This is my review of the recently released Top 50 Superstars of All-Time DVD that I made and posted on my Facebook page. I hope you guys enjoy...
WWE's Top 50 Superstars of All-Time
*****
(4 out of 5 stars)
WWE have finally jumped on board with the countdown fad that has dominated entertainment and pop culture over the last 20 years. Whether it's music, films, television shows, sports, even commercials, it seems that everything is ranked and compared with one another, especially in the competitive society we live in these days.
Now there's nothing that more easily makes for a good discussion topic and that can raise tremendous controversy and debate than a good, top 100 or top 50 list. And after years of the likes of VH1 (who invented the televised countdown special with their show, "The Greatest"), Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide, the New York Times, Time Magazine, and other media companies producing greatest lists about any topic, WWE has finally jumped on board and produced a DVD counting down it's list of the 50 Greatest "Superstars" in WWE history.
Professional wrestling doesn't really have a lot of these types of list to look at and compare, unlikes other legitimate sports, films, and especially music. The only other notable "greatest list" in regards to professional wrestling was a book made in 2002 from the guys at the Wrestilng Observer of the 100 Greatest Professional Wrestlers of All-Time. It's list is different from WWE's list in that the list features wrestlers of all eras (featuring wrestlers from the early 1900's like Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt all the way to the early 2000's with Stone Cold Steve Austin and the Rock), all continents (not only American wrestlers, but Japanese, Mexican, European, and even a wrestler from India), and it has much more definitive sets of criteria on the art of professional wrestling as a whole.
This list by WWE is shorter (50 compared to 100), and mostly features wrestlers who enjoyed most of their career in the WWE although it does include some wrestlers such as Lou Thesz, Nick Bockwinkel, Jack Brisco, and Dory Funk Jr. who either never wrestled for the WWE or wrestled there on a minimal basis. Supposedly it was created based off of individual lists from the current roster of wrestlers in WWE, highlighting their favorite wrestlers. Although I'm sure some politics and personal grudges on the part of the owners of WWE (ie: Vince McMahon) played somewhat of a role in the rankings of certain wrestlers (wrestlers that have left WWE for TNA in recent years, for example, are the main ones that felt the wrath of McMahon, ala: Kurt Angle, Mick Foley, Ric Flair, and Hulk Hogan in particular). Although you can tell that the individual lists of wrestlers and opinions of the current roster did legitimately play a major role in the rankings of the list as it was supposed to (the top 5 is heavily influenced by today's generation of wrestlers who grew up as children and teenagers in the 1990's which the top 5 heavily represents). This list like any other features serious controversies and points of debate (Hulk Hogan at #23? He should be #1 frankly, or at the very least, the top 5; Shawn Michaels as the greatest superstar of all-time? I don't think so; no British Bulldog, Razor Ramon, or Chris Benoit?; Rey Mysterio being in the top 10?). But that's what makes it fun and interesting to talk about.
This review though isn't so much about the list itself. It's about the DVD, the presentation of the list, and whether the DVD is worth watching. My opinions on the list itself is a whole other topic.
And as for the DVD, it's well worth watching. To start off with, on a personal level this DVD excites me majorly. One, because anyone that knows me knows, I am a huge fan of lists of any topic of entertainment. Everyone knows that I make lists all of the time ranking things, and I have a major catalog of music lists (both in magazine form, and saved on my computer). I love countdown presentations and lists. So it's like a dream come true that my other big passion besides music, professional wrestling is finally getting the treatment. Also, I actually suggested this very idea for a DVD project about two years ago on WWE's website on a DVD survey they had fans take. I was asked what I liked about WWE DVD's at the time, what I didn't like, what I would like to see. And one of the DVD's I mentioned that I would like to see made in the future was a project that is basically this DVD. I suggested a 100 Greatest Superstars of All-Time DVD, in which the list would be made by the current roster of wrestlers and HOFers, and management of the WWE, and the DVD would feature a countdown special of the list, with both past and current wrestlers talking about the wrestlers on the list. Two years later, WWE has made that very DVD. I'm not making this up btw. I really made this suggestion. I don't know if there was a serious demand from fans for such a project (I don't know if other fans besides myself stated on the survey that they wanted such a DVD made), or if the guys taking the survey really liked my idea and went forward with it. Either way I'm ecstatic to see such a DVD finally be made.
