WWE DVD Review - Tagged Classics Rebellion 2001 & Insurrextion 2002

By Phil Allely




There was a time when the WWE didn't just film the odd Raw or Smackdown event here in the UK, they actually recorded special UK only pay-per-view evenst and considering this was the peak time for the company and the attitude era, they were very good indeed.



Disc one of this set houses Rebellion 2001 (filmed at Manchester's MEN), it was an event headlined by an in his prime WWE Champion 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin battling the hugely popular 'People's Champion' The Rock. This was a fine main event for a UK PPV and one that certainly showcases both mens in-ring skills to their best. Elsewhere Rebelion had some low points, but mainly they moved by too quickly to notice.



Match wise we had some fine outings with a Divas tag scrap featuring Mighty Molly, Stacy Kiebler, Torrie Wilson and Lita (with special referee Trish Stratus). Kurt Angle (again in his prime) faced Chris Jericho for the WCW Championship in an enjoyable brawl. Tajiri took on(then) WWE Commissioner William Regal in an entertaining match-up. The WCW Tag Team Championship Elimination match between The Dudley Boyz, APA and Hardy Boyz was a fairly good encounter. Big Show had a decent match with Diamond dallas Page and one-time crowd pleaser Scotty Too Hotty took on fellow comedy performer The Hurricane.



Rebellion 2001 was a huge success for the WWE and of course has paved the way for the afore-mentioned WWE Raw/Smackdown UK recordings.



Disc Two features Insurrextion 2002, this was the WWE's return to the UK after the success of Rebellion and amazingly they pulled it off once again, this time taking place in London's Wembley Arena.



So what sells this one to fans in this day and age? Well how about 'The Game' Triple H taking on The Undertaker in a grudge match (echoing their recent Wrestlemania feud). Or perhaps 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin versus Big Show may rock your boat, well it should, especially when you factor in Ric Flair as special guest referee.

Other bouts on the card feature an enjoyable European Championship Match between Spike Dudley and William Regal, Bradshaw versus X Pac, the Hardy Boyz taking on the odd-ball combo of (now UFC star) Brock Lesnar and Shawn (where is he now) Stasiak. Stevie Richards and Booker T had a nice Hardcore Championship brawl. Wrestling fans will savour the late Eddie Guerrero's spat with Rob Van Dam for the Intercontinental Championship and even a good looking divas tag team match with Jazz/Molly Holly v Trish Stratus/Jacqueline.



On the special features front there are some extra matches featuring The Rock, Steve Austin, Chris Jericho, Undertaker and Kurt Angle, all of which add to the interest in this DVD set.



The Pay-Per-Views on offer are a nice look back at the WWE's golden age and to a time when many of the top players in the game where at their peak. This was the short period of time where we as wrestling fans were aprehensive of a WCW/WWE/ECW feud that we had all dreamed of for years and the roster was at it's all time richest. Of course history has told us what happended, who won and what happened those who left the WWE. But for a snapshot of this period and the fact that it happended on UK shores you can't go wring with this unique look at early UK PPV events.



Tagged Classics - Rebellion 2001 and Insurrextion 2002 are on release now from www.silvervision.co.uk



Coming soon from Silvervision are:

Royal Rumble 2011

DX - One Last Stand

The Story of Wrestlemania