Rating: 
Summary: ECW's first, but also worst video compilation!
Review: "Extreme Evolution" is ECW's debut "best of" collection for fans who have and have not been aware of its insane hardcore weaponry combined with skillful scientific wrestling. But this VHS only features two matches that are deemed great, whilst the others are passable or forgettable.1.) Jerry Lynn vs. Rob Van Dam- Plenty of fans call this TV Title match the greatest of its kind, but everyone is speaking hyperbole here. Sure, we're seeing two expert high-flyers using chairs and tables on each other for over 20 minutes, and many of the spots are fantastic. (Most entertaining scenes involve the Van Daminator, a finisher that has a chair kicked right on the foe's face. RVD does 2 of his classic Van Daminators, and Lynn even does a drop-kick Van Daminator of his own!) But what sorely hurts this match is the huge lag time between spots and several constant mistakes on the part of RVD. (When Lynn crashes onto the floor, RVD desperately tugs him, and then lets him go, not sure what to do next.) So some people say it's classic, but I'll have to say it's just good. **** 2.) Mike Awesome vs. Masato Tanaka- This one's the REAL classic! I've followed Awesome and Tanaka's feud for some time, and everything they've done to each other is insanity and brutality coupled together. This is without a doubt the greatest ECW Heavyweight Title match ever made in the 7 years of video it has captured. It's unbelievable how many chairs die in this matchup, not to mention the two explosive table spots with each spot done by one man or the other! Awesome especially threw everything he ever knew with numerous Awesome Bombs, leaping dives over the ropes, and as you'd expect, a mean chain of smacks with a chair. He even counters Tanaka's infamous Tornado DDT, landing the challenger down two lying chairs! This match would've been my ultimate favorite of all time, but the announcing work is uninspiring and the camera work can get distracting, which is why my favorite Awesome/Tanaka match is from "Heat Wave 1998". Still, you'd be a total idiot if you missed this one out! *****++2/3 The next matches will be given brief synopses... 3.) Sandman vs. Raven- Brutal, disgusting barb wire match with a cane and several tables in use. The spots are fine and sick, but the ending is very weak... *** 4.) The Eliminators vs. Steve Williams and Bam Bam Gordy- Hardly any of the fighting here is memorable, but Perry Saturn's 20-foot elbow drop off a scaffold deserved its classic feel. * for match, **** for Saturn's elbow. 5.) Tommy Dreamer & Beulah vs. Shane Douglas & Francine- Passable way to end the tape, as Dreamer and Douglas brawl while their respective girlfriends make a catfight. Highlights here include an out of the ring riot and Dreamer's piledriver to Francine. As you'd expect, a T & A fest. *** Rent "Extreme Evolution" and you'll be happy. But stick around and buy any of the other ECW videos, which are miles and miles better!
Rating: 
Summary: DO NOT BUY THIS DVD!!!! SAVE YOUR MONEY
Review: While Hardcore History and Path of Destruction represents everything that was great about ECW. Extreme Evolution represent everything that was wrong with it, and eventually led to the companys downfall. This just isn't comming from some holier than thou smart mark. Turst Me, you will regret buying this tape. 1.RVD vs. Jerry Lynn**
The most overrated match I've ever encountered. They start off with some sloppy mat wrestling that goes nowhere. The do some fakey flippy flop suff that goes nowhere. But RVD takes over with some of the weakest elbows and kicks I've ever seen(Stiff Worker, yeah right). Lynn has enough of this and takes control. He does some nice flowing spots but takes a bump wrong knocking himself out. RVD is lost and spends about 5 mins walking around wandering what to do. RVD eventually realizes he has to take over and control the match(NO!!!!). He hits his same boring spots, that you see on RAW now. But Lynn finally recovers from the bad bump and realized the match is going to hell. He pulls off a sweet spot. A SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBING RVD FROM THE APRON THROUGH A TABLE!!. A Superplex is botched when they slip off after trying one to many counters. Overall they have a much better previous match but even that one is about ***. Even their match on MTV's Heat was better. This one is slow, sloppy, and has more counters and nosells than moves or even SPOTS. 2.Awesome vs. Tanaka****
Pay attention RVD, this is how you do a spotfest. Loaded with stiff chair shots, brutal table spots, and the Super Awesome Bomb. There are no rest holds, there is no stalling, no poser mat wrestling, just big move after big move. I LOVE THIS MATCH and I LOVE THESE GUYS, they have two other matches that are even better than this one. 3.Sandman vs Raven*1/2
They bleed, they hit each with barbwire. Raven blows a spot, when the weak table breaks by him just standing on it. Weak match. 4.The Elimantors vs. Terry Gordy/Steve Williams*
If the sight of those names don't excite you, wait to you see the match. I can't fairly review this match as I fell asleep, but that is a good indicator of its place in wrestling history. Oh Yeah, Saturn jumps from a scaffold at the end of the match. 5.Dreamer/Bleulah vs. Shane/Francine*1/4
Some brilliant psychology as Shane and Dreamer work each others legs(SARCASIM). Match High Point: One of Fancine's breasts is briefly exposed. Terriable Match, but Shane had so much Heat it was unreal. That man was brilliant, just his inring work sucked. I sadly only purchased the VHS version. But it would take a Steamboat/Flair match to save this DVD. And I doubt Taz/Sabu pulled off one for the ages. The first two matches are worth a watch, but even they have better matches available on other shows. SO ITS A PRETTY WORTHLESS DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: A True "Must Have" Wrestling DVD!!!!!!!
