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| Image Source: Amazon |
Running Time: 511 Minutes
Certificate: 15
Number Of Discs: 3
Studio: Clear Vision Ltd/Silver Vision
Released: March 15 2010
This late 2009 DVD looks at the history of the World Heavyweight Title, mixing a documentary with a selection of matches. Unlike the previous releases on the WWE and Intercontinental Titles, the matches were not chosen by fans via WWE.com, and as stated there is a documentary here. So, whilst this is in the same vein as the previous title DVDs, this one feels a bit different. And whilst it provides a good helping of entertainment, it probably stands as the weaker of the three releases in this "series", despite having the potential to be the best.
Starting with the documentary, then, the main feature lasts just under an hour and covers the history of what would be classed as the World Heavyweight Title since 1905. I do not possess a great knowledge of the early history of the title, so I can't comment too much on the coverage of the early-to-mid 20th century happenings for the title. Mike Chapman, head of the International Wrestling Institute & Museum, does a great job of explaining the key events up until the 1950s, at which point more familiar names join the discussion of the title's history. From detailing the importance of the title to explaining why pro wrestling became a pre-determined sport, Chapman does a very good job of enlightening viewers on aspects of wrestling history which are of vital importance but aren't often discussed and, consequently, will be unfamiliar to modern fans. The only downside to this portion of the DVD is that there were several World titles from the 1920s to 1948 (when the NWA Title was created), and this documentary doesn't really delve into the details of that. A discussion of the original double-cross involving Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt in 1911 should also have been covered, particularly as it ties in well with the direction of wrestling to become more entertainment than sporting contest.
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