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♪
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The first time I saw him,
he had this
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magnetic charisma that
you could feel across the gym.
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And, you just thought, hey, man,
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that this guy's a star.
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And I'll do whatever it takes!
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To look adversity in the
face and spit in its eye.
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The wrestling world could
never have imagined that
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an undersized football
player from Cincinnati would
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revolutionize the business,
ushering in a whole new era.
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Shut the hell up!
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Brian knew what the deal was.
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That they're gonna
screw him over,
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they're gonna
screw anybody over.
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And how he could make that
play for his own advantage.
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In an industry that depends
on the illusion of reality,
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no one did more to blur the
lines than Brian Pillman,
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who shattered
wrestling's 4th wall.
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He was going
against the "script".
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This has never been done before.
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What the... are you doing?
Easy!
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Pillman's over-the-top
antics exposed the inner
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workings of the business,
leveraging trade secrets to
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make the deal of a lifetime.
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That Loose Cannon gimmick,
he just took it so far.
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Don't go in there!
(screams)
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A lot of people thought, "Oh,
man, it was too extreme."
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You didn't know where
Brian started and
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his wrestling persona ended.
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Get him the hell out'a here.
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He had a lot of troublesome
relationships with women.
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My mom had had enough
and that kind of
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pushed her over the
edge a little bit.
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He's being driven crazy at home,
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he's supposed to
be crazy at work.
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And in between...
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he's probably
really going crazy.
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On track to become a
wrestling superstar at the
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price of his own sanity,
his rise to the top
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was tragically cut short.
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I'm watching the pre-show
for the Pay Per View.
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Ladies and gentlemen,
we have some tragic
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news to report...
Brian Pilman.
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I just screamed.
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He had a persona that
he wanted to perpetuate,
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even if it killed him.
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♪
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♪
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Man, this is the gold chain
that Brian Pillman got for me
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way back in the day,
and I'll never forget,
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we were riding down the
road one day and he goes,
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"Kid, we gotta
have gold chains."
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He goes,
"That'll look great."
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And all these years later,
I don't have a lot of things,
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you know, from my
old wrestling days,
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but this chain is something
that I'll always have it.
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It's very sentimental to me,
and it was a big part of the
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makeup and the gimmick
of the Hollywood Blonds.
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I'm Steve Austin.
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A friend of Brian's from
way back in our WCW days,
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and we were tag team partners.
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Turned out to be really
good friends and a
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pretty damn good tag team.
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The Hollywood Blonds!
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Brian didn't phone nothing in.
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He wanted to go out
there and perform.
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(cheering)
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A guy that was never
supposed to be big enough
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or bad enough or strong
enough to do anything...
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He blew everybody away with
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his tenacity and
his will to win.
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(cheering)
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He was a good-looking guy,
great physique, high-flyer.
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Could do everything.
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Oh, man!
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Brian was very athletic.
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It really seemed like he
was willing to try anything,
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and you could tell that
he really wanted
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to be a pro wrestling star.
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I'm Jim Ross and,
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when I was in WCW
in the mid 80s,
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Brian was a guy that we
had very high hopes for and
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really wanted to sign.
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...'cause after we're done
pounding you into submission,
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the only thing
that's gonna be prescribed
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for you guys afterwards is a
liquid diet of embalming fluid!
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Brian, from the time he
first got in the ring,
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you could tell he
was a performer.
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He was an exhibitionist.
He wanted you to notice him.
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He had the personality
for wrestling.
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I'm Jim Cornette.
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I've been involved in
professional wrestling for
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over 40 years as a
manager, promoter,
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announcer, matchmaker,
and I was good friends...
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In the 80s and 90s,
with Brian Pillman.
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He wasn't trying to
just be the move guy.
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He wasn't just trying to be
the guy with
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the nice mullet and the abs.
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Like, he was trying
to be everything.
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He was trying to hit this
business on all fronts and
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fire on all cylinders,
and he was trying to be the
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biggest star that the
business had ever seen.
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My name is Brian Pillman Jr.
I am only son of the
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late, great Brian Pillman,
otherwise known as
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the Loose Cannon.
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(horn and cheering)
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Brian was a natural promo.
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When they stuck a
mic in front of him,
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he would just go off
in that raspy voice.
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You're not running
this interview, I am!
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'Cause I'm Brian ing Pillman!
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(cheering and applause)
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Growing up, Brian had multiple
polyps on his vocal cords,
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and it was closing up
his air passage.
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They'd scrape 'em off
and then, after so long,
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they'd grow right back again.
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And that's why his
voice was so raspy,
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because his vocal cords had
been scraped so many times.
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I'm Linda, Brian's older sister.
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You know, he had
over 40 surgeries.
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I don't know the exact number.
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When my mother came
in from work one day,
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she could hear breathing as
soon as she came in the house,
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and it was closing up
his air passage.
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And she called the doctor.
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She had to hold the receiver up
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so he could hear him breathing.
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And that's when he decided he
needed emergency tracheotomy.
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♪ (sirens) ♪
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(clanging)
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He told my mother to
have the ambulance
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bring them to his house.
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'Cause his house was
closer than the hospital.
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And he put a tracheotomy
in Brian on his
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dining room table, in the
middle of the night.
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♪
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But, it never stopped
him from doing anything.
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He was always outside
playing and running and,
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he wasn't allowed to talk
for like two or three weeks
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after those surgeries
and he didn't talk.
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As a result of that, I think
he overcompensated later on
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by wanting to always talk,
wanting to be an entertainer.
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It formed him as the guy
that was gonna overcome,
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over achieve,
knock down the obstacles,
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whatever the case may be.
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The son of a bitch was fearless.
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I mean, he was...
(laughs)
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He was a tough, tough nut.
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My name is Kim Wood.
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I was the Paul Brown
Strength Coach
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for the Cincinnati Bengals.
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And, Pillman had a
chance to try out with us.
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My instruction
was to kill him...
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and not literally kill him,
but damn close.
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But, he tried his ass off.
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You know, he always said,
it's not about the,
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the size of the
dog in the fight.
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It's about the size of
the fight in the dog.
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He had a reputation
in Cincinnati,
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being a street fighter.
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I heard that he was at some
bar that had an upper floor,
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like a balcony or whatever
you want to call it.
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And, he was up there
and some girl
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threw a drink in his face.
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And, her boyfriend
came after Brian.
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Before it was over,
the guy was hanging...
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Brian had him hanging
by his ankles over the,
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the railing.
Over the first floor.
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And Brian was
banned from that bar.
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After a brief stint in the NFL,
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Brian heads to Calgary
to play in the
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Canadian Football League.
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Soon after, Brian suffers
an ankle injury,
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cutting his career short,
which leaves him
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searching for what to do next.
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One thing I knew
about Brian was,
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is that he wasn't gonna
be a high school teacher.
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He wasn't gonna sell insurance.
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There was a lof of things
he wasn't gonna do.
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He could use his toughness
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and his physicality
to make money.
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A couple years ago when
I was with the Bengals,
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Kim Wood, the strength coach,
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he had talked to me
about getting into
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professional wrestling.
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He thought I had all the tools
needed to be successful.
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And it turns out, Calgary
happened to be the
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premiere training ground for
wrestlers in the world.
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And I said, "Hey,
while you're up there,
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go check out this...
this Hart bunch."
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The Hart's are the first family
of Canadian wrestling...
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...with patriarch
Stu Hart at the helm.
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In addition to his children
that would go on to be
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wrestling icons, the family
also discovered and
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trained several other
future superstars.
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They take him into the Hart
dungeon and they teach him
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how to wrestle in one of
the most prestigious ways
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to break into the
business that there is.
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Well, from what I hear,
if you can't hear screaming
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coming out of it,
something's not going right.
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Stu, the old man, would put
people in submission holds
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and then not let them
out of the thing for,
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you know, 3 or 4 hours.
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If you could survive that,
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you could survive
almost anything.
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So, you get that
great foundation...
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all, right off the bat from Stu.
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It was an easy bridge to cross
from football to wrestling.
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Brian gets his start
in Stampede Wrestling,
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00:09:02,917 --> 00:09:05,646
and although it's a small
territory in western Canada,
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00:09:05,670 --> 00:09:07,940
its influence on the
industry is felt
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00:09:07,964 --> 00:09:09,859
around the wrestling world.
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00:09:09,883 --> 00:09:12,278
In the 80s, there were
millions of wrestling fans,
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00:09:12,302 --> 00:09:16,240
but there was a small subset
called "smart fans" that
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00:09:16,264 --> 00:09:18,868
knew the inside inner
workings of wrestling.
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The insiders all knew the name
Brian Pillman pretty quick.
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00:09:21,603 --> 00:09:22,788
I'm Dave Metzler.
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00:09:22,812 --> 00:09:24,248
Editor of the Wrestling
Observer Newsletter.
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00:09:24,272 --> 00:09:25,541
It's an insider publication.
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It's covered pro wrestling
since 1982.
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For a long time, it was
like really the only...
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00:09:30,904 --> 00:09:33,466
you know, what I would call
true source of pro wrestling
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00:09:33,490 --> 00:09:35,050
information that was out there.
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The sheets were kind of
a thing back in the day,
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00:09:36,910 --> 00:09:38,512
you didn't really want
to get caught with 'em.
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You know, it's kind of
like secret documents.
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And then, kind of got out
and damn near
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00:09:43,458 --> 00:09:44,977
all the boys are reading it.
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And with Brian,
he had started wrestling
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when he called me
the first time.
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And, he wanted to send me
tapes and wanted me
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00:09:51,257 --> 00:09:52,735
to send tapes,
so we traded tapes.
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As far as student
of the game, I mean,
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00:09:54,385 --> 00:09:57,198
top, top level, more than
almost anyone
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that I'd ever dealt with.
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Meltzer was a good
gauge for talent.
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00:10:01,810 --> 00:10:05,498
So, that tipped me off
that Meltzer kept
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writing good things about Brian.
