The Rise & Fall of ECW

This, as the title suggests, is all about the former wrestling promotion ECW, which went under back in 2001 after owner Paul Heyman filed for bankruptcy.

It features many of the former employees along with owner Paul Heyman and producer Ron Buffeon speaking on the promotion and what it stood for. They cover all of the things that made ECW famous such as the great story lines, the hardcore brutality, and the outstanding scientific wrestling, as well as Lucha Libre. As well as that, they shoot on the not-so-appreciated and controversial aspects of the promotion such as the defiant and counter-culture angles and incidents such as the infamous Mass Transit Incident and the storyline with Raven and Sandman.

It also talks about how it was before ECW was bought by Heyman and went "extreme." I learned a lot about the era when it was owned by Tod Gordon. I hadn't even previously known that ECW hadn't started off as being a hardcore promotion.

Another aspect of this documentary that I liked is how they take the time to split up the first section of it into taking time to talk about all of the company's most famous wrestlers, such as RVD, Raven, Sabu, Terry Funk, Sandman, Mick Foley and many others.

They talk about the Monday Night Wars and the Invasion angles as well, and I found it very interesting to hear the different sides of the story from WCW's Eric Bischoff, WWF's Vince McMahon, and ECW's Paul Heyman.

This is 320 minutes, but I would say the documentary itself minus the bonus matches lasts around 265 minutes. That may seem like a very long time, but I watched this in one sitting, and it was a 4 and a half hours that felt like 2.

This also had a great moral and a very conclusive ending, so it's well worth the time spent. Long live the original ECW!!!!!

I am extremely happy with this 2-disc DVD set. The matches are great for those who aren't familiar with ECW's style and work ethic, but it's the near three hour documentary that makes it all worth it. The interviews are great, and it's fun to see the workers' opinions versus Paul's. You really see a great mind at work when Paul E. speaks. The history is covered well, including touching briefly on the "Mass Transit" incident. I love how this feature is rated MA and they leave the language and content untouched (except for things that were already edited for television). This keeps the ECW feeling going. A LOT of ground is covered and I learned a lot of things I didn't know. My favorite aspect is how many of the top workers are covered in individual segments, and also many of the bigger story lines are covered. There are touching moments during the documentary that will bring a tear to your eye, but mostly you'll just laugh your ass off. (The only real gripe I have with the set is that they don't include the extremely short Beulah vs Fonzy match that Paul E. raves about. I would've enjoy seeing this whole match, and don't see why it isn't there since it wouldn't take up much room.) This set is a must for any fan of WRESTLING, not SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT. Sure, it's not Puro, but it's the best America had to offer. Man...I miss ECW.

why should I but this DVD, do I hear that!!?!! Forget the matches, to me that was added bonus, what made me order the DVD is the plain fact that it has a 3 hour documentary on the history of the most revolutionary wrestling company ever!! You would be taken behind the scenes by the man himself- Paul Heyamn, along with some of the icons of ECW RVD, Tommy Dreamer, Dudley Boys, Tazz etc. Though Sandman, Sabu & Shane Douglas's inclusion would have been great, but it in now way diminishes the effect of the DVD on new wrestling fans who never were able to watch ECW. WWE has left no stone unturned when they set out to recapture the awe & inspiration that ECW demanded from their fans.Hats off to WWE for that. A great buy for any wrestling fan, no matter how old or how young he might be!!

We've Waited For It For Ages, Folks. And The WWE Did NOT Disappoint Us. This Is A Four Or So Hour Documentary Of ECW. If You're Not A Fan Of ECW To Begin With, Don't Start Here. This Is Pretty Much For The Loyal, Rabid Fanbase. This DVD Covers Just About Every Era Of ECW, From NWA: Eastern Championship Wrestling, To The Final Show Of Extreme Championship Wrestling.

Interviewees Include, But Are Not Limited To: Paul Heyman, Stevie Richards, Tommy Dreamer, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, And Eddie Guerrero.

Matches On Disc 2 Include: The Pitbulls Vs Raven And Stevie Richards, 2 Out Of 3 Falls Dog Collar Match For The ECW World Tag Team Title.

Rey Mysterio Jr Vs. Psicosis, 2 Out Of 3 Falls Grudge Match.

Mikey Whipwreck Vs The Sandman, Ladder Match For The ECW World Title.

2 Cold Scorpio Vs Sabu, ECW Television Title Match.

Tommy Dreamer Vs Raven, Grudge Match. Alternate Commentary By The Coach And Tommy Dreamer.

Tazz Vs Bam Bam Bigelow, For The ECW Television Title. Alternate Commentary By Michael Cole And Tazz.

Rob Van Dam Vs. Jerry Lynn, Grudge Match For The ECW Television Title. Alternate Commentary By The Coach And Rob Van Dam.

Basically, Here It Is: This Is The Single Best DVD The WWE Has Ever Put Out. It Is A MUST Buy For The Loyal ECW Fan.

10/10.

I wish I had paid more attention to ECW, because it was different between it the WWF and WCW.

This DVD tells the tale of the history of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling.

ECW was very different from the WWF or the WCW. but I was more of a WWF fan.

I got this DVD to learn all about ECW.

I'm surprise that the WWE was able to stay true to what was ECW.

This DVD will shock you, make you laugh, make you cry, and will make you feel like it's ECW.

The Rise and Fall of ECW is one DVD that is worth buying just for ECW and wrestling fans.

If you want to see what ECW was like back then then the Rise and Fall of ECW is for you.

I give The Rise and Fall of ECW 10 out of 10.

This DVD is EXTREME! ECW!