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{{short description|Former American wrestling manager}}
{{pp-semi-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox Writer {{Infobox writer
| name = Randy Baer | name = Randy Baer
| image = Rdwcbol.jpg | image =
| imagesize = 225px | imagesize = 225px
| caption = | caption =
| pseudonym = RD Reynolds<br />Real Deal Reynolds | pseudonym = RD Reynolds<br />Real Deal Reynolds
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|1|12}}<ref>{{cite book|title=WrestleCrap: The Very Worst of Pro Wrestling|last=Baer|first=Randy|author2=R.D. Reynolds|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=1-55022-584-7|year=2003|page=|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/wrestlecrapveryw00rdre/page/6}}</ref>
| birth_date = ] {{Fact|date=October 2007}}
| birth_place = | birth_place = ], U.S.
| death_date = | death_date =
| death_place = | death_place =
| occupation = Author, Webmaster | occupation = Author, webmaster
| nationality = ] | nationality = ]
| period = | period =
| genre = Comedy, non-fiction | genre = Comedy, non-fiction
| subject = ], ] | subject = ], ]
| movement = | movement =
| spouse =
| debut_works = Wrestlecrap, the Book
| spouse = "Mrs. Deal"
| partner = | partner =
| children = "Little Deal" | children =
| relations = | relations =
| influences = | signature =
| website = {{URL|wrestlecrap.com}}
| influenced =
| signature = | footnotes =
| website = http://www.wrestlecrap.com/
| footnotes =
}} }}
'''Randy Baer''', better known by his ] '''RD (Real Deal) Reynolds''' is a former ] ] and is also the co-creator of the professional wrestling website ], with Merle Vincent. <ref name="Co-creator"></ref> He has also authored two books, ''WrestleCrap'' <ref name="Wrestlecrap author"></ref> and ''The Death of ]'' <ref></ref>, the latter co-authored with ]). Baer resides in ] with his wife and son. {{Fact|date=October 2007}} '''Randy Baer''' (born January 12, 1969), better known by his ] and ] '''RD''' ('''Real Deal''') '''Reynolds''', is an American former ] ] and is also the co-creator of the professional wrestling website ], with Merle Vincent (who died in September 2000).<ref name=slam1/> He has also authored three books, ''WrestleCrap'',<ref name="Wrestlecrap author"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807120522/http://www.ecwpress.com/biographies/r_d_reynolds |date=2008-08-07 }}</ref><ref name=slam3>{{cite web|title=WrestleCrap author aims for laughs|archive-date=January 15, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115093631/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2004/02/02/333498.html|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2004/02/02/333498.html|access-date=2010-08-15|date=2004-02-02|first=Jon|last=Waldman|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|url-status=usurped}}</ref> ''The Death of ]'',<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031090132/http://www.ecwpress.com/books/death_wcw |date=2007-10-31 }}</ref> co-authored with ], and ''The WrestleCrap Book of Lists!'', co-authored with Blade Braxton (who died in March 2021). He has been called "the foremost authority on the worst of professional wrestling" by the ].<ref name=slam2>{{cite web|title=Plenty of laughs in WrestleCrap's Lists|archive-date=January 15, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115062607/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Reviews/2007/12/11/4719551.html|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Reviews/2007/12/11/4719551.html|access-date=2010-08-15|date=2007-12-18|first=Bob|last=Kapur|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|url-status=usurped}}</ref>


==Independent wrestling career==
==Wrestling career ==
Baer's self-produced DVD ''The Worst of RD Reynolds'' chronicles his work in various ], most of which were in the ] area for promoters Jeff Cohen and "Diamond" Dan Garza; primarily Cohen's Championship Wrestling of America and ].<ref name="OVW"/><ref name="Furious">{{cite web |url=http://www.411mania.com/dev/wrestling/video_reviews/60228/The-Furious-Flashbacks-The-Worst-of-RD-Reynolds.htm |title=The Furious Flashbacks - The Worst of RD Reynolds |author=Furious, Arnold |date=December 2, 2007 |work=Video Reviews |publisher=411mania.com |access-date=March 14, 2011}}</ref> Baer worked as an interviewer, commentator, manager, and booker, meaning that he wrote storylines and set up matches. Occasionally, he performed in professional wrestling ], some of which had special stipulations.<ref name="OVW"/> When he became a ] manager, he was forced to adopt the ring name RD Reynolds due to wrestling fans leaving him angry messages on his answering machine.<ref name=slam1>{{cite web|title=Baer proudly peddles WrestleCrap|archive-date=January 15, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115060957/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/03/21/968307.html|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/03/21/968307.html|access-date=2010-08-15|date=2005-03-21|first=Chris|last=Sokol|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
Before starting ''WrestleCrap'', Baer became involved in several local Indianapolis ] ]. {{Fact|date=October 2007}} According to Baer's self-published ] set, ''The Worst of RD Reynolds'', he first became involved in wrestling as a commentator for Jeff Cohen's Championship Wrestling of America (CWA) promotion. {{Fact|date=October 2007}}


