I’d like to preface this review with a couple of fast points: 1. I am a mark for ECW, there are few things in this world I genuinely believe in, and those three letters are one of them. I will unashamedly, and unabashedly defend that product, and the people behind it to my dying day. If you feel that means I can’t give you a fair and objective review, I won’t waste your time by asking you to read this. Just thumb on down to the next post then. 2. While I am an ECW mark, that does not mean I am necessarily a fan of every match they ever did. There are situations where I feel certain matchups should not have been promoted, no matter what the wrestlers involved desired to do. There is a line, and some of the bouts on this DVD cross it I feel. That’s about as much objectivity as you’re liable to get. Onward.
Firstly, let’s talk about what we’re looking at here. What you are going to be viewing when you pop this DVD into your player is bouts assembled from Extreme Championship Wrestling (I make clear the name Extreme, since I feel as long as Todd Gordon is disputed that Eastern and Extreme were the same company, and until a court makes a ruling, I will tread on the side of treating the two as separate) from 1994-2005. The set is two discs, hosted by ECW owner Paul Heyman, in a role that will not be very familiar to those of you who have not been long term ECW fans: ECW’s number 1 cheerleader. Heyman opens the DVD stating that other then his children, there is nothing that means more to him then those three letters. Paul also does a very good job of running down a bit of history before each bout, and WWE also has to be given credit for digging some footage out where appropriate to use as visual aids. On to our match listing and thoughts on the bouts selected, we‘ll also look at the special features on Disc 2 as well:
Disc 1
8/27/94, Hardcore TV, ECW World Tag Title match
Public Enemy, Champions vs. Mikey Whipwreck and Cactus Jack, Challengers.
Thoughts: A very good bout, and historic as well, this is the bout I discussed during both my Cactus Jack and Mikey Whipwreck bios as being the bout that Mikey becomes a man, overcoming his fear, and getting in some offense! A wild match, that I think still holds up fairly well. This bout has been released previously on the “The Best of Cactus Jack in ECW” compilation by Pioneer entertainment.
3/18/95 Extreme Warfare Volume 1 (an ECW Home Video exclusive show)
Terry Funk and The Sandman vs. Cactus Jack and Shane Douglas
Thoughts: Violence personified! This was a wild brawl, and if it resembled a wrestling match in any way…it’s a dirty shame. This is also the match featuring Terry Funk’s famous use of a flaming branding iron on Cactus Jack. This match has been released commercially now FOUR times, including both this release and it’s original debut. It’s also available n the Best of Cactus Jack compilation, and ECW: Deep Impact, both from Pioneer Entertainment.
Hardcore Heaven 7/1/95 (pre-PPV ECW specialty show, would join PPV lineup regularly in ‘97), Taipei Death Match
Axel Rotten vs. Ian Rotten.
Thoughts: The blow off match to the feud between the former “brothers” who comprised the team of “The Bad Breed”. A Taipei Death Match is achieved by taping up one’s fists, dipping them in super glue, then rolling them in broken glass. This is NOT wrestling, it’s barbarous violence between two absolute psychopaths of the squared circle. While I respect the heart and guts of the men involved, I feel this one was too violent, even for ECW, and it is one of the principle reasons why this type of match was never tried again. This sort of match is blood sport, and bouts like this helped get ECW the unfair rep of being just a “blood and guts” promotion. This match was also released on ECW: Path of Destruction from Pioneer.
November 2 Remember 11/18/95 (ECW’s version of Wrestlemania, the signature show of the year) Mexican Death Match
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Psichosis
Thoughts: Ok, here’s the rules quick: This is same rules as a Texas Death Match, you must pin your opponent, once you have done so, they have to answer a standing 10 count, or the match is over. If they get up, you have to start from scratch and try to pin them again. It’s an exhausting type of match that only the best and toughest should ever try and attempt (and yes, WWE DID steal this one, although ECW did too, as Terry Funk’s father Dory originated this sort of bout). Excellent wrestling here, and the best “extreme lucha libre” ever got to. This match has never been previously offered on any DVD.
Heatwave 6/13/96 (the signature summer event from ECW) Four Corners Match for the ECW Television title
2 Cold Scorpio vs. Chris Jericho, Champion vs. Shane Douglas vs. Pitbull #2 (R.I.P.)
Thoughts: Ok, fast rules, four corners is when you have two men in the ring working, and they tag out to the other two, it’s every man for himself, and it is elimination rules. One of the best matches EVER, I say that with complete confidence, an incredible 45 minutes of hard, hard work, and a SICK bump through a table at the end. ECW at it’s finest. This bout was previously released on ECW: Path of Destruction.
Hardcore Heaven 6/22/96 Weapons Match
Tommy Dreamer vs. “Prime Time Brian Lee”
Thoughts: Violent, violent bout, but what do you want from a Dreamer match? Brian Lee was a lackey of Raven who Tommy fought many times during the course of the feud with Raven while Raven dealt with other opponents like Sandman, and so that it kept the Tommy/Raven bouts fresh. This one gets hard to watch in places, they fought all the way into the streets, and Tommy bled buckets here. Always sacrificing for ECW was our Patron Saint…God bless him! This match has never been previously offered on DVD.
The Doctor is In 8/3/96 Stretcher Match
RVD vs. Sabu
Thoughts: The second, and probably nastiest bout between RVD and Sabu, began after the first bout when RVD arrogantly refused to shake Sabu’s hand. I believe you’re all familiar with the rules, a lot of bodily sacrifice on this one, and a “how did he not get seriously injured?” sort of finish. This one has seen release on ECW: Hardcore History from Pioneer.
