Heroes of World Class Wrestling (Director's Cut)
by Brian Harrison
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DVD Cover Information
Director: Brian HarrisonBrand: Image Entertainment
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Director's Cut, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 180 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-12-26
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Big Vision
Movie Reviews of Heroes of World Class Wrestling (Director's Cut)
Movie Review: "In order to do wrestling right, it's a story"---David Manning
Summary: 5 Stars
"Heroes of World Class" is for wrestling fans who want to learn about the behind-the-scenes story of the great Dallas-based NWA affiliate of the early 1980s and its stars. Fans who want to relive wrestling bouts in their entirety will be disappointed, but this 2 1/2 hour documentary with bonus disc full of interviews and wrestling clips is what I hoped for and thoroughly enjoyed. I watched World Class back in the late 1980s in syndication in northern California. It was several years after the organization's heyday, but the stories and stars were fresh to me. I remember watching it everyday after school on TBS, I think, and taping my favorite wrestlers (tapes I still have) and wishing I could visit the Sportatorium. I also bought back issues of Pro Wrestling Illustrated that had covers or features on my favorite World Class stars. I did not know about the background of World Class though I knew the heartrending story of the Von Erich family and their many tragedies through the book "The Von Erich Family Album." I did not realize how important and innovative World Class was until I watched this DVD.
Director Brian Harrison (who is about my age and also became a fan of World Class as a kid watching the shows in syndication) has collected interviews with many important people like Kevin Von Erich, manager/producer Gary Hart, announcer Marc Lowrance (now a Methodist minister), the late "Gentleman" Chris Adams, Gen. Skandar Akbar, executive producer Mickey Grant, commentator/associate producer Bill Mercer, and referee David Manning who, I learned, was much more to World Class than just a referee. They talk about the innovative techniques they used to bring the wrestling action to life. Clips from some of the major feuds are shown including the Freebirds vs. the Von Erichs, Devastation Inc. vs. the Freebirds, the Von Erich/Chris Adams and Gino Hernandez feud, Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express vs. the Fantastics, Chris Adams vs. "Gorgeous" Jimmy Garvin, as well as clips from when Garvin had to be David Von Erich's valet.
Sadly, no story on World Class can be complete without covering the many tragedies that fell on the stars. The most poignant was the sudden death of David Von Erich. David Manning talks about having to break the news to Fritz. The funeral procession is described which demonstrates how important David was to the city of Dallas and not just Dallas wrestling. Kevin reminisces on growing up with David. Mike's toxic shock syndrome and later suicide is discussed as is Kerry's motorcycle accident and later suicide. The death of Gino Hernandez is covered. David Manning gives reasons why he suspects foul play. Gary Hart talks about Bruiser Brody's stabbing and the murder of Chris Adams. Chris Von Erich is also discussed. Another very poignant moment in the DVD is when Kevin talks about his father's behavior towards him after he was diagnosed with brain cancer.
The most interesting part of the documentary for me was when Kevin Von Erich visits the Sportatorium before it was torn down. He goes through the building and describes what it was like back in the day. It was a miserable dump as described on the bonus disc by Jim Cornette and Bill Mercer, but the producers and crew made it look like an awesome place to be. Unfortunately, the audio in the clip where Mickey Grant and Bill Mercer visit the Sportatorium is almost non-existent. Even with the volume turned up to the max, it can barely be heard.
The bonus disc offers many additional interviews. Manager Jim Cornette talks about the good ol' days and gives his frank opinion on the Von Erich brothers. He also gives a disgusting story about the grease trap for the fries at the Sportatorium. There is an interview with Pro Wrestling Torch's Wade Keller and Bruce Mitchell. Mitchell is critical of the documentary and thinks it glossed over Fritz Von Erich's treatment of his sons. Mitchell has a different take on David Von Erich's death. It is odd that a DVD will include an interview criticizing it. Mitchell is very critical of the Von Erichs in general. He also points out some story lines WCCW used to cover up or overshadow things that would be detrimental to the promotion. It is a very long interview but is worth checking out. He also mentions the Dingo Warrior (later to be the Ultimate Warrior) and it dawned on me that he was not covered in the documentary. An interview with DVD creator Brian Harrison and announcer Bill Mercer is included as well as trailers. My only criticism is that the wrestling clips that are placed between the interviews seem a little disjointed at times. For example, the Midnight Express clips seemed to be dropped in wherever as if they knew they needed to include them somewhere so they just plopped them in. They didn't flow well with the rest of the documentary. Also, I remember the World Class name coming to an end after a match involving Eric Embry, but nothing is mentioned of that. Otherwise, I recommend this DVD to anyone interested in the story behind World Class Championship Wrestling.
Summary of Heroes of World Class Wrestling (Director's Cut)
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