Baer once appeared in ], a former developmental territory of ] (WWE), managing ] in a match against ]. Show ]med Baer during the course of the match and significantly injured him. Later, Baer himself took responsibility, citing his own inexperience and lack of training as the reasons for the injury.<ref name="OVW">{{cite web|url=http://www.nzpwi.co.nz/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=550&Itemid=88$|title=Interviews (2003): RD Reynolds|publisher=New Zealand Pro Wrestling Informer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415143728/http://www.nzpwi.co.nz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=550&Itemid=88$|archive-date=2012-04-15|access-date=2010-08-16|first=James|last=Cardno}}</ref><ref name=Bakon>{{cite web|title=R.D. Reynolds Interview|url=http://www.lethalwrestling.com/opinions/news_content.php?fileName=427|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411075339/http://www.lethalwrestling.com/opinions/news_content.php?fileName=427|archive-date=April 11, 2013|access-date=2010-08-15|year=2004|first=Jun|last=Bakon|publisher=LethalWrestling.com|url-status=live}}</ref>
Baer caught the attention of CWA by perpetrating good-natured ]s with Casey Stephon, later known as masked wrestler "Trash Losagain" at CWA's expense which included leaving humorous messages on CWA's wrestling telephone hotline and having ] delivered to him at CWA shows. The pizza deliveries were a direct ] against CWA wrestler Superstar Junior Carr and CWA sponsor Jack's Pizza, as Carr owned several Jack's Pizza shops. Baer worked for CWA under his real name as "'''The Real Deal'''" '''Randy Baer''' and has since lampooned himself frequently for those performances; calling himself a "pizza-shilling ] dork." {{Fact|date=October 2007}}


