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Horror In The Ring: Top Five Horror Themed Wrestlers

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paul-bearer-51

 

Being a product of the 80’s, I pretty much grew up watching the glorious splendor of the WWF. Yes. I still call it that. It’s purely a nostalgic factor. Chances are, if you grew up around the era of Hulkamania you were a fan as well. Or at least knew something about it. One of my fondest memories as a child, was attending a live taping of of a show. I was in awe of some of my heros. I was I believe about eight years old when I witnessed The Undertaker stuff The Ultimate Warrior in a coffin. I remember a few kids behind my seat crying; fearing the worst for their Ultimate Maniac. I, on the other hand.. Was an avid Undertaker fan. I also was NOT a huge fan of The Warrior, so.. I was laughing quite a bit. I also realized that it was a show. Hence, I thought it was quite funny.

 

Being a huge fan of horror and wrestling as a kid, seeing a themed wrestler with a horror gimmick attached, was magical for me. It made for a much more interesting story line and show all together. Through the 1990’s we saw quite a few come along, and not so much post “Attitude” era. Which is when, in my opinion, the whole show just went to shit. I find myself watching every so often, for one reason only. And he is included in this list of five of the greatest horror themed wrestlers any fans had the privilege to entertain us.

 

5. Doink the Clown

doink

 

Fucken hell. Ok. Let’s talk about this guy. Doink the Clown. He was an average classed wrestler with a lot of popularity mainly based off his wacky crazy clown gimmick in the early nineties.  He played that bat shit crazy quite well; and managed to scare up fans who were already suffering from Coulrophobia. One of the most memorable matches that I can recall is Survivor Series ’93 where there was a team of four fucken Doinks. Because one painted nightmare in the ring wasn’t enough. Pro wrestler, Matt Osbourne was the main man behind the makeup. Occasionally there would be stand ins for “Illusion Doinks” and some house shows. He also had a mini me of sorts, Dink the Clown who accompanied the clown to the ring, adding to the shenanigans of pranks the pair would love to pull. The original “Doink” died in June of 2013. RIP Matt Osbourne. You traumatized my childhood successfully in a fun way.

 

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4. Papa Shango

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Oyy the Shango. While the character itself was extremely interesting. It seemed to really go nowhere in the WWE. Papa Shango cut some awesome promos, carried a skull to the ring billowing smoke and could “control” arena lights. Packaged as a voodoo priest, Shango would cast spells on those he chose as victims, making them vomit, bleed and all that jazz. After many failed attempts to get the character off the ground, the actual wrestler Charles Wright went on to reinvent himself through means of a slew of characters before finally becoming The Godfather. Papa Shango left the voodoo life for the Hoe Train. Quite the transition there Charles.

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3. Kane

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Now here is a guy that has had quite a colorful career and storyline as well. Yes. Colorful and terrifying. Before stepping out in the WWE in 1997 as The Undertaker’s younger and arguably scarier half brother, Glenn Thomas Jacobs, as he’s known outside of the ring, debuted as Isaac Yankem DDS : Jerry Lawler’s batshit crazy dentist. I’m pretty sure we can all agree that Kane was the better character. Much like The Undertaker, Kane had all the same moves such as the iconic chokeslam and tombstone piledriver. When he wasn’t feuding with the ‘Taker, Kane would team up with him to form The Brothers Of Destruction which resulted in one badass pair of mother fuckers that would send even the toughest competitors in the opposite direction. His entire stint at the WWE up until the present, Kane has 18 championships under his belt. Pretty damn impressive. Kane is undoubtedly one of the more terrifying figures  that the Federation has belted out. Also, can we say cheers to the fact he took that persona to the horror movie genre and starred in the horror movie “See No Evil”? Fantastic.

 

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2. Mankind

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Even if you are completely wrestling 101 illiterate, chances are you have at least heard of Hall Of Famer Mick Foley. This guy is an absolute legend inside the ring; known for his death defying stunts, which in turn today hasn’t left him in the greatest of shape.  Foley has gone by many names and different gimmicks throughout his career, but the one that stands out the most is the unsettling character of Mankind. A mentally deranged schitzo that often sounded like a Velociraptor when he squealed.  His character was one that enjoyed pain, often pulling out his hair much to his own amusement. His signature move was the Mandible Claw. The move itself when applied places his middle and ring fingers into the opponent’s mouth, sliding them under the tongue and jabbing into the soft tissue found at the bottom of the mouth. The thumb and/or palm of the same hand is placed under the jaw, and pressure is applied downward by the middle and ring fingers while the thumb/palm forces the jaw upwards. Foley later claimed on a television interview that the painful sensation in the nerves under the tongue is so strong that it inhibits vision and, when applied long enough, can force the opponent to black-out. Yea.. Fuck that.  I’d imagine that would be even worse with that damn dirty Socko on his hand. 

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1. The Undertaker

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I mean.. What can I say that probably already hasn’t been stated about the Phenom? I remember at the youthful age of seven catching my first glimpse of this “Hamhawk” (as Roddy Piper so eloquently described him) at the 1990 Survivor Series. From the creepy entrance to the ring, his wrestling skills and his skilled tactic at of psyching out most of his opponents involving the supernatural, The Undertaker was and still is a force to be reckoned with. With the eerie Paul Bearer at his side, carrying the Urn of Power, Mark Calaway has had one of the longest running careers at the WWE. Unfortunately, Bearer ( Percy Pringle) passed away in 2013 leaving fans mourning his loss and the beloved ever so creepy character was etched in legendary history. Holding five different championships under his belt and his signature move the Tombstone, The ‘Taker held an impressive 21-0 wrestlemania win streak until last year when Brock (the crock) Lesnar hit him with three F-5s and took the win at Wrestlemania 30. It was a shocking decision on McMahon’s part and I personally am still a little salty about it. I mean, the streak had to end sometime I suppose. I honestly feel it should have been towards someone more deserving. Just my opinion.

 

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Some of you may be asking yourself, ” Why the fuck am I reading about wrestling on iHorror?”

Because the wrestling themes are horror related and I just really felt a nostalgic need to talk about it. So why not?! Really there is no other reason. Who is your favorite out of the bunch?

 

 

 

 

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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