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00:10:07,482 --> 00:10:10,753
Brian wound up in WCW by
me getting a hold of it.
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Alright, Brian, best
of luck on that...
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00:10:12,195 --> 00:10:14,632
Upon arriving in WCW...
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00:10:14,656 --> 00:10:16,717
Brian Pillman!
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00:10:16,741 --> 00:10:19,136
Top star and matchmaker,
Ric Flair,
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00:10:19,160 --> 00:10:20,554
sees something in Brian...
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00:10:20,578 --> 00:10:23,808
And looks to feature him on
television in a main event spot.
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And we put that match together,
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and it was one of the
highest rated Saturday night
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00:10:27,377 --> 00:10:29,897
television programs on
TBS at that point in
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00:10:29,921 --> 00:10:31,607
the previous several years.
250
00:10:31,631 --> 00:10:34,235
And, the crowd popped for him.
251
00:10:34,259 --> 00:10:37,655
Crowd's chanting:
"Go, Brian, go!"
252
00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:39,865
Ric Flair was the kind of
guy that wanted to go in the
253
00:10:39,889 --> 00:10:42,034
ring with somebody like
Brian and go 30 or
254
00:10:42,058 --> 00:10:43,869
45 minutes and tear
the house down.
255
00:10:43,893 --> 00:10:45,871
And then he wanted to go
to the bar with Brian or
256
00:10:45,895 --> 00:10:48,040
somebody like Brian,
for 5 or 6 hours and
257
00:10:48,064 --> 00:10:49,583
tear the house down there.
258
00:10:49,607 --> 00:10:50,835
That's the way he lived.
259
00:10:50,859 --> 00:10:54,213
He lived a cartoon life,
a fantasy life of...
260
00:10:54,237 --> 00:10:56,006
of limos and...
261
00:10:56,030 --> 00:10:58,926
long black socks and
alligator shoes and...
262
00:10:58,950 --> 00:11:00,553
you know, and babes.
263
00:11:00,577 --> 00:11:04,390
I think Brian liked aspects
of the lifestyle a lot.
264
00:11:04,414 --> 00:11:06,350
You know, he wanted
to be like Ric Flair.
265
00:11:06,374 --> 00:11:08,102
Brian Pillman was a lady's man.
266
00:11:08,126 --> 00:11:10,396
I mean, he's a gorgeous guy,
he's on television,
267
00:11:10,420 --> 00:11:12,189
he's a professional athlete.
268
00:11:12,213 --> 00:11:15,651
So, yeah, a lot of the women
were attracted to Brian.
269
00:11:15,675 --> 00:11:19,196
Rochelle was a woman
that Brian met a club,
270
00:11:19,220 --> 00:11:20,990
downtown Cincinnati.
271
00:11:21,014 --> 00:11:22,408
You know, they were happy and...
272
00:11:22,432 --> 00:11:23,826
we all loved her.
273
00:11:23,850 --> 00:11:26,328
She went and lived with
him in Calgary for a while,
274
00:11:26,352 --> 00:11:28,747
before he got the
contract down in Atlanta,
275
00:11:28,771 --> 00:11:32,001
and that's when Brittany
was born in Atlanta.
276
00:11:32,025 --> 00:11:33,586
My name is Brittany Pillman.
277
00:11:33,610 --> 00:11:35,754
I'm the daughter
of Brian Pillman.
278
00:11:35,778 --> 00:11:37,965
I was a daddy's girl.
279
00:11:37,989 --> 00:11:41,176
You know, everyone sees him
as this wrestler and always
280
00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:43,846
on the road and, you know,
wrestling was his life,
281
00:11:43,870 --> 00:11:47,099
but outside of wrestling,
his children were his life.
282
00:11:47,123 --> 00:11:50,185
My dad thought I was
his firstborn child.
283
00:11:50,209 --> 00:11:53,272
When I was a year old,
he found out that he had
284
00:11:53,296 --> 00:11:55,608
another daughter out
there that was 2 years old.
285
00:11:55,632 --> 00:11:56,942
♪
286
00:11:56,966 --> 00:11:59,862
I'm Danielle Pillman.
I go by Dani.
287
00:11:59,886 --> 00:12:02,615
And, Brian Pillman is my father,
288
00:12:02,639 --> 00:12:05,910
and I am the oldest of his kids.
289
00:12:05,934 --> 00:12:10,289
My dad met my mom at the
waterfront in Cincinnati,
290
00:12:10,313 --> 00:12:11,874
like, some bar.
291
00:12:11,898 --> 00:12:15,878
And, I mean, it was like a,
a very brief love affair.
292
00:12:15,902 --> 00:12:20,132
But, she did end up
becoming pregnant,
293
00:12:20,156 --> 00:12:23,302
but my dad had Rochelle as
his girlfriend at the time.
294
00:12:23,326 --> 00:12:26,513
So, yeah, that's kind of why
she didn't want to
295
00:12:26,537 --> 00:12:29,183
disclose that to my
father immediately,
296
00:12:29,207 --> 00:12:32,561
but at a certain point,
she felt like, you know,
297
00:12:32,585 --> 00:12:33,812
I needed my dad.
298
00:12:33,836 --> 00:12:35,648
And, the second that I
came into the picture,
299
00:12:35,672 --> 00:12:39,318
he was there for me 100%
and wanted me to be
300
00:12:39,342 --> 00:12:40,945
in every part of his life.
301
00:12:40,969 --> 00:12:42,947
And I think that's something
to be said about him is that
302
00:12:42,971 --> 00:12:45,240
he really did
care about his kids.
303
00:12:45,264 --> 00:12:48,118
You know, my dad living
that lifestyle and all these
304
00:12:48,142 --> 00:12:50,204
different women and, you know,
305
00:12:50,228 --> 00:12:52,873
he had obviously cheated
on my mom many times.
306
00:12:52,897 --> 00:12:54,333
I'm sure that was hard on her,
307
00:12:54,357 --> 00:12:57,836
but she stayed
with him, you know.
308
00:12:57,860 --> 00:12:59,588
She had a lot of issues.
309
00:12:59,612 --> 00:13:02,716
She suffered with
major depression.
310
00:13:02,740 --> 00:13:05,844
There was a time my mom and
dad were living in Atlanta
311
00:13:05,868 --> 00:13:08,889
and my dad was at a show.
312
00:13:08,913 --> 00:13:13,102
[Linda] The groundskeeper
broke into the place and
313
00:13:13,126 --> 00:13:17,189
attacked her with an ice pick.
314
00:13:17,213 --> 00:13:19,632
[Brittany] And, she was
stabbed several times.
315
00:13:22,510 --> 00:13:26,031
Rob her, whatever, I don't know.
316
00:13:26,055 --> 00:13:29,451
Stabbed her in the face,
stabbed her in the cheek.
317
00:13:29,475 --> 00:13:32,997
♪
318
00:13:33,021 --> 00:13:34,790
So, that'll mess you up.
319
00:13:34,814 --> 00:13:38,818
♪
320
00:13:42,739 --> 00:13:45,551
Brian Pillman's good looks
and athletic ability
321
00:13:45,575 --> 00:13:48,679
allow him a spot on the
card as a generic hero,
322
00:13:48,703 --> 00:13:51,515
but he's not content to
stay in one place for long,
323
00:13:51,539 --> 00:13:53,767
nor do what he's told.
324
00:13:53,791 --> 00:13:56,645
He was reasonably
successful, but you know,
325
00:13:56,669 --> 00:13:57,813
he wanted to be a main eventer,
326
00:13:57,837 --> 00:13:59,106
and he wasn't a
main eventer yet.
327
00:13:59,130 --> 00:14:02,359
He was, he was a
good mid-level guy.
328
00:14:02,383 --> 00:14:06,989
You know, Brian's first couple
years in WCW were tough.
329
00:14:07,013 --> 00:14:09,867
I'm Eric Bischoff,
former president of WCW.
330
00:14:09,891 --> 00:14:13,620
And, once upon a time,
Brian Pillman's boss.
331
00:14:13,644 --> 00:14:16,915
Brian was relatively new
on the scene his first
332
00:14:16,939 --> 00:14:20,669
couple years in WCW, so
he had to earn his respect.
333
00:14:20,693 --> 00:14:23,422
What probably made that
even tougher was the
334
00:14:23,446 --> 00:14:26,967
amount of management
transitions that took place.
335
00:14:26,991 --> 00:14:29,261
Constant changeover in
management led to
336
00:14:29,285 --> 00:14:32,056
stop and start pushes in
Brian's career.
337
00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:34,058
As soon as he started
to gain ground and
338
00:14:34,082 --> 00:14:36,935
earn respect, new
matchmakers would arrive,
339
00:14:36,959 --> 00:14:39,313
pushing Brian back
down to the bottom.
340
00:14:39,337 --> 00:14:42,983
But finally, they put Brian
together with Steve Austin.
341
00:14:43,007 --> 00:14:45,652
He's ready to back you up 100%.
342
00:14:45,676 --> 00:14:47,529
Alright, Stunning Steve Austin.
343
00:14:47,553 --> 00:14:49,156
And I wasn't thrilled at all.
344
00:14:49,180 --> 00:14:53,577
(cheering)
345
00:14:53,601 --> 00:14:55,162
When people hear the
name Steve Austin,
346
00:14:55,186 --> 00:14:57,456
they think he was always the
biggest star in wrestling.
347
00:14:57,480 --> 00:15:01,251
At the time, in 1993, he was
still finding his way and
348
00:15:01,275 --> 00:15:03,629
hadn't got a main
event spot yet.
349
00:15:03,653 --> 00:15:06,048
And, this is about when I
eventually started getting
350
00:15:06,072 --> 00:15:08,467
a run as the
United States Champion.
351
00:15:08,491 --> 00:15:10,385
So, I was really
looking forward to that.
352
00:15:10,409 --> 00:15:13,097
I walked into the building
and here's Brian coming up
353
00:15:13,121 --> 00:15:15,557
behind me, and I knew Brian,
but we weren't hanging out.