With that said, how does the DVD stack up? I think it stacks up very well. The DVD is a three disc set. The first disc features the top 50 superstars countdown. The 2nd and 3rd disc features matches of the wrestlers on the list. So you definitely get your money's worth.
To start off with, the list of matches on the DVD contains some real gems, along with some more recent matches that are more common, but are still great matches. Some of the highlights include a match between Lou Thesz and Antonio Rocca (another guy who should've been on the list) from the early 1960's, some classic NWA championship matches between Jack Brisco/Dory Funk Jr. and Harley Race/Terry Funk, a boxing match between Gorilla Monsoon and Andre the Giant, a match between Gorilla Monsoon and boxing icon, Muhammad Ali, a 6 man tag team match from the WWF in the mid 1980's between Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper, and the Junkyard Dog against Randy Savage, Harley Race, and Adrian Adonis, the 1992 WWF championship match in which Bret Hart won his first WWF championship against the legendary Ric Flair, and a Fatal Four Way WWF Championship Match on Smackdown in 2000/1 ish between Kurt Angle, the Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and the Undertaker. Some of the more common, but great matches include a Triple Threat for the World Heavyweight Championship from Wrestlemania 22 between Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, and Kurt Angle, a tag team match pitting The Undertaker and Batista against Shawn Michaels and John Cena, and the great matchup from Wrestlemania 24 between the Undertaker and Edge. Plenty of good matches from the current roster of wrestlers, mixed with some old school matches for those that want to study their wrestling history.
As for the countdown presentation itself, this is where the DVD loses a star in it's rating and makes the DVD a 4 star DVD rather than a 5 star. The presentation as far as how the countdown is done, and the visual presentation is phenomenal. The video packages on each wrestler, like anything WWE produces in this field, is top notch. I don't think there's anyone in the entertainment and sports worlds that makes better video/highlight packages than the guys in WWE. This is one area where UFC is still way behind in. The NFL isn't even as good. Anyways, like I stated, the video packages for each wrestler are phenomenal. Each wrestler has a 2-3 minute presentation highlighting their careers and wrestlers talking about what made them great and impactful on the wrestling industry and WWE. The top 5 has about 4-5 minute presentations which is fitting. All of the commentators (wrestlers/figures) are well spoken, insightful, and are passionate about the wrestlers on the list they're speaking of, and make good arguments for each wrestler's inclusion on the list. The presentation itself is great.
But there is one flaw that really disappointed me and is the sole thing that makes the DVD lose a star rating. That being whom they selected to talk about all of the wrestlers on the list.
The biggest problem is that 75% of the wrestlers have the same 5-6 people on the DVD talking about them. John Cena appears talking about every single wrestler on the list. Which is okay, becuase he is well spoken, knowledable, passionate, and he's the biggest star of this era, which adds credence and legitimacy to his opinions. But in addition to him, they have the Miz, Kofi Kingston, Josh Matthews, Matt Striker, and William Regal (who I also enjoyed) used on almost every wrestler. William Regal and John Cena I'm cool with, they're great and I care about what they have to say. But I'm sorry you couldn't get anyone better than Josh Matthews to talk about someone? I don't really care what the Miz, Kofi Kingston, Josh Matthews, and Matt Striker have to say about someone. It's mostly newer guys who've done little in the business talking about the wrestlers on the list. Legends such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Triple H, Bret Hart, Stone Cold, Roddy Piper, etc. appear very little and the few times they do appear, you can tell they are older interviews. Now I know they couldn't get new interviews with Hogan and Flair due to them being in TNA, but over the last 10 years when both have been with the company, they have done plenty of interviews I'm sure that could've made them be included much more than they were.
