A – Excellent
B – Good
C – Mediocre
D – Avoid
Release Date: December 2nd 2013
Available From: www.wwedvd.co.uk
Price:
DVD £19.99
Blu-ray £22.99
(Prices from www.wwedvd.co.uk: high street prices will vary)
Format Reviewed:
DVD (3 Discs)
(also available on Blu-ray (2
Discs)
What It’s About:
A
two hour documentary chronicling the rise of World Wrestling Entertainment
featuring an impressive amount of interviews from stars from every era and
complete matches which aim to highlight WWE’s rise and changing times which
defined each era. From humble beginnings as Capital Wrestling Corporation to
the World Wide Wrestling Federation, the rise of the World Wrestling Federation
and finally worldwide notoriety as World Wrestling Entertainment this release
aims to cover every major turning point in the company’s illustrious history.
Strengths:
The
documentary begins with a short inside look at Vince McMahon arriving at Titan
Towers, WWE’s headquarters. From getting out of his car – which WWE presumably
want us to believe he drives himself when in reality he has a chauffer – to
greeting office employees when he crosses them in hallways and carrying his own
bags – yeah right – this is a short, eye opening beginning which delves into a
building very rarely recorded on film before. Whilst it doesn’t tell you
anything in detail or show you anything revealing – WWE could have included
footage from meetings and with prospective wrestlers here to hammer home Vince
does want to build new stars – it is a refreshingly different montage before
the usual documentary piece kicks in.
The
release deserves credit for going all the way back to Jess McMahon and his
links with boxing, which he promoted before turning his hand to wrestling. Not
many biography DVD’s or Blu-ray’s go back this far but in one entitled ‘The
History of...’ you can’t really leave out the beginnings. Though you will be
annoyed with some of the stuff they have left out which is just as vitally
important to the existence of World Wrestling Entertainment as this is. Shots
of old newspaper headlines from back in the day are a nice touch as the segment
quickly turns to Vince McMahon Sr. followed by some never before seen footage
and pictures of the man who can be credited as starting it all. None of the
talking heads on this part of the release have a bad word to say about McMahon
Sr. even though a large proportion of them, including Bruno Sammartino had
problems with McMahon back in the day. Here though, it’s almost like sacrilege
to say a bad word about him and whilst the problems wrestlers had with him are
sugar coated, it is a nice tribute to a man who we may not be sitting here
discussing this without. Some of the talking heads here include Ted Dibiase,
Mr. Fuji – for what has to be the first time in at least ten years he’s
appeared on a WWE release if not ever – and a barely recognisable Ken Patera.
Bruno
Sammartino gets a whole chapter dedicated to him and quite rightly so. One of
the WWWF’s main draws in the 70’s, the company would have struggled to survive
without him as champion. Such a big draw was he that people would pay to see
him and not care about the rest of the card. His time in the WWWF is covered in
much depth including newspaper and magazine articles though a lot of history is
left out which could have added an extra layer of depth to this segment. WWE
manage to get over how important Sammartino was but stories from the time are
few and far between. Also the segment includes stuff we’ve heard on other
releases from Sammartino himself. Out of all the talking heads who pepper
Sammartino with the praise he deserves, only Larry Zbyszko touches upon why
Bruno elected to drop the WWWF Championship off of his own back. Of course
there is no mention of Sammartino’s volatile relationship with McMahon Sr.
stemming from Bruno wanting to step away from the spotlight and McMahon
believing it left him and the company in a tight spot. During the segment,
Bruno gives WWE and Vince McMahon food for though with his words that you need
to give new talent enough television exposure to get over with the fans. I
wonder when Vince will start listening.
Linda
McMahon does a great job of getting over how cut throat the business was when
Vince Jr took over from his father. Her expressions and deep thought add weight
to the fact that Vince really did have to buy out other territorial promotions
to survive as times changed. For a McMahon she’s surprisingly candid and
truthful about how Vince wanted to strip the competition and territories bare
and be the very best. The way Linda describes it; Vince almost took pleasure in
putting other people out of business. Gerald Brisco opens up for the first time
about how his life and family were threatened when he and his brother sold
Georgia Championship Wrestling to Vince McMahon – the fact that WWF in GCW’s
time slot bombed and the company was sold back and effectively shelved is
omitted. Vince’s hunger to be king of the wrestling world is almost primal as
the talking heads get over his passion but make him sound like a rabid lion in
the wilderness attacking everything in sight to state his authority. It’s an
eye opening segment into the thought process of Vince McMahon.
Of
course, this release wouldn’t be complete with the mention or coverage of Hulk
Hogan. And his time at the top of WWE’s tree is covered well as it should be.