354
00:15:15,581 --> 00:15:18,143
He goes, "Hey, kid, we need
to come up with a finish."
355
00:15:18,167 --> 00:15:20,187
And I said, "What the 'F'
are you talking about?"
356
00:15:20,211 --> 00:15:21,939
He goes,
"We're a tag team now."
357
00:15:21,963 --> 00:15:24,399
And I was really not, not happy.
358
00:15:24,423 --> 00:15:25,943
I had nothing against Brian.
359
00:15:25,967 --> 00:15:29,279
But it's like, I was,
I was a singles wrestler.
360
00:15:29,303 --> 00:15:32,616
I enjoyed working with
another guy in the ring and
361
00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:34,660
only having to depend on myself.
362
00:15:34,684 --> 00:15:36,787
And they didn't have
no name planned for us,
363
00:15:36,811 --> 00:15:38,122
no this, no that.
364
00:15:38,146 --> 00:15:39,998
It was two singles guys
and they were gonna
365
00:15:40,022 --> 00:15:42,709
throw us together as an
interim tag team,
366
00:15:42,733 --> 00:15:45,963
basically to get other people
over because they didn't
367
00:15:45,987 --> 00:15:47,923
have plans for Brian
and they didn't have plans
368
00:15:47,947 --> 00:15:49,091
for Steve Austin.
369
00:15:49,115 --> 00:15:53,011
So, we were gonna try to make
the most of the situation.
370
00:15:53,035 --> 00:15:54,930
Any time that you
start working together and
371
00:15:54,954 --> 00:15:57,724
traveling with someone,
you become closer.
372
00:15:57,748 --> 00:15:59,726
And, normally I'd be
at the wheel,
373
00:15:59,750 --> 00:16:02,729
Brian would be riding shotgun
reading dictionaries,
374
00:16:02,753 --> 00:16:04,857
I mean, because he
was already trying to
375
00:16:04,881 --> 00:16:07,568
increase his vocabulary
for promos.
376
00:16:07,592 --> 00:16:10,362
And began the
pilgrimage out to Florida!
377
00:16:10,386 --> 00:16:13,031
Cut through the
bureaucratic red tape and
378
00:16:13,055 --> 00:16:14,992
get that title shot!
379
00:16:15,016 --> 00:16:17,911
So, as it goes, we're going
down the road and he goes,
380
00:16:17,935 --> 00:16:20,330
"Hey, kid. Every tag team
has to have a name.
381
00:16:20,354 --> 00:16:22,499
So, what about the
Hollywood Blonds?"
382
00:16:22,523 --> 00:16:23,876
He goes, "It's been done before,
383
00:16:23,900 --> 00:16:26,336
but it's been awhile so,
let's do that."
384
00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:27,504
And I was thinking to myself,
385
00:16:27,528 --> 00:16:29,965
well, I ain't come
up with a better one.
386
00:16:29,989 --> 00:16:33,135
And so, like, I was cool with
being the Hollywood Blonds.
387
00:16:33,159 --> 00:16:35,470
- Guess what...
- The Hollywood Blonds!
388
00:16:35,494 --> 00:16:38,891
The vests, the trunks,
everything was Brian's idea,
389
00:16:38,915 --> 00:16:40,726
and we were two cocky, brash,
390
00:16:40,750 --> 00:16:43,228
arrogant guys that we
started rolling the
391
00:16:43,252 --> 00:16:45,314
camera footage and stuff
like that and you know,
392
00:16:45,338 --> 00:16:48,525
Brian had that shit eating grin
or that laugh, you know,
393
00:16:48,549 --> 00:16:50,152
when you're getting heat
on a babyface.
394
00:16:50,176 --> 00:16:51,987
And Brian and I
developed this bond
395
00:16:52,011 --> 00:16:53,655
and this chemistry.
396
00:16:53,679 --> 00:16:56,992
I loved tag team wrestling
once I figured it out.
397
00:16:57,016 --> 00:16:59,244
I hate to say it this way 'cause
it sounds really corny,
398
00:16:59,268 --> 00:17:00,746
but they were
made for each other...
399
00:17:00,770 --> 00:17:03,415
because they complemented
each other so well.
400
00:17:03,439 --> 00:17:06,501
They worked hard to
make each other look good.
401
00:17:06,525 --> 00:17:08,921
The Hollywood Blonds also
gave Brian a chance to
402
00:17:08,945 --> 00:17:11,548
open up as a heel, as a bad guy.
403
00:17:11,572 --> 00:17:13,133
People nowadays are
like, "Oh, I loved
404
00:17:13,157 --> 00:17:15,302
the Hollywood Blonds,"
but if you go back then,
405
00:17:15,326 --> 00:17:17,012
they were getting
boo'd out the building.
406
00:17:17,036 --> 00:17:18,347
Pillman, you suck!
407
00:17:18,371 --> 00:17:20,766
And you loved to hate 'em.
408
00:17:20,790 --> 00:17:23,936
I think it was more natural
for Brian to be a heel because,
409
00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:26,939
you know, he wasn't a guy
that wanted to shake hands,
410
00:17:26,963 --> 00:17:28,523
and kiss babies, and smile.
411
00:17:28,547 --> 00:17:30,817
He wanted to be a smartass,
he wanted to be obnoxious,
412
00:17:30,841 --> 00:17:32,319
he wanted to show off.
413
00:17:32,343 --> 00:17:34,947
You're all a bunch of losers!
414
00:17:34,971 --> 00:17:36,490
He was getting
better at what he does,
415
00:17:36,514 --> 00:17:38,033
getting global exposure.
416
00:17:38,057 --> 00:17:40,494
Partying, having fun.
417
00:17:40,518 --> 00:17:43,830
Brian's fast and loose
lifestyle doesn't mix well
418
00:17:43,854 --> 00:17:46,124
with his turbulent
situation at home,
419
00:17:46,148 --> 00:17:48,794
and he pursues yet another
woman who enters
420
00:17:48,818 --> 00:17:50,879
his already complicated life.
421
00:17:50,903 --> 00:17:53,924
I think Melanie was
working in Atlanta.
422
00:17:53,948 --> 00:17:55,926
She was a "showgirl".
423
00:17:55,950 --> 00:17:58,845
He saw her picture in a
Penthouse or something and
424
00:17:58,869 --> 00:18:00,472
says, "I'm gonna
marry that girl," and
425
00:18:00,496 --> 00:18:03,183
somewhere along the line,
he met her...
426
00:18:03,207 --> 00:18:05,394
My dad was sleeping with
Melanie behind my
427
00:18:05,418 --> 00:18:08,480
mother's back 'cause he was
always in Atlanta.
428
00:18:08,504 --> 00:18:12,192
Melanie would call the
house and, that's basically,
429
00:18:12,216 --> 00:18:15,362
I think how Rochelle found
out about it, you know.
430
00:18:15,386 --> 00:18:17,406
She was hurt 'cause, you know,
431
00:18:17,430 --> 00:18:20,909
they had a nice home,
the family was happy.
432
00:18:20,933 --> 00:18:23,745
But then he had this
other life in Atlanta.
433
00:18:23,769 --> 00:18:27,541
And then Melanie
became pregnant...
434
00:18:27,565 --> 00:18:32,963
and, that's how we
have Brian Junior.
435
00:18:32,987 --> 00:18:35,549
After another unexpected
pregnancy outside of
436
00:18:35,573 --> 00:18:39,052
their relationship,
Brian and Rochelle split up.
437
00:18:39,076 --> 00:18:41,138
Shortly after, Brian purposes to
438
00:18:41,162 --> 00:18:43,849
his new girlfriend, Melanie.
439
00:18:43,873 --> 00:18:46,727
We went to Vegas and he
put on like a frickin'
440
00:18:46,751 --> 00:18:51,315
St. Patrick's Day white tux with
a big 'ol ugly green bowtie.
441
00:18:51,339 --> 00:18:54,401
(laughing) I had a
white dress, mind you,
442
00:18:54,425 --> 00:18:56,820
the stripper in a
white dress. (laughing)
443
00:18:56,844 --> 00:19:00,240
And I had a big 'ol
green corsage on,
444
00:19:00,264 --> 00:19:01,992
and I loved it,
every second of it.
445
00:19:02,016 --> 00:19:05,370
I wouldn't trade
it for the world.
446
00:19:05,394 --> 00:19:07,372
Ah, my name is Melanie Pillman.
447
00:19:07,396 --> 00:19:10,042
I'm the widow of Brian Pillman.
448
00:19:10,066 --> 00:19:12,669
In private, like, he's,
he's just more laid back and
449
00:19:12,693 --> 00:19:15,672
sensible acting,
but he's one of the most
450
00:19:15,696 --> 00:19:17,591
intelligent men I've ever
met in my life.
451
00:19:17,615 --> 00:19:21,762
So well read and he just
excelled at so many things.
452
00:19:21,786 --> 00:19:23,680
He was...
he was my soul mate,
453
00:19:23,704 --> 00:19:27,059
I mean, I couldn't have picked
a better guy to love...
454
00:19:27,083 --> 00:19:28,894
love, than him.
455
00:19:28,918 --> 00:19:33,482
His first years with her,
I thought he was very happy.
456
00:19:33,506 --> 00:19:36,318
It'd be a big thing,
his Christmas card 'cause
457
00:19:36,342 --> 00:19:39,654
it would be him and the wife,
and all these little kids.
458
00:19:39,678 --> 00:19:42,032
'Cause I had my
two kids, you know.
459
00:19:42,056 --> 00:19:44,951
He would show up with like
three or four little kids.
460
00:19:44,975 --> 00:19:46,536
They all had different mothers.
461
00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:49,206
They'd be climbing on him,
he'd be carrying a couple and,
462
00:19:49,230 --> 00:19:51,375
one had his legs around
his neck and
463
00:19:51,399 --> 00:19:52,959
one is on his shoulder and...
464
00:19:52,983 --> 00:19:54,503
he loved those kids.
