Five-Star Conversation 07.28.09: WWE's Short List Of Proposed DVD Sets

Posted by Geoff Eubanks on 07.28.2009

WWE releases a list of possible DVD sets...so would I want to buy them? Would you?

DID YOU KNOW?: The USMC advertizes on Sunday night Adult Swim? Think about that…


…COINCIDENCE…?
Okay, check me here, because I need a consensus.

In the 07.07.09 edition of 5SC, I posted some "Raw thoughts". One them being the following:

Mickie James is the Rachael Ray of WWE.

Before we address the purpose of this opening point, let me explain why I made that comment. I don't know how many of you are fans of Rachael Ray, but, as a foodie, I've loved Rachael from the first time I saw her and have followed her meteoric rise to the top of the proverbial Food chain.

However, as time has worn on and the more involved she became in her various and many projects, that original joie de vivre that made her so loveable and such a stand-out personality in the beginning seems to have dwindled some, as is apparent on the newer seasons of her signature Food Network program, "30-Minute Meals". Whether she's so busy these days or that she's simply growing up from being the excitable cooking ingénue to the grown-up entrepreneur that she doesn't bring the same quality of energy to the show, I couldn't say; nonetheless, although her passion for her craft is unmistakable, the girlish, zealous charm that was her initial appeal had withered.

Compare that with the manner in which Mickie James burst onto the WWE women's scene as Trish Stratus' exuberant (and kinda dykey) obsessed stalker. There was such a bubbly energy about her that she was impossible not to like. And she could wrestle!

Well, as time wore on and WWE rebuilt/restructured the Divas' division following the departure of Trish, Mickie, more or less, got lost in the shuffle and that infectious vivaciousness sort of evaporated. Don't get me wrong, Like Rachael, her love for and commitment to her craft is still evident, and she remains one of the best women ever to perform in a WWE ring, but, prior to this program with Maryse, anyway, where we've really seen a renewed vigor, Mickie seemed to retreat, like a flower in Autumn for a time there, only to re-blossom an older (read: more mature, not OLD), wiser, though less perky young woman.

ANYWAY, that all said, on the 07.20.09 edition of Raw, we saw the following promo air:



For the point of this discussion, please focus on the above video between 1:34 – 1:45.

Now, tell me. Is this a coincidence? Am I being self-delusional in thinking that somebody working for WWE is reading this column, or at least stumbled across that particular edition of 5SC…? I mean, we have noticed some booking decisions mirroring this column (and not just my opinions, right Schmoove?), such as a face turn for Mark Henry, Edge and Chris Jericho finding themselves at odds, Trump's having "bought" Raw being the impetus for a talent exchange (although, obviously, this was in place and would have occurred whether or not this column even existed) and that LOS COLONS losing the UTTTs would lead to a sibling rivalry. And that's to say nothing of Schmoove's desire to see Festus, Santino Marella, Hornswoggle and Goldust tagging together. Am I breaking my arm Barry Horowitz-ing myself to death here, or something really going on?


WWE's DVD SHORT-LISTS
Late last week, 411mania.com posted a list of ideas WWE is apparently considering to produce in the DVD-set market. The posting really got me thinking and I figured I'd share those thoughts with you and see what kind of feedback you, my awesome readers, might offer in response.

The possible sets were divided into two categories: 1) Compilations and 2) Talent profiles. Let's address the latter first.


COMPILATIONS
The Best of The Elimination Chamber
Here's a DVD I'd love to own. Elimination Chamber matches are generally pretty inspired, exciting and involving and stand alone, although knowing the back-story leading to each match certainly helps one to appreciate them more, as well (eg, Elimination Chamber III at New Year's Revolution 2005, correct me if I'm mistaken, where Triple H used Batista to do his dirty work for him and then allowed him to be pinned so he could go onto win the match and the vacant World Title).

The Elimination Chamber combines elements of the Royal Rumble match, as well WCW's classic War Games and elements of the traditional Survivor Series matches of yore, and so it's little wonder why Elimination Chamber matches tend to please. The structure itself is an intimidating-looking hunk of metal, thus it stands to breathe an air of ominous foreboding into fans as it's being lowered from the ceiling, much as does The Cell (which WWE has really laid off of on utilizing recently, a good move, because we were seeing too much of it there for awhile, and such overexposure cheapens its purpose and menace).

Of the nine Elimination Chamber matches on the books, only one has been regarded by fans as having been a failure (ECW's December to Dismember in 2006), and that had more to do with the fact that it was capping off a remarkably disappointing PPV by putting the ECW Title on neither of the men (CM Punk and Rob Van Dam) fans wanted to see walk with the gold (preferring instead to continue McMahonagement's experiment titled "Let's shove Bobby Lashley down the fans' throats until they think they like him"), than with the fact that the match really was all bad.

The combined total of all nine Elimination Chamber matches is roughly 4 hours, so WWE has two options here: 1) Prune two or three of the least-interesting matches off the list to pack a single DVD with only the best, or include all nine to date with a buttload of extras, such as qualifying matches, promos and a short documentary concerning the origin and construction of The Elimination Chamber itself. No matter which way they decide to go, this DVD is a no-brainer, especially following the success of previous gimmick match DVD sets for Cages, Ladders and Hell in the Cell.

