Alternate Universe: What If WCW Had Survived?

Image Source: Wrestlingfigs.com

Written By: Mark Armstrong

In 2001, the wrestling business changed dramatically. Both ECW and WCW went under, the latter being purchased by the WWF. The short-term fall-out included the Invasion angle by what would become a WCW/ECW Alliance, followed by the Brand Extension split of the WWF/WWE which set the course of history on a new path. But what if WCW had remained in existence?

Although ECW had a loyal following, it simply would not and could not have grown into a mainstream powerhouse, unless it was acquired by a larger parent organisation; and if that had been the case, the vulgar style of the company may have been forced to change. However, WCW was a major mainstream wrestling promotion, even during its final months of life. Therefore, its demise had a much bigger impact. But it's interesting to consider how things might have transpired had the company managed to continue.

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Straight Outta Dudleyville - The Legacy Of The Dudley Boyz

Image Source: Amazon

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Running Time: 431 Minutes
Certificate: 15
Number Of Discs: 3
Studio: Fremantle Home Entertainment
Released: April 11 2016

Straight Outta Dudleyville (a clear take-off from the recent movie Straight Outta Compton) focuses on the careers of Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley, and mostly their time tag teaming together as The Dudley Boyz. It includes a documentary of around 75 minutes, as well as a selection of matches from their illustrious and decorated careers. (Depending where you order this DVD, you could also get special packaging which converts into a mini-table, which is awesome!) Can you believe that it has been just over 20 years now since we were first introduced to The Dudleyz?

After a brief look at the childhoods of the real-life Mark Lomonica and Devon Hughes, the two men discuss their entries into the wrestling business, and their arrivals at ECW in 1995 and 1996 respectively. The original Dudley gimmick was a bit weird to say the least, and it would take too much space to describe it here, but let's just say that the Dudley family (which had nine members at its peak) went in a very different direction once D-Von arrived, and specifically, after some initial battles between the then-Buh Buh Ray and D-Von, once they began teaming in early 1997. The comedy aspect of old was dropped in favour of a violent, offensive and frighteningly insulting style that made them truly loathed heels. Although it isn't shown here, on The Rise & Fall Of ECW DVD this included Buh Buh inciting near-riots and one extremely unnerving incident at ECW Heat Wave 1999, following some offensive remarks that would never make the air today, even in ECW if it were still around. It's easy to forget that during their ECW run, many die-hard fans of the promotion couldn't stand them, either because of how offensive they were or because their matches didn't deliver the action that those involving other acts in the promotion could or would.

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Ladies And Gentlemen, My Name Is Paul Heyman

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Running Time: 430 Minutes
Certificate: 12
Number Of Discs: 3
Studio: Fremantle Home Entertainment
Released: August 4 2014

If you are a "Paul Heyman Guy", chances are that you'll have already seen his 2014 DVD/Blu-ray. But even if you haven't, or if you're not a huge Heyman fan, you should still make it an aim to watch it: I will delve into the details shortly but, suffice it to say, this has one of the best documentaries ever produced by WWE and a generous amount of bonus footage.

The main feature, as stated, is a two-hour+ documentary on Paul Heyman, who has had quite the career in pro wrestling. Breaking in at a young age as a photographer, he used his knowledge and his soon-to-be-signature gift of the gab to learn more about the wrestling business by attending production meetings and booking shows. As he built up contacts and increased his understanding of the inner workings of the industry, he found a opening as a manager, first making waves in the AWA and the Memphis territory before progressing to what was about to become WCW in the late 1980s. An eventful run there saw Heyman (as Paul E. Dangerously) gain notoriety as one of the best young managers in wrestling, as well as one of its most detestable on-screen villains, boosted further by his run in the announce booth alongside Jim Ross.

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ECW December To Dismember 2006

Image Source: Wrestling View

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Genre: Wrestling
Produced By: WWE
Format: Pay-Per-View
Date: December 3 2006
Location: James Brown Arena, Augusta, Georgia, USA
Attendance: 4,800

ECW December To Dismember 2006 was a classic show, one that will always be fondly remembered for ... okay, I'm lying.

Normally, I review a vintage show with historic redeeming features. This week, though, I turn it the other way, and look at an event that was memorable for all the wrong reasons.

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How the Invasion could have been done

Image Source: Wrestling Punks

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Watching the WWE Network series The Monday Night War rekindles memories of the WWF vs. WCW ratings battle. Yet fewer people remember what should have been the biggest storyline feud in wrestling history - erm, the WWF vs. WCW. Well, WWF vs. WCW/ECW. Although I enjoyed it at the time, I appreciate that it could have been better executed and generally lived up to the anticipation that people had had for years regarding such a rivalry. But how could it have been done? What exactly was the 'right' way to book the Invasion? Here's my take ...

Dateline: March 26, 2001. Vince McMahon announced that he has bought WCW, only for Shane McMahon to announce that in fact he bought WCW. Shane beats Vince in their Street Fight at WrestleMania X-Seven, and makes only brief televised appearances thereafter.

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