Sharon speeches to Scorsese, mentions Sliver?

Watched a video on the YouTube, where director Martin Scorsese was honoured for his work: Sharon Stone Salutes Martin Scorsese at the AFI Life Achievement Award. In her speech she says she is very lucky for having been givven the part of Ginger in his classic film "Casino", and forever grateful to him for his support and his pushing her for a better performance, as she requested. Then she jokes: "But come on Marty, do we really have to go all the way to the mat for "Sliver"?!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnAreW-6JRQ

What does she mean with that? Sliver was not a flop but somewhat of a dissapointment, and certainly not of the same calibre as Casino. "Going to the mat" to my understanding means to wholeheartedly throw one's heart into something. It orginated as a wrestling term.

She sets up that line with: "Tonight I'm so proud to be here, as we all join together to honour Martin Scorsese with the American Film Institutes Live Achievement Award. Not only for the films he has made, but (also) for the great films of others he helped to save." "Sliver" doesn't need to be saved, it's an embarressment. Deciding which of numerous movies to save, "Sliver" shouldn't be a tough call: "But come on Marty, do we really have to go all the way to the mat for "Sliver"?!"

with [cheese]