Verdict: Buy unseen.


The Best of Raw: 1993
Oh, now we're on to something.

I recently re-watched the 15th Anniversary of Raw DVD set and, while a fun time capsule of some great matches and moments, it's more like a sprint down Memory Lane rather than a stroll. Of course, this is no fault of WWE, even in 9 hours, it's a difficult, if not impossible, feat to include all of the most remarkable, interesting, fun and historic moments of the past 15 years. However, if WWE were to put each of those 15 years under its own separate microscope, spotlighting all the most memorable matches, promos and backstage goings-on that has made Raw a Monday night institution, then that 15th Anniversary set would hold a greater context without short-changing the year in question.

The question to me, though, is how to structure the DVD(s?). Would you prefer to see the year laid out in chronological fashion, January through December, or would you prefer to see just matches as the mainstay of the DVD, with the most outrageous/pivotal promos/segments making up the Extras department, or relegated to its own DVD. How many DVDs do we want to see in the set? This is a key marketing decision, as it seems to me that, once the first 15 years is complete, this could be repackaged to hell and back around the holidays. Release the first five years separately, then collect them into a set, do the same with the first decade (in addition to offering the second five years on its' own), and then obviously pull the same schtick once the final five years completes the first 15 years. Come 20 years going, repeat the process. People would buy that shit like Michael Jackson memorabilia.

Incidentally, and I've meant to bring this up a lot sooner, along these same lines, but, uhm, not, Larry and I have discussed the value many times in the past of having a DVD series called "Wrestling's Most Legendary Feuds" or some other such title. Point being, one can pop in a DVD containing a classic match, a blow-off of epic proportions to a white-hot feud, say the "I Quit" cage match between Tully Blanchard and Magnum TA or THE VON ERICHS and THE FREEBIRDS and see the intensity of the match and the rabid nature of the fans, but not know how they got to that point. Sure it's a great match, but those not in the historical know have no context over how and why there's such intensity and vitriol in this situation.

Larry and I have discussed the value of producing just one, single DVD focusing on one feud, start to finish, including all pertinent promos, matches and segments such that posterity can see why we have the Hall of Fame and why we honor and revere those whom we grant Legend status (and so some of these snot-nosed little punks who talk an ignorant ration of shit about the stars of yesterday can educate themselves before opening their mouths and embarrass themselves, the way I did once about Duthty Rhodeth). A talent profile DVD set is a great introduction to a fantastic talent, but this idea honors the past and could be a huge tool toward educating the present and fortifying the future.

Verdict: Buy unseen, the entire series, should it come to be.


Clash of the Champions
Here again is a gem waiting to be discovered and exploited. It didn't matter how much or how little I personally felt invested in WCW at any given time, when CotC aired on TBS, it denoted a weeknight in, pizza delivered, lights off, eyes glued to the tube.

For the uninitiated, Clash of the Champions was a PPV-caliber, three-hour show The NWA, and then WCW produced for free on TBS between the years of 1988 – 1997, focused upon the furthering or culmination of the franchise's hottest angles and more often than not offered some of the best wrestling action and storytelling the company had to offer, oftentimes even surpassing the quality of its PPVs themselves.

Now it remains completely vague exactly what WWE plans to do with CotC in terms of producing a DVD. Would it simply be a three-disc set kicking off with a brief history of the longstanding tradition, followed by an extras section and two more discs comprised of the best matches in the event's history, or are we talking an periodic release of each show in chronological order until the entire set is available? A complete set has been available on the "wrestling black market" for years (hasn't it, Larry?), but an official, remastered set would be invaluable to fans, and, again, offers WWE the opportunity for exhaustive repackaging options it could be certain would be snatched up by fans in any and all forms. Regardless, and for as much shit as I give WCW overall in this column, however it is to be released, anything having to do with CotC has a place in my collection.

Verdict: Buy unseen.


WWE "Craziest" Moments
Then we come to this clunker.

Look, if you watch and enjoy WWE for its sillier, more unpredictable, sports-entertainment side, more power to you, may Doink bless you and yours, go in peace and enjoy this DVD to your little heart's content. I, though, find this end of the business as something to be endured on the road to something "real", and so, suffice to say, if you and I had some jingle in our jeans together at Best Buy, and there was only one copy left of this DVD, management wouldn't need to set up a ring in the middle of the store for you and me to figure out who was going home with it.

Verdict: I might rent it.


Giants & Monsters
This DVD falls much under the same banner as does the above. I enjoy professional wrestling for the fictional intrigue surrounding, written and performed by athletic storytellers, both in and out of the ring as long as the cameras are rolling. I enjoy having a set of differing characters who boast a range of differing styles of performance and the inherent possibilities of what can happen when they meet in the ring with the intention of proving who is the superior character/athlete, leading all the way up to who deserves to be called the best, the champion.