465
00:19:54,527 --> 00:19:56,505
He was counted on,
he was depended on to,
466
00:19:56,529 --> 00:19:57,672
to provide.
467
00:19:57,696 --> 00:20:00,467
That responsibility is what
pushes you to keep going
468
00:20:00,491 --> 00:20:02,886
to work. You have
to provide for your family.
469
00:20:02,910 --> 00:20:05,055
Stunning Steve and Flyin' Brian.
470
00:20:05,079 --> 00:20:07,724
And, finally, they made
the decision to give the
471
00:20:07,748 --> 00:20:10,227
Hollywood Blonds a
big main event match.
472
00:20:10,251 --> 00:20:12,521
It was gonna be on a Clash
of Champions and Ric Flair
473
00:20:12,545 --> 00:20:14,773
was returning, he was
gonna be involved.
474
00:20:14,797 --> 00:20:18,026
And, the rating came in
and it wasn't very good,
475
00:20:18,050 --> 00:20:19,694
and they couldn't blame
Flair because
476
00:20:19,718 --> 00:20:22,197
he was a big star so,
they put the heat on
477
00:20:22,221 --> 00:20:23,615
Brian Pillman and Steve Austin.
478
00:20:23,639 --> 00:20:26,076
"Well, the Hollywood Blonds
didn't draw a rating."
479
00:20:26,100 --> 00:20:28,829
And that kind of doomed them
there as being featured
480
00:20:28,853 --> 00:20:30,997
in a more prominent
capacity going forward.
481
00:20:31,021 --> 00:20:32,874
It felt like betrayal.
482
00:20:32,898 --> 00:20:35,335
I wish someone would finally
tell me why the company
483
00:20:35,359 --> 00:20:37,546
decided to break us up
'cause we started getting
484
00:20:37,570 --> 00:20:41,716
over as a viable tag
team that could hold,
485
00:20:41,740 --> 00:20:43,969
you know, world
championship belts.
486
00:20:43,993 --> 00:20:45,095
We did.
487
00:20:45,119 --> 00:20:47,722
We make chicken shit
into chicken salad,
488
00:20:47,746 --> 00:20:50,684
and now you want to split
us out with no real
489
00:20:50,708 --> 00:20:52,769
clear direction for
either one of us.
490
00:20:52,793 --> 00:20:55,313
So, breaking us up
broke my heart.
491
00:20:55,337 --> 00:20:57,774
I don't know of any
other talents that have been
492
00:20:57,798 --> 00:20:59,651
buried because they
drew a bad rating.
493
00:20:59,675 --> 00:21:02,279
At the time, TBS was
drawing a lot of bad ratings,
494
00:21:02,303 --> 00:21:04,614
but I think there was probably
somebody that just thought,
495
00:21:04,638 --> 00:21:06,158
"I don't want to
use these guys," and
496
00:21:06,182 --> 00:21:07,617
they used that as an excuse.
497
00:21:07,641 --> 00:21:10,787
How that was handled,
I look back on it today and
498
00:21:10,811 --> 00:21:12,664
still shake my head that...
499
00:21:12,688 --> 00:21:15,292
we could 'a done better.
500
00:21:15,316 --> 00:21:18,545
I would say the period
from 1990 to 1993,
501
00:21:18,569 --> 00:21:22,090
it was very
frustrating for Brian.
502
00:21:22,114 --> 00:21:25,260
Also, there was some
knowledge early on that
503
00:21:25,284 --> 00:21:28,263
his home life was not as
happy as it could be.
504
00:21:28,287 --> 00:21:31,433
I felt like my dad allowed
Melanie to run the show.
505
00:21:31,457 --> 00:21:33,810
Melanie treated my
mom very poorly.
506
00:21:33,834 --> 00:21:36,480
I feel like she was
very jealous of my mother.
507
00:21:36,504 --> 00:21:39,399
Melanie didn't like
him talking to her.
508
00:21:39,423 --> 00:21:42,235
She didn't like me and my
mother talking to Rochelle.
509
00:21:42,259 --> 00:21:45,071
You know, she just, she made
it hard to like her 'cause
510
00:21:45,095 --> 00:21:46,823
she just caused trouble.
511
00:21:46,847 --> 00:21:49,159
And then, Rochelle took off and
512
00:21:49,183 --> 00:21:51,661
didn't tell anybody
where she was.
513
00:21:51,685 --> 00:21:54,581
Rochelle is scheduled to
see Brittany for a visit,
514
00:21:54,605 --> 00:21:56,041
but she never shows.
515
00:21:56,065 --> 00:21:58,126
No one is able to
get a hold of her,
516
00:21:58,150 --> 00:22:00,837
resulting in a
missing persons report.
517
00:22:00,861 --> 00:22:04,633
Several days later, when
Rochelle finally surfaces,
518
00:22:04,657 --> 00:22:07,177
Brian and Melanie
take decisive action.
519
00:22:07,201 --> 00:22:10,347
And Brian said -
and I agreed with him,
520
00:22:10,371 --> 00:22:14,059
and I shouldn't have, "We
should just file for custody."
521
00:22:14,083 --> 00:22:16,102
And, that changed everything.
522
00:22:16,126 --> 00:22:17,753
♪
523
00:22:23,008 --> 00:22:26,112
Following the tag team
break up with Steve Austin,
524
00:22:26,136 --> 00:22:28,865
Brian's career has stalled,
and the cracks in his
525
00:22:28,889 --> 00:22:33,453
\{\an1}family life start to break open,
consuming those around him.
526
00:22:33,477 --> 00:22:36,289
The custody battle
started because
527
00:22:36,313 --> 00:22:38,625
Melanie didn't want
Rochelle around.
528
00:22:38,649 --> 00:22:41,836
Basically, Brian had more
money and could keep the
529
00:22:41,860 --> 00:22:45,131
attorneys paid 'cause the
attorneys only work
530
00:22:45,155 --> 00:22:46,258
when you pay 'em.
531
00:22:46,282 --> 00:22:49,553
And, Rochelle just
didn't have any more money.
532
00:22:49,577 --> 00:22:52,055
I was, you know, delivering
stuff to the lawyer.
533
00:22:52,079 --> 00:22:55,183
I was bombarding her with
these stupid things about
534
00:22:55,207 --> 00:22:59,145
returning past child support
that she blew in...
535
00:22:59,169 --> 00:23:03,400
You know, just little minutiae
that was making me feel
536
00:23:03,424 --> 00:23:05,944
like a better person,
but in reality,
537
00:23:05,968 --> 00:23:07,028
I wasn't the better person.
538
00:23:07,052 --> 00:23:08,905
Nobody should try to take
kids away from a mother.
539
00:23:08,929 --> 00:23:10,156
I should have never done that.
540
00:23:10,180 --> 00:23:12,242
In a million years,
I would never do it again.
541
00:23:12,266 --> 00:23:15,287
It just devastated Rochelle.
542
00:23:15,311 --> 00:23:19,833
♪
543
00:23:19,857 --> 00:23:23,169
I was outside riding
my bicycle one day.
544
00:23:23,193 --> 00:23:25,755
This was at a time when she
wasn't allowed to see me,
545
00:23:25,779 --> 00:23:29,301
and she came pulling up and
I just went running to her
546
00:23:29,325 --> 00:23:31,011
and I was so happy to see her.
547
00:23:31,035 --> 00:23:34,306
Rochelle was hugging her...
548
00:23:34,330 --> 00:23:37,142
and they thought
she was taking her.
549
00:23:37,166 --> 00:23:39,352
Here comes my dad and
it was just like this
550
00:23:39,376 --> 00:23:43,607
huge argument, him pulling
her away from me.
551
00:23:43,631 --> 00:23:48,695
Melanie filed kidnapping
charges against Rochelle.
552
00:23:48,719 --> 00:23:51,531
And so, my dad had
got full custody of me,
553
00:23:51,555 --> 00:23:54,326
and in my mom's mind,
she was just like,
554
00:23:54,350 --> 00:23:56,036
I'm gonna lose my daughter
and I'm never gonna
555
00:23:56,060 --> 00:23:58,079
see her again, and so...
556
00:23:58,103 --> 00:24:01,166
my mom called my dad's house
and she wanted to
557
00:24:01,190 --> 00:24:03,418
talk to my dad,
but he was out of town.
558
00:24:03,442 --> 00:24:05,629
Melanie had answered
and Melanie told her,
559
00:24:05,653 --> 00:24:07,964
she said, "Even your own
mother thinks I would be a
560
00:24:07,988 --> 00:24:10,634
better mother for your
daughter than you'll ever be."
561
00:24:10,658 --> 00:24:14,429
♪
562
00:24:14,453 --> 00:24:17,557
And my mom called my grandma...
563
00:24:17,581 --> 00:24:19,934
She called her mother
and told her mother
564
00:24:19,958 --> 00:24:22,103
what she was gonna do...
565
00:24:22,127 --> 00:24:25,231
♪
566
00:24:25,255 --> 00:24:28,777
And then she shot herself.
567
00:24:28,801 --> 00:24:33,406
♪
568
00:24:33,430 --> 00:24:35,909
I got the call to go to
the hospital 'cause
569
00:24:35,933 --> 00:24:39,996
she was being airlifted in,
I was the closest.
570
00:24:40,020 --> 00:24:43,041
And I was the one at the
hospital that they told,
571
00:24:43,065 --> 00:24:45,919
and then I had to
tell everybody...
572
00:24:45,943 --> 00:24:49,923
that she was gone.
She died on the helicopter.
573
00:24:49,947 --> 00:24:55,970
So, I had to call her
mother and tell her mother.
574
00:24:55,994 --> 00:24:59,891
Oh, it was very hard.
To tell some...
575
00:24:59,915 --> 00:25:03,353
To tell somebody's mother
that their child was dead.
576
00:25:03,377 --> 00:25:06,439
♪
577
00:25:06,463 --> 00:25:08,650
It just destroyed Brian because
578
00:25:08,674 --> 00:25:11,277
he felt so responsible. I mean,
he was just so upset.