Review: Out of all four ECW "best of" DVD's, this stands head and shoulders above all the rest. Included on the DVD are truly some of the best matches ECW ever showcased in its brief life. The first was a 5+ stars match pitting Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn. I had never seen a Van Dam/Lynn match before this, but heard they were unbelievable. Those who told me that were dead on. This match is amazing, and is an ECW classic. Mike Awesome vs. Masato Tanaka is not necessarily a classic, but is a violent, hard fought match. Both men are big, yet they do incredible acrobatic stunts and take huge amounts of punishment. Tables, chairs, and steel railings are all involved, and you won't be disappointed with this brief match in a long long feud between the two men. Sabu vs. Taz is decent, not great, but interesting to watch in that both men have such different wrestling styles...yet the match flows well. Sandman vs. Raven is 4 stars, and the Dudleyz vs. Balls Mahoney and Spike Dudley is bloody, gory, and full of Holy Sh*% spots that culminates in tables being set on fire. Unbelievable stuff. This is the best DVD ECW has put out yet, and is perfect for someone who is a either a casual wrestling fan or a diehard that has never seen ECW. Definitely a 5 star DVD!
Rating: 
Summary: 3 1/2 STARS PRETTY GOOD
Review: This is my 2nd "best of ECW" dvd.
It was a very cool dvd with matches like: RVD vs LYNN: It was pretty good match with lynn injuring him self pretty bad at first and RVD pulling a great 5 star frog splash with alot of chairs and a nice table break these 2 guys put on a nice show. ****1/2 .Also another RVD vs LYNN match to check out is at hardcore heaven 2000, in my view this match was just as good or better. AWESOME VS TANAKA:This match is the probably the best match on the dvd or tied with the 1st match.This match is very rewatchable as these 2 big man beat the crap out of each other with chairs, tables, airial attacks and wrestling moves.Highlights: sit out powerbomb thru from the arpon to the outside thru a table, a top rope powerbomb(amazing), a superplex thru a table.
This match is amazing and is a defanate ***** stars!!!!!!! THE SANDMAN vs RAVEN:This is a barb wire match and was better than i thought it would be.Raven surprised me in this match.Highlights include Sandman wrapping himself in barb wire and doing a flip through a table to the concrete! ***1/2 stars!! THE DUDLY BOYZ vs SPIKE AND BALLS MAHONEY:This match could have been better, i was a bit dissapointed at this match i thought there would be more wrestling, it was just a brawl through the crowd at the end was a bit better as they did some moves and dudlyz do something shocking.Highlights include: spike jumping off a big ladder in the ring to the outside , and probably the bump of the dvd spike getting powerbombed through 2 tables lit on fire. *** stars!!!! THE ELIMINATORS vs STEVE WILLIAMS & TERRY GORDY
A boring match which i fast foward, it shouldnt be on the dvd and the elbow drop is nothing. *star SABU vs TAZ: I really thought this match would have been better and more hardcore.It was good mat wrestling but a short match.