The whole "Giants & Monsters" schtick tends to leave me cold because the bigger they come, the less athletic they tend to be, thus the less able they become where surprising me with their athletic prowess. They tend to be lumbering and slow, relying upon their smaller, quicker opponents to make them look interesting. How many times have we seen one of Vince's behemoths literally just standing and turning in the ring, following a tennis ball of an athlete, doomed to job, sticking out a meaty arm in the path of said tennis ball, whose job it is to run into it and fall like a sack of rocks? BORING.

Worse than the giants is the possibility that this DVD would be balanced out by every last freakshow wrestling has produced in its televised history, from The Missing Link to The Berserker to George Steele to The Boogeyman, who, as far as I'm concerned, are all fine in and of themselves, I suppose, if they make the kids laugh, but as soon as "real" talent starts to job to these rodeo clown equivalents, and it always happens, that's when I start to really bristle, because they are gimmicked, one-trick ponies who must rely on a weirdo gimmick to get over, owing to their decided lack of true talent.

Verdict: No. Not for sex would I put myself through this.


In Your House
Back in the days before WWE was compelled to run a PPV every three weeks (to say nothing of its paying fanbase into the ground, financially and otherwise), the In Your House series was The WWF's way of dipping its foot in the pool of monthly PPVs, expanding from the original "Big Four" of Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Survivor Series. Running from May 1995 – April 1999, the IYH series was originally a 2-hour, $20 affair as (presumably) McMahonagement tested its audience's willingness to set aside an extra 20-spot for professional wrestling each month until, in September 1997, as the popularity of Steve Austin and d-generation-X began to crest, with Ground Zero, The WWF made the monthly offering a full three hours for $30, just as (at the time) The Big Four. Each IYH was given a sub-title to differentiate the lot one from another, and some of the titles have even stuck (for a good while, at least): Backlash, Judgment Day, No Way Out.

As these DVDs are already available, I don't see WWE being too interested in re-releasing these classics, although I can definitely see a 3-DVD set to commemorate the company's rise to PPV prominence back in The ‘90s, spotlighting the best, most notorious and memorable matches that really helped to put the franchise on the PPV map at a significant time in its' growth and expansion. At a time when WWE's focus has returned to the youth, it makes a lot of sense to produce a DVD set that features some of its best talent in some of its best matches during its squeaky-clean "New Generation" era, which I expect would likely be the target of this DVD set, which, give or take a Todd Pettingill segment or two, is fine with me.

Verdict: Buy unseen.


Wargames
WCW pioneered this, the elevation of the cage match, and it can certainly be argued that, without Wargames, there may never have been a Hell in the Cell or Elimination Chamber match, or even a Survivor Series, as both WCW's Wargames and The WWF's Fall classic both debuted the same year (respectively, July and November 1987 for those keeping score).

The concept of the match was that two teams of four or five (depending) would one-by-one alternately enter one of two connected cages, covering two side-by-side rings at two-minute intervals (although the first entry was allowed a five-minute lapse before the next person was allowed to enter), until all eight or ten men (depending) were involved, which then started "the match beyond", where the first of the bunch to submit or succumb to unconsciousness lost the whole shebang for his team. Confusing? Overbooked? I always thought so, but then it was created by Big Duthty, so there you are.

Personally this match always turned me off back in the day, because I don't want to have to sift through a laundry list of rules to get to what looks like an anarchic schmozz that ends in such anti-climactic fashion. It seemed like much ado about very little to me. I forget which DVD set I have that features a Wargames match (I think it's the Four Horsemen set), but I found myself to be ultimately underwhelmed, personally, especially when it was plainly obvious to me that, in this particular match, when the managers were involved, that the decision would come as a result of James Dillon biting off more than he could chew. It was a perfect opportunity to cost The Horsemen a high-profile victory without making any of them lose personally.

That said, though, I freely admit that I'm running on a hell of a lot of ignorance here and I welcome the opportunity to educate myself on this legendary and influential match, especially when this has SELLER written all over it, as millions of old school fans would scoop up this DVD like ice cream in August. Considering there were 24 of these matches in all, each roughly clocking in at around 25:00, it's highly unlikely that we'd see a complete set featuring each match; rather we'll likely get a short bio of the match and its development over the years complete with comments from those who made it such a legendary staple on the professional wrestling landscape, with a couple DVDs of the most memorable matches to follow.

Verdict: Netflix this sucker as soon as it's released and buy it if I become a believer.


TALENT PROFILES
Goldberg
We'll get this oxygen pariah out of the way first.

Friends of 5SC know I have absolutely no use for this guy, as is the case with anyone who gets into the business for a payday above and beyond any kind of love, passion or appreciation for the craft or tradition of said business, especially when they have no interest in paying their dues, respecting their peers or exhibit a willingness to "play ball", to give-and-take with their fellow wrestlers (to say nothing of thinking one's self above the wishes of the promoter for whom they work), all of which I believe Bill Goldberg to be.