Hulk Hogan appeared on the countdown three times talking about Billy Graham, Freddie Blassie, and the Rock. Hulk Hogan in past WWE DVD's and interviews has talked about Jake Roberts, Stone Cold, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Jerry Lawler, Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, Roddy Piper, Shawn Michaels, Edge, Big Show, Undertaker, Triple H, and more. With the exceptions of Stone Cold, Jake Roberts, and really Bret Hart, all of the previously mentioned wrestlers have played decent roles or major ones in the career of Hulk Hogan. Hulk Hogan idolized Andre the Giant, was major friends and rivals with Randy Savage, got his start wrestling for Jerry Lawler, mentored the likes of Edge and Big Show, and was a major rival for both Flair and Piper. You're telling me that they couldn't use some older Hogan interviews to talk about all of these guys?
Ric Flair is used more frequently on the DVD talking about Harley Race, Ricky Steamboat, Stone Cold, Shawn Michaels, Andre the Giant, Eddie Guerrero, and I believe Jack Brisco. So he's used more frequently, but still he could've been used much more. Some of the wrestlers on the list that played major roles in the career of Ric Flair that could've used some thoughts from Flair on their video packages include Triple H, the Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Curt Hennig, Jerry Lawler, Buddy Rogers (who Flair owes his career to), Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, and Terry Funk.
Bret Hart only appears on the countdown talking about a wrestler one time, with a very brief and short comment on Ricky Steamboat, from Steamboat's DVD earlier this year. Bret Hart is currently an active member of the WWE roster. He still makes appearances on certain shows. You're telling me they couldn't have got Bret Hart to come into the WWE studios (like they did Cena, Miz, Jericho, Regal, Josh freakin' Matthews!) and talk about some of the guys on the list? Bret Hart is/was major friends and peers with the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Mr. Perfect, Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, the Undertaker, Shawn Michaels (definitely more a peer than friend hehe), Mick Foley, Ted Dibiase, Rick Rude, Bob Backlund, Andre the Giant, etc. He idolized Terry and Dory Funk Jr., and Harley Race. He mentored Edge and Chris Jericho, and is a big fan of Rey Mysterio, Kurt Angle, and Eddie Guerrero. They couldn't use Bret Hart at all on the DVD? His insight would've been phenomenal and added so much weight and legitmacy to the greatness of the wrestlers on the list.
Same with Stone Cold Steve Austin. Older interviews of his appear a few times on the countdown showing off his thoughts on Ricky Steamboat, the Rock, and Terry Funk in particular. But you're telling me that they couldn't have also gotten Stone Cold to come in and talk about some of his peers and wrestlers he idoloized or influenced? His thoughts on Bret Hart (he inducted him into the HOF for crying out loud), Ric Flair (in his opinion ,the best ever), Dusty Rhodes, Jerry Lawler, Mick Foley (one of his biggest peers), Triple H (ditto), John Cena (his successor and a man he respects highly), Jake Roberts and Ted Dibiase (two of his biggest influences), Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho, would've made the DVD 10 times better.
The Rock doesn't appear once. Granted he's a busy Hollywood actor these days and doesn't do anything with WWE anymore (excluding his appearance at the 2008 HOF ceremony inducting his dad and grandfather), but they couldn't use any older interviews of him talking about Stone Cold, the Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Bret Hart, Mick Foley, Kurt Angle, etc.?
Roddy Piper only appears one time on the countdown with an old clip of him talking about Bret Hart (which is awesome), but considering he is still active with WWE and still does stuff with the company (he was on Raw like 4-5 weeks ago), the WWE couldn't have gotten him to come in and provide commentary on some of the wrestlers on the list? People like Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Curt Hennig, Hulk Hogan, Gorilla Monsoon, Jimmy Snuka, Randy Orton, etc.
