The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Abdullah the Butcher, Jerry Lawler, Mark Lewin, Ric Flair, SunshineBrand: WELLSPRING/GENIUS
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 360 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-12-11
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: World Wrestling
Movie Reviews of The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling
Movie Review: good not great
Summary: 3 Stars
I thought WWE would do a better job with this, especially since the promotion is dead and no longer a threat! If you were a big fan of World Class, you're probably going to be dissapointed. If you were a casual wrestling fan, this will suit you just fine.
First of all, production. During much of the time the background music nearly drowns out the dialogue which makes watching this very irritating even if you are a big World Class fan. This little quirk gives the entire product an "indie" feel that flies in the face of the supposedly "superior" production values of the current WWE. If somebody would have listened to this one time prior to production, they would have noticed it and made the proper board adjustments!
Second beef was with the choice of matches included. This promotion had some of the most exciting wrestling matures of it's time and very few are included on this set. WWE has the entire WCCW library at its disposal and it was unfortunate that this is the best they could come up with. Clearly this compilation was put together by somebody who didn't love the promotion. If they did, the matches would have been better. (And the above mentioned issue would have been addressed prior to release.)
The Von Erichs and Freebirds are discussed in detail and even if you thought you knew everything about both, you will come away with new information. The deaths of all the brothers are narrated in uncomfortable detail often by Kevin, who comes across as remarkably composed for somebody who has dealt with all that he has. Despite his positive demeaner you can't help but see the pain in his eyes as he talks about the past and what could have been.
Michael Hayes is featured prominately, and his off the cuff comments about his involvement with the promotion that made him a major figure in pro wrestling were refreshingly candid. ("my agent called me and said you have GOT to see what's going on in Texas,") Jimmy Garvin and Buddy Rodgers add significant commentary as well although Garvin's role in the company (among many others) could have been highlighted more.
The promotion was more than just those two groups and while Ice Man King Parsons, Gino Hernandez, and "Gentleman" Chris Adams get mentioned, the rest of the supporting cast get very little credit. A critical factor in what made this promotion succeed and something that current promotions no longer do, is that World Class had three groups of wrestlers as opposed to the usual two.....in a nutshell, good guys, (Von Erichs) bad guys (Freebirds) and freaks (Devestation Inc.) Getting the Texas fans to cheer for Michael Hayes as he wrestled The Missing Link (for example) was an accomplishment that doesn't get the credit it deserves, and made the Freebird / Von Erich matches all the more juicier.
Several other wrestlers get a small mention in the story but none are adequately explored. Another oversite was the acknowledgment and expanation of the constant turnover of NWA talent into and out of the promotion, which kept things fresh for many years. The decision to break from the NWA was rightfully highlighted as one of the major reasons for the decline of the company. Even Lance Von Erich gets a mention here, the "proverbial Red Rooster" of World Class, his insertion into the talent roster was a desperate attempt to recapture the magic of an earlier time while the promotion was in its last days.
The disc also includes a very candid discussion of the impact that drug and alcohol use had on the talent during the 80's. Several major wrestlers had substance abuse issues and often with disasterous results (Gino Hernandez). Salaries and the lack of sufficient profit sharing were also discussed as one of the reasons for wrestler discontent and the promotions eventual decline, especially in the mid 1980's when the World Class was at it's peak. Unfortunately the issue was never unpacked to the point where you felt like you knew where the truth was.
The trip to Israel, while mentioned, should have been highlighted more. (Kevin Von Erich says the same in his reflections on this disc set) World Class also performed two outdoor shows in the Boston area during its peak, a geographic anomoly that is unfortunately ignored. Ice Man King Parsons was highlighted at the time as the first African American World Champion, a juicy topic that is not mentioned at all in the video and totally ignored by todays wrestling historians.
In short, a good compilation that could have been / should have been so much better. World Class was ahead of its time in terms of promotion, the use of music and attractive performers. (All points made by Michael Hayes and Triple H????? in the video) While the video set mentions that fact, it fails to adequately capture it visually. Still for most wrestling fans, this will be a pleasant walk down memory lane.
Summary of The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling
Collects some of the greatest matches in WCCW history reliving electrifying moments for a generation of old-school fans and introducing new fans to the adrenaline-filled excitement of World Class Championship Wrestling. Catch the exploits of the Von Erich brothers and their rivals the Freebirds. See where NWA stars of the era - Bruiser Brody Ric Flair Jerry Lawler Abdullah the Butcher began their epic careers and how local heroes Gino Hernandez Mark Lewin Tim Brooks and more paved the way for today s Superstars. Even the Ultimate Warrior got his start here as the Dingo Warrior.System Requirements:Run Time: 360 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SPORTS/GAMES UPC: 651191945993 Manufacturer No: WWE94599Sports DVD Video
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