Pads & Panels

Title: WWE Extreme Rules 2011

Format: DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Review by: Bill Jones

Extreme Rules was introduced to WWE as the ECW pay-per-view of the year, but since going PG, it has become more about gimmick matches – cages, ladders, last man standing – than anything truly “extreme.” And while 2011’s iteration still finds itself stuck in that rut, it has a few gems. While it never tops the bill, Christian and Alberto del Rio put on a solid (not classic) ladder match, with the great story of Christian’s first championship win behind it. CM Punk and Randy Orton also have a knock-down drag-out last man standing bout. The triple threat main event cage match between The Miz, John Cena and John Morrison also has its moments, but feels awkward all around, and the end of The Miz’s reign is a disappointment. (more…)

Title: WWE Capitol Punishment

Format: DVD

Studio: WWE Home Videos

Review by: Bill Jones

WWE Capitol Punishment. If nothing else, it was one of the more entertainingly named pay per views in awhile, and the Barack Obama skits had potential, if ultimately put together seemingly lazily. R Truth’s turn toward craziness was also an entertaining build to the show, and his match with John Cena wasn’t half bad. Alex Riley and The Miz also put on a good show, as do Rey Mysterio and CM Punk. Randy Orton and Christian have another solid World Heavyweight Championship bout. None of it is particularly groundbreaking, and it still has the feel of a second-tier PPV for WWE, but it’s a solid show from start to finish. (more…)

Title: Greatest Superstars of the 21st Century

Format: Three-Disc DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

World Wrestling Entertainment has been using its back catalog of content and superstars (along with its current ones) in recent years to pump out a seemingly never-ending stream of home video releases, many of them in three-disc sets. And surprisingly, to the benefit of wrestling fans, a great many of them have been very good. But one of the latest from the McMahon camp is questionable, and that is Greatest Superstars of the 21st Century.

My immediate thought was, “Didn’t they just do something like this?” But I was, of course, mixing it up with the Top 50 Superstars of All Time set released earlier this year. That feature focused on all eras of wrestling, while this one is strictly from the year 2000 and on. So there is a distinction, but many of the wrestlers on Greatest Superstars have already been featured on Top 50, and arguably in much better fashion. (more…)

Seven Reasons WrestleMania 27 Was Great

for Gaming and Comics Fans

Story and Photos by Bill Jones

WrestleMania 27 took place Sunday, April 3, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., and aired live on pay-per-view to homes around the world. And whether wrestling fans loved or hated this year’s incarnation of the annual sports entertainment extravaganza, one thing was certain, it was a great WrestleMania for fans of gaming and comics. Pads & Panels recaps the top reasons why. (more…)

Title: Smackdown: The Best of 2009-2010

Format: DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Smackdown: The Best of 2009-2010 provides just that, 20 of the best matches (as well as moments) from the 2009-2010 television season of Smackdown, which coincidentally celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2009. It starts with the “return” of the Rock (via satellite/pre-recorded message), who offers a disappointing tease that never came to fruition of a Raw hosting gig. And there’s no doubt the season was full of other big moments, such as Jack Swagger’s championship reign, Kane’s assault on the Undertaker and some solid matches, as well as the fantastic debut of Alberto del Rio. But what is left out is even more disappointing, such as Swagger’s diatribes after winning the title and Alberto del Rio’s promotional videos. Both of these would have made for fantastic special features, especially considering the space that could use filling in the supposed 9-hour running time of the three discs. (more…)