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DVD Title - "The Rise and Fall of ECW"
Available anyplace that sells DVD's
Review by Brett Schwan
Last time I reviewed a DVD it was for the Chris Benoit Story. The DVD was excellent and WWE continues their excellence in creating DVD's with this one. (At least they are doing something right). Now, after having this DVD for a month, I finally had a lull in my schedule to write up a review...
I loved ECW. Anyone who has known me for any period of time knows that I lived and breated ECW for a long time. For close to 5 years I drove from Long Island to Philadelphia, every three weeks, to sit in the front row, behind Rocco and Bob at the timekeepers table, to see the greatest wrestling that I have ever seen. I had the pleasure of working for the original ECW website, writing bios of their wrestlers. I had the thrill of meeting and becoming friends with many of the guys who worked in ECW for any period of time. Now, with wrestling on tv being unwatchable, I had to get this DVD and hopefully relive some of the "good old days". I was not disappointed.
"The Rise and Fall of ECW" documents the entire history of the company. From its beginning days as Eastern Championship Wrestling to it’s final show in 2001, this DVD covers it all.
The DVD is filled with interviews and comments from Paul Heyman, Tommy Dreamer, Spike Dudley, Chris Jericho, Dawn Marie, Vince McMahon, Eric Bischoff (who comes off looking like an arrogant prick), and many others.
Paul Heyman spoke openly about how he got started with ECW (Eddie Gilbert and Tod Gordon had a falling out) and how his hatred for WCW fueled him in wanting to make ECW a success. Footage from Heyman's WCW days, followed by his ECW promo ranting about how much he hated WCW, were both hilarious yet informative.
Paul explains how he could never compete with the WWE and WCW monitarily so he had to make it up with actual talent and the hardcore edge that made ECW different. When talking about Eric Bischoff "raiding" talent from ECW, Paul Heyman openly discusses how much that pissed him off and how much hatred there was between the two parties. At one point, Eric Bischoff denies any “raiding” of ECW. He goes on to compare Vince McMahon's taking over territories many years ago to what he did to WCW. Eric comes off looking completey ridiculous. Which was no surprise to me.
The strength of the "ECW Family" was a focal point of the DVD as all the wrestlers spoke about the many different hats they wore. Tommy Dreamer spoke about his being in charge of merchandise. Not only did he pack up the cars and drive merchandise from show to show but he packaged it and shipped it out to those people who ordered it. Stevie Richards told the story of how he answered the ECW hotline and had to invent the character of Lloyd Van Buren so fans would not realize it was him. (Sadly, we all knew it was him when we called and spoke to Lloyd). Even Bubba Ray Dudley helped in booking venues for the promotion to run shows.
All of ECW's biggest moment were covered on the DVD (see the listing below). You get to see all the great moments from Shane Douglas denouncing the NWA title to Tazz's return to defeat Mike Awesome, to the Mass Transit incident to the "mole" to Barely Legal and everything in between.
Wrestlers spoke about not getting paid and how some guys, like Bigelow, left the company while others opted to stick it out. Lance Storm talked about how Paul Heyman wanted him to continue to work, without a working visa, which left Lance with no choice other than stay in Canada. Many wrestlers talked about some of the "short cuts" Paul took to get the promotion to continue running. There was also a LOT of time spent on the ECW and TNN relationship. Nearly everyone talks about how TNN, which should have been the greatest thing to happen to ECW, actually led to thier demise.
The DVD has it all from flaming tables and scaffolds to Kurt Angle and Steve Austin. Never saw the Sanman blinding incident? Now you will. Don't remember when Sabu was fired publically in the ring? Now you can. Never saw the bWo? Now you can!
Bonus Features:
The Pitbulls vs. Raven & Stevie Richards (w/Beulah) - Double dog collar match from Gangsta’s Paradise in September, 1995. A insane brawl with one of the most memorable finishes in ECW history. To watch the crowd go beserk at the thought of 911 getting his hands on Bill Alphonso, shows you the creative genious that Paul Heyman truly was.
Rey Mysterio vs. Psicosis. Believe it or not, ECW was the first promotion in the US to use the luchadores on a regular basis. Think we would have seen any of these guys in WCW (and eventually WWE) if it weren't for ECW giving them some exposure here first? I don't think so. Great match that is probably on the Rey Misterio DVD.
The Sandman (w/Woman) vs. Mikey Whipwreck. The ladder match complete with Steve Austin!
Steve Austin's Hulkamania impersonation. If you never saw Austin do this impression you do not know what you are missing. This is Austin at his best.
