 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
DVD: Shawn Stasiak Determined A Documentary
Running Time: 3 hours 7 minutes plus Bonus Footage
Price: $19.95
Available at: Howard Feintuch's MuscularGalore.com
Review by Brett Schwan
The opening of the DVD, as well as the MuscularGalore.com website, states:
MuscularGalore.com videos and products have a three-part mission
EDUCATE - You will learn how to think more positively, train more efficiently to build muscle, and eat better to stimulate muscle growth and develop the body you desire. Because we believe strengthening your mind is as important as strengthening your body, you will receive words of wisdom on various life lessons from people who have persevered through difficult times and grown from the experience instead of being defeated.
INSPIRE - Through pictures, insights, and real-life stories, we want to equip you with the drive and determination to achieve your goals in life and enrich your spirit at the time.
ENTERTAIN - Relax and enjoy yourself with something positive. We showcase
quality material for the entire family, for all ages, suitable for teens,
adults and seniors alike.
While I was skeptical at first, this DVD certainly accomplishes all three of these.
Determined begins with Shawn Stasiak talking about his father and what it was like growing up as the son of the legendary Stan "The Man" Stasiak. This is accompanied by some amazing home movies of Stan and Shawn (when he was about 5 years old). To see Stan Stasiak away from the wrestling ring, with his family, was great.
Shawn talks about how he grew up, alongside Art Barr, in Portland, Oregon. The camera then accompanies Shawn on a road trip back to Portland, where Shawn reminisces about his parents and his memories of the Portland Sports Arena (which they visit and is now a church).
We then follow Shawn to Texas where he visits the site of the legendary Sportatorium.
While in Texas, Shawn sits down with Skandar Akbar who talks about meeting Stan Stasiak and the road trips they made together. Shawn also talks with Stan's tag partner and protégé, Johnny Mantel. Finally, Shawn talks on the phone with Kevin Von Erich and they discuss the World Class history and impact it had on the sport of professional wrestling.
The DVD then focuses on Shawn's Division 1 Amateur wrestling history.
Shawn visits his former coach who talks about how Shawn got into Boise State University. We are then taken to Boise State for a workout with Shawn Stasiak.
Shawn is very honest and open about his lack of wrestling experience (10 matches total) prior to being hired by the WWE. He explains how he was supposed to debut several times but it kept getting postponed. Finally, Shawn made his debut on April 13th, the same day as his dad's birthday. (This is just one "coincidence" that Shawn talks about throughout the DVD that he doesn't consider a coincidence but more of a sign that his family is still with him and how they play a part in his life.)
Shawn talks about the infamous "Tape Recorder Incident" which led to his release from the WWE.
Shawn then contacted Paul Orndorff and was invited to come down to the WCW Power Plant. He talks about his experience there and his run as "PerfectShawn". He also talks about he final weeks of WCW and how he was one of the first 10 contracts picked up by the WWE when they took over the company. He also talks about being released by the WWE the second time and, how within 30 minutes of his being released, he knew he was going to pursue a chiropractic career.
At no time does Shawn go out of his way to drop names or trash talk anyone that may have wronged him in the past (which seems to be the "in" thing in shoot interviews these days). That alone earns Shawn a new found respect from me.
We follow Shawn to his office where he gives a patient an adjustment and explains how he went to school to earn his degree and become a chiropractor.
The cameras then follow Stasiak to a wrestling appearance in PCW, where he faces Mace Malone. We get some rare "backstage" footage of Shawn preparing for his bout, followed by some footage from the match itself.
Shawn then lets us follow him through his weekly workout regime. We get to see Shawn's entire workout program and get to see how dedicated he is to it. The advice Shawn gives about working out and the need for both weight training as well as cardio is excellent advice that anyone should follow.
Finally, Shawn visits Rob Van Dam, at his home, for a sit down discussion about channeling positive energy. This is where Shawn and Rob discuss, in detail, what most people would call "coincidences" and how they see them as much more than that. Rob talks about how a positive attitude can steer your life in the direction you want it to go.
The Bonus Footage of the DVD is a coincidental spiritual story from Shawn. Shawn talks about how he was supposed to interview Sandy Barr for this documentary and how Sandy was going to give him footage of his dad from when he wrestled for Barr's promotion. A few weeks prior to shooting the documentary, Sandy Barr passed away. Shawn not only lost a friend, but he also lost all footage of his father for the documentary. After spending a restless night, Shawn got up and checked his voice mail. He had a message from someone named Stan who, after cleaning out his parents home, came across a box filled with Stan Stasiak memorabilia and home movies. Coincidence??
I thoroughly enjoyed this DVD so much more than I ever thought I would. The home footage of Stan and Shawn was great. To see Stan Stasiak, one of the most feared men in the wrestling ring, playing and joking around with his son was priceless. The interviews with Akbar, Mantel, and Von Erich were an unexpected treat and a great addition to the DVD. Getting to follow Shawn, who has worked extremely hard (and for a long time) to build his amazing physique, on a workout and to see his weekly regime was inspirational for anyone looking to better themselves physically. Unlike many other shoot interviews, this one is extremely well produced and edited.
Anyone who knows me, knows my take on motivational videos. However, this DVD is able to accomplish so much without beating you over the head with trying to convert you into a certain way of thinking.
This DVD is a must see for fans of Shawn Stasiak as well as any fan of pro wrestling or bodybuilding or motivational videos.
Another one of these, dedicated to Marty Jannetty, will be coming out in 2008 and I am looking forward to seeing it. Hopefully, many more will follow!
