WWE DVD Review: Legends of Mid-South Wrestling

DVD Review: WWE - Legends of Mid-South Wrestling

As a long-time wrestling I have pretty much seen it all in the world of grappling and love nothing more than learning about promotions that I have very little knowledge of and yet they were crucial to the industry in their hey day.

Once such promotion was the legendary Mid-South wrestling organisation. This was perhaps one of the most important territories there was in American wrestling's history and this three disc DVD set proves just why that is so.

It is wonderful to see the WWE once again delve into the rich back catalogue of its video tape library and present us with a superbly presented look at a piece of wrestling history.

In the 1980s  Mid-south Wrestling was a hot-bed of wrestling action and it also boasted some soon to be big names alongside its own homegrown talent. So across these discs we get to see Ted DiBiase, Junkyard Dog, Jake Roberts, Dusty Rhodes, Jim Duggan, Magnum TA and many others, all of which went on to mainstream success.

The nice thing here is how the WWE have book-ended each match or segment with a interview or talking head piece about that event. It is so great to see some of our heroes now and also hear their first hand stories about these events.

Fans of 1980s wrestling will love to see some of the matches between The likes of JYD, Ted DiBiase, Rock 'n' Roll Express, Midnight Express, Jake Roberts and The Fabulous Freebirds. We also see wrestling legend Ric Flair drop by to take the wind out of Mid-South legend Terry Taylor's sails too. 

Legends of Mid-South wrestling is a very nice look back at one of wrestling's most influential companies and and it also highlights how they were able to do so. The matches are well chosen and the interviews are well selected. 

Fans old and new will savour this slick three disc set.

WWE: Legends of Mid-South Wrestling is available now from all good retailers.

RRP £29.99 (DVD), £34.99 (Blu-ray).

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By Phil Allely

Jake Roberts seeking fan support for surgery

WWE Legend Jake Roberts seeks fan support for surgery

By Phil Allely

Financially struggling former WWE superstar Jake "The Snake" Roberts recently created an IndieGogo page to raise money for much needed shoulder surgery.

Roberts (aged 57) has to date lost 60 pounds in excess weight and been sober for over 75 days, the longest stretch in over a decade, but his shoulder injury is getting in the way of his new exercise regimen.

Jake recently agreed to work with former WCW and WWE wrestler Diamond Dallas Page and vowed to get himself back into shape. With decades of abuse to his body (through drug and alcohol dependency), this is a brand new 'Snake' and one that many fans would love to see appear in the ring one more time.

The amount needed for surgery and rehab is $9,200. A figure that the grappler cannot cover at present.

At his peak Roberts was not only a genuine talent, but also the master of in-ring psychology and the art of the killer promo. His subsequent fall from grace has been painful to witness for fans across the globe. His appearance on the documentary Beyond The Mat highlighted just how far the legend had fallen.

Recent years have seen him no show indie events and cause promoters much grief along the way.

Page's offer of help has been welcomed by not only Jake and his family, but also the loyal fan base who still adore the man who made the DDT a wonderfully brutal finishing move. His legacy will live on forever, but perhaps this is Jake's chance to shine one more time and finally net himself that elusive WWE Hall of Fame nod.

Fans wishing to make a donation can learn more here. http://www.indiegogo.com/jakethesnake

Rewards for supporting this worthy cause include a signed photograph, a personal phone call from Jake, signed tee shirts, dvds, training advice and even an 'accountability crib' experience with Roberts and DDP.