Highlights include Sabu missing a tornado ddt through a table and after the match with RVD. ***stars TOMMY DREAMER & BEULAH vs SHANE DOUGLAS & FRANCINE:
Nothing much happens in this and it is a pretty boring match.A fan hits Shane with a chair which was a dum thing to do.Also Francine's PUPS pop out. ** stars Overall this was pretty good dvd with Awesome vs Tanaka being my favourite.Rvd vs Lynn was also a classic but not as rewatchable as AWESOME vs TANAKA.New ECW fans just like me will find this entertaining.The special features are ok with Taz destroying Dreamer with a tazplex off the crows nest through a table, New jack dive, and Benoit getting his name as the crippler by accidently breaking Sabu's neck with a bad back drop(OUCH)
I recomend this to any wrestling fan who is looking for some hard hitting wrestling.
Rating:
Summary: good tape except for one match
Review: this tape is really enjoyable. i only saw it on tapw which dvd has extra matches but its still good.
rvd vs jerry lynn: a 5 star match with high flying hardcore action. jerry lynn practically got himself killed but was still walking away
awesome vs tanoka: 4 stars. chair shots are good and a good but could of been better powermbomb threw a table. tanoka is a wildman
sandman vs raven: 5 stars. the sickest match on the tape. the sandman is one sick guy. he wrapped his own self in barbed wire and stuck it in his pants
eliminaters vs terry gordy and dr death. bad except for a scalfold drop
the last match is good as well
buy the tape
Rating:
Summary: ECW puts other promotions to shame
Review: This DVD shows what ECW is all about in one fine DVD. It has great high flying action from the liokes of RVD and Jerry Lynn and it also has really hardcore action, the best coming from the loikes of The Dudleys and The Sandman. Here is a rundown of the matches: RVD VS Jerry Lynn (5.16.99)
A great high flying match up which is probably there greatest encounter of all time. Not only doesthis match apply to pure wrerwstling fans it also applies to hardcore fans as there are great moves including chairs and a great table spot=4 Stars out of 5.HIGH SPOT=Great table work! Mike Awesome VS Masato Tanaka (11.7.99)
Probably the greatest heavyweight title match of all time. This match included chairs,tables and killer powerbombs. A great match that included a great shot of Awesomes terrific Mullet! A definent 5 Stars. HIGH SPOT=Sitout Awesomebomb from the apron through a table. The Sandman VS Raven (12.7.96)
These two wrestlewrs go crazy to win the heavyweight title. Sandman is the champ who only has the belt to show for it. No wife no kid. Why I here you say?? Because Raven stole them and brainwashed them! Mental match with pl;enty of painful looking spots all through out the match. BRUTAL. 4 Stars HIGH SPOT= Sandman geting crotched onto barbed wire!! OUCH!! The Dudleys VS Balls and Spike (8.14.99)
Dudleys last ever match in ECW and man they left in style. Balls and Spike were the unlucky duo that were left bloodied and hurt! A brawl that spanned the arena and a EXTRMELY HOT ENDING. 4 Stars HIGH SPOT=Spike getting powerbombed through two flaming tables stacked on one another from the apron. The Eliminators VS Steve Williams and Terry Gordy (10.26.96)
A amtch to determine the greatest tag team in he world at that time. A weaker match but the ending is supherb 3 Stars HIGH SPOT= Perry Saturn dropping a elbow from a hanging scafold. Sabu VS Taz (4.13.97)
There Barely Legal meeting which was a grudge match 18 months in the making. Not many table spots but they didnt need them in this classic. 5 Stars HIGH SPOT Taz doing 3 Tazplexs which almost breaks Sabu's neak. Tommy Dreamer and Buellah VS Shane Douglas and Francine (12.7.96)
A mixed tag team match seems a bit dodgy but in all fareness it wasnt to bad. A riot breaks out but who cares that wasnt the high spot!! Buellah performs a moonsault and oh yeah Tommy Dreamer does the greatest ever piledriver on Francine!!!
3 Stars HIGH SPOTS Francine falling out!! Good Extras. You will see a great dive by New Jack, Sabu's neck getting broke by Chris Benoit and Dreamer being Taxplexed off a stage through a table. There is also good Bio's and a preview of ECW Anarchy Rulz.
Overall a fantastic buy. I also recommend Hardcore History.
Rating:
Summary: EC'DUB!
Review: ECW is the best promotion of all time! Yeah thats right. The first DVD they ever put out has some of the best wrestling of all time. its got high flying, hardcore, mat, and everything else you could want. If you are a casual or hardcore wrestling fan you NEED this DVD now!
