The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling – DVD Review

DVD Reviews, Reviews

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One can’t mention World Class Championship Wrestling without discussing the Adkisson family. Professionally known as the Von Erichs, the promotion lived and eventually died because of the family. With Vince McMahon and the WWE owning the archival footage of nearly all the great promotions from yesteryear, now Texas wrestling gets its own look through modern eyes. It’s a two disc set divided into a two hour plus documentary with a lot of extras on a second disc.

Featuring Kevin Von Erich, the only surviving Von Erich brother, this DVD collection follows the inception and eventual collapse of World Class Championship Wrestling. Owning the Texas territory, Fritz Von Erich for a time was also its top star. The document focuses on the Von Erich family in particular and the scene in general, including some rare family footage from Kevin’s archives. It’s a fascinating story to see and the documentary doesn’t shy away from looking at the demons that plagued WCCW, including the drug induced deaths of several of the wrestlers including Gino Hernandez. It’s heart-breaking to hear Kevin talk about his brothers and Hart discussing Hernandez’s death.

The surviving Von Erich is joined World Class legends such as announcer Bill Mercer, Skandar Akbar, Bill Irwin, Gary Hart, Michael Hayes, Jimmy Garvin, Buddy Roberts, the legendary Ric Flair and contemporary stars like Shawn Michaels, Mick Foley and Triple H all discuss the life and times of World Class. It lends a historical perspective to the proceedings that only time can provide, noting the legacy and impact things they did (theme music, lighting) that are still used today.

The documentary also doesn’t show away from discussing the drug culture of WCCW; everyone involved has a frank and open attitude towards it. The whole collapse of the promotion is something to behold, and everyone’s discussion about it has an honesty not seen in the usual documentaries about the period; nothing’s glossed over and the ugly, sordid truth is laid bare for everyone to see.

A/V QUALITY CONTROL

Presented in a full screen format in a Dolby Digital format, the film has a terrific presentation. Combining archival footage from over 20 years ago with current footage is hard but the older footage has been cleaned up demonstrably, with little grain on the footage. It still looks its age but it has been cleaned up for the most part. The audio has been touched up in spots as well; it sounds better and has been remastered somewhat but sounds a bit grainy in spots due to its age.

The Extras

Disc One

There are plenty of character development pieces from the promotions peak period in the mid 1980s. There’s Tea with Gentleman Chris Adams, where Adams discusses his background over tea. “Iceman” King Parsons get his own piece where he trains hauling ice blocks, this one form March 1983. The Freebirds have a promo from April 1983, where they taunt the Von Erich family. Gino Hernandez has one where he’s at the airport April 1983. There’s one piece about David Von Erich having “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin and Sunshine were his valet for the day. There’s the promo where Sunshine’s assistant Precious would be introduced. The Freebirds are at Home in April 1984 for another piece, and their “Badstreet USA” Music Video from May 1984. Chris Adams & Gino Hernandez combine for a Car Service promo in April 1985, and there’s a special called Kerry’s Korner about Kerry Von Erich’s Photography Hobby from September 1987. There’s Extra Interviews that are included as well.

Disc Two

The second disc is where all the matches are, and all the important ones are on this collection.

2/3 Falls – Duke Keomuka vs. Ricky Starr – From the early days of Texas wrestling.

June 1982 – Fritz Von Erich Vs. King Kong Bundy – Fritz’s retirement match for the American Heavyweight Championship on the Fritz Von Erich Retirement Show at Texas Stadium

December 1982 – Steel Cage Match – Ric Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich for the NWA Title, a match legendary becaused its finish kick-started the Freebirds-Von Erichs rivalry.

May 1983 – Iceman Parson, Kevin & David Von Erich vs. The Fabulous Freebirds –an extension of the feud

December 1983 – Hair vs. Hair – Iceman King Parson vs. Buddy Roberts

May 1984 – Six Man Tag Title Match –Freebirds vs. Fritz, Mike & Chris Von Erich from the David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions

Mix Tag Match – “Gentleman” Chris Adams & Sunshine vs. “Gorgeous” Jimmy Garvin & Previous, again from the David Von Erich Show

Another match from that show, The Great Kabuki vs. Kamala

May 1985 – the 2nd David Von Erich Memorial Show has the Fantastics vs. The Midnight Express (Eaton and Condrey)

July 1985 – “Gentleman” Chris Adams vs. Kevin Von Erich

October 1986 – Bruiser Brody & The Missing Link vs. One Man Gang & Rick Rude

October 1986 – 3rd Cotton Bowl Extravaganza – Bruiser Brody vs. Abdullah the Butcher in a steel cage

The DVD Lounge’s Ratings for The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling
CATEGORY
RATING
(OUT OF 10)
THE MOVIE

9.0
THE VIDEO

7.5
THE AUDIO

7.5
THE EXTRAS

9.0
REPLAY VALUE

8.5
OVERALL
8.0
(NOT AN AVERAGE)

The Inside Pulse
With so much material to draw from, the set feels a bit disappointing because there’s plenty of good matches to draw from that should’ve been on the release. At only two discs, and loaded at that, there’s a feeling that this could’ve been four discs and still not cover the glory that was WCCW at its peak.