WWE's documentary on WCCW. A must-see, with many classic matches!

---

Product Description

Collects some of the greatest matches in WCCW history, reliving electrifying moments for a generation of old-school fans and introducing new fans to the adrenaline-filled excitement of World Class Championship Wrestling. Catch the exploits of the Von Erich brothers and their rivals the Freebirds. See where NWA stars of the era - Bruiser Brody, Ric Flair, Jerry Lawler , Abdullah the Butcher – began their epic careers, and how local heroes Gino Hernandez, Mark Lewin, Tim Brooks and more paved the way for today’s Superstars. Even the Ultimate Warrior got his start here as the Dingo Warrior.

---

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22027 in DVD
• Brand: WELLSPRING/GENIUS
• Released on: 2007-12-11
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 360 minutes

---

Customer Reviews

World Class Championship Wrestling - An Epic But Sad Tale
I have now watched this piece at least 6 times since I bought it this past Friday and let me say it is worth the money. While it isn't perfect, I am just glad to see some of this old footage as it brings back memories of me watching World Class on ESPN during the mid to late 80's. Yes, ESPN used to air them and AWA at one time.

Anyway, back to the product, it was great to see Gary Hart, Skandor Akbar and "Wild" Bill Irwin again and to hear their stories. Its also great to see Kevin Von Eric still around to give us his stories about his dad and brothers. Time has been kind to them but not so kind of the former Fabulous Freebirds, especially Buddy Roberts and "Gorgeous" Jimmy Garvin! Michael Hayes still looks pretty good and I like hearing his views on World Class as well. I also liked seeing guys that often are forgotten like the late Missing Link, Kamala, The Great Kabuki (father of former IWGP and NWA Champion The Great Muta), "Iceman" King Parsons, "The Mercenary of Mayhem" Bruiser Brody, Abdulah The Butcher and Gino Hernandez.

If I have any problems with this release, I would've liked to have heard from "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. True, he didn't wrestle for World Class (it had changed to USWA by the time he started) but he was trained by "Gentleman" Chris Adams so I would've liked to have heard from him about Chris. I mean, we heard from Mick Foley, HHH and Shawn Michaels so why not Austin? Oh well, you can't have everything.

The ending of the promotion wasn't as sad as all the deaths like Gino Hernandez and the Von Eric brothers. David's was particularly sad because it has been said he was next in line to be NWA World Champion in 1984. Mike and Chris' deaths, while sad, weren't totally surprising because (based on what's said on the documentary) there were signs. Kerry's death was almost as shocking as David's in the respect that no one saw that one coming at all! Still, they were tragic no matter how you slice it.

This release from WWE wasn't perfect by any means but it still gets 5 stars from me because any acknowledgement of wrestling outside of WWE is always a good sign.

Overall, this release gives you a good idea of who World Class was and what they contributed to what we call "sports entertainment." I will also be purchasing "Heroes of World Class" very soon as it has also received high praise. Between the two, you'll almost have a definitive look at this Texas promotion which had great wrestling, colorful personalities and fans whose loyalty and passion for these wrestlers rivaled (in my opinion) those fans who cheered the original ECW during the mid to late 90's! Definitely deserves a place on any wrestling fans wall or someone who likes good documentaries.

Complete matches list
Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling is one of the best wrestling DVD ever made. Here's the complete matches list for this classic release:

- Duke Keomuka VS Ricky Starr (Texas Rasslin', ???, black and white)
A great 20 minutes, 2 out of 3 falls match with many submission moves. It's great to have finally a match of Keomuka on DVD.

- Fritz Von Erich VS King Kong Bundy (WCCW, 1982)
Fritz's official retirement match. Great match, it's cool to see a younger King Kong Bundy with hair. The match end on the football field of the Dallas Cowboys.

- Ric Flair VS Kerry Von Erich (WCCW, 1982, NWA World title match)
This is a Steel Cage match with two referee, David Manning and Michael Hayes. This is the infamous match where the Von Erich/Freebirds feud is born. Great 25 minutes match, Flair bleed like never before. By far one of my favorite match ( and i have over 2000 matches on dvd ). Great performance by Kerry.