579
00:25:11,301 --> 00:25:13,071
He cried, and he cried,
and he said,
580
00:25:13,095 --> 00:25:15,281
"Do you think it was all
that pressure we put on her?
581
00:25:15,305 --> 00:25:16,658
I think it was, Mel."
582
00:25:16,682 --> 00:25:19,452
I'd be like, "Yeah,
it probably was."
583
00:25:19,476 --> 00:25:20,870
So, Brian, he wanted to pay for
584
00:25:20,894 --> 00:25:25,250
her whole funeral
and everything.
585
00:25:25,274 --> 00:25:30,171
And, at the funeral,
he held it together...
586
00:25:30,195 --> 00:25:32,882
until they closed the casket.
587
00:25:32,906 --> 00:25:34,759
And, he lost it.
588
00:25:34,783 --> 00:25:37,303
He was hugging me and sobbing.
589
00:25:37,327 --> 00:25:40,849
And, in fact, at one point,
I kind of looked at him
590
00:25:40,873 --> 00:25:45,186
'cause I thought he, I thought
he was gonna pass out.
591
00:25:45,210 --> 00:25:49,607
He was devastated...
He was devastated.
592
00:25:49,631 --> 00:25:52,318
♪
593
00:25:52,342 --> 00:25:53,987
I felt...
594
00:25:54,011 --> 00:25:56,740
so guilty for that, for years.
595
00:25:56,764 --> 00:26:00,160
And, I think I drove her...
Maybe not just me,
596
00:26:00,184 --> 00:26:05,248
but I think incidents
drove her to shoot herself.
597
00:26:05,272 --> 00:26:07,250
Rethinking it, I would,
I wouldn't have done it
598
00:26:07,274 --> 00:26:08,334
the same way.
599
00:26:08,358 --> 00:26:10,211
Nobody should have to
fight for their kid.
600
00:26:10,235 --> 00:26:11,755
I mean, it wasn't like
she was abusing her.
601
00:26:11,779 --> 00:26:14,883
So, I don't really know what
my problem was back then.
602
00:26:14,907 --> 00:26:17,552
It was, it was devastating,
603
00:26:17,576 --> 00:26:20,096
and I know it was for Brittany.
604
00:26:20,120 --> 00:26:24,017
I have a lot of anger built
up towards my dad in a sense
605
00:26:24,041 --> 00:26:27,520
because I do wish that
he would have, you know,
606
00:26:27,544 --> 00:26:29,773
allowed my mom
to at least see me because
607
00:26:29,797 --> 00:26:31,524
maybe she would
still be here today.
608
00:26:31,548 --> 00:26:32,901
I don't, you know, I don't know.
609
00:26:32,925 --> 00:26:35,779
She had a lot of issues,
but Melanie was
610
00:26:35,803 --> 00:26:37,530
the overall call.
She's,
611
00:26:37,554 --> 00:26:41,034
she's an evil person
and she's always been that way.
612
00:26:41,058 --> 00:26:43,912
Melanie should have never
said those words to my mom.
613
00:26:43,936 --> 00:26:46,664
She's just, she's literally
the devil and they say,
614
00:26:46,688 --> 00:26:48,666
you know,
you reap what you sow...
615
00:26:48,690 --> 00:26:52,420
and now, she's living a life
that she should have already
616
00:26:52,444 --> 00:26:54,589
been dead years ago because
of all the drugs that
617
00:26:54,613 --> 00:26:57,342
she's done, but I feel like
she's gonna live to be
618
00:26:57,366 --> 00:27:00,637
100 years old and absolutely
miserable for all the pain and
619
00:27:00,661 --> 00:27:02,722
suffering that
she has caused me,
620
00:27:02,746 --> 00:27:04,599
and my brother, and you know,
621
00:27:04,623 --> 00:27:06,768
my Aunt Linda.
622
00:27:06,792 --> 00:27:08,978
♪
623
00:27:09,002 --> 00:27:12,190
And I... And Brittany's the
one that, you know...
624
00:27:12,214 --> 00:27:13,483
I don't know how to
make it up to her.
625
00:27:13,507 --> 00:27:14,859
I just, there's nothing I...
626
00:27:14,883 --> 00:27:16,528
I don't really know how
to make it up to her.
627
00:27:16,552 --> 00:27:18,446
I wish I could.
628
00:27:18,470 --> 00:27:20,031
♪
629
00:27:20,055 --> 00:27:23,201
The guilt of Rochelle's death
weighs heavily on Brian,
630
00:27:23,225 --> 00:27:25,870
and he dives even
deeper into his career.
631
00:27:25,894 --> 00:27:29,207
With his contract renewal
with the WCW looming,
632
00:27:29,231 --> 00:27:31,876
Brian is determined
to renegotiate
633
00:27:31,900 --> 00:27:33,461
for even more money.
634
00:27:33,485 --> 00:27:35,880
When we talk business,
it's like, "I have five kids,
635
00:27:35,904 --> 00:27:37,590
I don't know how many
more years I can do this
636
00:27:37,614 --> 00:27:38,842
because my body's falling apart.
637
00:27:38,866 --> 00:27:41,511
I have to make big money now...
638
00:27:41,535 --> 00:27:43,179
because I've got five kids!"
639
00:27:43,203 --> 00:27:45,557
This was his shot.
640
00:27:45,581 --> 00:27:48,142
He talks with Bischoff
that was evidently doing the
641
00:27:48,166 --> 00:27:51,771
contracts there, and
Bischoff says to him,
642
00:27:51,795 --> 00:27:54,607
"Expect about what
you're getting now."
643
00:27:54,631 --> 00:27:56,943
He was pretty happy that
I got him back to 225,
644
00:27:56,967 --> 00:27:59,028
but I think he wanted four,
is the number that
645
00:27:59,052 --> 00:28:01,155
he was really wanting.
I couldn't give it to him.
646
00:28:01,179 --> 00:28:03,324
I couldn't justify it at
the time that he wanted it.
647
00:28:03,348 --> 00:28:06,452
He came to me and
he says, "What do I do?"
648
00:28:06,476 --> 00:28:09,706
And what I told him was this...
649
00:28:09,730 --> 00:28:11,624
It's a question of value.
650
00:28:11,648 --> 00:28:14,627
And when everybody's
using everybody else,
651
00:28:14,651 --> 00:28:18,214
what can you do that
other people can't do?
652
00:28:18,238 --> 00:28:21,551
What can you do
that gains notoriety?
653
00:28:21,575 --> 00:28:23,553
This thing runs on attention.
654
00:28:23,577 --> 00:28:27,390
It runs on very
superficial things.
655
00:28:27,414 --> 00:28:28,766
We gotta create attention.
656
00:28:28,790 --> 00:28:31,853
How can we do that in
the position you're in?
657
00:28:31,877 --> 00:28:34,105
With his pulse on the
wrestling landscape,
658
00:28:34,129 --> 00:28:37,317
Brian knew that he had to
find a way to up the ante
659
00:28:37,341 --> 00:28:40,904
in order to shock even
the most hardcore of fans.
660
00:28:40,928 --> 00:28:44,699
Brian knew if he could make
people legitimately believe
661
00:28:44,723 --> 00:28:47,035
that he was a loose cannon,
that he was nuts,
662
00:28:47,059 --> 00:28:48,745
he was off his rocker,
he was capable of
663
00:28:48,769 --> 00:28:51,497
doing anything or saying
anything at any time,
664
00:28:51,521 --> 00:28:52,999
that he could be one of
the hottest guys
665
00:28:53,023 --> 00:28:54,208
in the wrestling industry.
666
00:28:54,232 --> 00:28:57,879
It was a pure money deal.
What do we really want?
667
00:28:57,903 --> 00:29:00,798
Bischoff to offer you a
hell of a lot more money,
668
00:29:00,822 --> 00:29:05,303
and we want Vince McMahon
to see that you are of value
669
00:29:05,327 --> 00:29:08,890
and offer you more.
And then you flip a coin.
670
00:29:08,914 --> 00:29:10,642
If he could play one side
against the other
671
00:29:10,666 --> 00:29:13,019
in the middle of the
burgeoning wrestling war,
672
00:29:13,043 --> 00:29:14,854
then he would come
out much better,
673
00:29:14,878 --> 00:29:16,606
six figures per year better.
674
00:29:16,630 --> 00:29:19,067
And that's what he
set about to do.
675
00:29:19,091 --> 00:29:21,927
♪
676
00:29:25,764 --> 00:29:27,992
Brian Pillman's plan was simple:
677
00:29:28,016 --> 00:29:30,244
More attention means more money.
678
00:29:30,268 --> 00:29:34,582
As the WWF and WCW are
engaged in a ratings battle,
679
00:29:34,606 --> 00:29:37,710
Brian exploits this to his
advantage by playing them
680
00:29:37,734 --> 00:29:41,172
off each other, while driving
up his own value.
681
00:29:41,196 --> 00:29:43,883
Brian came up with the
Loose Cannon idea and
682
00:29:43,907 --> 00:29:49,263
started slowly integrating it
into his television appearances.
683
00:29:49,287 --> 00:29:51,975
Bobby Heenan was the
colour commentator.
684
00:29:51,999 --> 00:29:54,811
Bobby had had a broken neck,
and he'd had surgery,
685
00:29:54,835 --> 00:29:56,479
and he was very
protective of his neck and,
686
00:29:56,503 --> 00:29:58,690
Brian goes around behind
Bobby and starts
687
00:29:58,714 --> 00:30:00,274
grabbing him by the
shoulders and everything
688
00:30:00,298 --> 00:30:02,568
and on live television.
Bobby says...
689
00:30:02,592 --> 00:30:04,737
What the... are
you doing? Easy!
690
00:30:04,761 --> 00:30:06,322
And then Brian knew he got it.