George ‘The Animal’ Steele – who is looking incredibly well – finally says what
your Wrestling God has been touching upon for years and that’s Hulk Hogan may
have been phenomenally popular but he wasn’t the greatest wrestler. Steele is
correct though when he says Hogan had the charisma to carry the job in hand
off. The segment ends with a quote which die hard Hulkamaniacs need to take not
of however and I’m talking about the idiotic people who believe Hulk Hogan is
responsible for every success wrestling has had after his time on top and who
believe Hogan is the man solely responsible for the success and creation of
WrestleMania – these people talk like Hogan created and funded the event
himself, morons. The quote rightly states that ‘Hulk Hogan wouldn’t be Hulk
Hogan without WWE and WWE wouldn’t be WWE without Hulk Hogan’. Of course it’s
right. Without Hogan the company would have been stuck for a star, but without
the company Hogan wouldn’t have had a base on which to build such a successful
career. AWA certainly weren’t prepared to give him that chance.
When
the documentary throws a left and begins down the path of wrestling’s
popularity in 1985 onwards, we’re taken on a welcome nostalgia trip as the
company show vintage television adverts and trailers for merchandise from
yesteryear. To see these trailers and adverts again which aim to sell anything
from the old WWF teddy bears, actions figures and even one or two from Hulk
Hogan’s Rock n’ Rasslin cartoon series, is such a welcome break from the
wrestling side of the industry and whilst they may not directly have anything
to do with the history of the business they will bring back some welcome
memories for long time fans of the business.
To
hear wrestlers reminisce about WrestleMania III and what a wonderful time it
was to be a talent is an absolute joy. Everyone who is anyone today knows
WrestleMania III is famous for Hulk Hogan slamming Andre the Giant in their
infamously terrible main event match but this takes a different approach.
Whilst footage of Andre and Hogan is shown – it’s what the whole event was
built around – wrestlers such as Ted Dibiase and those around at that time seem
to geninually love the time and everything that it brought. There isn’t much
time to reminisce in wrestling so savour this moment whilst you can.
One
of the biggest shocks of this documentary is that WWE allow information about
the notorious ‘Steroid Scandal’ to appear – though be warned, this is a watered
down version which doesn’t tell half of the truth. Of course we must credit WWE
for including this when it could have been omitted completely to save face for
McMahon but here it is. The talking heads go into great depth when quizzed
about wrestler who took steroids around that time and some are revelations
admitting they took the drug to enhance their career. Jake Roberts says “So
many guys took so much stuff it was scary” and then admits that he was one of
those wrestlers who used steroids – but then again Roberts used everything and
anything going. He may be clean now but if you’d have crushed up sherbet with a
credit card and told him it was a class ‘A’ drug he’d have sniffed it. Roddy
Piper is a little more conservative about his recreational use, never actually
admitting to using it but does admit that back then a wrestler needed every
edge he could get in order to be taken seriously. Instead Piper sheds a dark
light on the Boxing and Wrestling Commission who he says were stealing money
from wrestlers for no reason – I can well believe that to be the truth. The
most surprising admission is from Hacksaw Jim Duggan who freely admits that he
used the ‘juice’. There’s a theoretical prize for anyone who can point out to
me where it did him any good. The segment takes a surprisingly dark turn when
the doctor who supplied the wrestlers with steroids is mentioned and we get a
dark glimpse into the seedy side of wrestling in the 80’s and 90’s with Roddy
Piper’s admission that this certain doctor – who is named and shamed in the
documentary – used to turn up with bags of medicine with wrestlers names on the
front. Whilst Ted Dibiase admits to using steroids he bafflingly tries to make
us believe that Vince McMahon did not endorse the usage by his performers.
There were rumours abound that Vince McMahon, during the 1992 Steroid trial
admitted to both taking and distributing the drug amongst his locker room –
even though no charges were brought against him. I cannot confirm or deny these
rumours. There is some excellent archive footage which WWE should be commended
for including with Billy Graham and Vince McMahon on a chat show where Billy
Graham who is on the verge of getting up and punching his former boss, accuses
Vince McMahon of both endorsing and distributing the drug whilst Vince sits
there like a deer caught in the headlights. It may be fleeting but its gripping
stuff. The one question mark that does hang over it though is that the documentary
clearly states no charges were brought against McMahon because according to WWE
he never had a hand in the distribution or taking of steroids. But then WWF
were ready to bring in Jerry Jarrett to take over running the company in case
Vince was found guilty. If they knew and were confident Vince had no hand in
any of this why be so worried he’d be imprisoned? Sadly, there is no mention of Hulk Hogan
testifying against his then boss which sparked the beginning of the
disintegration of their relationship.