==Writing career==
According to Baer's DVD commentary on ''The Worst of RD Reynolds'', he was "]" due to a prank on one of CWA's top performers at the time, a wrestler named Mike Samples. Baer published a wrestling program with profiles of CWA wrestlers and asserted that Samples' previous career involved managing an ] stand. Samples was, apparently, not amused by the prank. {{Fact|date=October 2007}}
Baer holds a degree in broadcast journalism and sociology.<ref name="OVW"/> In 2000, Baer and Merle Vincent launched the website WrestleCrap, which features wrestling-related articles, primarily focusing on moments in wrestling which Baer and contributors perceive to be the worst. Since the launch of the website, Baer has written four wrestling-related books. In his first book, ''WrestleCrap,'' Baer chronicles the characters and storylines from WWE and ] which he perceives to the very worst.<ref name=slam3/><ref name=Bakon/> It features an introduction by ].<ref>{{cite web|title=John "Earthquake" Tenta dead|archive-date=July 18, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718100929/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/06/07/1619216.html|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/06/07/1619216.html|access-date=2010-08-15|date=2006-06-07|first=Jason|last=Clevett|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Reynolds also co-authored ''The Death of WCW'', with wrestling journalist ].<ref name="PWA">{{cite web |url=http://www.prowrestlingarena.com/interview-with-wrestecrap-rd-reynolds.html |title=Pro Wrestling Arena's Craptacular Interview with RD Reynolds |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=December 12, 2008 |website=ProWrestlingArena.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124072403/http://prowrestlingarena.com/interview-with-wrestecrap-rd-reynolds.html |archive-date=January 24, 2009 }}</ref> The book received a positive review from Jon Waldman of SLAM! Wrestling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Reviews/2005/01/12/896170.html|archive-date=July 15, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715055112/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Reviews/2005/01/12/896170.html|first=Jon|last=Waldman|access-date=2010-08-15|date=2005-01-12|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|title=WCW's demise makes for good read|url-status=usurped}}</ref> His third book, ''The WrestleCrap Book of Lists!'', written with Blade Braxton, was released in November 2007.<ref name=slam2/> He was a featured columnist for British pro wrestling and MMA magazine, '']''.<ref name="Fighting Spirit">{{cite web|url=http://www.fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk/about.asp|title=About Fighting Spirit|website=Fighting Spirit Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302072038/http://www.fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk/about.asp|archive-date=2012-03-02}}</ref> He has also been interviewed as an expert on wrestling gimmicks.<ref>{{cite web|title=The right persona can turn a no-name into a wrestling star|publisher=The Press-Enterprise |url=http://www.pe.com/lifestyles/living/stories/PE_Fea_Living_wrest22.57f41.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050207091135/http://www.pe.com/lifestyles/living/stories/PE_Fea_Living_wrest22.57f41.html|archive-date=2005-02-07|first=Mark|last=Kendall|date=2004-01-22|access-date=2010-08-15}}</ref> In 2014, a 10th anniversary expanded edition of ''The Death of WCW'' was released.<ref>{{cite web|first=RD|last=Reynolds|title=HUGE NEWS! The Death of WCW 10th Anniversary Edition Announced!!|url=https://www.wrestlecrap.com/about/huge-news-the-death-of-wcw-10th-anniversary-edition-announced/|website=WrestleCrap|date=January 15, 2013|access-date=August 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Paul|last=Kraft|title=The Death of WCW: 10th Anniversary Edition is Available in Hardback, Paperback and Amazon Kindle!|url=https://www.wrestlecrap.com/sbt/the-death-of-wcw-10th-anniversary-edition-is-available-now-in-hardback-paperback-and-amazon-kindle/|website=WrestleCrap|date=March 11, 2014|access-date=August 17, 2022}}</ref>


==Death hoax==
===Pro Wrestling International===
In April 2007, Baer was the victim of an internet ], with various people and websites claiming that he had died from ] and his neighbors found him in his bathtub. In the end, Baer returned on an episode of WrestleCrap Radio with no idea how the rumor had started.<ref>{{cite podcast|url=http://www.wrestlecrapradio.com/2008/04/061-wrestlecrap-radio-recap-may-4-2007.html |title=061 Botany Crap Radio: May 4, 2007 |publisher=] |host=Braxton, Blade |date=May 4, 2007 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130928024604/http://www.wrestlecrapradio.com/2008/04/061-wrestlecrap-radio-recap-may-4-2007.html | archive-date =September 28, 2013 |access-date=August 19, 2011 }}</ref>
Some time after being involved with CWA, Baer worked with another wrestling promotion in Indianapolis called Pro Wrestling International. Baer started out as a ] commentator and used the pseudonym '''RD Reynolds'''. {{Fact|date=October 2007}} He commentated along side friend Casey Stephon, who used the name "The Live Wire". Stephon also wrestled for PWI under a mask as "Trash Losagain" (Trash Lose-again). Baer made the transition from commentator to ], with the ] being that he was the nephew of ] and that he had come to take over PWI so that "Uncle Burt" could convert the arena in which PWI events were held into a ]. {{Fact|date=October 2007}}


==Awards and accomplishments==
Baer, as RD Reynolds, managed Stephon, as Trash Losagain and a littany of other heels in a ] known as '''The Cannonballers'''. {{Fact|date=October 2007}} Baer and Stephon were also involved with ] the storylines for PWI which they now refer to as being terrible and making no sense. The two frequently mock themselves on the ''Worst of RD Reynolds'' commentary when they re-live "The Hat Angle" wherein they base a wrestling feud on Trash Losagain stealing the hat of PWI wrestler "Drill Sergeant Nelson". {{Fact|date=October 2007}}
*''']'''
**] (2005, 2014, with ]) <small>Death of WCW</small><ref>{{cite journal| last = Meltzer | first = Dave | author-link = Dave Meltzer | date = January 26, 2015 | title = Jan. 26, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2014 awards issue w/ results & Dave's commentary, Conor McGregor, and much more | journal = ] | location = ] | issn = 1083-9593 | page=35 | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/40865-jan-26-2015-wrestling-observer-newsletter-2014-awards-issue-w-results-a-daves-commentary-conor-mcgregor-and-much-more}}</ref>