Rating:
Summary: HARDCORE
Review: THIS IS AWESOME AND IT REALLY SHOWS WHAT ECW IS ALL ABOUT. THE BEST MATCH WAS RAVEN VS. THE SANDMAN IN A BARB WIRE MATCH. RVD VS. LYNN WAS CRAZY. THIS IS GREAT W/ ALOT OF COOL EXTRAS.
Rating:
Summary: ECWS FIRST DVD
Review: Extreme Evolution, ECWS first dvd. RVD vs. jerry lynn is an awesome show of technicality and high flying, but rvd stalls too much. Awesome vs. Tanaka is a great hard hitting match. Raven vs. Sandman is an ok barbed wire match with a lame ending.
Dudleyz vs. Spike + Balls, they brawl all over the arena, but it seemed to drag except the flaming table spot. Eliminators vs. Williams and Gordy . Ok match, at least it was short. GREAT (...) ENDING ! Taz vs. Sabu, good match with brawling and technicality and high spots. considering the buildup to the match, not a very great ending. but the aftermath was great. Tommy Dreamer +Beulah vs. Douglas + Francine. Stupid match, but a riot breaks out and Francine falls out !!! extras:Extreme Moments: Taz t-bone suplexes Tommy Dreamer off of the crows nest through a table! GREAT SPOT. New Jack dives off a basketball backboard onto a Baldie on a table. Benoit BREAKS Sabus neck. this is horrendous to watch. wrestler biographies, and the easter egg: Mick Foleys "Im Hardcore" interview. Acclaim's Anarchy Rulz video game preview. Anarchy Rulz is definitely better then Hardcore Revolution. Well, kind of worth your money, but definitely the worst of the dvd. im not saying this dvd (stinks) or anything, but get the better dvds like P.O.D. or Hardcore History.
Rating:
Summary: 2 Great Matches
Review: Well, this is the second ECW video I've picked up and while it wasn't as good as Heatwave, it does feature two spectacular matches. I was initially disappointed because the VHS version excludes two matches: Sabu vs. Taz and Dudleyz vs. Spike/Ballz. However, it was difficult giving this tape anything but a positive review after the first two matches. Anyway, on to the ratings: Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn: Rob Van Dam works the crowd into a frenzy to open by doing the pointing thumbs. Funny stuff there. Scary moment in the opening segments of the match as Lynn gets his feet caught in the ropes and falls unprotected, face-first onto the mats. Ouch. Well, I guess he's lucky the mats were even there to begin with. The fall seemed to disrupt the flow of the match for a while, but Lynn still gave a hell of an effort and looked great. RVD, of course, was gold as usual, carrying the flow of the match and providing some draw dropping moves. ****1/4 Just a great match from start to finish. I actually liked the tag match with RVD/Sabu from Heatwave just a *little* bit better. Awesome vs. Tanaka: This is the continuation of a fued that has spanned two continents. They reprise most of the spots from their encounter at Heatwave (Awesome dive, Tanaka running chair shot), which is definitely not a bad thing. As hard-hitting and brutal as you'd expect. **** Sandman vs. Raven: Well, this was my first barbed wire match and I'm sure there have been better ones done by Cactus and Funk. I really didn't like this match at all. Sandman isn't very good. Raven is. The match never really has any flow and I was disinterested after the first few minutes. * The Eliminators vs. Gordy/Williams: Another blah match. Gordy and Williams just look terribly out of shape here and the good Eliminator (Saturn), hardly wrestles at all until the end. That was a cool spot off the scaffolding, but the match still only earns *1/4. Douglas/Francine vs. Dreamer/Beulah: This match was very entertaining and was just as notable for the in-ring action as it was for the out-of-ring action. Shane Douglas nearly kills a fan after he throws a chair at him. Dreamer piledrives Francine to a HUGE pop as she desperately tries to pull up her shirt. ahem. Overall, very entertaining and a pretty good match to end the video with. **3/4 This tape is recommended for the first two matches alone. I can't wait to pick up Hardcore History, Path of Destruction and Barely Legal. I'm happy to say that I'm getting a DVD player soon, so I'll be able to get every match and the extras. With that said, my only complaint with the video is that it's only 107 minutes long. DVD, here I come!
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