When Undertaker is interviewed for the end of the segment which rightly
states the only good thing to come out of the scandal was the younger, less
jacked up stars, Taker hits the nail on the head reasoning that the younger
stars like he, Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels were Vince McMahon’s ace in the
hole.
When
summing up the Attitude Era it is again rightly announced that WWE had the most
impressive and most talented roster ever. WCW and ECW certainly didn’t have the
level of depth and talent WWE did in 1998 – 2001 and even in WWE now the
current roster falls a mile short of that of the glorious Attitude Era.
WWE
cover Owen Hart’s death with sensitivity and it’s the first in depth
explanation of it on a WWE release since 1999 considering the relationship
between Martha Hart and WWE is fraught with hatred and tension at best. Though
I still don’t think it right that Martha Hart try to erase Owen Hart’s
wrestling legacy. Whilst there are still people who love and remember him
fondly for everything he gave to the industry she’s fighting a losing battle.
Jim Ross’ story about being told of Owen’s death live on air and having thirty
seconds to compose himself to relay the news to the watching audience is told
with poignancy and it’s an eye opener when for the first time on any WWE
release ever, The Undertaker shows a modicum of weakness describing Owen Hart’s
death as ‘devastating’. It’s a very touching and sentimental segment which is
handled with the utmost care and sensitivity. It certainly belongs here as a
piece of WWE history as Owen Hart was the only wrestler to ever die live on air
on a WWE programme. Sadly, there is still no culpability by WWE for this tragic
incident.
Jim
Ross follows in Bruno Sammartino’s footsteps in trying to get through to Vince
McMahon the importance of building young talent, when the documentary switches
to the creation of Smackdown. Ross, in a comment which seems to be directly
aimed at Vince McMahon states that without television time, no one is going to
be a star. There is still no explanation however as to why WWE chose to name
the show after one of The Rock’s most popular catchphrase and no detail behind
the creation of the show, just that simply it was there.
Coming
into the modern day, the documentary delves deep into WWE going public and
trading publically something which has never been shown on television before.
It’s almost like ever piece of unseen footage is suddenly being made available
to the public. The segment isn’t necessarily fascinating but it does show the next
step of WWE as a publically traded company and the willingness to evolve. Along
with the public trading, WWE was opened up into a whole new avenue of options
including movies and the WWE autobiographies which were produced in the late
90’s – early 00’s. However the footage of the publishing of the books is
exactly the same of that on ‘For All Mankind’.
When
touching upon buying WCW and ECW, Linda McMahon reveals the real reason WWE
wanted the company and all of its trademarks – for the video tape library which
were brought for very little money. For once it’s nice to hear that was the
main reason for the purchase when WWE could have sent out John Cena or Steve
Lombardi to falsely state the purchase was because WWE regarded WCW and ECW as
a worthy opponent and didn’t want the legacy to go to waste or fall into the
wrong hands. You know the usual rubbish they can come out with. It’s also the
reason WWE will purchase TNA and all of its trademarks should the company also
go out of business. Wisely, the invasion angle is left out of the equation
thought it would have been a bonus had Vince McMahon came out and admitted that
he messed up with the storyline.
John
Cena – yes, you didn’t think you’d escape him did you – talks highly about his
time at the top of WWE. Everything Cena says is mostly done without the smug
grin and self conceited expression which is a plus and his words do seem
genuine. The current World Heavyweight Champion is pelted with kind words by
Paul Heyman and C.M Punk who seem to think highly of Cena. As if they were
allowed to say anything else. The Cena segment also leads into WWE’s charity
work with the surprising confession that the company kept the majority of its
charity work a secret because it thought the outside world would believe they
were doing it for their own self serving reasons. The list of charities WWE are
involved with is mightily impressive with ‘Be a Star’ the only laughable one
since WWE regularly bullies its talent on air without it being part of a
storyline.
Thankfully,
covering the Hall of Fame WWE begin with its inception 1993 and Andre the Giant
as the first inductee. It’s not mentioned that the Hall of Fame was created
especially to honour Andre but the tribute to The Giant is a nice one and the
highlights of the event go from the beginning to present day. It’s a nice look
back on what has been and the great which have been included.
The
penultimate segment of this documentary focuses on the evolution of WWE. It’s
fascinating to see how far the company has come from the grainy footage days of
Sammartino and Graham to the Austin era to where we are now. The technology
used is highlighted by early footage of Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler
presenting Raw on green screen and being put into the taped show which I never
noticed before. The video tape library is shown and it looks immense – which
kind of shoots WWE in the foot somewhat as to why they couldn’t have taken more
time in selecting the matches for this release. NXT is the final point in the
case of WWE’s evolution. Instead of relying on other territories to get their
talent, WWE now have a development league of their very own. If this isn’t a
prime example of evolution for a company then you’ll be hard pushed to find one
which is.