That said, I could give a creamy, red fart about watching three seconds of this little princess in the ring (unless those three seconds leads to one of the few times he's allow himself to be pinned), much less one of his uninspired, contrived little promos. If Goldberg does it for you, by all means, enjoy. Allow me to step out of the way so there's one more copy on the shelf for you.

The only thing that might make me even consider viewing a DVD on Goldberg is if WWE decided to tell its' "whole story" on him, ie, a similar such smear on him as was enjoyed by The Ultimate Warrior. I think the deciding factor in what direction that story would go is whether or not Goldberg would be involved with WWE on the making of such a DVD. If he cooperates and plays ball (which he very well might, after all, it would be another paycheck and we know that's the only language this greed-mongering piece of shit understands), the story could very well be much kinder and gentler than it might be should he, in true Goldberg fashion, tell Vince where he could stick his DVD; this is also a distinct possibility, considering, ever since he took his little ball and went home with it after WrestleMania 20, he's bashed Vince and WWE at every possible opportunity when Vince refused to bend over forwards and backwards to allow him complete "creative control" the way Eric Bischoff did back in WCW. Thus, the possibility of him letting bygones to be bygones for what Vince would be willing to pay him to do so is pretty slim. He'd likely demand (and believe himself to be worth) about as much as the DVD stands to sell.

Although, should this future used-bin fodder ever be produced, it would have to include his stint on "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader", where he failed to win a nickel for his charity, losing after three questions because he failed to spell "quizzes" correctly.

Verdict: I wouldn't wipe my dog's ass with it.


Chris Jericho
Now we're talking.

Quite frankly, where the HELL has this DVD set been?! Jericho's been involved with The WWF/E for a collective eight years and has a hell of a rich history, has been one of the most prevalent, successful, consistent performers of his generation and, after all, was the man to unify the WWF and WCW Title belts in one of the most historic matches in the business' existence. Furthermore, we've seen him evolve into one of the greatest storytellers in the business today and is a man who genuinely loves this business. In my eyes, WWE really dropped the ball in not producing a DVD set to accompany Jericho's fantastic autobiography when it was released.

When looking at Jericho's storied career (thus far!), there is such a wealth of material from which to draw, if WWE truly commits to telling Jericho's story in full, the opportunity exists to make up for lost time and really cash in, depending upon how much it wants to dig in to buy footage from Mexico and Japan (and it would be a damn shame if they didn't). Forgive me, I can't recall if Vince owns the Smoky Mountain footage or not, it strikes me that he does, but some of that old footage of Jericho in what I believe to be his first American matches tagging with Lance Storm really deserves to be seen.

I'd like to see Disc One populated mainly by Jericho's story told, leading up through his WWE departure in 2005 when Bischoff "fired" him on Raw, with the extras on that disc devoted to seminal matches on foreign land, in Japan and Mexico (especially his matches against Ultimo Dragon!). Disc Two would move on to include his best matches in ECW and WCW, with the extras focusing on his wacky exploits with Ralphus and his running down of Goldberg (all those fun situations he was allowed to write for himself while he was so down on the card, he was off of Bischoff's radar). Disc three would move on to his WWF/E career, phase one (although it's a shame he worked so closely with Chris Benoit during this time, because they put on a boatload of amazing matches that don't have a shot in hell of making this set). Again, the Extras would be populated with promos, including, of course, his momentous debut in 1999 when he interrupted The Rock when the Countdown to the Millennium clock reached 00:00:00 on Raw.
Verdict: Where have you been all my life?!


Brock Lesnar
This is a real hot button for some people. There are those who resent Lesnar for going through developmental, being brought up, paired with and groomed by Paul Heyman on-screen and off, being pushed to the moon by the WWE promotional machine (at the cost of millions, by the way), for making a shit ton of dough, hooking up with Rena Mero (EW.) then bailing on the company, citing the travel as the reason, never to return, looking instead to MMA (with a pit stop in NFL training camp). There's nothing I can or will say to folks holding this mindset because they have every right to feel the way they do in this case.

However, I fucking LOVE Brock Lesnar.

I bought this guy from day one and I was saddened to see him go. WWE really lost a fantastic, believable, bankable talent the day Lesnar walked away, but I don't hold any ill will against him for feeling and acting the way he did. Look, very often, when we're as young as was Lesnar when he was brought up from developmental (at the time, Ohio Valley Wrestling), he had to have looked at his new itinerary and thought, "Damn…that's a lotta travel. Dorothy, we're not in Kentucky anymore." But, he also looked at the zeroes in his bank account and heard the cheers of the crowd and figured, "Okay, I can suck it up…this is worth it." However, as the years wore on, the lifestyle ceased to agree with him, it wasn't his bag, baby, and he'd made enough money to bow out. That's his choice.

Had he gone on to The UFC and failed (especially after not cutting the mustard in The NFL), perhaps we could thumb our noses at him and laugh, telling him he blew it, but he defeated a legend in Randy Couture and no one has been able to take that title from him since November 2008, so I don't have a single cross word for the guy.

