Never underestimate the impact of wrestling crossovers on television or in movies for the sustained success of professional wrestling. Vince McMahon has never ignored this fact. Despite sometimes missing the mark, it’s this recognition that keeps him coming back to that well. This was evident in the 1991 TV pilot TagTeam, which failed to find success.
Rocky III was instrumental in launching Hulk Hogan’s crossover success and immense popularity. Sylvester Stallone had originally envisioned Terry Funk for the role, but Funk passed it on to Hogan. Ironically, Hogan lost his job in the WWF under Vince McMahon Sr. for accepting the role, as Sr. believed it broke kayfabe. Hogan moved to the AWA, and when Rocky III‘s success propelled him and Mr. T into stardom, Vince McMahon Jr., the new WWF owner, brought Hogan back, putting the title on him to kick off 1984 and the Hulkamania era. McMahon Jr. continued to capitalize on this success by featuring Hogan and Mr. T prominently in WrestleMania I and II.
In a different scenario, Randy Savage experienced a late-career resurgence with his role in Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man franchise as Bonesaw. This role garnered more mainstream success than his WCW character, Arachna-Man. At a time when WWE had not yet reconciled with Savage, the Macho Man enjoyed renewed mainstream attention.
There is a renewed interest in depicting old-school wrestling stories on television and in film. The internet TV series GLOW fictionalizes the 1980s women’s wrestling promotion of the same name, starring wrestler Awesome Kong (Kia Stevens) and featuring guest appearances by wrestlers Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, Brodus Clay, and Chavo Guerrero Jr. Anticipation is high for Todd Phillips’ upcoming Hulk Hogan biopic, starring Chris Hemsworth in the lead role.
The pinnacle of this movement might be Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler, which won numerous awards in 2008 and 2009, including from the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Grammys. Hulk Hogan, ever the opportunist, claimed he was originally offered the role that Mickey Rourke won acclaim for, but Aronofsky has stated this was not true, as the role was written for Rourke. The film also featured pro wrestlers like Blue Meanie, Jim Powers, Nigel McGuinness, Ron Killings, Chuck Taylor, and Jay Lethal.
Television and movie infatuations with wrestlers have been a constant since Rocky III. Guest appearances on popular TV shows include Triple H on The Drew Carey Show, Vader on Boy Meets World, King Kong Bundy on Married with Children, Steve Austin on Nash Bridges, Lita on Dark Angel, and The Miz on Psych. Animated guest spots include Bret Hart on The Simpsons and Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon on Celebrity Deathmatch. Roddy Piper’s recurring role as Da Maniac on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a standout, showcasing his comedic talent.
Movies featuring wrestlers have had mixed success. Hulk Hogan’s film career includes flops like No Holds Barred, Suburban Commando, and Mr. Nanny, while Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has achieved genuine success in mainstream TV and film. John Cena’s future impact on the cultural spectrum remains to be seen. For a taste of 70s wrestling greatness, check out the 1974 movie The Wrestler, produced by Verne Gagne, starring Gagne and Billy Robinson, alongside Ed Asner. Also, Sylvester Stallone’s Paradise Alley (1978) is a solid effort about 1940s New York City wrestling, featuring Terry Funk, Ted DiBiase, and Tom Waits. WWE-produced or planned crossover vehicles are best avoided if you value your sanity.
The Rock’s series Ballers and Hulk Hogan’s Thunder in Paradise are notable examples of wrestlers starring in television series outside of the WWF umbrella. Thunder in Paradise even played a role in Hogan’s move to WCW in the mid-90s.
Among the most IMDB-credited wrestlers in recent decades are Roddy Piper and Jesse “The Body” Ventura. Piper gained cult-film success with They Live and Hell Comes to Frogtown, and made memorable TV guest appearances on Walker, Texas Ranger and Outer Limits. Ventura’s film career is largely tied to Arnold Schwarzenegger, featuring in Predator, The Running Man, and Batman & Robin, as well as Sylvester Stallone’s Demolition Man.
Given their combined talents, it’s not surprising that Piper and Ventura were paired together in TagTeam, a 1991 television pilot written by Robert McCullough, known for his work on shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation, Zorro, and Baywatch Nights.
TagTeam attempted to blend buddy cop dynamics with wrestling, following Piper and Ventura as former wrestlers who become police officers. The pilot opens with a wrestling match featuring Piper and Ventura’s characters, Tricky Ricky MacDonald and Bobby “The Body” Youngblood. The storyline introduces a complex, almost philosophical layer by treating wrestling as real and incorporating a moral dilemma involving a match-fixing plot.
The pilot of TagTeam showcases Piper and Ventura’s transition from wrestling to various odd jobs before they finally become rookie cops. Their comedic adventures include disastrous attempts at moving jobs and self-defense classes before they stumble upon a chance to prove themselves as police officers.
The climax of the pilot sees Piper and Ventura successfully thwarting a robbery and later protecting a witness in a series of action-packed scenes, including a wrestling-style tag-in during a final confrontation. Despite their success, the pilot was not picked up for a series, leaving viewers to imagine the potential of a show that mixed the camaraderie of The A-Team with wrestling antics.
TagTeam may have failed to secure a series, but it stands as a testament to the creativity and experimentation inherent in wrestling crossovers. The pilot is a unique blend of campy comedy and action, highlighting what could have been a memorable chapter in the annals of wrestling entertainment.