Of
course the documentary had to end looking at the one man who made all of this
possible – Vince McMahon. He may be many things in many people’s eyes and done
many things wrong which is never touched upon here, but in the end Vince
McMahon is the most successful wrestling promoter of all time. He’s proved it
year after year and only an utter fool would try to dispute that fact.
Portrayed as a hardworking man, people can’t say enough good about McMahon
which you get the sense isn’t all meant. We know some people’s thoughts of
McMahon and some of it isn’t complimentary. It would have been more believable
had some of the wrestlers like Undertaker come out and pointed out some of
McMahon’s fault – there is only so much sugar coating we can take, but its
still a powerful ending to the documentary.
In
closing, The Undertaker sums up WWE by saying that it’s the pinnacle of the
wrestling industry. Of course Undertaker is correct. No where else in this
business can you become a legend, no other company has that power. No other
company in wrestling will ever be as big as WWE. ECW tried, WCW came very close
but in the end WWE is left standing when all else around it has fallen. For a
company which began with very little that’s a hell of a legacy to leave behind.
Bruno
Sammartino vs ‘Superstar’ Billy Graham (Baltimore, Maryland – April 30th 1977)
for the WWWF Championship is historically interesting even if nothing really
happens. The match begins with some tense if dull rest holds and submission
moves and like most matches in the 70’s only really comes alive when the bout
draws to its conclusion. However this is a notable bout for its ending in which
Billy Graham finally ends the seven year Championship reign of Sammartino to
the anger of the capacity crowd. The reaction to Graham’s victory in the arena,
on the night proves how loved wrestling was in the 70’s and just what a main
draw Sammartino had become. Because this is so historically significant it does
deserve a place on the release.
The
1988 Royal Rumble Match (January 24th, 1988) is again an interesting bout as to
my recollection it has only been released less than a handful of times since
1988. It’s one of the Royal Rumble matches rarely seen and though it only
involves 20 men and doesn’t involve the action later Royal Rumble matches do,
it’s still a worthy entry because of the scarcity of its inclusions before.
Bret Hart is the workhorse of the bout putting in a hell of a shift and showing
some of that skill and determination that would carry him well when he was
chosen to be WWE Champion in 1992. Despite the wealth of older participants who
can barely move in 1988, the match still has a steady pace to it thanks to the
injection of younger talent at well placed intervals. For the longest time,
eliminations are few and far between but that serves the match well as the ring
fills with talent and Jake Roberts is the most popular man for almost the
entire match. It’s easy to see why the Royal Rumble idea caught on and is one
of the most anticipated events of the annual calendar even though there are no
real highlights here. Jim Duggan and One Man Gang contest a miserable final
sequence.
Stone
Cold Steve Austin vs Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts (King of the Ring 1996, June 23rd
1996) may be a short and inconsequential match for a King of the Ring final but
it earns its place here for the beginning of Stone Cold Steve Austin. The match
one can look over as nothing more than a burial of Roberts who was on his last
legs as a wrestler, the promo afterwards, which is here in its entirety one
can’t. Still, seventeen years after it took place, the words which made Austin
a star are as sharp and meaningful as ever. Most people have probably seen it
by now but if you haven’t then it’s a work of genius. WWE talent today need to
watch this and take note. This is how to get yourself over.
The
Rock vs Triple H (Smackdown, August 26th 1999) is the main event of the first
ever Smackdown taping complete with Shawn Michaels as guest referee. Though it
moves slower than almost all their other matches there is great quality here.
The reversals and exchanges are crisp and the pair expertly slide from each
others finishing moves as the match begins. The Rock’s suplex on the stage hits
hard and Triple H looks like the main event star the company needed him to be
even thought this happened at a time when everyone was unsure he could pull it
off. Both men look like they’re holding back a huge performance for something
bigger. The Rock is agile and Triple H is technically sound, whilst the pinfall
distractions are well timed as it Michaels’ Sweet Chin Music as The Rock goes
to deliver The People’s Elbow. Very good indeed.
‘Mr.