Now, granted, I wish he'd have remained in WWE for my own selfish reasons. He simply got it and he got it quickly. He was as strong as he looked, but could wrestle, and was alarmingly fast for his size. Hell, he was alarmingly fast for a guy half his weight. Two of my favorite world title matches of this decade involve Brock Lesnar, the match where he won his first WWE title from The Rock at SummerSlam and the Hell in the Cell bloodbath against The Undertaker at No Mercy 2002.

However, this portion of his story was told on his first DVD, Here Comes the Pain. I'm blanking on exactly how much more story he has to be told to warrant a DVD set. Perhaps it's not to be a set at all, but another single DVD, perhaps accompanied by a little mini-bio that picks up where last one left off through his "self-disgracing" abandonment of the company? Would WWE run a Warrior-like smear here? It's doubtful to me that Lesnar would be involved in a telling of this portion of his story, especially since it would seem to me that he's trying to put his WWE career behind him now that he's involved in "legitimate" sports, but that just opens the door to having his name dragged through the mud, provided, of course, that Vince is holding a grudge.

Verdict: I'd buy it, provided the match listing is solid.


John Morrison
Strike while the iron is hot, Vince.

Morrison already has so many awesome matches under his belt, it would be foolish not to capitalize upon the fact now that he's enjoying the face run of a lifetime…and it's just beginning. I wouldn't even bother with a bio right now, especially as esoteric as his character is at the moment (which needs to start being fleshed out more, but that's my opinion). Just pack two DVDs-worth of MNM and Miz & Morrison matches against all the great teams they've faced, fortified by his most impressive solo matches during and since and watch that sukka fly off the shelves.

Morrison is a talent who will be with us for a good long time (God willing), there's plenty of time to go more in depth to the man behind the character and his real-life story, plus another wealth of spectacular matches in the legacy he's building for himself. Let the bio wait (although feature the best of The Dirt Sheet in the extras section) and allow his matches speak for themselves at this point.

Verdict: Buy unseen.


Randy Orton
Here's another one I'm surprised we've not seen hit shelves yet. The time is more than right. Orton's career thus far lends itself to easy storytelling with or without the bio that should populate Disc One. His "shiny blue trunks" debut on SmackDown!; his migration to Raw and subsequent joining of EVOLUTION; the emergence of The Legend Killer, culminating with his "legitimizing" as a top talent during his program with Mick Foley; the betrayal by his stablemates and expulsion from the EVOLUTION/elevation from InterContinental to World Champion status; his extended legitimization in going toe-to-toe with The Undertaker; RATED RKO; the introduction of The Punt to his arsenal on through his current status as leader of LEGACY.

Considering he's had no previous DVD, it's a veritable pick-em of legendary matches from which to choose, ensuring that this 3-DVD set will be an incredibly entertaining 9 hours that could more than feature an entire disc of Orton/HHH.

Verdict: Buy unseen.


CM Punk
It seems to me WWE missed the boat on this one. Punk's story has been the stuff of legends thus far and, had such a DVD set been produced and released when he was still a face, it likely would have sold better than it would now that he's a self-righteous (although brilliantly entertaining) heel. I don't know what kind of relationship WWE has with Ring of Honor, such that Vince could get a hold of some of Punk's old matches while under that banner (maybe even some of his old heel promos to suggest that, perhaps, he'd never really changed while he was a face in WWE), but that would really lend the DVD a sense of completeness in my view, and be the bridge from then to now that Punk is a heel again.

As with Morrison, Punk has a long and bright future with the company, and so I don't see the need to force a bio at the moment. Punk has worn gold more often than not during his relatively brief WWE tenure, so spotlight those matches on a 2-DVD set and allow that story to tell itself. Save getting into the mind of the man for a more comprehensive set later on down the line. Punk is an athlete and he's actually being allowed to build a legacy, so let's document where we are now back to where it began now and pick it up again when he turns a few more pages down the line.

Verdict: I'd buy it eventually.


Ricky Staemboat
Elsewhere in the "It's about fucking TIME" file, we have The Dragon. Do I really need to spend a lot of time on this? The bio tells itself, complete on through his return to the ring against Jericho with Snuka and Piper, into his solo foray against Jericho, including the match ten-man tag on Raw and completes with a look ahead at his son Richie's eventual emergence into the business. The first Flair DVD set can serve as a template, just plug in all the necessary feuds over the years, and include pertinent promos where appropriate. Just please don't include matches against Flair already available on Flair's DVDs!

Verdict: Where have you been all my life, Part Two.


Sting
For the most part, no wrestling fan will ever feel his/her wrestling DVD collection will be complete until there's a comprehensive Sting DVD multi-disc set sitting as a big, shiny jewel in the crown, and we all know that nothing TNA will ever produce about the man, the myth, the legend is going to cut it. Vince owns all the classic NWA/WCW footage of bleached-blond Sting (I refused to call him "surfer" Sting, I don't care that he billed himself from Venice Beach, he's from Omaha), and that's what people want to see, to say nothing of when he re-emerged, a changed, a darker man, the man who served as WCW's last hope against the tyranny of the nWo back in the day. Vince owns it all, and if the fans are going to see this stuff, it has to come from him.

