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!!!

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!!!

This DVD was a so good that I have watched it about ten times.It's nice to hear what was really going on from the wrestlers themselves.Even though ECW was basically a commercial(they couldn't get on TV so they just bought an hour of advertising time and ran the show) for all but the last year of it's existence, it's still surprising to learn that the wrestlers were handling all the merchandise and even answering the phones.It's even more surprising to learn how many people weren't getting paid on a regular basis.And it's down right mind blowing to learn that the people who weren't getting paid were the ones who stuck around the longest.I really only have two problems with this DVD.First, they only interviewed people who were contracted by the WWE at the time of filming and the reason why is extremely clear.Vince McMayhem wanted to make sure that no one told the truth about him and how he worked long and hard to destroy ECW, just like he did to the NWA.And he succeeded, his boys were "team players" and I wouldn't be surprised if Vince actually scripted their interviews.The second thing I didn't like was how they pretty much glossed over the TNN year.Heyman talked about how he hated TNN but they never explained any of the on screen madness from that final year.I would have loved to know why Billy Corgan showed up for two minutes and was never seen again.But I guess it would have been impossible to cover everything so I can't really complain.This is a definite must see for anyone who ever liked wrestling.

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!!