McMahon Purchases WCW’ (Raw, March 26th 2001) is one of the most vital pieces
of not just WWE’s history but also wrestling history. It was the day everything
changed and Vince McMahon truly became the most powerful man in wrestling as
the segment was simultaneously broadcast on Raw and WCW Nitro. It’s included in
its entirety which is a rarity, making this a rare treat. Vince McMahon is at
his best here handling the monologue with ease and panache. Treading a line
between gloating and some regret that his company doesn’t have any more
challengers, McMahon produces a funny impersonation of Hulk Hogan and runs down
a list of WCW he would love to line up and fire. Eagle eyed fans will notice
Sting isn’t mentioned because even in 2001 as today, McMahon hopes to do
business with Sting before ‘The Icon’ retires. A sign in the crowd reads ‘Vince
owns Wrestling’ which fuelled the ego of McMahon. Shane appearing on WCW Nitro
and announcing his storyline purchase of WCW instead of his father is a
landmark moment and the first time a McMahon appeared on Turner Network
Television. Whilst the fans in Panama at WCW Nitro truly believe Shane has
pipped his father to post for the purchase of WCW and hoped for more than what
actually happened with the Invasion storyline. It was a wasted opportunity
which could have changed the industry forever.
The
Rock vs Hollywood Hulk Hogan (WrestleMania 18, March 17th 2002) is an
interesting match, not because of the in ring product which was mostly tiresome
but because of its atmosphere. Built as one of wrestling all time dream
matches, The Rock vs Hulk Hogan has an atmosphere very rarely seen in
wrestling. From the word go the fans in Canada are one hundred percent behind
Hogan thanks to his connection with the fans there and they paint Rock as the
heel which he plays up to beautifully. As mentioned, the match isn’t much cop
but it does boast moments of brilliance and no one can say its all horrible –
thanks to Hogan’s limited movement – because there are some of the most tense
near falls you’ll ever see here and each are timed to perfection. Hogan plays
his part perfectly and the arena almost erupts when he ‘Hulks-up’ and The Rock
to his great credit allow Hogan to steal the limelight away from him the way
the Hulkster did to The Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania 6. There are tense
moments here but it’s the near falls and the red hot crowd which carry this
match. It’s one you have to see during your life just for the atmosphere alone.
‘C.M
Punk Drops A Pipe Bomb’ (Raw, June 27th 2011) is another phenomenal piece of
singles mic work as you will have heard me bang on about in the past. Punk is
flawless here and still unknown whether it was scripted or all off Punk’s back,
none of that matters because along with Stone Cold’s effort at King of the Ring
1996, this release comprises two of the greatest interview segments in WWE’s
history. Everything C.M Punk says is mostly the truth and you get a feeling the
wrestling world has had a big weight lifted off of its shoulders. We can
finally breathe a breath of fresh air after Punk has spilled his guts. It may
only be two years since it went on live on Raw but it’s still as great as it
was the first time around and the fans lap up everything Punk gives them. It
truly makes you proud to be a wrestling fan.
C.M
Punk vs John Cena (Raw, February 25th 2013) is a very capable match. John Cena
goes through the usual routine with maddening regularity but there’s nothing
here which is truly horrible. Wisely, C.M Punk slows down the match to a pace
Cena can contend with and thankfully it doesn’t hold up the match whilst the
submissions holds make sense padding out a logical match. Each reversal is done
with aplomb and the crowd rise to their feet as Punk reverses a move into the
Anaconda Vice. Though John Cena predictably sells nothing the match builds to a
heated confrontation with the best series of moves being a chain of reversals
which begins with John Cena reversing a Flying Clothesline attempt into an STF,
for Punk to reverse the STF into an Anaconda Vice only for John Cena to reverse
it into a crossface which the commentators call an STF. It’s a great sequence
of moves. John Cena hits a very good sit down Powerbomb without any mistakes
and there’s a killer near fall after a flying leg drop by Cena. This could be a
pay-per view main event for the drama which comes from it. Cena nearly breaks
his own neck on a hurricanrana attempt and Punk hits a thrilling piledriver
which is nice to see again in WWE. Very good stuff.
Weaknesses:
Sadly
and for no reason whatsoever, it’s never mentioned that WWE began life as
Capitol Wrestling Corporation under the watchful eye of Jess McMahon and Toots
Mondt. Jess McMahon is given a fleeting mention but there’s nothing here of
Mondt who was a huge part in the company. It’s also been omitted that when Jess
McMahon passed away, it was Toots Mondt’s associate Ray Fabiani who recruited
Jess’ son Vince McMahon Sr. to help Toots run CWC. This is shoddy and
information that is very much needed for the uninformed viewer to really know
how today’s WWE came to be.