I've said here in the past, personally, I do not like Sting in any incarnation, and you may have surmised that already. I just plain never "got it" where he was concerned. It used to piss me off when he'd no-sell Flair's chops that, not two minutes earlier, the color announcer was putting over feeling as if he'd just lit your chest on fire. I felt as if his little scream was a sad rip off of Flair's classic WOOO!. I never got his image with the ever-changing face paint. I didn't like his style of wrestling. He just never clicked with me. I realize I am in the vast majority.

However, I've grown to absolutely respect the man behind the make up. I have yet to hear a single syllable that makes me bristle in his regard. He comes across as being nothing more than a good, solid man who has his own sense of beliefs which he doesn't use to look down upon anyone, he tries to help and uplift his friends and co-workers, recognizes and appreciates his place as a legend and a backstage leader and doesn't use that power for his own gain or benefit. That is a man more than worthy of my respect and I'm pleased to say that I do.

But it doesn't make me want to watch his matches, especially any of the old ones, and I would never buy any DVD set devoted to him and his body of work. I further respect, though, his decsion to never sign a working contract with WWE, whether because he disagreed with the content of the show or not. The man never sold out his beliefs to make a buck. That's admirable in any field. However, this DVD set will eventually be made with or without him, so he may as well pull a Bret Hart and come in to tell his story his way and make sure this set is done and done RIGHT. He doesn't even have to agree to be a HoF inductee, just do the DVD and walk away after his TNA contract expires and he retires for good from the ring.

Verdict: The fans deserve it, but I'll never watch it.

So what do you think? What do you want to see? Would you or would you not buy any of these proposed WWE DVD sets? I want to know!


COMMENTPALOOZA
If the brands were reunified, then the chase for the World Title would have some real drama. Imagine Cena, HHH, and Orton all fighting for the #1 Contender Slot so that they could face Edge at the next PPV. Programming could even feature rankings and/or power ratings, a la the NCAA. Plus, if a wrestler got injured or Wellnessed, it'd be a lot easier to pull him out of a championship program.

As to the TV Title, you could do what WCW did with it at times, put it on a vet so he cab work a program with an up-and-comer (see Anderson, Arn).
Posted By: Iron Knee

Back in the day, there used to be rankings, and oh, how I pine for those days!!! Many of us deify The Attitude Era for its action and drama and edge, but the fact is, there was a double-edged sword involved there as well, because a good amount of traditional storytelling tools went out the window as a consequence, because it was easier to cut corners to get to an illogical but jaw-dropping end than play by the rules and muddy the Attitude. I'd like to see a marriage of old school, traditional storytelling with some of that Attitude Era action, which makes TNA all the more frustrating because they have both schools of thought under its roof, but they don't seem to be talking to one another.

The biggest problem they have is pure and utter laziness by creative. Where is the super babyface that fans can really feel compelled to get behind to chase the title? We haven't seen one in 4 years (it'll be 5 next spring) when Batista and John Cena got their initial superpushes leading up to WrestleMania 21. Since then, we've had "feel-good" stories (Mysterio) muddied up the waters (Cena-HHH at 22 and Cena-HBK at 23) old veterans chasing the dream (taker at 23 and 24) or just completely insane idiotic booking (see build up to WrestleMania 25) There simply isn't anyone on the roster that I can point to and say... wow he's dynamic, i can't wait to see him win the royal rumble and go on and win the title at wrestlemania over some devious heel. Morrison maybe? Problem is, wins over CM Punk or even Jericho, do absolutely nothing for his career.

You see, it's easy to build a heel. It takes some thought to build a credible face that will DRAW. There is no one on the roster right now that I see as a megastar face. And if someone says MVP I might blow my freakin' head off.
Posted By: gwpbrian

They already have the next Mega-Face. His name is Jeff Hardy. We know he's on his last strike and hasn't resigned a deal, but he's there. He is as over, if not more over, than EVERYONE on the entire roster at the moment.
Posted By: AGM

It's true that we haven't seen a Mania match featuring an "up-and-comer" since the dual championship triumphs of Batista and Cena. That's 4 manias running that established stars are involved in the top 2 title matches. Lets look at them : Mania 22 - challengers are rey, orton and hhh.
Mania 23 - hbk and taker
Mania 24 - HHH, cena and taker
Mania 25 - orton, cena and big show.
Look at the contenders the last 4 manias. How many repeats do we see? No surprises we see HHH, cena and orton again and again. Freshness? Not in WWE's vocab i surmise....

And on a side note, why has the ECW title not been properly defended at Mania? Im not counting that joke of a match with Kane and chavo. That's just sad...
Posted By: Guest#6242

Brian, I completely disagree with the notion that it's easier to build a heel. A solid heel has to be dynamic and unique. Look at the fresh breath of air Punk has been on Friday nights, whereas all R-Truth has to do to be cheered is bust out a couple flashy moves after coming to the ring performing the worst rap since Men on a Mission and involving the fans to repeat "What's up" after he talks about popping pimples.