Sabu vs. 2 Cold Scorpio. From CyberSlam 96, two of the best (yet most underachieved) wrestlers. A must see.
Tommy Dreamer (w/Beulah) vs. Raven (w/Chastity). Jerry Lawler invades the ECW Arena to extract reevenge on Tommy Dreamer. One of the biggest pops I have ever witnessed in professional wrestling. (And having been there live, one of the biggest mark out moments I have ever seen).
Tazz vs. Bam Bam Bigalow. Living Dangerously ‘98 and through the ring we go!
Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn. Jerry Lynn, another under utilized wrestler steps into the ring with one of the best.
Stevie Richards Apologizes. A short piece, yet emotional one, where Stevie Richards explains why he left ECW, how he still regrets it, and he apologizes for doing so.
Tazz asks for Heyman’s blessing. Tazz nearly breaks down as he tells the story of the day he made his debut for the WWE. After not talking to Paul Heyman for a while, he called and asked Paul for his blessing. Once given it, he felt even more guilty for leaving ECW.
Paul Heyman, Travel Agent. Chris Jericho tells of his travel experiences thanks to Paul. Stories of how one minute he would be leaving Heyman messages that he would never work for ECW again, only to be sweet talked into rushing out the door onto a plane so he could make the next show. Jericho also talks about his flight to Philadelphia with Johnny Smith He got to the airport to find out he was on a bereavement fare since his brother in law, Chris Benoit, had died. To top it all off, you MUST see Chris Jericho do his Ron Simmons impression.
Paul Heyman firing Sabu before a show
Easter Eggs
ECW Pulp Fiction Promo Montage - On Disc One, Go to Chapters. Highlight "Promos" and click left several times. One of the best ECW "Pulp Fiction" promo montages ever featuring Stevie Richards, Mick Foley, The Public Enemy, Taz, Bill Alfonso, and many more will play.
The Public Enemy Train Mikey Whipwreck - On Disc Two, Go to Extras. Highlight the Mikey Whipwreck vs. Sandman listing, and click right.
Taz vs. Bam Bam Bigelow feud history - On Disc Two, Go to Extras. Highlight the Taz vs. Bam Bam Bigelow listing, and click left twice.
Rob Van Dam shows Michael Cole his scar - On Disc Two, Go to Extras. Highlight the Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn listing and click right.
Overall: There are a few negatives to this DVD. All the licensed entrance
and theme music has been removed. That is extremely annoying. To watch
New Jack hit the ring or Tommy Dreamer or Sandman enter, without the music
that is no SO associated with them, is extremely hard. The only other
thing I wish had been included were comments from more former ECW talent.
I unerstand that WWE had to have their stamp on this DVD (and believe
me, there is just enough Vince McMahon to make you hate him even more)
but it would have been nice to see a few ECW stars that are not currently
associated with the WWE
If you are a wrestling fan, this DVD is for you simply for the matches. If you are an ECW fan, this is a must buy from top top bottom. To hear all the stories and relive the great memories sent chills down my spine. The promotion that caused the WWE to get an Attitude.. The promotion that changed the way the wrestling world is today... The promotion that reinvented my love for professional wrestling... ECW!
Chapter Listing
Early ECW, Public Enemy, Taz, Sabu, Terry Funk, The Night the Line Was
Crossed, Paul Heyman v WCW, Tommy Dreamer, Sandman, Sandman and Dremaer
Feud, ECW Evolution, Cactus Jack, Mikey Whipwreck, The Extreme Begins,
Philadelphia, The Technical Wrestlers, Production Value, The Fans, Raven/Dreamer,
Sabu Gets Fired, Tazz Breaks His Neck, Monday Night War, Lucha Libre,
Austin Comes to ECW, Promos, Cactus Jack Leaves ECW, Tazz Returns, Sandman/Raven,
The bWo, Beulah and Dreamer, ECW and WWE, The Crucifixion, The Importance
of PPV, ECW Loses Their PPV, The PPV is Back On, WWE Co-Promotion, Barely
Legal RVD v Lance Storm, Barely Legal Taz v Sabu, The Main Event at Barely
Legal, Raven Goes to WCW and Jerry Lawler Ivades ECW, A Locker Room Mole,
The Superstars' Roles, Paul Heyman's Creativity, WCW and WWE Immitation,
Taz and the FTW Title, The Dudleys, Financial Woes, The TNN Deal and Taz
Leaves, The Dudleys Leave ECW, Disappointment with TNN/RVD The Whole F'n
Show, Mike Awesome Controversy and Tommy Dreamer wins the Title, The Demise
of ECW, Paul Heyman Debuts on Raw.
