Wrestling Gold Collection

Rating:
Summary: Classics are now fun !
Review: Wrestling classic matches have a tendancy to lose a lot with time as wrestling is a product that change very quickly. The 2000 version of the product is a lot faster that what will you see on raw and ppv. What makes this version a lot of fun are the Jim Cornette and Dave Meltzer commentary, on the second track. They make all those classics a blast from the past. You get the behind the scene and the reasons they work a match a certain way. The menu is kind of blend for a DVD and there is no extras or bonuses, except for the second audio track. A must for the real fan and collector. Also a must for the new fan who wants a better hindsight into the sport history.

Rating:
Summary: Wrestling Legends, Matches and History on DVD. MUST HAVE!!!
Review: Wrestling Gold Collection contains 5 volumes collecting vintage wrestling matches from the 1970s and 1980s. Overall, there are 62 matches and about 11 hours of wrestling action.

In addition, volumes I and II feature two biographies each. Volume I features biographies for Shawn Michaels (a contemporary star) and Dave Meltzer, the noted wrestling journalist who co-hosts this series. Volume II features biographies for Bruiser Brody, the late wrestling legend and Jim Cornette, the noted wrestling manager/promoter who also co-hosts this series.

The biggest sell of this DVD series (which distinguishes it from the VHS version) is the optional "Insider Commentary" from series hosts Cornette and Meltzer which can be turned on in lieu of the original match audio. The insider commentary offers great insights into wrestling history, the superstars that made the sport and the world of wrestling in general.

Though called "Wrestling Gold" perhaps a better name for this series may have been "The Best of Memphis and San Antonio Wrestling" which is where most of the matches on these volumes were pulled from. Here's a rundown of each volume:

Volume I - Busted Open: Eleven matches.

Highlights: a "semi-historic" bout between Adrian Adonis and Bob Orton Jr. for the Heavyweight Title with Lou Thesz as a guest announcer, Shawn Michaels as a rookie, several matches with Gino Hernandez and Tully Blanchard, Terry Funk, and one of Bruiser Brody and Abdullah the Butcher's legendary encounters.

Volume II - The Maim Event: Twelve matches.

Highlights: Several matches with Jerry "The King" Lawler, a few matches with Randy Savage, a rookie Rick Rude, The Von Erichs, the Road Warriors, the Rock N' Roll Express, Bruno Sammartino, The Sheik, Dick the Bruiser and The Crusher. Plus, an AWESOME match with Nick Bockwinkel and Manny Fernandez.

Volume III - We Like To Hurt People: Fifteen matches.

Highlights: The historic NWA title match between Terry Funk and Harley Race, a few Jerry Lawler matches, Dory Funk Jr., The Sheik in a Cage match, Randy Savage, the R N' R Express, Ray Stevens and a Tennessee Street Fight.

Volume IV - No More Mr. Nice Guy: Twelve matches.

Highlights: The Wrestling Bear vs. Gene DuBois, The Shark Cage Match, Andre the Giant, 4 matches with Randy Savage, a few Lawler matches, 3 Rick Rude matches, a GREAT Nick Bockwinkel vs. Lawler match.

Volume V - Beat Me If You Can: Twelve matches.

Highlights: A Mud Match between The Sheik and Tiger Jeet Singh, Bobo Brazil, Magnum TA and some great tag action.

Simply put, this DVD series is AWESOME and a must have for ANY wrestling fan. Here's my rundown:

Price of Admission: Seeing some of the legends of the ring (like Andre the Giant, Bruno Sammartino, Dick the Bruiser, the Crusher, The Sheik, Nick Bockwinkel, the wrestling bear) and many of the contemporary older favorites ("Macho M an" Randy Savage, Tully Blanchard, Tommy Rich, the Rock N' Roll Express, Manny Fernandez, Magnum TA, etc) in their primes and many of our departed stars like Rick Rude, Bruiser Brody, Eddie Gilbert, Gino Hernandez, etc

Pure Gold: The "Insider Match Commentary." It's a fascinating insight into the stars and the business. You'll learn a GREAT deal about the history of the business and the stars that made it. Also, Cornette's anecdotes are PRICELESS.

Could Improve: The match intros. Cornette and Meltzer do a good job introducing the matches and placing them in context of the feuds and time, BUT they neglect to mention important details like the DATES of these contests. It's something they should mention AND put on the box. You'll have to listen with "Insider Commentary" to get this basic info, and even THEN may not get it!!!

Give Me More!!!: Only four biographies??? If they really wanted to immortalize the older legends of the sport it should have been all of THEIR biographies on the DVDs as opposed to a contemporary star like Shawn Michaels or Dave Meltzer and Jim Cornette (the two guys who promotes this DVD series), who come off as simply "patting themselves on the back."

Overall, this series is a MUST HAVE if you are into old-school wrestling or just wrestling. Several of the matches in this volume are great (Taylor/Sabu, the tag and six-man tag matches)!!! You'll see many of the older stars back in their prime or as rookies and some of the legends that older fans always reminisce about. If you are a wrestling nostalgist THIS IS FOR YOU. Plus, you'll learn a great deal about wrestling history through the "Insider Commentary." It's a fascinating listen.

