned it's aliitle hard to get too excited about something Hogan is associated with these days .
As far as the has-been , never-was cast , the rest of his family fits that mold .
For Bonaduce to be juiced and have nothing more than a 14 in. arm is an embarrassment !
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | October 17, 2008 10:12 PM
I willl not watch the show, he and his son are garbage,
you should not even write about it,why give him free publicity for the show.
Posted by: Anonymous | October 17, 2008 11:17 PM
One thing I would be interested in seeing is how people are trained to become wrestlers. This show might do that for me.
Posted by: Bob Buscaglia | October 18, 2008 1:26 AM
By the way, Kevin, I hate to tell you but Trishelle Canatella had a romance with the Miz on a "Real World" show.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I am clueless when it comes to reality "stars." I had never heard of The Miz before he was on Tough Enough.
Posted by: Bob Buscaglia | October 18, 2008 1:29 AM
Bonaduce used to brag about doing steroids when he co-hosted The Adam Carolla Show (West Coast radio) in 2007. I wonder if he's ever turned down a job; he's like the bad William Shatner.
Posted by: Steve G. | October 18, 2008 2:18 AM
How funny that you mention Brian Knobbs (funny odd). Thursday night I caught an old AWA show on ESPN Classic. One of the programs where he wrestled solo because Jerry Saggs had a blind date with the ring post (cheap plug). It was from 1988 and I saw myself sitting in the audience at the late, lamented Showboat in Vegas.
I'm pretty sure I don't wanna see my 20-year-younger self on TV anymore.
Posted by: Marko50 | October 18, 2008 6:22 AM
I wonder if the winner gets a TNA contract.
Posted by: Jeff Awtrey | October 18, 2008 2:26 PM
ya.. i dont like he and his son both..
Posted by: ipsg007 | October 18, 2008 3:28 PM
God I can't actually wait to see
Dustin Diamond start his whining!
Posted by: micheal deff | October 18, 2008 7:56 PM
Besides the Graziano part, this is the funniest thing I have read all year.
Posted by: Mr. Bronson | October 19, 2008 5:17 AM
I didn't think anything could make me long for the pure wrestling art of W(omen) O(f) W(restling) -----WOW, from the late 1990's but man this may have taken the cake.
On a positive note, the celebs did display a talent equal to that of Hulk in the ring.
I joked Rodman's contract with Bischoff from WCW had an appearance left.
Posted by: micheal deff | October 19, 2008 11:16 AM
So what did you think?
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: The honest answer is that I haven't had time to watch it yet.
Posted by: Kurt Royal | October 19, 2008 3:52 PM
Although I didn't get to see it , I read elsewhere a comment " that the wrestling was so bad it would make Lex Luger cringe " .
nuff said .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | October 20, 2008 9:25 PM