Pads & Panels

Title: The Very Best of WCW Monday Nitro

Format: Three-Disc DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

The Monday Night Wars arguably played a large role in the success of World Wrestling Entertainment and Monday Night Raw, as the competition surely bred creativity. Wrestling fans were left wondering who would have the best matches, most outrageous moments and surprise defections each and every week, and even fans who swore allegiance to one brand or the other had a hard time not flipping channels between commercials in an attempt to see what they were missing.

WWE already documented this rivalry in Monday Night Wars, and already told the story of the Rise and Fall of WCW. Now, keeping in line with its latest three-disc sets, WWE is simply offering up The Very Best of WCW Monday Nitro, its one-time competitor. WWE now owns the brand, and it’s nice to see the company mining the archives and paying tribute to the show’s best moments. After all, most WWE fans missed them while they were busy watching the superior brand. (more…)

Title: WWE: Bobby The Brain Heenan

Format: DVD

Studio: Vivendi Entertainment

Rating:

Review by: Matt Peters

Arguably the best manager to grace the WWE, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan defined everything a heel should be. He had a witty repartee with anyone he shared the screen with, managed to sway the opinion of the then-WWF fan base just by liking or disliking someone, and built careers for bad guys by just opening his mouth. Without his participation, some of the top moments in WWE history would not have nearly the impact they do now. If any one manager deserves a retrospective, it’s this man. Does the WWE deliver? Well… (more…)

Title: Breaking the Code: Behind of the Walls of Chris Jericho

Format: DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

WWE Home Video has been on a role creating quality three-disc DVD sets for its top-tier superstars. The first discs usually feature some sort of documentary on their lives and wrestling careers, along with special features. The second and third discs of the collections compile matches and moments chronicling their in-ring careers. Though it strictly follows the formula, there are few candidates more deserving – with such good stories and matches – as Chris Jericho. But it unfortunately shows more than ever how WWE’s (understandable) decision to disavow Chris Benoit can affect the roster’s back catalog. (more…)