Bakersfield on Screen

It's December 13th, 2001. WWF SmackDown is live in Bakersfield.

But the most iconic moment of that night didn't happen inside the arena.

A few miles away on Bernard Street sat the Green Frog Market, a neighborhood grocery store that had been serving east Bakersfield for decades. That night, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Booker T walked through those doors with one camera, no script, and a feud to settle.

What followed became one of the most replayed segments in WWE history. Austin chased Booker T through produce, condiments, and the storage room, ketchup, mustard, flour, eggs. He loaded him into a shopping cart, wheeled him to checkout, and asked for a price check on a jackass. Real shoppers stood in the background, and you can see they were shocked.

One take, an estimated $10,000–$15,000 in damages, and Bakersfield as the backdrop.

Booker T has said it's one of the greatest moments of his career. The clip still circulates online today, over two decades later.

The Green Frog held on until 2016. That corner on Bernard Street is a Dollar General now.

But for one night in 2001, Bakersfield was the set of wrestling history, and most people here still don't know it.

Fun Fact: I was there! Well at the arena anyways. I was about 8-9 years old, and my sisters had taken me. Talk about core memories.

Know of another time Bakersfield showed up on screen? A movie, TV show, or viral moment? Reply to this email and let me know.

💡 Click the underlined event name for tickets or more info.

• Wind Wolves Native Plant Watering @ Wind Wolves Preserve (8:30AM–11:30AM) Volunteer conservation event.
• Kids Arts & Crafts Workshop @ Mokha Mena Cafe (2PM–6PM) 6515 Panama Ln Ste 109. Hands-on craft session for kids. $10 per kit.
• Board Game Moai @ 707 18th St (5PM–8PM) Social board game meetup.
• First Friday Open Mic @ Dagny’s Coffee (6PM–7:45PM) Open mic featuring local performers.
• Ron Houston Pub Show @ Temblor Brewing (6PM) Live music performance.
• Friday Night Magic @ Bakersfield Esports Center (6:30PM) Weekly trading card competition.
• $5 Funnies @ The Well Comedy Club (Doors 6PM / Show 7PM) Stand-up comedy showcase.
• Friday Night Dance @ Fairfax Grange (7PM–9PM) Community dance night.
• Hot Mess Express @ Chuy’s Rosedale (7PM) Live band performance.
• Crushed Glass Art Party @ Corks & Strokes (7PM–9PM) Guided art workshop.
• Titan Live @ Rooster’s Honky Tonk (8PM–11PM) Live country music.
• Prairie Fire Nights Open Decks @ Padre Hotel (8PM–12AM) DJ open deck night on the rooftop patio.

• F Street Farmers Market @ In Your Wildest Dreams Parking Lot (7:45AM–12PM) Weekly farmers market.
• MB2 Community Easter Egg Hunt @ MB2 (9AM–11AM) 1251 Oak St. Free family-friendly egg hunt open to the entire community.
• Riverlakes Farmers Market @ Centennial High School Parking Lot (9AM–1PM) Weekly farmers market.
• Wall Street Alley Card Show @ Wall Street Alley (10AM–4PM) 1522 Wall St Alley. Trading card vendors and collectors.
• Financial Wellness Moai @ 200 New Stine Rd Ste 17 (10AM–11AM) Group meetup focused on financial education.
• North of the River Easter Egg Hunt @ Emerald Cove Park (10AM) 4303 Patton Way. Free community egg hunt starting promptly.
• Creature Feature: Reptiles @ Wind Wolves Preserve (10AM–12PM) Educational wildlife experience featuring reptiles.
• Spring Babe Bottle Bar @ Jerry’s Pizza & Pub (11AM) Vendor market-style event with drinks.
• Family Paint Day @ Corks & Strokes (1PM–2:30PM) Guided painting session for families.
• Fortnite Zero Build Solos Tournament @ Bakersfield Esports Center (3PM) Competitive gaming tournament.
• Lone Quail Live @ Temblor Brewing (6PM) Live music performance.
• Laugh and Leave Comedy @ Slice of Italy (7PM) 2543 F St. Stand-up comedy show featuring local comedians.
• Caroline Rhea Live @ The Well Comedy Club (7PM) National headliner stand-up performance.
• Sherna Armstrong Band @ Chuy’s Rosedale (7PM) Live country/rock performance.
• Sitting Pretty Paint Night @ Corks & Strokes (7PM–9PM) Evening guided painting experience.
• Trio Los Panchos @ Nile Theater (Doors 7PM / Show 8PM) Classic Latin music performance.
• Zander Rodriguez w/ Christian Warren Band @ Rooster’s Honky Tonk (8PM–11PM) Live country music.
• Golden K-Pop Party @ Temblor Brewing (9PM) K-pop themed dance party.

• Haggin Oaks Farmers Market @ 8800 Ming Ave (9AM–2PM) Weekly farmers market.
• Hopping for Hope Fundraising Event w/ game, petting zoo and more @ Pueblo Magico (10AM–10PM) Community fundraiser with activities and entertainment. Live music, egg hunts, games, bunny mascot and more!
• Bollywood Dance Moai @ 7691 White Ln (11AM–12PM) Cultural dance meetup.
• Cattle Call (Easter) @ Chuy’s Rosedale (2PM) Easter-themed live music event.
• Dragon Ball FighterZ Tournament @ Bakersfield Esports Center (5PM) Competitive gaming tournament.

• Motown Mondays @ Jerry’s Pizza & Pub (6PM–10PM) Live music and dancing.
• Kids Neon Dance Party @ Jerry’s Pizza & Pub (6PM–8:30PM) Glow-themed dance event for kids.
• Bingo & Beer @ Temblor Brewing (7PM) Weekly bingo night.
• Dungeons & Dragons Meetup @ Bakersfield Esports Center (7PM) Weekly tabletop session.
• Cults & Classics: Sunset Boulevard @ Fox Theater (Doors 6PM / Show 7PM) Classic film screening.

• April Run Day (Miles & Smiles) @ River Walk (7:30AM) Community run/walk meetup.
• Walking on Sunshine Moai @ Panorama Park (6PM–7PM) Outdoor wellness meetup.
• Pub Trivia @ Temblor Brewing (7PM) Weekly trivia night.

• Mingle N Manifest @ Wilson Library (11AM–1PM) Networking and personal growth meetup.
• Family Game Night @ Temblor Brewing (4PM) Casual game night.
• Weekday Market @ 1100 18th St (4PM–9PM) Evening market with vendors and food.
• Cornhole Tournament @ Temblor Brewing (5:30PM) Weekly tournament.
• Bingo Night @ BarrelHouse (6PM) Free-to-play bingo.
• Western Wednesdays @ Fairfax Grange (Doors 5:40PM / Lesson 6PM) Two-step dance lessons.
• MixxedFit Dance Fitness Class @ My Dance & Fitness Studio (7PM–8PM) High-energy dance workout class.
• Emo Karaoke @ Jerry’s Pizza & Pub (7PM–12AM) Karaoke night focused on emo and pop-punk.
• Bingo Night + Live Music w/ Vince Galindo @ Rooster’s Honky Tonk (8PM) Bingo and live music.
• Bakersfield Condors vs Tucson Roadrunners @ Mechanics Bank Arena (6:30PM) AHL hockey matchup.

Sorry this one was so late guys! Just had a change of schedule and I work overnights so it threw me off. Will be working to get my posting schedule locked in

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The Bakersfield Guy

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