Randy Robinson
Encyclopedia
Robin Ramzinski, is a fictional professional wrestler
portrayed by Mickey Rourke
in the film The Wrestler. He is better known by his ring name, Randy "The Ram" Robinson. Robinson was a major star in the 1980s but is now years past his prime, wrestling for various independent wrestling promotions in the Elizabeth, New Jersey
area.
). Robinson and the Ayatollah wrestled at Madison Square Garden
in 1988. After a show in 2008, a promoter approached Robinson regarding a rematch for the 20th Anniversary of the match. Robinson agreed in hope that the match could get him back on top. At his next show, Robinson wrestled in a gruelling hardcore
match. He and his opponent, Necro Butcher (Dylan Summers) attacked each other with thumbtacks, staple guns, barbed wire and glass. Post-match, Randy was treated for his wounds backstage, but he suffered a heart attack soon after and collapsed.
The heart attack necessitates a bypass operation and Randy is told by the doctor that his weakened heart cannot stand the stresses of anabolic steroids or wrestling. Randy canceled his upcoming matches and began working as a deli counter operator at a supermarket. Robinson, however, went ahead with his rematch against the Ayatollah, delivering a touching speech prior. Robinson deals with angina
and other pain throughout the match but continues, regardless. With fans chanting "Ram Jam", his signature finishing move, he manages to get on top of the ropes and, with tears running down his face, salutes the crowd and performs the Ram Jam.
*Knife Edge Chop
*Superkick
), although she forgave him prior to his 2008 rematch with The Ayatollah. Robinson had attempted to strike a relationship with Pam (Marisa Tomei
), who worked as a stripper under the stage name, Cassidy. After Robinson had retired (giving up the chance at a rematch), he lost his relationship with his daughter once again and gave up his hopes for a relationship with Pam. He then decided to come out of retirement to wrestle in what would be the last match of his life - the rematch with The Ayatollah.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
portrayed by Mickey Rourke
Mickey Rourke
Philip Andre "Mickey" Rourke, Jr. is an American actor, screenwriter and retired boxer, who has appeared primarily as a leading man in action, drama, and thriller films....
in the film The Wrestler. He is better known by his ring name, Randy "The Ram" Robinson. Robinson was a major star in the 1980s but is now years past his prime, wrestling for various independent wrestling promotions in the Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
area.
Wrestling career
Robinson was a success throughout the 1980s and a notable opponent was The Ayatollah (Ernest MillerErnest Miller
Ernest Clifford Miller is an American actor and former professional wrestler who worked for World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment better known by his ring name, Ernest "The Cat" Miller....
). Robinson and the Ayatollah wrestled at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
in 1988. After a show in 2008, a promoter approached Robinson regarding a rematch for the 20th Anniversary of the match. Robinson agreed in hope that the match could get him back on top. At his next show, Robinson wrestled in a gruelling hardcore
Hardcore wrestling
Hardcore wrestling is a form of professional wrestling that eschews traditional concepts of match rules in favor of matches that take place in unusual environments, using foreign objects that are not normally permitted...
match. He and his opponent, Necro Butcher (Dylan Summers) attacked each other with thumbtacks, staple guns, barbed wire and glass. Post-match, Randy was treated for his wounds backstage, but he suffered a heart attack soon after and collapsed.
The heart attack necessitates a bypass operation and Randy is told by the doctor that his weakened heart cannot stand the stresses of anabolic steroids or wrestling. Randy canceled his upcoming matches and began working as a deli counter operator at a supermarket. Robinson, however, went ahead with his rematch against the Ayatollah, delivering a touching speech prior. Robinson deals with angina
Angina
Angina pectoris, commonly known as angina, is chest pain due to ischemia of the heart muscle, generally due to obstruction or spasm of the coronary arteries . Coronary artery disease, the main cause of angina, is due to atherosclerosis of the cardiac arteries...
and other pain throughout the match but continues, regardless. With fans chanting "Ram Jam", his signature finishing move, he manages to get on top of the ropes and, with tears running down his face, salutes the crowd and performs the Ram Jam.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Ram Jam ( Diving HeadbuttProfessional wrestling aerial techniquesAerial techniques are maneuvers, using the ring and its posts and ropes as aids, used in professional wrestling to show off the speed and agility of a wrestler. These moves are mainly done by smaller, quicker wrestlers who are unable to do most of the power moves. There is a wide variety of aerial...
)
- Ram Jam ( Diving Headbutt
- Signature Moves
*Knife Edge Chop
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
*Superkick
Entrance music
- "Metal Health (Bang Your Head)" - Quiet RiotQuiet RiotQuiet Riot is an American Heavy Metal band. They are best known for their hit singles "Metal Health" and "Cum On Feel the Noize". They were founded in 1973 by guitarist Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni, under the original name Mach 1, before changing the name to Little Women and finally Quiet...
- "Sweet Child O' MineSweet Child O' Mine"Sweet Child o' Mine" is the third single by American rock band Guns N' Roses, and the third from their 1987 debut studio album, Appetite for Destruction. Released on August 17, 1988, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming the band's first and only number-one single in the U.S...
" - Guns 'N' Roses
Personal life
Robinson was originally estranged from his daughter, Stephanie (Evan Rachel WoodEvan Rachel Wood
Evan Rachel Wood is an American actress and singer. She began her acting career in the late 1990s, appearing in several television series, including American Gothic and Once and Again...
), although she forgave him prior to his 2008 rematch with The Ayatollah. Robinson had attempted to strike a relationship with Pam (Marisa Tomei
Marisa Tomei
Marisa Tomei is an American stage, film and television actress. Following her work on As The World Turns, Tomei came to prominence as a supporting cast member on The Cosby Show spinoff A Different World in 1987...
), who worked as a stripper under the stage name, Cassidy. After Robinson had retired (giving up the chance at a rematch), he lost his relationship with his daughter once again and gave up his hopes for a relationship with Pam. He then decided to come out of retirement to wrestle in what would be the last match of his life - the rematch with The Ayatollah.