691
00:30:06,346 --> 00:30:07,865
He got gold out of it, right,
692
00:30:07,889 --> 00:30:09,701
because now everybody's
gonna be talking about
693
00:30:09,725 --> 00:30:13,413
the F-bomb that got
dropped on Turner Broadcast.
694
00:30:13,437 --> 00:30:15,498
Bobby thought Brian was nuts.
695
00:30:15,522 --> 00:30:17,709
I think the Brain has left.
696
00:30:17,733 --> 00:30:20,795
It seemed real, to the point
where people were confused
697
00:30:20,819 --> 00:30:23,381
whether it was real or not.
698
00:30:23,405 --> 00:30:24,799
One of the guys he was
involved with was
699
00:30:24,823 --> 00:30:28,469
Kevin Sullivan who was the
booker, the matchmaker.
700
00:30:28,493 --> 00:30:29,430
Oh, my goodness!
701
00:30:29,454 --> 00:30:30,722
They got a fight going on here!
702
00:30:30,746 --> 00:30:32,265
You know, they're just
beating the hell out of
703
00:30:32,289 --> 00:30:35,143
each other and when Brian
Pillman was ready to quit,
704
00:30:35,167 --> 00:30:37,145
when it was time for
him to leave, he was like...
705
00:30:37,169 --> 00:30:40,732
I respect you, booker man.
706
00:30:40,756 --> 00:30:43,151
"I respect you, booker man."
707
00:30:43,175 --> 00:30:45,903
The mere fact that he was
acknowledging on national
708
00:30:45,927 --> 00:30:49,282
television that Kevin
Sullivan was a head writer
709
00:30:49,306 --> 00:30:51,242
of a wrestling show was
something that had
710
00:30:51,266 --> 00:30:53,077
never been done before.
711
00:30:53,101 --> 00:30:55,705
Those that knew, knew.
And those that didn't know,
712
00:30:55,729 --> 00:30:58,791
would need to find out what a
booker man meant.
713
00:30:58,815 --> 00:31:02,211
It was a big thing because
those guys are sensitive
714
00:31:02,235 --> 00:31:04,088
about exposing the business.
715
00:31:04,112 --> 00:31:05,840
When you're acting
out a story line,
716
00:31:05,864 --> 00:31:07,300
it's considered a work.
717
00:31:07,324 --> 00:31:09,385
And, a lot of the boys
backstage weren't really
718
00:31:09,409 --> 00:31:13,056
sure this was real or
if this was a work.
719
00:31:13,080 --> 00:31:15,183
The wrestling locker rooms
had never been
720
00:31:15,207 --> 00:31:16,893
invaded that way before.
721
00:31:16,917 --> 00:31:20,188
Because he knew if the other
wrestlers believed it was real,
722
00:31:20,212 --> 00:31:22,774
then they would
tell the newsletter editors.
723
00:31:22,798 --> 00:31:24,400
"Wow, that
guy's really nuts."
724
00:31:24,424 --> 00:31:26,027
And the word would travel.
725
00:31:26,051 --> 00:31:27,528
I thought, this is
going down bad.
726
00:31:27,552 --> 00:31:29,363
Brian's getting fired.
727
00:31:29,387 --> 00:31:31,115
And I'm out of
contact with him anyway,
728
00:31:31,139 --> 00:31:33,034
so I think he's completely
lost his mind, you know,
729
00:31:33,058 --> 00:31:34,327
he's not even
talking to me anymore.
730
00:31:34,351 --> 00:31:38,206
The "smart fans" were
starting to figure out that
731
00:31:38,230 --> 00:31:40,792
wrestling is manipulated,
it's choreographed,
732
00:31:40,816 --> 00:31:43,336
it's pre-determined, but
that guy's nuts and
733
00:31:43,360 --> 00:31:45,922
he's real, and he won't do
what they tell him.
734
00:31:45,946 --> 00:31:49,092
And that sells tickets
because you had no idea
735
00:31:49,116 --> 00:31:51,761
what or whether it was
supposed to happen or not.
736
00:31:51,785 --> 00:31:56,766
He was convincing
people that he was insane.
737
00:31:56,790 --> 00:32:00,103
Not only were the
fans ready to be fooled,
738
00:32:00,127 --> 00:32:03,523
but all the wrestlers were,
the management people were,
739
00:32:03,547 --> 00:32:05,566
there was a whole bunch of
people that you could
740
00:32:05,590 --> 00:32:07,026
play like a violin.
741
00:32:07,050 --> 00:32:08,361
- Brian, I'd like to know...
- Nervous?
742
00:32:08,385 --> 00:32:10,113
No, I'm not nervous.
I'm not nervous at all.
743
00:32:10,137 --> 00:32:11,280
You should be.
744
00:32:11,304 --> 00:32:15,576
I don't think anybody for sure
at any given moment knew...
745
00:32:15,600 --> 00:32:19,122
if or not they were really
being worked by Brian.
746
00:32:19,146 --> 00:32:21,207
But then he ended up
working Bischoff.
747
00:32:21,231 --> 00:32:24,710
I said, "Get him to give
you some kind of release."
748
00:32:24,734 --> 00:32:28,047
From his contract.
"From your contract."
749
00:32:28,071 --> 00:32:31,092
Brian says to Eric Bischoff,
"If you fire me,
750
00:32:31,116 --> 00:32:33,761
and then I bust out on TV
the week afterwards and
751
00:32:33,785 --> 00:32:36,764
people will know this has
just gone out of control."
752
00:32:36,788 --> 00:32:38,558
"The people in the office,
the book keepers,
753
00:32:38,582 --> 00:32:40,935
whatever, if they see that
I'm still under contract,
754
00:32:40,959 --> 00:32:42,228
they're gonna tell Dave.
755
00:32:42,252 --> 00:32:44,438
And then everyone's gonna
know that it's all a work.
756
00:32:44,462 --> 00:32:46,232
So, you have to
really fire me."
757
00:32:46,256 --> 00:32:48,693
"If you give me this
legitimate termination letter,
758
00:32:48,717 --> 00:32:50,486
then I can show it
to everybody and I can say,
759
00:32:50,510 --> 00:32:53,072
'Look at what the guy did!
Can you believe this?
760
00:32:53,096 --> 00:32:55,575
Can you believe he
fired me?'"
761
00:32:55,599 --> 00:32:58,828
He did!
He gave him a release.
762
00:32:58,852 --> 00:33:02,790
So, he was then free to
negotiate with Vince McMahon
763
00:33:02,814 --> 00:33:06,711
and the WWF against
Eric Bischoff and WCW so
764
00:33:06,735 --> 00:33:09,839
he could get a better deal,
all because Bischoff thought
765
00:33:09,863 --> 00:33:13,384
he was working with Brian to
create this "illusion" and
766
00:33:13,408 --> 00:33:15,303
Brian was actually
working Bischoff
767
00:33:15,327 --> 00:33:17,430
to create his own illusion.
768
00:33:17,454 --> 00:33:19,724
♪
769
00:33:19,748 --> 00:33:20,933
Dude, I mean...
770
00:33:20,957 --> 00:33:22,268
how do you do that?
771
00:33:22,292 --> 00:33:26,355
How... I don't know anybody
else that ever did that.
772
00:33:26,379 --> 00:33:28,149
Yeah, stroke of genius.
773
00:33:28,173 --> 00:33:29,734
I mean, it was a
legitimate termination,
774
00:33:29,758 --> 00:33:32,195
but it was a
legitimate termination...
775
00:33:32,219 --> 00:33:33,905
with a wink and a nod.
776
00:33:33,929 --> 00:33:36,324
I said, "Brian, go to WWF.
777
00:33:36,348 --> 00:33:37,658
I can't give you what you want.
778
00:33:37,682 --> 00:33:40,369
Get yourself over there so
that when you come back,
779
00:33:40,393 --> 00:33:42,705
and I promise you,
I will bring you back,
780
00:33:42,729 --> 00:33:45,124
it'll give me the ability to
pay you more 'cause
781
00:33:45,148 --> 00:33:47,919
you've raised your own value."
782
00:33:47,943 --> 00:33:49,962
In his world, it's his stunt.
783
00:33:49,986 --> 00:33:53,424
He is flattered that he's
the guy that's pulling the
784
00:33:53,448 --> 00:33:57,011
great stunt, even though he
was the power to begin with!
785
00:33:57,035 --> 00:34:00,473
For anyone to suggest...
786
00:34:00,497 --> 00:34:03,017
that the Loose Cannon
character was designed to
787
00:34:03,041 --> 00:34:07,063
manipulate me into giving
Brian Pillman more money,
788
00:34:07,087 --> 00:34:10,149
when in fact, Brian Pillman
and I discussed how to make
789
00:34:10,173 --> 00:34:13,402
this character work even
better so that at some point
790
00:34:13,426 --> 00:34:17,240
I could give him the money,
it kind of flies in the face
791
00:34:17,264 --> 00:34:19,617
of the rumours and the innuendo.
792
00:34:19,641 --> 00:34:21,744
Oh, man, that's the
greatest thing you can do.
793
00:34:21,768 --> 00:34:24,247
If you can... somebody
over and have them think
794
00:34:24,271 --> 00:34:26,707
that it's a great idea,
that's...
795
00:34:26,731 --> 00:34:28,918
you know, ha, I mean,
that's the trick of
796
00:34:28,942 --> 00:34:30,544
breaking up with a woman,
you know,
797
00:34:30,568 --> 00:34:32,630
make her think
that it's her idea.
798
00:34:32,654 --> 00:34:35,448
♪
799
00:34:39,160 --> 00:34:41,764
As a free agent,
Brian takes charge of
800
00:34:41,788 --> 00:34:43,849
his own appearances
and publicity.
801
00:34:43,873 --> 00:34:47,186
His insider knowledge,
mastery of manipulation,
802
00:34:47,210 --> 00:34:50,564
and disregard for exposing
the industry solidifies
803
00:34:50,588 --> 00:34:53,067
his position as the
ultimate ring master.