Don't get me wrong, I agree with your indictment of lazy booking, but with Cena and Batista's pushes just three years ago, McMahonagement has made the mistake of Barry Horowitz-ing itself, smug in the knowledge that they created three new talents in Orton, Batista and Cena and going into "shove them down the fans' throats" mode, but undercuts itself by taking Cena out of the game to make action films his fanbase is too young to see in a theater and when Batista is in his healthy-injured Raw-volving door.

It seemed as if McMahonagement was behind MVP quite a bit more when he first jumped to Raw, but that they've cooled on him significantly since then (the same holds true with The Miz…if you want to see your real stars being created, check Friday nights), but we see this every time on Raw following The Draft, then, a couple months down the line, the hierarchy of those pushed versus those not changes (and, worse case scenario, we're back to the same old guard at the top).

The good news appears to be that McMahonagement's plan for SD! and ECW is solid and, not only staying the course, but excelling. But if the flagship show is a double-edged sword of dull stagnancy, doesn't rather behoove a rising talent to remain safely in the middle, having great matches and drawing a paycheck?

I do agree with some of the philosophy of the article. However, I believe that the rosters are already bloated enough to let wrestlers take breaks while cutting the unused talent. Let them develop in the indies.
I do like the system the way it is now - and I was watching when it was one big roster. As things stand now, the order from top to bottom is:
RAW upper card/main event
Smackdown upper card
Smackdown midcard
RAW midcard
ECW

Why does the Smackdown midcard rank ahead of RAW's? Because they actually get airtime and aren't lost and forgotten. What is more, Smackdown has been showing the ability to develop and push a nobody (Ziggler a month ago) to the midcard and a mid-carder (Morrison) to the top. This mobility is vital to the WWE, but lacking in RAW. RAW teases, then kicks mid-carders back down (Miz, MVP). Bourne and Kofi would be better off on Smackdown.

I don't understand why the WWE doesn't like tag teams or valets. The Hardy Boyz benefited from Terri Runnels and Lita. The APA and Too Cool were actually liked and served a purpose - probably sold some merchandise. The guys in a team can and should still be used in singles matches, effectively doubling the use of that part of the roster.

The WWE would also benefit by recreating some territories. The lack of work in different styles, the lack of exposure to different skilled bookers shows. Stand behind the developmental territories for contracted periods of time and help them get television contracts so they can support themselves.

Finally, here is another reason to keep the brand split. We would not get the best bookers/writers from each show. We would get the RAW bookers. Why? Because they must be considered better to be on the conspicuously 'A' show. Because it keeps continuity from show to show. I would much prefer to have a show with Hayes in charge rather than Steph. RAW makes me scared of when Vince dies and Steph/HHH takes over.
Posted By: Guest#1568

Holy cow. That's just about the best comment I've ever read, in my column or otherwise. I really have nothing to add, but, you, sir, need to become a regular commenter here at 5SC!!!

In my opinion, Swagger could be the next mega face if they do it correctly. I really liked him when he first debuted on ECW, but was actually disappointed when he turned heel because he would have been a favorite of mine and I didn't agree with his heel push. He has an accomplished amateur background and has the look of a legit main-eventer. I say have him win the U.S. Title and keep that belt for quite a while. The nhe should cleanly dominate a monster face in a feud and then have him feud with a main-event heel who can use their heat to give Swagger a positive face turn. This is the biggest thing though. He has to have a bad ass attitude, or quite a bit of swagger as some might say. The older fans will dig it, and of course the kiddies usually like anything that Vince shows them. That's the difference between a mega face and a Cena or Batista, the attitude. The best example is any face champion from the attitude era, but Randy Savage and others had the same attribute as well. A bad ass attitude simply would be what it takes for adults and smarks alike to fully embrace a face champion. Remember how people liked Morrison and MVP as heels? It was the attitude.

Dear Vince... try putting that attitude on a top face once again and see what happens. It doesn't have to be Swagger, but he or Morrison would probably be the best choices.
Posted By: Andis

Another fantastic comment! I think what you're touching on in terms of a face with attitude is allowing the fans the opportunity to choose for themselves for whom they cheer (Austin, Rock back in the day) as opposed to McMahonagement shoving down fans' throats for whom they want to push (Cena, Batista). You're absolutely right, but I think that's one of the myriad reasons Vince prefers to target kids, they're easier to manipulate.

Fear not, Andis, Swagger's time as a top face will come. He's too good not to be, but the company has faith in him and is giving him an education on how to heel it up before they turn him face.

I think the singles wrestlers can be safely eliminated, since most of them barely make it onto tv right now.

Ricky Ortiz
DJ Gabriel
Paul Burchill
Jimmy Wang Yang
Jamie Noble
Charlie Haas (I got nothing against the above, but they're rarely used or are jobbers. So pair them up or get rid of them.)