Triple H, who is one of the current superstars that should've been all over the DVD only appears on the DVD four times talking about Shawn Michaels, the Undertaker, Killer Kowalski (who trained Triple H) and *cough* Jeff Hardy? It was nice to hear him talk about Jeff, but what major role did Jeff play in Triple H's career? They had some good matches a few years back, but that's really all. They didn't have Triple H talk about Ric Flair, who is supposedly Triple H's biggest idol. He didn't talk about his biggest peers in Stone Cold, the Rock, or Mick Foley. Didn't have him talk about Randy Orton or Batista, two guys' whose careers he helped launch with the Evolution faction. Didn't have him talk about Big Show, Kane, or Chris Jericho, some of his peers he's faced on numerous occassions. Nor John Cena. Nor some of his other peers like Edge, Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, or Eddie Guerrero. Didn't talk about wrestlers he idolized like Harley Race, Ricky Steamboat, Nick Bockwinkel, Lou Thesz, Curt Hennig, Jack Brisco, etc. I was stunned to not see Triple H (who is one of the leaders company both on-screen and off) on the DVD hardly at all. Maybe he was pissed off at not being in the top 10 and thus shunned the project lol.
Randy Orton shockingly does not appear on the DVD once. He is along with Cena the biggest younger star in the company today, and as a 3rd generation wrestler who grew up in the wrestling industry, he could've provided some great insight on wrestlers. I would've loved to have heard him talk about some of his father's peers like Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Roddy Piper, Ted Dibiase, Jake Roberts, Ricky Steamboat, Ric Flair, etc. And Cena practically has an orgasm over Randy Orton on Orton's videopiece talking about how great he is. Orton couldn't have returned the favor for Cena? Maybe Orton didn't appear to keep in line with his character (like the Undertaker), but being's he's a babyface now, that's not really an excuse. As one of the top guys in the company, Orton should've been on the DVD. Although his lack of appareance would probably make my sister add a star to her rating of the DVD lol.
CM Punk only appears one time talking about the Undertaker. CM Punk is one of the greatest in the business today. He was only on there once, whereas Josh Matthews is on there like 10-12 times, and Matt Striker is on there for the majority of the wrestlers. Really?
Edge, another one of the best of this generation only appears once or twice talking about Stone Cold, Jeff Hardy, and I believe the Undertaker. Where were his thoughts on Hogan (his biggest idol), Flair, HBK, Bret Hart (another one of his idols), and some of his peers like John Cena (the best opponent of his career), Kurt Angle, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Triple H, Rey Mysterio, etc.?
Terry Funk appears about three times talking about his brother and I can't remember who else but doesn't talk about Mick Foley! Their careers are intertwined. That's crazy. Funk should've talked about Foley. You don't think about Terry Funk without thinking of Mick Foley and vice-versa. Unfathomable.
And then there is Shawn Michaels who is not on the countdown one single time to talk about somebody. Much like Roddy Piper, Bret Hart, and Stone Cold, you are telling me that they couldn't have flown Shawn Michaels into WWE studios to talk about some of the guys on the list? Yeah he's retired, but he still does appearances for WWE on occassion. He could've and should've been on this DVD. There were plenty of people he could've talked about. Wrestlers that influenced him like Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Ted Dibiase, Jimmy Snuka, Ricky Steamboat, Curt Hennig, Randy Savage, etc. His peers like Bret Hart, Stone Cold, the Undertaker, Triple H, Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho, John Cena, Edge, Rey Mysterio, Big Show, etc.
Where was Jim Ross? Few people in the business have more insight and knowledge and are as good of speakers as Jim Ross. His comments on someone I believe only appeared once and he wasn't even shown for it. You're telling me his insight on the likes of Hogan, Stone Cold, the Rock, Taker, HBK, Flair, Hart, and well pretty much anybody lol wouldn't have made the DVD better?
And perhaps the guy who has more authority and knowledge than anyone in history, Vince McMahon only appears three times in old clips talking about John Cena, Stone Cold, and Bret Hart. Vince's comments on some of the wrestlers on the list would've been phenomenal and made it so much better. Vince is perhaps the only guy who has witnessed the careers first hand of just about all 50 wrestlers on the list. His insight and opinions on the wrestlers on the list would've been incredibly interesting. (I'd personally like to see Vince McMahon's individual top 50 ever list, then again, I'd like to see anyone's).
