In 1991, styles were changing. Fashion was changing. Careers were rising and falling. A lot of people who may had starred at your local grindhouse were clawing their way across the floor by any means necessary on the downward slope into “straight to video” limbo.

Roddy Piper was on this course with no seat belts and no airbags; he didn’t need any. Jesse Ventura wasn’t doing much of anything. Remember this was before his venture into politics. Ha Ventura’s venture.

In 1991, the two former professional wrestlers co-starred in a pilot for a new television series about, well, two professional wrestlers who become unemployed and decide to join the local police force. Sounds like the premise for an 80’s comedy or a cross between Chips and Police Academy. The concept was weak and the writing was ehh…. It was a lighter shade of trash but, it could be really funny to look at today, as a novelty.

So here’s the rundown on this one and only episode of the show that no one watched.

Tricky Rick MacDonald and Billy the Body Youngblood are two of the best wrestlers in the country (sound familiar). After being told to take a dive under threat of blackmail, they refuse to lose and are immediately kicked to the curb faster than Hulkamania. Too Legit to Quit, I guess.  Now they are out of work and swolled up. No job will hire them. The bills are stacking up in their pleasant apartment. It’s looking tough.

However, after thwarting a robbery, they put their heads together and decide to become cops. Now they can stop crime, clean the streets, serve the community and bodyslam crims.

So look for some light humor. Look for funny faces. Look for oddball coincidences. Look for that inevitable freeze frame. And remember to put your hands up, walk slowly and put your finger on that rewind button. 

R.I.P. Hot Rod.

            Rest in Peace Roderick George “Roddy” Toombs (April 17, 1954 – July 31, 2015); otherwise known as Hot Rod “Rowdy” Roddy Piper.

This past week, we were shocked with the news of Roddy Piper’s passing. He was 61 and died in sleep of cardiac arrest. Better known to us as the ultimate heel, “Hot Rod”, was infamous for his near-real life feud with MR.T, Cyndi Lauper and for smashing a coconut over the head of one “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka. He had accumulated 36 titles in multiple pro-wrestling organizations over a career spanning 42 years.

“The most gifted entertainer in the history of professional wrestling”

– Ric Flair

            His other famous appearance was starring in the film THEY LIVE (1988), directed by John Carpenter and co-starring Keith David and Meg Foster. And recently as a recurring role in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Other roles that you may not be aware of are his starring roles in 1987’s Hell Comes To Frogtown and the buddy cop series that never made it passed the pilot episode titled Tag Team co-starring Jesse “The Body” Ventura. Calling him a pop culture icon would be an understatement. He is beloved by millions and father to four children.

In dedication – here is a Retro Movie Tribute to Rowdy. His 1994’ buddy cop action film IMMORTAL COMBAT (aka Resort to Kill); Co-starring Sonny Chiba, Meg Foster and Tiny Lister.

 Earning a 44% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Immortal Combat is neither immortal nor a tournament based kung fu movie. It’s actually similar to Rush Hour with Roddy Piper as the loud mouthed, fast talking American teamed up with the cultured Asian samurai Chiba. They work undercover and off the grid as they fight their way through the jungles of South America to stop a plot to develop Coke and sex party crazed steroid indestructible shirtless zombie surfers for terrorist applications. Meg Foster plays the femme fatale who enjoys sleeping with muscular men before they are beaten into the afterlife.

 It’s cheese; it’s inconsistent; it’s low budget and straight to video. It’s what you need in your life like an exploding shuriken from a Black Belt catalogue. So kick it high and into high gear. Get your Kilt out and wear it proud and bow your head as we put the sleeper hold on that damn Rewind button.

R.I.P. Rowdy