WWE DVD Review: The
Best of Madison Square Garden
In the world of
wrestling there is one venue that every fans knows the name of. That
venue is new York's Madison Square Garden. The venue itself has
relocated a few times and had image overhauls, but no matter what
changes have been made, it will always be the spiritual home of the
WWE.
This after all was the
venue that saw the birth of Hulkamania and also played a pivotal role
in wrestling history when it hosted the first ever WrestleMania.
This well-produced
three disc set takes a loving and informative look at just how much
the WWE owe to such a prestigious venue as this and what appearing in
the ring there meant to many of the headliners over the past 40 plus
years.
The big question here
of course is who does a release like this appeal to? Well the honest
answer is more long-term fans of the WWE and those curious about the
company's rich history. There are of course more up to date matches
etc. (on the third disc), but this is after a historical release and
one that has been designed to honour the MSG venue and the wonderful
encounters it witnessed over the decades.
The set-up is here that
we get a short introduction to each match from a participant (or
peer), we then get it in full. There are some nice pieces here, it is
especially nice to hear form the likes of Bruno Samartino, Ivan
Koloff, Iron Sheik, Harley race and other legends such as Sergeant
Slaughter. Which all occur on disc one. This disc gives us a look at
some true classics, including Superstar Billy Graham (a man who Hulk
Hogan payed homage to with his image) versus Bruno Samartino, Harley
Race and Bob Backlund in a title versus title match, Hulk Hogan's
legendary sin over The Iron Sheik and the infamous bloodbath of a
brawl between The Iron Sheik and Sergeant Slaughter.
Disc two is the one
that sees the WWE start to become the arena selling venue that it
would become. Here we get to see the match that changed it all Hulk
Hogan and Mr T versus 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff
(WrestleMania I). We also get to see a few true classics as well. The
Intercontinental Title scrap between (at that time) longest reigning
IC champ 'The Honky Tonk Man'and The Ultimate Warrior (SummerSlam
1988) was short and sweet, but perfectly set up the Warrior
character. The IC championship battle between Bret 'Hit Man' Hart and
Mr Perfect (SumerSlam 1991) is an excellent example of two wrestlers
at their peak. The ladder match featuring Shawn Michaels and Razon
Ramon (WrestleMania X) is perhaps one of the earliest and finest
matches of the genre too. Disc two ends with the surprise match
between Diesel (Kevin Nash) and Bob Backlund for the WWE
Championship. The talking heads here will appeal to more modern fans,
over the ones on disc 1, watch out for Bob Ueker, The Miz, Bret Hart,
Howard Finkel and Kevin Nash amongst others.
The final disc here
brings us more up to date (well 2009). Here we get to see The Rock's
debut at Survivor Series 1996. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin stunning
Vince McMahon. Cactus Jack and Triple H in a Falls Count Anywhere
match. The 1st ever Tag Team Tables scrap between The
Dudley Boyz and The Hardy Boyz. Throw in some matches involving Trish
Stratus, Mickie James, Big Show, John Cena and the revamped
D-Generation X, and you have one heck of a third disc here.
Extras wise on Blu-Ray
you get a few extra matches, a collection of extra stories form some
more wrestlers (old and new) who performed at the venue. There is
also the induction of Vince McMahon into the MSG Hall of Fame as
well.
All in all this release
is a great way to learn about the WWE's long association with MSG and
also offers an opportunity to see some lesser known matches from the
venue as well.
WWE The Best of Madison
Square Garden is available now via all good retailers.
RRP £29.99 (DVD),
£34.99 (Blu-Ray)
By Phil Allely
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