ECW

More ECW goodness

More? The structure of the DVD is identical to that of ECW's "Path of Destruction". There seems to be nothing ECW can do wrong, and this DVD showcases shining examples of this.

The best of ECW matches part 2, so to speak, this DVD is pretty much what you expect from ECW, but also includes bonus promos which showcase another great aspect of ECW, including the promo featuring Steve Austin imitating Hulk Hogan.

Two matches stand out in my mind, however. The best one and the worst one.

Yoshihiro Tajiri vs Psicosis
To any critic of ECW who thinks it too violent, too bloody, too raunchy, anything like that, this is the absolute antithesis of that all. In the same vein as Eddie Guerrero vs Dean Malenko in their last ECW match, this one was no weapons, no blood, pure raw athletic wrestling at its best, with no fake-punches, and amazing feats of chain-wrestling, technical wrestling, and high flying from two guys who look, to the average eye, normal, or even handsome to some. The shining example of what makes up ECW---not just violence, wrestling.


Beulah McGillicuty vs Francine
Unfortunately, ECW doesn't break the mold of the women's division being mediocre. There was a lot of nothing in this match as Beulah catfights Francine, then slowly strips her down. Francine botches most, if not all moves given to her, including completely fumbling a sidekick by Stevie Richards, and selling Raven's kick to the gut about a half second too late. If you like women in bra and panties catfighting... this one would be good for you, but you can see that in the WWE all the time.



ECW goodness November 9, 2007

One of the best DVDs ever.

Every match is a classic. ECW was so much better than it is now!!!! Why can't Vince grow some grapefruits and bring back at least at SMALL PART of what ECW used to be? If you like wrestling this is a MUST BUY. I have watched this MANY times over and it's still entertaining. This stuff will never be duplicated! April 19, 2007

Real ECW

This is ECW, the way it was meant to be seen. Not a watered down version on Sci Fi. I cant understand how they released dvds and still managed to go bankrupt. WCW never released any dvds, but ECW had no money (apparently) and still released quailty action. A diffent buy if your a ECW fan. February 12, 2007

Stone Cold, Barbed Wire, Ring Breaking, Catfighting Action

This is basically a compilation of matches from various ECW TV shows & PPV's with an introduction to each match by Joey Styles.

ECW Champion Mikey Whipwreck vs. Sandman vs. Steve Austin - This was Austin's second (and last) match in ECW & was better than his first one. The match itself was nothing much past that historical factor as it was mostly brawling between all three men.

Barbed Wire Match: ECW Champion Terry Funk vs. Sabu - This was the most brutial match in ECW history as they just got so entangled in the barbed wire that they had to be cut apart for minutes after the match. Even manager Bill Alfonzo was bleeding during this match. Certain parts of the match had Sabu's bicept ripped apart & the barbed wire was wrapped around Funk's neck to the point where he kept getting poked whenever he breathed. It's so violent that if you watched the "Bloodsport" DVD that WWE put out, Paul Heyman said (and I quote) "I never did another one because nobody could top that one...and I didn't want them to."
(Also available on "Bloodsport: ECW's Most Violent Matches")

Television Champion Taz vs. Bam Bam Bigelow - This was from Living Dangerously '98. This was really something to witness as it looked like a "david vs. goliath" match just from looking at the two but Taz did more than hold his own against Bigelow. Certain moments in the match include Bigelow punching through a piece of table straight to Taz's face & Taz being knocked out from hitting his head on the guardrail while suplexing Bigelow off the ramp into the crowd. The ending was really shocking & made a heavy impact to the point that then-WWF writer Terry Taylor openily admitted that he stole that idea & used it in WWF during an angle involving Undertaker & Big Show.
(Also available on "Rise & Fall Of ECW")

The Sandman & Terry Funk vs. Cactus Jack & Shane Douglas - This was one of the wild brawls that ECW was remembered for as they had sinapore canes, guardrails in the ring, a toolbox complete with tools, and even a flaming branding iron. A classic ECW hardcore brawl from the early days of Extreme.
(Also available on "Bloodsport: ECW's Most Violent Matches")

Masato Tanaka & Jerry Lynn vs. Mike Awesome & Justin Credible - Their seperate fueds mixed with each other for this tag team match that actually came off very well. You get a good mix of wrestling here that you would expect from Lynn/Credible along with the stiff chair & table shots that you expect from Tanaka/Awesome.