Abraham Washington (I know he recently debut, but he sucks. If they need a talk show
segment, move Carlito to ECW and bring back the Cabana).
Chavo Guerrero- He should've left with Vicki.
The Brian Kendrick- Either Give him a tag partner or get rid of him.
Mike Knox- We got plenty of power wrestlers on each show. You know you're in trouble when the only thing interesting about you is your beard.
Festus- His gimmick has outlived its usefulness.

I also think since they currently have plenty of divas if they combined they're roster, I'd eliminate the Divas belt, but bring back the women's tag team titles. That way we can have more than two women feuding at the same time.
Posted By: JLAJRC

I'm with you on Ortiz, Knox and Festus. I just don't see much happening with them and I certainly don't see Ortiz improving. They're using a diva to try and elevate him? Yikes. Poor guy.

I'm on the fence with Burchill, but I still see worth in Gabriel, The Wanger and Noble (especially Noble, he's a solid hand and could at least help groom younger talent, same with Haas). I actually have yet to see a single installment of ECW post-Trump, so I need to cozy up with Hulu.com this week and educate myself while the boss is out of the country.

Getting rid of Chavo and Kendrick is a mistake. I'm through with hoping for better for Shabbo, though. Maybe he thinks his wrestling destiny is bound to riding stick ponies to the ring, losing a hair versus hair match and shaving his own head, being Kerwyn White and wrestling a drag queen in pig slop. I think he's incredibly talented, but it just doesn't seem to be on the cards that he'll be allowed better for himself, and that's a shame. Meanwhile, Vince knows full well The Spankster would pop up in TNA's X-Division and be pushed to the top, so I don't think he wants to hand them another talent, even if Kendrick's personal valet is Mary Jane. If nothing else, he's a great character who looks great putting over Vince's chosen talent.

Welcome back, Geoff. It's pretty said that the Ash-Csonk Connection values cute little banners and pictures over the quality of content in their columns. Maybe end every column with a SCSA two-finger "salute" in their honor?

Well, I guess switch from one homoerotic form of entertainment to another makes sense. I should've looked to see if 300 was on and gone for the hat trick by watching all three.

Knox and Festus just make sense to me. Two big old ugly guys beating the hell out of everyone. Kind of like a hillbilly APA.

Punk's promo on Hardy Friday night was awesome. It's funny how the kids/crowd still cheer Hardy while Punk just lays into him about his past drug issues.

Yeah, I know it will always be too soon for a Blue Blazer come back. But I'll be damned if Jesse's looks don't remind me of that little nugget.

The Homewrecker's out your way on a Cali trip to visit some family. I told him that he should email you and hook up for a drink while he's in LA. He probably already shot down to San Diego to visit little sis. He's been telling me that his goal is to make it to a donkey show in TJ sometime this week.

Have a good weekend. Hopefully, my comment doesn't get rejected for no pictures or videos.
Posted By: Angry Bear

Thanks, Bear! I was initially upset about the mandatory pics/videos rule, and I'll tell you why. I construct this column in such a manner that it appeals to those who really want to dig in and read about wrestling, formulate an informed, thoughtful opinion and express it in a mutually respectful manner, thus elevating the level of this column.

I understand we're living in the age of the blog and that we run the risk of falling into extinction if we don't keep up; furthermore, this is Ashish's site, run by Larry and if I want to write here (and I DO…let me not mislead anyone into thinking I don't absolutely respect and revere the honor it is to share my ideas each week!), I have to play by their rules, and their rules make sense, even if it goes against the point of what I'm trying to do to an extent. Bottom line, including a bunch of pics and videos seems to me to be the difference between attracting an audience who would actually crack a novel and read it cover-to-cover and someone who only looks at full-color magazines with ADD-friendly-length articles. But Larry and I discussed the matter and he was typically respectful of my feelings though true to his beliefs, as well. He's a good man and a good friend and I'm probably (typically) jumping to conclusions. In short, I'm embracing this honor he and Ashish have allowed me and doing my best to bring you the best wrestling column I can.

Geoff, a Keeping Up Appearances video? You are a GOD among men! All we need is an Are You Being Served? one and my life will be complete.

Nice idea about Chavo and Ortiz. They could always make it really over the top and have Chavo appear on the tv screen as Kerwin White and say, "I used to be a Latino, and I have made myself White and you can too!". Ortiz can be his protégé. Chavo keeps riding him to "be more White" until Ricky finally sees that he needs to love himself ("The Greatest Love of All" has to play in the background) and goes off on Chavo. I doubt they would do something like that, but they've done worse.

As far as being bored with the main event. The main problem is that RKO and HHH have been fighting each other for so long that a change is needed. Cena being inserted does help, because he wasn't part of the original angle, but I'll admit that a new face involved would help out even more.

Finally, congrats on the voice over!
Posted By: The Great Capt. Smooth

Keeping up Appearances? Quality stuff. Next week we should have a clip off "Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads"
Posted By: ButchReedMark

I can think of no better way to send us off this week than with this, what I like to call, The Pussy Montage:



Rest in peace, Molly. I was always free for you!

That's all for this week! Thank you for reading! RESPECK!