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MOVIE

The Wrestler (2008)

Directed by Darren Aronofsky•1h 49m•Published Mar 29, 2022•Episode length 2h 24m
Episode 115 - The Wrestler
DramaRomance

Top cast

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Mickey Rourke
Mickey Rourke
Randy
Marisa Tomei
Marisa Tomei
Cassidy
Evan Rachel Wood
Evan Rachel Wood
Stephanie
Mark Margolis
Mark Margolis
Lenny
Todd Barry
Todd Barry
Wayne
Wass Stevens
Wass Stevens
Nick Volpe
Judah Friedlander
Judah Friedlander
Scott Brumberg
Ernest Miller
Ernest Miller
The Ayatollah
D
Dylan Keith Summers
Necro Butcher
T
Tommy Farra
Tommy Rotten

Director

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Darren Aronofsky
Darren Aronofsky
Director
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Overview

Aging wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson is long past his prime but still ready and rarin' to go on the pro-wrestling circuit. After a particularly brutal beating, however, Randy hangs up his tights, pursues a serious relationship with a long-in-the-tooth stripper, and tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter. But he can't resist the lure of the ring and readies himself for a comeback.

Show notes

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You know what? The only ones gonna tell us when we're through doing our thing, is you people here. You people here... you people here. You're our family. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Ethan and Georgia (Liam's on the undercard) as we're heading to Dollar Tree in search of props for a hardcore…

Read full show notes

You know what? The only ones gonna tell us when we're through doing our thing, is you people here. You people here... you people here. You're our family. Join your favourite TransAtlantic podcasting crew – Ian, Ethan and Georgia (Liam's on the undercard) as we're heading to Dollar Tree in search of props for a hardcore match in The Wrestler. We're flying off the top rope in our 115th episode as we discuss:

  • The unlikely first choice for Randy 'The Ram' and a pretender who claims he was up for it
  • What persuaded Mickey Rourke to take the roll
  • Which member of the panel taps out half an our into the film
  • What did the Ring of Honor crowd do the first time Mickey Rourke tried to do the big go-home speech
  • Did Georgia recognise Marisa Tomei?
  • Everyone shares their wrestling levels of fandom
  • The amazing duality between Randy The Ram & Cassidy/Pam
  • How did WWE try to capitalise on the buzz for The Wrestler and how did Mickey Rourke fall for kayfabe?
  • Whether or not The Wrestler is the Best Film Ever.

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Massive thanks to Lex Van Den Berghe for the use of 'Mistake' by Luckydog.  Catch more from Lex's new band, The Maids of Honor at https://soundcloud.com/themaidsofhonor

Also massive thanks to Moonlight Social for our age game theme song.  You can catch more from them at https://www.moonlightsocialmusic.com/

Timestamps for this episode:

  • 0:00 - Opening Banter
    18:55 - Shoutouts
    28:10 - Deep Dive
    1:40:50 - Endgame