WWE
DVD Review: WrestleMania 29
It
is the biggest show in the WWE calendar and it also one of the most
sought after wrestling show tickets too. It is of course
WrestleMania. This is the show that even the most die hard anti-WWE
fan will take notice of and maybe even watch as well.
WM
is the event that kick started the WWE's rise to global domination
and means so much to so many fans across the globe as well.
Now
nearly 30 years on the event still send goosebumps down the spine of
many as they eagerly await the action to start. The WWE have now
rather cunningly made this a weekend long event too, with fan events,
signing and memorabilia on show too. Alongside countless veteran and
current roster members, there is also the annual Hall Of Fame
Ceremony.
Now
back to the DVD at hand. First up like many Mania's of recent years
there are a few poor matches here, but when things kick off they
really kick off in style.
This
event was a card of three parts. First up we had John Cena taking on
The Rock for the WWE Championship. Which was of course a marked
improvement on their previous encounters. However it did come at a
cost to Rock who absorbed some nasty injuries along the way.
Next on the fans hit list was the ultra intense 'No Holds Barred'
scrap between Brock Lesnar and Triple H. They certainly had their
work boots on here. You could feel every bump like it was your own
body.
But of course the match most people were yearning to see was the
return of Undertaker to defend his winning streak against young
upstart CM Punk. Punk had after all belittled the memory of the late
Paul Bearer and was certainly a hated man before the get go.
Considering he rarely makes more than one appearance a year these
days Taker showed no signs of slowing down. Although by the end you
could see his pain and delight in what he had just participated in.
Elsewhere on this well put together CD set you get the pre-show
encounter between Wade Barrett and The Miz for the Intercontinental
Championship. The Shield making their WM debut against the trio of
Randy Orton, Sheamus and The Big Show. The Tag Team titles on the
line as Team No Hell defend against Dolph Ziggler and Big E Langston.
Chris Jericho facing the over the top Fandango and Jack Swagger
tackle the World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio.
The under card and World Title match are all worthy additions here,
the main issue is that some play out to indifference. Fandango, The
Shield and Ziggler come out of proceedings very well indeed I must
add.
On the extras front we are as always spoilt for Mania moments and
choice. The Hall Of Fame footage is superb and very interesting.
Younger fans may skip through a few inductions of course, but those
old enough to remember Bob Backlund, Bruno Samartino and even celeb
Donald Trump will enjoy their montages and speeches. Backlund is
hilarious and Samartino seems very moved to be there.
More modern entrants Mick Foley, Trish Stratus and Booker T are also
very well received and each makes us feel their pride as they give
their speech. It was especially nice to see Booker's brother Stevie
Ray on TV again. Foley was as expected totally over the top with his
section of the show, but we come to expect that from him these days.
There is also the post-show event from the MetLife Stadium too.
Blu-Ray owners get even more bang for their buck here with some
episodes of Monday Night Raw, the Triple H/Lesnar contract signing,
CM Punk challenge to end the streak and a Q&A with John Cena and
The Rock.
WrestleMania 29 is a roller coaster of a ride from start to finish.
There are some dips along the way, but when it climbs it does indeed
climb. The final flourish of matches here will certainly leave you on
an adrenaline high.
WrestleMania 29 is available now via Freemantle Media.
Www.wwedvd.co.uk and all good
retailers.
RRP £24.99 (DVD), £34.99 (Blu-Ray)
By Phil Allely
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