Instead
of taking the time to explain why Vince McMahon Sr. withdrew the Capitol
Wrestling Corporation from the NWA, the documentary totally skips that part of
history. Buddy Rodgers was McMahon Sr. and CWC co-owner Toots Mondt’s – who
there’s no mention of on this release – favourite choice for heavyweight
champion but the NWA board didn’t agree because Rogers was mainly a McMahon Sr.
and Mondt wrestler working for the CWC. The NWA board were worried that not
only couldn’t Rogers carry the belt convincingly because of his ill health but
also McMahon Sr. and Toots Mondt may monopolise the NWA Champion booking him
only in their territorial regions. The NWA board out voted McMahon Sr. and
Mondt and made the decision to have Buddy Rogers lose the NWA Heavyweight
Championship to Lou Thez who wasn’t a big Vince McMahon Sr. fan anyway, on
January 24th 1963. Seeing this as a deceitful act by the NWA board, McMahon Sr.
and Toots Mondt resigned from the NWA and withdrew the CWC from under the NWA
banner, renaming it World Wide Wrestling Federation. The documentary never
mentions this when it’s an integral part of the formation of the company we
know today. There’s no reason not to include it on a release about the history
of the company seeing as it is the history of the company.
Yet
again WrestleMania 1 is covered and whilst there is no doubt that it should be
here in some shape or form, there is nothing mentioned that hasn’t been already
covered in ‘The History of WrestleMania’ release and no footage which hasn’t
been wheeled out a thousand times apart from fleeting footage from behind the
scenes of the inaugural event. You feel that by the time Linda McMahon has
finished telling you about the risk Vince took by staging the show, there is
nothing else that can be said about the creation of the event. Sadly, WWE opt
to yet again tread old ground with this instead of doing the same with the
other three of what was then considered their ‘Big Four’ pay-per view events.
In future, if WWE are planning to cover the beginning of WrestleMania they need
to find a new way of doing so with some new insights, because all of this
segment can be found elsewhere.
The
creation of Saturday Night’s Main Event is kept merely to the facts of why it
was created and nothing else as to why it was such an important event coming
off of the heels of WrestleMania 1. WWE missed a huge opportunity to explain
the creative process here and the thought process behind creating what was such
an important television venture for the company. This time could have been used
to interview the person behind the idea and his vision for the show. Yet all we
get is a quick explanation and it seems to transpire that the show purely
existed because the television network wanted to cash in on the success of
professional wrestling.
WWE
never relent with the made up facts when we enter the WrestleMania III segment.
Still, twenty six years after the event took place, WWE are adamant that they
managed to pack 93,000 plus into the arena. This is not the truth. As with
every WrestleMania WWE inflate the attendance numbers to make the company seem
more important than it actually is. I don’t recall one WrestleMania event where
the stated attendance has been the actual attendance. On WrestleMania III
night, WWE managed to pack around seventy thousand into the arena. It would
have been nice for the company to come out and admit they inflate attendance
numbers and the reason why. Had this happened, it would have made the release
stronger and we would have had more respect for their practises.
The
documentary covers the creation of Survivor Series, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam
and King of the Ring but all we get is a mere mention of the events. Once
again, as with Saturday Night’s Main Event, no one is allocated time in order
to explain the creation of the events. Pat Patterson – the man who came up with
the idea of the Royal Rumble could have been given five minutes to relate to us
how and why he came up with the idea and WWE could have done the same with
Survivor Series and SummerSlam. Whilst SummerSlam is a normal pay-per view
format I think we all would have been interested to hear how the company came
up with the Survivor Series format and a further moment with Vince so he could
tell us why he changed the format and phased out Survivor Series Elimination
Matches when they were so popular. There is also no mention that King of the
Ring was a house show event until its pay-per view inception in 1993. This is
poor work indeed.
Yet
again WWE cover old ground with the Monday Night Wars. Of course they were an
integral part of the company’s history but like WrestleMania 1, there really is
nothing else anyone in wrestling can say about them. After so many releases
dedicated to and mentioned the war between WWE and WCW this feels like filler
material. Instead of finding a fresh outlook on the war WWE simply go from A –
B explaining everything we know off by heart. The company could have used this
to focus on the effect on Vince and the company’s finances. It’s not that
common knowledge that the company nearly went bankrupt during the period and
most would rather have seen Vince talk about how hard it was to operate during
this time and the thought process he went through when he believed he would
lose everything he worked so hard for. Instead WWE have left that for the
Blu-ray extras. What is mentioned however that Vince didn’t want Bret in the
then WWF but he didn’t want him to go to WCW. Vince Russo kisses McMahon’s
backside in the hope of getting rehired by stating that Vince had no choice but
to screw Bret at Survivor Series 1997. Yes he did. Bret and Bischoff had
consented for Hart to appear on Raw the next night to forfeit the Championship.
Maybe Vince was a victim of his own paranoia for allowing Ric Flair to parade
the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on WWF television in 1991.
John
Cena reverts to his normal form when he ridiculously states that had it not
been for the WWE draft, then he would never have gotten on Raw. Despite the
fact Cena was better placed on Smackdown because they edit the matches and he
never looked so incompetent on the blue brand, Cena treats the WWE draft like
its real and it’s not Vince who decides who goes where and what they do. The
fact is, Cena was always destined for Monday Night Raw because of his
popularity and his ability to sell merchandise. Anyone who earns Vince that
kind of money is never going to be kept on Smackdown.