804
00:34:53,091 --> 00:34:56,028
In the wrestling war
layout at the time,
805
00:34:56,052 --> 00:34:59,490
the fans knew one thing:
if you are really working
806
00:34:59,514 --> 00:35:03,369
for one promotion, you can't
appear for any of the others.
807
00:35:03,393 --> 00:35:07,206
Tonight will be one of
the most extreme hours of
808
00:35:07,230 --> 00:35:09,917
wrestling with...
And wait a minute...
809
00:35:09,941 --> 00:35:11,961
One of the things with
trying to prove it was real
810
00:35:11,985 --> 00:35:14,338
is that WCW hated ECW so,
811
00:35:14,362 --> 00:35:16,924
Brian must be on
the outs with WCW.
812
00:35:16,948 --> 00:35:19,302
(cheering)
813
00:35:19,326 --> 00:35:23,431
Renegade promotion ECW is
gaining traction for pushing
814
00:35:23,455 --> 00:35:26,350
the boundaries of wrestling,
and is the perfect stage for
815
00:35:26,374 --> 00:35:29,061
the Loose Cannon's
unpredictable antics.
816
00:35:29,085 --> 00:35:31,564
He could curse, he could
say off-colour things.
817
00:35:31,588 --> 00:35:35,943
Eric Bischoff is each
and every one
818
00:35:35,967 --> 00:35:38,237
of these mother... ing...
819
00:35:38,261 --> 00:35:41,615
smart marks rolled up into one
820
00:35:41,639 --> 00:35:43,993
giant piece of shit!
821
00:35:44,017 --> 00:35:47,496
I thought Brian
was losing his mind,
822
00:35:47,520 --> 00:35:49,832
as opposed to being,
you know, brilliant.
823
00:35:49,856 --> 00:35:52,793
I loved it. I was just nothing
but entertained by it.
824
00:35:52,817 --> 00:35:54,587
(cheering)
825
00:35:54,611 --> 00:35:57,548
Damn near whipped it out and
was gonna piss in the ring...
826
00:35:57,572 --> 00:36:00,217
that's a pretty
strong statement.
827
00:36:00,241 --> 00:36:02,345
And, pardon my language,
I was like, man,
828
00:36:02,369 --> 00:36:03,971
this mother... er's
out there.
829
00:36:03,995 --> 00:36:05,681
You know, and I mean
that in a good way.
830
00:36:05,705 --> 00:36:07,099
Get him the hell out of here.
831
00:36:07,123 --> 00:36:09,393
This stuff was
working on both levels.
832
00:36:09,417 --> 00:36:12,021
The fans who weren't inside,
they just thought that
833
00:36:12,045 --> 00:36:15,441
he was crazy and he was doing
wild over-the-top things,
834
00:36:15,465 --> 00:36:18,569
but for the fans who did
know the inside terminology
835
00:36:18,593 --> 00:36:21,364
or were with the secrets,
they were like,
836
00:36:21,388 --> 00:36:23,866
they can't be
allowing him to do that.
837
00:36:23,890 --> 00:36:25,493
Oh!
838
00:36:25,517 --> 00:36:27,286
When he would have a
television appearance,
839
00:36:27,310 --> 00:36:29,997
it would be arranged so
that it didn't look like
840
00:36:30,021 --> 00:36:31,290
he was supposed to be there.
841
00:36:31,314 --> 00:36:33,918
Or, he was doing something
he wasn't supposed to be doing.
842
00:36:33,942 --> 00:36:36,587
One time, he even to protest
the matches that he'd
843
00:36:36,611 --> 00:36:39,465
been given, he wrestled
a giant pencil because
844
00:36:39,489 --> 00:36:41,300
pencil in inside wrestling
knowledge was
845
00:36:41,324 --> 00:36:43,010
another name for the booker.
846
00:36:43,034 --> 00:36:45,346
I always end up
fighting with the pencil.
847
00:36:45,370 --> 00:36:47,014
And then he's showing up
and doing
848
00:36:47,038 --> 00:36:48,682
these funny little vignettes.
849
00:36:48,706 --> 00:36:49,934
He's got one, he's cooking,
850
00:36:49,958 --> 00:36:52,520
and flames are going out
of the frying pan.
851
00:36:52,544 --> 00:36:55,439
And they hired a
woman with a baby,
852
00:36:55,463 --> 00:36:57,400
and then the guy
comes to punch Pillman,
853
00:36:57,424 --> 00:36:59,443
and he grabs the baby and
holds the baby up
854
00:36:59,467 --> 00:37:01,028
in front of him.
855
00:37:01,052 --> 00:37:02,613
You scum!
You piece of...
856
00:37:02,637 --> 00:37:05,658
And I never once
called Brian and said,
857
00:37:05,682 --> 00:37:08,619
"Hey, dude, are you working?
Are you shooting?"
858
00:37:08,643 --> 00:37:10,830
You know, because I
didn't want to know.
859
00:37:10,854 --> 00:37:13,541
But I thought what he was
doing was damn sure brilliant.
860
00:37:13,565 --> 00:37:16,043
Some people think my
dad was crazy and then,
861
00:37:16,067 --> 00:37:17,294
you know, other people are like,
862
00:37:17,318 --> 00:37:19,672
you know, "Your dad was,"
you know, "not crazy.
863
00:37:19,696 --> 00:37:21,090
That was just a gimmick."
864
00:37:21,114 --> 00:37:23,467
And a lot of people say
he kind of fell into that,
865
00:37:23,491 --> 00:37:26,303
like, they couldn't, they
couldn't decipher if it was...
866
00:37:26,327 --> 00:37:28,180
Is this Brian Pillman now?
867
00:37:28,204 --> 00:37:30,641
Or, you know, like,
is he still in character?
868
00:37:30,665 --> 00:37:32,268
Or is this just how he is?
869
00:37:32,292 --> 00:37:35,729
It's all just their
perception of reality.
870
00:37:35,753 --> 00:37:38,524
It was just like this,
this blur between,
871
00:37:38,548 --> 00:37:40,651
like, what is actually going on?
872
00:37:40,675 --> 00:37:42,111
Like, you don't
even know anymore,
873
00:37:42,135 --> 00:37:43,988
but that was,
like, the magic of it.
874
00:37:44,012 --> 00:37:47,116
There was a lot of
Andy Kaufman in, in Brian.
875
00:37:47,140 --> 00:37:49,076
The Loose Cannon became Brian,
876
00:37:49,100 --> 00:37:51,412
that was who he was.
877
00:37:51,436 --> 00:37:53,038
Brian was a renegade.
878
00:37:53,062 --> 00:37:54,915
Brian was a little
bit of an outlaw.
879
00:37:54,939 --> 00:37:57,460
Again, remember, when you're
not the biggest dog
880
00:37:57,484 --> 00:38:01,172
of the litter, and you got
that gravelly voice...
881
00:38:01,196 --> 00:38:03,924
you've had 30, plus,
throat operations
882
00:38:03,948 --> 00:38:06,802
when you're a small child,
you get an attitude.
883
00:38:06,826 --> 00:38:09,054
I said this many times,
the greatest wrestlers
884
00:38:09,078 --> 00:38:12,808
I've ever worked with are
essentially natural,
885
00:38:12,832 --> 00:38:16,270
organic extensions of
their own personality.
886
00:38:16,294 --> 00:38:18,856
And the Loose Cannon
was just that.
887
00:38:18,880 --> 00:38:21,650
I think the message that
Brian showing up at ECW
888
00:38:21,674 --> 00:38:23,152
sent to the other
two companies is,
889
00:38:23,176 --> 00:38:25,529
he was a free agent, that
he was a gun slinger and
890
00:38:25,553 --> 00:38:26,906
he'd go to the highest bidder.
891
00:38:26,930 --> 00:38:28,199
Vince is watching.
892
00:38:28,223 --> 00:38:29,658
It's the hottest
thing in wrestling.
893
00:38:29,682 --> 00:38:31,285
The only one that really
knew what was going on
894
00:38:31,309 --> 00:38:34,163
was Dave Meltzer. I said, "Hey,
we have to tell Meltzer."
895
00:38:34,187 --> 00:38:36,665
I value his friendship more
than I value...
896
00:38:36,689 --> 00:38:38,459
You know, any of this shit.
897
00:38:38,483 --> 00:38:39,960
Something happened
and I called up Kim,
898
00:38:39,984 --> 00:38:42,421
and I go, "Oh, god,
Brian's... Brian's in trouble."
899
00:38:42,445 --> 00:38:44,548
He just goes, you know,
like, "Brian...
900
00:38:44,572 --> 00:38:46,133
you know, Brian's doing this.
901
00:38:46,157 --> 00:38:48,177
He's, he's come up
with a character,
902
00:38:48,201 --> 00:38:50,179
and he's... you gotta
work everybody."
903
00:38:50,203 --> 00:38:51,889
And Brian goes,
"What do I do with Dave?"
904
00:38:51,913 --> 00:38:54,308
And he goes, "You don't
talk to Dave because
905
00:38:54,332 --> 00:38:55,392
if you tell him,
906
00:38:55,416 --> 00:38:58,896
then he's gonna have to say it
because that's his role.
907
00:38:58,920 --> 00:39:00,898
And, I don't want
you lying to him."
908
00:39:00,922 --> 00:39:03,651
So, literally, like,
he didn't talk to me for
909
00:39:03,675 --> 00:39:06,028
a couple months there.
Oh, yeah, without a doubt,
910
00:39:06,052 --> 00:39:08,489
he wanted to fool me with
the character.
911
00:39:08,513 --> 00:39:10,991
And he did for a while.
912
00:39:11,015 --> 00:39:13,285
And again,
who are the real marks?
913
00:39:13,309 --> 00:39:17,498
Who are the ultimate marks?
Bischoff, and then we got Vince.
914
00:39:17,522 --> 00:39:20,459
Vince McMahon was then
as he is now the
915
00:39:20,483 --> 00:39:24,296
undisputed leader, ruler,
manipulator, organizer,
916
00:39:24,320 --> 00:39:26,906
and owner of World
Wrestling Entertainment.