All I got to say is, I hope there's another one coming out down the line!!!

Highest Recommendation Possible

Rating:
Summary: Wrestling Legends, Matches and History on DVD. MUST HAVE!!!
Review: Wrestling Gold Collection contains 5 volumes collecting vintage wrestling matches from the 1970s and 1980s. Overall, there are 62 matches and about 11 hours of wrestling action.

In addition, volumes I and II feature two biographies each. Volume I features biographies for Shawn Michaels (a contemporary star) and Dave Meltzer, the noted wrestling journalist who co-hosts this series. Volume II features biographies for Bruiser Brody, the late wrestling legend and Jim Cornette, the noted wrestling manager/promoter who also co-hosts this series.

The biggest sell of this DVD series (which distinguishes it from the VHS version) is the optional "Insider Commentary" from series hosts Cornette and Meltzer which can be turned on in lieu of the original match audio. The insider commentary offers great insights into wrestling history, the superstars that made the sport and the world of wrestling in general.

Though called "Wrestling Gold" perhaps a better name for this series may have been "The Best of Memphis and San Antonio Wrestling" which is where most of the matches on these volumes were pulled from. Here's a rundown of each volume:

Volume I - Busted Open: Eleven matches.

Highlights: a "semi-historic" bout between Adrian Adonis and Bob Orton Jr. for the Heavyweight Title with Lou Thesz as a guest announcer, Shawn Michaels as a rookie, several matches with Gino Hernandez and Tully Blanchard, Terry Funk, and one of Bruiser Brody and Abdullah the Butcher's legendary encounters.

Volume II - The Maim Event: Twelve matches.

Highlights: Several matches with Jerry "The King" Lawler, a few matches with Randy Savage, a rookie Rick Rude, The Von Erichs, the Road Warriors, the Rock N' Roll Express, Bruno Sammartino, The Sheik, Dick the Bruiser and The Crusher. Plus, an AWESOME match with Nick Bockwinkel and Manny Fernandez.

Volume III - We Like To Hurt People: Fifteen matches.

Highlights: The historic NWA title match between Terry Funk and Harley Race, a few Jerry Lawler matches, Dory Funk Jr., The Sheik in a Cage match, Randy Savage, the R N' R Express, Ray Stevens and a Tennessee Street Fight.

Volume IV - No More Mr. Nice Guy: Twelve matches.

Highlights: The Wrestling Bear vs. Gene DuBois, The Shark Cage Match, Andre the Giant, 4 matches with Randy Savage, a few Lawler matches, 3 Rick Rude matches, a GREAT Nick Bockwinkel vs. Lawler match.

Volume V - Beat Me If You Can: Twelve matches.

Highlights: A Mud Match between The Sheik and Tiger Jeet Singh, Bobo Brazil, Magnum TA and some great tag action.

Simply put, this DVD series is AWESOME and a must have for ANY wrestling fan. Here's my rundown:

Price of Admission: Seeing some of the legends of the ring (like Andre the Giant, Bruno Sammartino, Dick the Bruiser, the Crusher, The Sheik, Nick Bockwinkel, the wrestling bear) and many of the contemporary older favorites ("Macho M an" Randy Savage, Tully Blanchard, Tommy Rich, the Rock N' Roll Express, Manny Fernandez, Magnum TA, etc) in their primes and many of our departed stars like Rick Rude, Bruiser Brody, Eddie Gilbert, Gino Hernandez, etc

Pure Gold: The "Insider Match Commentary." It's a fascinating insight into the stars and the business. You'll learn a GREAT deal about the history of the business and the stars that made it. Also, Cornette's anecdotes are PRICELESS.

Could Improve: The match intros. Cornette and Meltzer do a good job introducing the matches and placing them in context of the feuds and time, BUT they neglect to mention important details like the DATES of these contests. It's something they should mention AND put on the box. You'll have to listen with "Insider Commentary" to get this basic info, and even THEN may not get it!!!

Give Me More!!!: Only four biographies??? If they really wanted to immortalize the older legends of the sport it should have been all of THEIR biographies on the DVDs as opposed to a contemporary star like Shawn Michaels or Dave Meltzer and Jim Cornette (the two guys who promotes this DVD series), who come off as simply "patting themselves on the back."

Overall, this series is a MUST HAVE if you are into old-school wrestling or just wrestling. Several of the matches in this volume are great (Taylor/Sabu, the tag and six-man tag matches)!!! You'll see many of the older stars back in their prime or as rookies and some of the legends that older fans always reminisce about. If you are a wrestling nostalgist THIS IS FOR YOU. Plus, you'll learn a great deal about wrestling history through the "Insider Commentary." It's a fascinating listen.

All I got to say is, I hope there's another one coming out down the line!!!

Highest Recommendation Possible