When
the documentary delves into WWE’s movie work – which should have been omitted
to save the company from itself – they have the cheek to credit themselves for
The Rock’s success in Hollywood. The company had allowed The Rock to film a few
movies whilst under contract to them from 2001 – 2003 but they in no way can
take credit for everything he’s accomplished since he left in 2003. One of John
Cena’s co-stars gives us the comic relief after nearly and hour and forty five
minutes by claiming Cena has a ‘true gift’, however most of the footage and
subject matter from this segment concentrates yet again on Hulk Hogan’s work as
an actor whilst under contract to then WWF. Despite the fact every Hulk Hogan
movie was pure trash, WWE sing their praises in yet another attempt to try and
coax Hogan back to the company. Once again, this section would have shone had
WWE come out and admitted their mistakes and how much they had lost. Even if
Linda, Vince, Stephanie or Triple H had come out and said maybe the WWE Films
division wasn’t the best business decision, it would have been something.
There
is no interview here with Shane McMahon or Vince McMahon. Despite the fact
Shane has nothing to do with the industry anymore it would have been nice to
see him on this release talking about his father’s business, which afforded
Shane a fifty million dollar fortune when he stepped away from the company in
2010. After all, Shane has a great affinity with wrestling. He was a referee in
the early 90’s and a huge part of its programming during the late 90’s and
early 00’s, especially during the Invasion angle. There is simply no reason why
Vince couldn’t be interviewed. It’s his company and it’s down to him that we’re
all sitting here today. That is lazy.
Whilst
a lot of truth has been kept back as usual, this would have been a perfect time
for Vince to finally come out and explain why the rivalry between himself and
Randy Savage existed. One of wrestling’s greatest secrets could have been told
here making this a must buy release, the CEO of WWE won’t get a better chance.
Rumours flooding the internet are that Savage slept with Stephanie before he
left the company. Vince must have heard those rumours more than once and if
nothing else, you would have thought he’d have revealed the truth to save his
daughter’s image.
A
lot of the talking heads are ineffectually as always and because of the sheer
amount of them, a lot of them barely say a word when they could have fleshed
out the information missing in documented detail. Of all the talking heads, one
of the most unbelievable statements comes from Sgt. Slaughter who states that
Vince McMahon Sr. once came up to him whilst Slaughter was working for his son
and noted that the Sgt. Slaughter character was the greatest wrestling
character he’d ever seen. Really?
Mind
bogglingly, there are no explanations as to why the company changed names at
any point in its history. From Capitol Wrestling Corporation to World Wide
Wrestling Federation; from World Wide Wrestling Federation to World Wrestling
Federation and from World Wrestling Federation to World Wrestling Entertainment
the company don’t bother to explain to us why it changed its name on these
occasions. There is nothing here for them to be ashamed of and they could have
cut a deal with the World Wildlife Federation to mention the court case and the
reason for the final name change especially. Considering these were milestones
in the company’s history, there is no reason for them not to be included here.
Hulk
Hogan vs Andre the Giant (WrestleMania III, March 29th 1987) is one of the
worst matches in WrestleMania history. However that doesn’t stop it from being
historically brilliant. Yes it should be here for what it meant for the company
but that doesn’t stop it from being a bloody awful outing in the ring. There’s
no fluidity to it, though the crowd laps up everything which happens. Andre is
dire as he was for almost all of his matches and Hogan is stuck as to what to
do with the Giant bore. In reality there was only ever going to be one winner –
WWE never saw Andre as world champion material – thought I will say the Hulk
Hogan comebacks are done well and he does try his very best.
Yokozuna
vs Ko Ko B Ware (Monday Night Raw, January 11th 1993) is the first match ever
to take place on Raw but is still just a squash match and burial of B Ware who
had outstayed his welcome in WWE by January 1993. Historical value it has some
significance but like the previous match it has nothing to offer in the ring. B
Ware isn’t allowed any offence and the company seem to be sending him a message.
I have no idea what WWE were trying to accomplish by including this on the
release.
Shawn
Michaels vs Bret Hart (Survivor Series 1997, November 9th 1997) will be in a
lot of people’s strength category but in reality it has been repeated too many
times. WWE have gone to the well with this match once too often and it has
certainly outstayed its welcome by the time you find it here. There is some
respectable back and forth and the pair keep the match going to its now
infamous conclusion but in truth its time WWE buried this deep in their archive
and allowed everyone to forget it ever happened. They’re only irking Bret Hart
by showing it over and over again and also all the fans who were so disgusted
by Vince’s actions they turned the channel to WCW. Those fans who have only
just come back to the company in the last few years are the ones WWE can’t
afford to annoy right now. On the plus side in the match, Michaels handles
extreme pressure very well as he’s bathed in soda on his entrance by an irate
crowd member – shrugging it off – had it been C.M Punk he may have leap into
the crowd and wailed away on the perpetrator.