917
00:39:29,450 --> 00:39:30,928
- Vince?
- Yeah, you.
918
00:39:30,952 --> 00:39:32,846
Yeah, what do you... You know
what you do with a whore?
919
00:39:32,870 --> 00:39:35,891
You... 'em.
920
00:39:35,915 --> 00:39:37,560
That's, that's what
I thought of Vince,
921
00:39:37,584 --> 00:39:41,522
that's how I think of Vince.
922
00:39:41,546 --> 00:39:44,358
As Brian becomes the talk
of the wrestling world,
923
00:39:44,382 --> 00:39:47,611
it's time for the final step
of his master plan:
924
00:39:47,635 --> 00:39:50,239
track down and
secure the attention
925
00:39:50,263 --> 00:39:52,449
of wrestling's biggest
power player.
926
00:39:52,473 --> 00:39:54,809
♪
927
00:39:59,063 --> 00:40:01,834
In perhaps his
boldest stunt yet,
928
00:40:01,858 --> 00:40:04,420
Brian Pillman plots to
get the attention of
929
00:40:04,444 --> 00:40:07,923
Vince McMahon at an insider
industry tradeshow in
930
00:40:07,947 --> 00:40:11,135
Las Vegas, the last place
anyone would expect
931
00:40:11,159 --> 00:40:13,345
to see the Loose Cannon.
932
00:40:13,369 --> 00:40:15,681
Okay, so I'm in Vegas.
933
00:40:15,705 --> 00:40:18,809
I was in there and
I was leaving and,
934
00:40:18,833 --> 00:40:21,437
Brian's coming and Brian's
in full gimmick at this point.
935
00:40:21,461 --> 00:40:24,106
And then, I see him,
"Hey, Dave." Whatever.
936
00:40:24,130 --> 00:40:26,609
I'm leaving, he goes,
"Can I get your credential?"
937
00:40:26,633 --> 00:40:28,277
And I go, "Yeah, here.
Here's my credential."
938
00:40:28,301 --> 00:40:31,405
And he went in and
makes a beeline for
939
00:40:31,429 --> 00:40:33,991
Jim Ross and Vince McMahon.
940
00:40:34,015 --> 00:40:37,161
He had an idea to be
the most outrageous,
941
00:40:37,185 --> 00:40:39,622
outlandish, over-the-top
character that
942
00:40:39,646 --> 00:40:42,082
Vince McMahon had ever met.
943
00:40:42,106 --> 00:40:44,627
He's gonna try to get
Vince McMahon's attention.
944
00:40:44,651 --> 00:40:46,086
Doing his whole Brian Pillman,
945
00:40:46,110 --> 00:40:48,631
"Hey, Vince, ah-dah-dah,
hey, let's take a picture!"
946
00:40:48,655 --> 00:40:51,842
"Vince McMahon!
Mother... er! God almighty!"
947
00:40:51,866 --> 00:40:53,135
"It's the greatest thing
in the world
948
00:40:53,159 --> 00:40:55,804
I got a chance to meet ya!
Can I get the arm around..."
949
00:40:55,828 --> 00:40:57,598
Somebody takes a picture.
950
00:40:57,622 --> 00:40:59,475
And Vince is like,
"Who is this guy?"
951
00:40:59,499 --> 00:41:00,851
He made an impression.
952
00:41:00,875 --> 00:41:02,936
You didn't know whether he
was a homicidal maniac or
953
00:41:02,960 --> 00:41:05,356
just a guy that was having fun.
954
00:41:05,380 --> 00:41:07,524
McMahon thought, "We can't
hire this guy, JR.
955
00:41:07,548 --> 00:41:09,568
We can't hire this guy, JR.
He's crazy."
956
00:41:09,592 --> 00:41:12,655
I said, "He's crazy like a fox."
"What do you mean?"
957
00:41:12,679 --> 00:41:14,365
"Well, he told me
what he was gonna do."
958
00:41:14,389 --> 00:41:17,618
"He did?"
"Yeah, he's creative.
959
00:41:17,642 --> 00:41:19,745
He's bold. He's kind of
like you are, Vince.
960
00:41:19,769 --> 00:41:21,288
He'll take a chance."
961
00:41:21,312 --> 00:41:23,415
Brian's balls at that
point and that day,
962
00:41:23,439 --> 00:41:25,167
would probably fit
in a wheelbarrow.
963
00:41:25,191 --> 00:41:27,294
And dude, you work
Vince McMahon, you know,
964
00:41:27,318 --> 00:41:30,047
especially back in the day,
pretty good rib.
965
00:41:30,071 --> 00:41:31,840
And got his attention, too.
966
00:41:31,864 --> 00:41:34,134
It was, it was
pretty frickin' genius,
967
00:41:34,158 --> 00:41:35,928
what he was doing.
968
00:41:35,952 --> 00:41:38,430
But, but, he wanted to stay
in WCW 'cause
969
00:41:38,454 --> 00:41:40,391
WWF didn't offer
guaranteed money.
970
00:41:40,415 --> 00:41:43,435
And also, Vince was always
pushing the bigger guys so,
971
00:41:43,459 --> 00:41:45,938
Brian always felt that
WCW was his company and
972
00:41:45,962 --> 00:41:47,731
the company he would do
the best in anyway.
973
00:41:47,755 --> 00:41:49,858
People go, like, "Oh,
"he did this manipulation
974
00:41:49,882 --> 00:41:51,193
of his contract to go to WWF."
975
00:41:51,217 --> 00:41:54,029
No, he did the manipulation
of his contract to be able
976
00:41:54,053 --> 00:41:56,782
to negotiate with WWF to
raise his money with WCW.
977
00:41:56,806 --> 00:41:59,993
Brian's bold plan is
a success as he is in
978
00:42:00,017 --> 00:42:03,122
negotiations for major
contracts with both
979
00:42:03,146 --> 00:42:05,666
WCW and WWF.
980
00:42:05,690 --> 00:42:08,943
All he has to do is
choose the right path.
981
00:42:12,280 --> 00:42:13,841
No, it's money!
982
00:42:13,865 --> 00:42:15,426
That's the
bottom ...ing line!
983
00:42:15,450 --> 00:42:16,927
It's money!
984
00:42:16,951 --> 00:42:19,096
And these people
are in fantasy land.
985
00:42:19,120 --> 00:42:21,807
And it's money.
986
00:42:21,831 --> 00:42:23,726
The only problem is...
987
00:42:23,750 --> 00:42:27,813
like the Hebrew saying,
988
00:42:27,837 --> 00:42:31,942
"Man plans and God laughs".
989
00:42:31,966 --> 00:42:34,278
We're talking and it's
always about, you know,
990
00:42:34,302 --> 00:42:35,612
"I gotta save money,
I gotta save money,"
991
00:42:35,636 --> 00:42:37,823
and then he buys an
$80,000 Humvee.
992
00:42:37,847 --> 00:42:40,200
I couldn't fathom the idea of,
993
00:42:40,224 --> 00:42:43,162
I've got 5 kids, I've gotta
make money now,
994
00:42:43,186 --> 00:42:45,664
I've gotta save money,
and then buying a Humvee.
995
00:42:45,688 --> 00:42:47,166
(sighs) God.
996
00:42:47,190 --> 00:42:50,377
He would drive that wherever
Brian wanted to drive that.
997
00:42:50,401 --> 00:42:52,588
He didn't want to
sit at the stop light,
998
00:42:52,612 --> 00:42:55,215
he drove down a gully and
up the other side
999
00:42:55,239 --> 00:42:56,592
in that Hummer.
1000
00:42:56,616 --> 00:42:59,261
He didn't, you know,
follow the rules.
1001
00:42:59,285 --> 00:43:02,097
I was actually in Miami,
modeling,
1002
00:43:02,121 --> 00:43:04,975
but I called to
check on the kids and,
1003
00:43:04,999 --> 00:43:06,435
the neighbour across the street,
1004
00:43:06,459 --> 00:43:08,187
I called her 'cause I
didn't get an answer,
1005
00:43:08,211 --> 00:43:12,858
and she said, "My God, I just
passed the Hummer and
1006
00:43:12,882 --> 00:43:15,444
little Brian's car seat's
out in the middle of the yard
1007
00:43:15,468 --> 00:43:17,863
and big Brian's being flown
to the hospital."
1008
00:43:17,887 --> 00:43:25,887
♪
1009
00:43:27,814 --> 00:43:29,917
I remember he
flippedit, rolled it.
1010
00:43:29,941 --> 00:43:31,376
It was severe.
1011
00:43:31,400 --> 00:43:33,629
The wreck happened
during the negotiations.
1012
00:43:33,653 --> 00:43:35,088
They're getting damaged goods.
1013
00:43:35,112 --> 00:43:37,508
It was truly the deal of,
you can get on the
1014
00:43:37,532 --> 00:43:40,052
tiger's back, but how
do you get off?
1015
00:43:40,076 --> 00:43:41,553
Fate figured that out.
1016
00:43:41,577 --> 00:43:43,764
There'd been a lot
of wrestler deaths,
1017
00:43:43,788 --> 00:43:46,517
but not of a guy who was
actually on the way to
1018
00:43:46,541 --> 00:43:48,060
the show at that moment.
1019
00:43:48,084 --> 00:43:49,937
It's like if Brian could
just see the future and
1020
00:43:49,961 --> 00:43:51,355
what happened,
Brian would have just,
1021
00:43:51,379 --> 00:43:54,733
"..., oh my god.
No drugs, no nothing."
1022
00:43:54,757 --> 00:43:56,276
I know it would have
scared him straight.
1023
00:43:56,300 --> 00:43:58,904
It's crazy how you go
from having a silver platter
1024
00:43:58,928 --> 00:44:00,823
growing up to not even knowing
1025
00:44:00,847 --> 00:44:02,932
when your next meal
is going to be.