The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling

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DVD details

Actor: Abdullah the Butcher, Jerry Lawler, Mark Lewin, Ric Flair, Sunshine
Brand: 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

DVD Reviews of The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling

DVD Review: Nice Attempt at a Great Story
Summary: 3 Stars

After watching and enjoying Heroes of World Class I thought it couldn't hurt to order this video. Heroes of World Class was obviously made with a lower budget but in my opinion was the better, more heartfelt of the two videos.

There were little things about this particular video that didn't make sense. Freebirds Jimmy Garvin and Buddy Rogers sat next to Michael Hayes without introduction for quite a while. It is almost impossible to figure out who these gentlemen are after several years away from the spot light. Also in the segment dedicated to Garvin there was no time allotted for his accounts of the storyline.

It bothered me to hear accounts from WCCW from HHH, Shawn Michael's and Jim Ross. I understand wrestlers can wrestle for years as virtual unknowns before being famous. But there were no documentation what so ever of any of these guys in WCCW. Their accounts were useless and didn't make sense to me. Instead I would have preferred to hear from actual members of the WCCW family.

I figured in the WWE DVD version there would be mention of Kerry's' foot coming off at ringside during a match; if indeed the story is true. During this video it's acknowledged that indeed Kerry's' foot was amputated but throughout the rest of the video you see him wrestling. I think to someone who was not as familiar with the story could easily be confused. I'm aware there is only so much time for the video but I figured they could have substituted a few Freebird stories.

Also, both videos say that Mike Von Erich wrote a note to his family, drank several beers and was found in a sleeping bag. But neither video says how while under the influence of drugs, beer and depression her actually drowned himself. The reason he wasn't found for several days had something to do with him having floated down the river.

This is a very tragic story and I wish it didn't have to be told. This video was a bit disappointing because when we buy videos such as this we think we're being told the whole story and I wish this had told a little bit more of the truth.

DVD Review: when wrestling broke thru
Summary: 4 Stars

I had never seen WCCW in it's day as I lived in WWF(E) country. I'd heard of the Von Erichs and the Freebirds and always wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I'm afraid I used to dismiss non-WWF product as "cheap." Boy was I short sighted. Too bad I can't relive this days as they happened (nor with the NWA or AWA) as seeing a fued unfold is just as much fun as a great match. Anyway, you get the story of WCCW with all the fun they had but also the tragedies that dogged them. They celebrate the many top guns of the promotion and include old time matches and interviews. Current fans will recognize some of the faces and hopefully will not get bored by the matches which are slower compared to today's styles. I was hoping for more, we never saw Gino Hernadez in action and the claim that Brody/Abdullah had proto-hardcore matches wasn't in evidence by the one match that had on here. I hope future releases might get to more of the WCCW talent and use more of their vault. I find it odd the Von Erichs are memorialized but no mention is made of the deaths of Bruiser Brody or Chris Adams. These were part of the WCCW "curse" even if they happened after the promotion was gone (just like the deaths of Chris & Kerry Von Erich).

DVD Review: Could have been better.
Summary: 3 Stars

Don't get me wrong,I enjoyed this collection,and I think it's worth owning for anyone who was a fan of World Class.However,sometimes the match selection (or lack there of)by WWE really baffles me.How can you have a DVD about World Class without including a single match with Gino Hernandez,and the one that really gets me,how in the hell could you not include Kerry Von Erich's world title victory over Ric Flair in Texas Stadium??? That was probably the single greatest moment in World Class and Von Erich history,yet it's not on this DVD.

DVD Review: A World-Class Tribute to a Small Wrestling Company
Summary: 5 Stars

This DVD set truly captures the organization from the Lone Star State in terrific fashion, and really gives an insight into the behind the scenes struggles with the WCCW. Stars such as the Von Erichs (Kerry, Kevin, David, Mike and patriarch Fritz), Iceman King Parsons, The Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes, Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy and Buddy Jack Roberts), "Gorgeous" Jimmy Garvin and Sunshine (later Precious), "Gentleman" Chris Adams, Gino Hernandez, Gary Hart, King Kong Bundy (with hair!), The Great Kabuki, Kamala, Bruiser Brody, Abdullah the Butcher and even Ric Flair are all profiled. Stars interviewed for this special to discuss their memories are Dusty Rhodes, Dory Funk Jr., Triple HHH, Mick Foley, Kevin Von Erich, Bill Mercer, Shawn Michaels, Gary Hart, Michael Hayes, Jimmy Garvin and Buddy Roberts. Disc 1 has all these individuals being interviewed on their impressions of WCCW, and Disc 2 has some tremendous matches with the individuals I mentioned. This is a terrific look at the history of the WCCW, and I highly recommend it. 5 stars.

DVD Review: Worth it
Summary: 4 Stars

Just discovered this dvd. I'm glad I got it. The only thing I would change would be to have more matches. WCCW matches are hard to find and I can't get that WWE 24/7 channel because they don't have it on Dish Network. Wish there were more dvds out there.

Description 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.

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