‘Austin
and Tyson’ (Raw, January 19th 1998) is yet another offering which WWE should
have kept in their vault. This angle where Austin and Tyson collide on Raw for
the first time in a pull a part brawl has been included on at least four
releases this year and never needs to be seen again. WWE could have filled this
with another short match.
Umaga
vs Bobby Lashley (WrestleMania XXIII, April 1st 2007) is the Battle of the
Billionaires Match with Stone Cold Steve Austin as Special Guest Referee. A
huge disappointment on the night, the match doesn’t get any better with time.
It offers nothing as the pair plod through the match and the only highlight of
the in ring action is Umaga’s senton dive to the outside when Lashley pulls the
top rope down and Umaga hits the mat with a cringe worthy thud. Stone Cold and
Shane McMahon get the biggest reaction of the match and maybe night but this
match can be noted down as the beginning of the end for Bobby Lashley in WWE.
Famously, Lashley was annoyed that Austin and Undertaker – who competed against
Batista in a thrilling match earlier on the card – as well as stars like HBK
and John Cena got paid more than he did for the nights work. That’s right;
Bobby Lashley believed he was worth more than Austin, Undertaker, Shawn
Michaels and John Cena. No wonder WWE pulled the plug on him and it’s safe to
say they’ll never do business with him again. Vince’s hair shaving brings a few
laughs but that’s the most joy you’ll get from this match.
Blu-ray Exclusive
Extras:
Stories:
Reporting
the News
Jimmy
Valiant on Vince McMahon Sr.
Bankruptcy
Titan
Sports
Promo
Man
WWE
Universe
Matches:
WrestleMania 24 – March
30th 2008
Floyd
‘Money’ Mayweather vs Big Show
WrestleMania 25 – April
5th 2009
The
Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels
Conclusion:
‘History
of WWE – 50 Years of Sports Entertainment’ DVD and Blu-ray is somewhat a
disappointing effort by the company. It has its strengths in abundance but what
the company have excluded from the release could have made it ten times better.
On a release which is meant to encompass every major event in the company’s
history, there are a lot of defining moments left out, all of which would have
been a mighty plus had they been included, and the earlier history seems
somewhat muddled.
The
thing that’s missing the most is the truth. WWE seem to try at every available
corner to hide things from us they don’t want us to know, but in actual fact
that we already know so it wouldn’t have done any harm to include it. It’s an
odd balance because there are moments of truth on events that don’t leave the
company executives with red faces but then it’s excluded elsewhere. The other
annoying thing is that even years after the major events such as the steroid
scandal and Owen Hart’s death, even the mistakes Vince made, there’s no
culpability. Not once does Vince come out on the release and hold his hands up
to the mistakes. No one ever takes responsibility for Owen’s death or the
company facing financial ruin from the steroid scandal or the Monday Night Wars
– and that leaves you wondering if Vince really does believe that he doesn’t
have blood on his hands. Does this multi-millionaire really believe that every
decision he’s ever made has been the right one for the sake of business and his
stars? If so then he may be more deluded than anyone originally thought.
WWE
don’t have a good reason for omitting vital information when they could have
easily made the documentary three hours and comfortably fitted everything in.
If the excuse is they didn’t want to spend too much money producing the release
then my question would be what do they want to spend money on producing if not
a biography of the company which has afforded all involved great wealth and
notoriety. The hand picked matches are an odd choice also. Instead of taking
the time to pick matches which haven’t been released, including some from
Capitol Wrestling Corporation and a few more from the 1970’s, all of which WWE have
in their archive and matches which meant most to the history of the company
they seem to have chosen matches which are either inconsequential to what the
release is aimed at or too short to matter.
Of
course this release has its good points and when it’s good, it’s very good. But
it’s not good all the time. Whilst a documentary on the history of the company
was always going to be one difficult to complete, it shouldn’t have even been
attempted until all involved were sure they could pull it off with having to
leave some important stuff out. Yes I had high hopes for this release as I do
for every release, you don’t want to be spending your money on something which
is inferior and if you’re spending out this much on each release you are
entitled to have high expectations for it, but by the time you get to the end
you will be left with the feeling that this could have been a whole lot better.
It’s
good, but it’s not excellent.
Rating: B
Next time in Review
Corner: WWE Battleground 2013 DVD and Blu-ray
Onwards
and upwards...