Yoshihiro Tajiri vs. Psicosis - This was from the late days of ECW where Psicosis returned to the ECW arena maskless (thanks WCW!). It was a good clash here between the two which showcases why Psicosis was underused in WCW for those who have only saw him there or in WWE as one of the Mexicools. Again, a good clash but nothing really memorable.

Francine vs. Beulah McGullicuty - This was dubbed as "The Original Catfight" and the catch was that Stevie Richards (Francine's boyfriend) was the referee while at the same time, he was tag team champions with Raven...who's girlfriend was Beulah. This I can't even classify as a match as it was just a segment to have hot women stripped down to their underwear & put over a storyline between all four participants. This was really nothing special unless your fans of Francine or Beulah...or love seeing hot women in their underwear.

Beulah McGillicutty vs. Bill Alfonso (in the Extreme Moments section) - Paul Heyman has called this match "5 of the most intense minutes in ECW history" as Alfonzo was nothing more than a 150 lbs. manager/former referee was bleeding so much that he makes Steve Austin's at WrestleMania 13 look like a papercut while Beulah put on some moves herself that were very impressive for being 105 lbs. untrained female. These two put on a better 5 minute match between each other that is actually better than alot of wrestlers can put together in 10 mins.
(Also available on "Bloodsport: ECW's Most Violent Matches")

The DVD extras the "Steve-amanic" promo and a hidden "Monday Niquil" promo by Steve Austin, and a promo by Cactus Jack. There's also a collage of the "Pulp Fiction" ECW promos including J.T. Smith, the Dudley's (before D-Von), Eliminators, Tommy Dreamer, Cactus Jack & Raven, Terry Funk, Bill Alfonzo, Tod Gordon, Steve Austin, Woman & Sandman, Mickey Whipwreck, Stevie Richards, Public Enemy along with those who have passed through ECW for a short time like the Steiner Brothers, Konnan, and Rey Mysterio.

The only flop I would say on this was the Beulah vs. Francine match (unless your just a fan of girls in their underwear) so I would recommend it. May 28, 2006

Not the best ECW comp, but some good matches here.

Here we go:

1. Mikey Whipwreck Vs. Steve Ausin Vs. The Sandman - 3-way elimination match - Whipwreck won the ECW Championship and a fluke and now finds himself between 2 pissed-off drunks. Should've been good, but was pretty boring and way too long. *1/2

2. Terry Funk Vs. Sabu - Barbed Wire match - Sabu wrestled this match shirtless, which is insane in a barbed-wire match. Both men get shredded like crazy with Sabu actually having to tape his arm mid-match because it was bleeding to bad. ***1/2

3. Taz Vs. Bam Bam Bigalow - Kinda slow with bug moves here and then, including a BIG move to finish the match. ***

4. Terry Funk/Sandman Vs. Cactus Jack/Shane Douglas - Wild ECW brawl that uses chairs, tables, canes and everything else they could find. ****

5. Masata Tanaka/Jerry Lynn Vs. Mike Awesome/Justin Credible - 2 feuds collide in 1 tag team match. Awesome/Tanaka is always great, but throw in Jerry Lynn and you've got a great match. ****

6. Psicosis Vs. Tajiri - Both men work the mat with Tajiri kicking the crap outta Psicosis and Psych throwing the aerial moves in between. ****1/2

7. Francine Vs. Beulah - Raven and Steven Richards are guest refs. Francine is with Steven whose with Raven whose with Beulah.. I think I have that right. Not really a match, but you almost see puppies! - DUD

8. Fonzie Vs. Beulah - (In extra section) - Fonzie must've eaten 10 asperins with his bottle of vodka cause he taps a Mutoh scale bloodbath. Like the barbed wire match, it's actually disturbing, but knowing Fonzie somehow survived a loss of most of his blood is amazing! March 9, 2004

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