The Rise & Fall of ECW

I don't care if your a wrestling fan or not, this is a GREAT documentary. If you ARE a wrestling fan... this is an INCREDIBLE documentary. You really feel that by the end ECW was properly honored and properly vilified for all the right reasons. Paul Heyman... I want to have a drink with you, brother.

Not just talking heads but great moments of real wrestling legend. It's almost like watching a mythology explained by the people who created it. The only true downside is there was nothing about Joey Styles on it. He was the voice of ECW and I what like to have understood that voice better. Also, there are a few other people who I would like to have heard from, primarily some of the key fans. WATCH THIS FILM!!!

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!!!!!

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.

Simply put, I absolutely LLOOVVEEDD it! this DVD was worth the time it took to track one down on eBay, as its sold out everywhere I've looked. This disc didn't prove ECW justice though, as nothing short of being there during it's prime would, but it comes damn near close!! It includes about 90% of the greatest moments in ECW history, but including every moment is an endless, impossible task. If you happen to come across it in stores, don't pass up the opportunity to purchase this excellent, historic DVD. In my eyes, this was the greatest wrestling DVD I have ever bought/watched, and my collection (1985-Present) is well into the hundreds!!! This has to be a must for any wrestling fan, past or present, young or even old. It's just that damn good!!!