The Rise & Fall of 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.

I had my doubts about seeing the video, I thought it was going to be biased against ECW which partially it is with Paul Heyman being the loudmouth leader but it takes in various viewpoints from Vince McMahon, Eric Bischoff, Chris Benoit, Rey Mysterio, Steve Austin and others all talking about what made ECW so cool.

Make no doubt about it, ECW lived up to its tagline "The leader of Extreme" wrestling put up fabulous show despite a low budget (many of these shows looked like and were filmed in run down arenas).

I liked the way they also played classic matches from the era, so if your new to ECW and wondered if the hype about is real, then you'll see it is.

Its great to see the interviews too explaining how they did certain storyline, Steve Austin's reign in ECW, which basically was a crybaby gimmick cheapshotting Eric Bischoff for firing of WCW, but it lead to Austin being a bigger star.

We see the evolution the Lucha Libre wrestling invading ECW, something that WCW would adopt so ECW was the first to create certain standards that the WWF and WCW would follow.

Bottom line is this is a great video/DVD, its well worth buying or renting wrestling fans.

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!!!

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!!

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!