Then there are tons of other legends such as Greg Valentine, the Honky Tonk Man, Dory Funk Jr., Pat Patterson, Ricky Steamboat, Harley Race, Ken Patera, Ronnie Garvin, Arn Anderson, Sherri Martel (in older interviews done before she passed away in 2007), Verne Gagne, Jim Brunzell, Baron Von Rasche, Bobby Heenan, Antonio Inoki etc. who only appear 1-3 times on the countdown and could've been used so much more.
And then there are legends like Sgt. Slaughter, Dusty Rhodes, Jake Roberts, Nick Bockwinkel, Mike Rotunda, Barry Whindam, Tully Blanchard, and more wrestlers/legends who still do stuff with the company on a decently regular basis (except Roberts) who don't appear at all. These guys also could've provided lots of insight.
Now don't get me wrong. The guys they have talking about the wrestlers for the most part were good choices and do a good job. William Regal, Chris Jericho, and John Cena were the most worthy of the current wrestlers on there that are used frequently. Cena is the biggest star and face of WWE today, is a passionate fan of the history of the business, and knows his shit. William Regal is one of the most underrated wrestlers in history, came of age at the same time in the '90s that many of the best ever did (Foley, Austin, HBK, Triple H, Taker, Hart, Jericho, Angle, Benoit, Guerrero, Mysterio, etc.) and also knows his shit. Jericho is just awesome and one of the best ever. Of course he should be on there talking about the guys on the list. While the Miz is somewhat newer, he shows great passion for the wrestlers he talks about and was good and interesting to listen to. Kofi Kingston has yet to really prove himself as a great wrestler but is okay as well. Matt Striker is very well spoken and also knows his shit. But his career has been minimal and he is mostly known as a commentator. I just don't consider what he has to say to be really validating to the guys on the list. And Josh Matthews? Who cares what he has to say lol. The highlights for me are the legends, the true greats that talk. Unfortunately as I mentioned above they're not used much. Arn Anderson, Ric Flair (in old clips) appear a decent amount of times. Jerry Lawler and the Million Dollar Man probably appear more times than any of the other legends and thus are probably the highlights.
I enjoyed the few times that outside wrestling figures were used. Wade Boggs (a legendary baseball player from the '80s) talks about his friend Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig, and his idol as a child, Jack Brisco. Because of Boggs being a long-time wrestling fan, I would've been interested to hear more of his thoughts on other wrestlers. I also would've been intrigued if they could've gotten a few other athletes from other sports to come on and talk. Mike Tyson is a long-time fan and noted historian of wrestling. His thoughts would've been interesting. Muhammad Ali would've been an honor to have on (his career was constantly intertwined with pro wrestling), although understandably due to his condition he could not participate. Perhaps Floyd Mayweather or Shaquille O'Neal who are long-time fans that have done stuff with WWE over the years would've made for some interesting insight and views. I love the Gorgeous George segment in which Hollywood historians talk about the impact that Gorgeous George had not just on wrestling but entertainment and pop culture in the 1950's. That really added some credibility to his impact on wrestling, and American pop culture as a whole (which was immense). I also appreaciated comments from Sheldon Goldberg, a noted professional wrestling historian who talks about Georgeous George, Bruno Sammartino, and Lou Thesz.
Seeing Greg Valentine (in his only appearance) talking about the Rock, and Antonio Inoki (in English subtitles hehe) talking about Bob Backlund were surprising and delightful treats as well.
So the selection of commentators wasn't bad and did provide for some great treats. I just think it could've been done so much better. Other than Bruno Sammartino, Sting, Randy Savage, and the Ultimate Warrior, pretty much any wrestler from the last 30-40 years could've been used on the DVD. Even wrestlers currently in TNA like Rob Van Dam, Jeff Hardy, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Kurt Angle, and Mick Foley could've been used more due to footage from older interviews (which was done with Hogan and Flair, and Jeff Hardy on one occassion). WWE has good contacts with just about every major name of the last 40 years. And yet 80% of them were used minimally or not at all, and yet Josh Matthews is all over the DVD. That right there is what brings the DVD down from 5 stars to 4.
Still, this is a wonderful DVD and essential for any pro wrestling (and especially WWE) fan's collection. Go out and get it now. Excellent stuff.