==Bibliography==
Baer and Stephon booked their wrestling storylines in a comedic style that usually resulted in RD Reynolds getting his come-uppance in some humiliating fashion. Not a wrestler himself, Baer would book his character into matches against other non-wrestlers with very unconventional stipulations. Quite often the matches would have the "]" moniker even though the matches' stipulations were far from dangerous. Three such "Death Matches" that Baer makes known on the ''Worst of...'' DVD set are the "Rosalyn Bakery Death Match" (loser gets ]), the "] Death Match" (loser gets their mouth washed out with soap), and the "Shoe Shine Death Match" (loser must shine the shoes of the winner). {{Fact|date=October 2007}}
*''WrestleCrap: The Very Worst of Pro Wrestling'' (2003)

*''The Death of WCW'' (2004) (with ])
Baer & Stephon did share the stage regularly with a few wrestling personalities that went on to have successful careers as wrestlers on a national scale, such as ] (now wrestling in ] as "The Monster Abyss") and ]. {{Fact|date=October 2007}}
*''The WrestleCrap Book of Lists!'' (2007) (with Blade Braxton)

*''The Death of WCW – 10th Anniversary Edition'' (2014) (with Bryan Alvarez)
===NWA Indianapolis===
Baer (as RD Reynolds) managed Madman Pondo in the co-main event against ] in the first and, to date, only show run under the "] Indianapolis" banner. The show was run and promoted by ]. Baer mentions on his DVD commentary that he found New Jack very scary to be around and that he (Baer) very intentionally stayed far away from New Jack once he came through the curtain. {{Fact|date=October 2007}}

===Ohio Valley Wrestling===
] (OVW), a developmental territory for ] (WWE), which occasionally runs shows in Indiana using local talent, has utilized RD Reynolds on one occasion when he managed ] ] in a match against ]. Show ]med Reynolds during the course of the match and significantly injured him. Later, RD himself took responsibility, citing his own inexperience and lack of training as the reasons for the injury. <ref name="OVW"></ref>

==Writing career==
Baer has written humorous wrestling-related books. One called ''WrestleCrap'' with an introduction by John Tenta. {{Fact|date=October 2007}} Reynolds also co-authored ''The Death of WCW'', with wrestling journalist Bryan Alvarez. A new book, ''The WrestleCrap Book of Lists'', is scheduled for a November 2007 release. He is also a featured columnist for British pro wrestling and MMA magazine '']''. <ref name="Fighting Spirit"></ref>

==See also==
* ]
* ]
* ]


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
* . *

* ' ] page.
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Reynolds, RD}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Reynolds, R. D.}}
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Latest revision as of 18:29, 8 November 2024

Former American wrestling manager

Randy Baer
Born (1969-01-12) January 12, 1969 (age 55)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Pen nameRD Reynolds
Real Deal Reynolds
OccupationAuthor, webmaster
NationalityAmerican
GenreComedy, non-fiction
SubjectProfessional wrestling, Professional wrestling gimmicks
Website
wrestlecrap.com

Randy Baer (born January 12, 1969), better known by his ring and pen name RD (Real Deal) Reynolds, is an American former professional wrestling manager and is also the co-creator of the professional wrestling website WrestleCrap, with Merle Vincent (who died in September 2000). He has also authored three books, WrestleCrap, The Death of WCW, co-authored with Bryan Alvarez, and The WrestleCrap Book of Lists!, co-authored with Blade Braxton (who died in March 2021). He has been called "the foremost authority on the worst of professional wrestling" by the Canadian Online Explorer.

Independent wrestling career

Baer's self-produced DVD The Worst of RD Reynolds chronicles his work in various independent wrestling promotions, most of which were in the Indianapolis area for promoters Jeff Cohen and "Diamond" Dan Garza; primarily Cohen's Championship Wrestling of America and NWA Indianapolis. Baer worked as an interviewer, commentator, manager, and booker, meaning that he wrote storylines and set up matches. Occasionally, he performed in professional wrestling matches, some of which had special stipulations. When he became a heel manager, he was forced to adopt the ring name RD Reynolds due to wrestling fans leaving him angry messages on his answering machine.

