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The Rewatchables · December 2, 2025

Rocky II

host Bill Simmons host Chris Ryan host Van Lathan producer Craig Horlbeck

Casting what-if: Chuck Wepner’s proposed trainer role
Sequel or remake: A reported prestige television project in the Creed world

All 33 categories

Who won the movie Sylvester Stallone
Just one Oscar Bill Conti
Cruise or Hanks Cruise as Rocky
Dion Waiters Award Brent Musburger

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award · 1:12:51

A Creed-centered version

Chris Ryan: The movie would be more interesting as Creed, centered on Apollo’s shame and rematch obsession.

Van Lathan: Rocky and Apollo would both fare better if they swapped wives.

The Coach Finstock Award for Best Life Lesson · 1:47:15

Listen to the trainer, resist ego, and do not read hate mail

Listen to the trainer instead of the ego is the main lesson.

The film

Rocky II (1979)

Directed by Sylvester Stallone · Sports

119 minutes

IMDb Find on JustWatch Find on Rotten Tomatoes

Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Sylvester Stallone Robert "Rocky" Balboa , "The Italian Stallion"

Talia Shire Adrian Balboa

Burt Young Paulie Pennino

Carl Weathers Apollo Creed

Burgess Meredith Michael "Mickey" Goldmill

Tony Burton Tony "Duke" Evers

Sylvia Meals Mary Anne Creed

Seargeoh Stallone Robert "Rocky" Balboa Jr.

Paul Micale Father Carmine

Joe Spinell Tony Gazzo

Frank McRae meat foreman

Everything from the episode

In the order the hosts got to it. Open a row for the discussion.

1:19:49

Casting What-Ifs

Chuck Wepner’s proposed trainer role

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:19:49Read transcript

The real-life boxer who inspired Rocky was reportedly offered a trainer role later removed from the screenplay. — Bill Simmons

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1:22:13

Recasting Couch

Chris Ryan as the commercial director; Al Pacino as backup

In the discussion (1)

Approx. transcript time · 01:22:13Read transcript

Chris Ryan is proposed as the commercial director, with Al Pacino as the backup. — Bill Simmons

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1:25:19

Half-Assed Internet Research

The dedication, Leroy Neiman, Rocky’s reading, running-scene extras, room 669, the novelization, and Burt Young’s wei...

The dedication, Leroy Neiman, Rocky’s reading, running-scene extras, room 669, the novelization, and Burt Young’s weight loss; Paulie speculation

In the discussion (9)

Approx. transcript time · 01:25:19Read transcript

The film is dedicated to Stallone’s first agent, Jane Oliver. — Bill Simmons
Leroy Neiman appears drawing Apollo during training. — Bill Simmons
Rocky reads The Deputy Sheriff of Comanche County by Edgar Rice Burroughs to Adrian.
An estimated 800 schoolchildren were used for the running scene. — Bill Simmons
Adrian’s hospital room is numbered 669, described as an angel number. — Bill Simmons
A 1979 Rocky II novel credited to Stallone uses Rocky’s first-person narration and shifts to third person for Apollo. — Chris Ryan
Burt Young’s weight loss between films was disguised for the hospital scene and acknowledged in dialogue.
Paulie’s changing status and dependence on Rocky are discussed.
The group speculates that Paulie may be in love with Rocky. — Van Lathan

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1:34:10

Picking Nits

Rocky’s post-fight prospects, boxing rules and defense, chicken training, and Adrian’s tubeless coma

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 01:34:10Read transcript

Rocky should receive far more commercial and media opportunities after the first Apollo fight.
Apollo’s six-month layoff is questioned against the era’s frequent heavyweight schedules.
Chicken chasing is criticized as a poor training method. — Bill Simmons
The film’s double-knockdown rule is inaccurate because both fighters could continue if they beat the count.
Apollo absorbs implausibly many undefended body shots.
Adrian’s coma is shown without tubes, food, water, or other support. — Bill Simmons

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1:43:00

Probably Unanswerable Questions

The pet store, Gazzo, betting, Apollo’s schedule, and whether Rocky loves boxing

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:43:00Read transcript

Whether Adrian’s pet store ever has customers is questioned. — Bill Simmons
The Mafia bookie’s disappearance before Rocky III is attributed speculatively to violence or prosecutions.
Whether Rocky was an attractive five-to-one bet is debated.
Whether Rocky actually loves boxing is asked; the group sees him as trapped by limited alternatives. — Bill Simmons

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1:47:45

Best Double Feature

Rocky III, Diggstown, and Gladiator

Rocky III

Diggstown

Gladiator

In the discussion (3)

Approx. transcript time · 01:47:45Read transcript

Rocky III is selected for contrast and for extending the franchise’s strongest stretch.
Diggstown is proposed as a non-Rocky boxing pairing.
Gladiator is proposed as another boxing pairing. — Van Lathan

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