Baer once appeared in Ohio Valley Wrestling, a former developmental territory of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), managing Mark Henry in a match against The Big Show. Show chokeslammed Baer during the course of the match and significantly injured him. Later, Baer himself took responsibility, citing his own inexperience and lack of training as the reasons for the injury.

Writing career

Baer holds a degree in broadcast journalism and sociology. In 2000, Baer and Merle Vincent launched the website WrestleCrap, which features wrestling-related articles, primarily focusing on moments in wrestling which Baer and contributors perceive to be the worst. Since the launch of the website, Baer has written four wrestling-related books. In his first book, WrestleCrap, Baer chronicles the characters and storylines from WWE and World Championship Wrestling which he perceives to the very worst. It features an introduction by John Tenta. Reynolds also co-authored The Death of WCW, with wrestling journalist Bryan Alvarez. The book received a positive review from Jon Waldman of SLAM! Wrestling. His third book, The WrestleCrap Book of Lists!, written with Blade Braxton, was released in November 2007. He was a featured columnist for British pro wrestling and MMA magazine, Fighting Spirit Magazine. He has also been interviewed as an expert on wrestling gimmicks. In 2014, a 10th anniversary expanded edition of The Death of WCW was released.

Death hoax

In April 2007, Baer was the victim of an internet hoax, with various people and websites claiming that he had died from heart failure and his neighbors found him in his bathtub. In the end, Baer returned on an episode of WrestleCrap Radio with no idea how the rumor had started.

Awards and accomplishments

Bibliography

  • WrestleCrap: The Very Worst of Pro Wrestling (2003)
  • The Death of WCW (2004) (with Bryan Alvarez)
  • The WrestleCrap Book of Lists! (2007) (with Blade Braxton)
  • The Death of WCW – 10th Anniversary Edition (2014) (with Bryan Alvarez)

References

  1. Baer, Randy; R.D. Reynolds (2003). WrestleCrap: The Very Worst of Pro Wrestling. ECW Press. p. 6. ISBN 1-55022-584-7.
  2. ^ Sokol, Chris (March 21, 2005). "Baer proudly peddles WrestleCrap". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  3. RD Reynolds listed as the author of "Wrestlecrap" at ECW Press.com. Archived 2008-08-07 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Waldman, Jon (February 2, 2004). "WrestleCrap author aims for laughs". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  5. RD Reynolds listed as the author of "The Death of WCW" at ECW Press.com. Archived 2007-10-31 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Kapur, Bob (December 18, 2007). "Plenty of laughs in WrestleCrap's Lists". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  7. ^ Cardno, James. "Interviews (2003): RD Reynolds". New Zealand Pro Wrestling Informer. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  8. Furious, Arnold (December 2, 2007). "The Furious Flashbacks - The Worst of RD Reynolds". Video Reviews. 411mania.com. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
  9. ^ Bakon, Jun (2004). "R.D. Reynolds Interview". LethalWrestling.com. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  10. Clevett, Jason (June 7, 2006). "John "Earthquake" Tenta dead". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  11. "Pro Wrestling Arena's Craptacular Interview with RD Reynolds". ProWrestlingArena.com. December 12, 2008. Archived from the original on January 24, 2009.
  12. Waldman, Jon (January 12, 2005). "WCW's demise makes for good read". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  13. "About Fighting Spirit". Fighting Spirit Magazine. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012.
  14. Kendall, Mark (January 22, 2004). "The right persona can turn a no-name into a wrestling star". The Press-Enterprise. Archived from the original on February 7, 2005. Retrieved August 15, 2010.
  15. Reynolds, RD (January 15, 2013). "HUGE NEWS! The Death of WCW 10th Anniversary Edition Announced!!". WrestleCrap. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  16. Kraft, Paul (March 11, 2014). "The Death of WCW: 10th Anniversary Edition is Available in Hardback, Paperback and Amazon Kindle!". WrestleCrap. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  17. Braxton, Blade (May 4, 2007). "061 Botany Crap Radio: May 4, 2007" (Podcast). WrestleCrap Radio. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  18. Meltzer, Dave (January 26, 2015). "Jan. 26, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2014 awards issue w/ results & Dave's commentary, Conor McGregor, and much more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 35. ISSN 1083-9593.

External links

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