- Kevin Von Erich/David Von Erich/Iceman Parsons VS Freebirds (WCCW 1983)
Great 6 men tag team match. It's always great to see a match of David on DVD. Most a technical match than a brawl. The match is about 12 minutes long but it's 12 good minutes. Alternate commentary by Kevin Von Erich and Todd Grisham.

- Iceman Parsons VS Buddy Roberts (WCCW 1983, Hair match)
Finally a single match of Buddy Roberts on DVD!!! he is great, one of the most underrated wrestler ever. Good 6 minutes match, with plenty of pinfalls, not many wrestling moves but very good action. The fans are really into it. Iceman was a tremendous fan favorite. Include an apparition by Michael Hayes.

- Fritz, Kevin, Mike Von Erich VS FReebirds (WCCW 1984, 6-men title)
This is a real classic. This 10 minutes match is a brawl from beginning to end. All the wrestlers are in jeans, are prepared for a street fight. This is at the David Von Erich Memorial show, in front of 50 000 fans.Fritz came out of retirement for this match. Great Action, Great fans.

- Sunshine/ Chris Adams VS Jimmy Garvin/Precious (WCCW 1984, mix tag match)
GReat 6 minutes match, with plenty of action. Chris Adams was a great wrestler and Jimmy Garvin a great heel. Again the Fans really like this match, and they goes wild when Sunshine finally gets her hands on Precious. Sunshine was really hot back in those days.

- Kabuki VS Kamala (WCCW, 1984)
I was very happy when i saw that this match was on DVD because The only times these two were on DVD was in Royal Rumble. Good but slow match, with not many wrestling moves. Good face-off between these two beasts. The match is about 10 minutes long. good extra.

- Chris Adams VS Kevin Von Erich (WCCW, 1985)
Good match with a little bit of everything: blood and technical wrestling. Another great match from both Kevin and Adams, and this was a great feud. About 12 minutes long, with Alternate commentary by Kevin and Todd.

- Fantastics VS Midnight Express (WCCW 1985)
Great Tag team tornado Two rings match. 10 minutes of non-stop action, with great wrestling moves and some brawling (Chair shots). Bobby Eaton looks great as always in the ring, and a great performance by Tommy Rogers. Jim Cornette is funny like always, and the two rings give the match a very special look. a Classic in my opinion.

- Bruiser Brody/Missing link VS Rick Rude/One man Gang (WCCW 1986)
Finally a match of Bruiser Brody on DVD, it was about time!!! Great to see him, and it's great to see the Missing link, who sadly have passed away this year. Rude look great, and his manager is a younger Paul Bearer, with blond hair a la Bobby Heenan. Good 8 minutes match, not a classic, but a very good extra.

- Bruiser Brody VS Abdullah the Butcher (WCCW 1986, Steel Cage Match)
I was the happiest man in the world when i saw that this match made it on DVD. Finally a match of Abdullah on DVD, and, even if this match is not a classic, it's a great extra and i thanks WWE for putting it on the disc. not many wrestling moves, just blood and brawling, but that's what you want to see from these two men. Fritz Von Erich is the ref. About 12 minutes long, not a classic but again a great great dvd Extra.

The only thing missing: A match of Gino Hernandez.

Too Much, Too Soon
From 1982-1985, WCCW had the "It" factor; a syndicated-TV show - with state-of-the-art production - which aired main-event-quality matches, major shows which captivated national audiences and a Rock-n-Wrestling connection that did not make the talent into cartoon characters.

Though, for some of the talent, it became a party to the abyss. And, when it all began to fall apart, there were oftentimes very tragic consequences.

This two-disc set does a good job in capturing the growth of WCCW from a regional business into a powerhouse and its slide into irrelevance while it tried to hang on in the late 1980s as the independent WCWA and - from 1988-1990 - during the last gasp in the fatal merger with AWA and CWA.

While the documentary on disc one fails to mention the 1986 oil crisis which depressed the territory and the major talent wars with the upstart, UWF, the candid commentary by the legendary Gary Hart makes for compelling viewing. And no matter how many times the tragedy surrounding the Von Erichs is told, it remains a sad journey of the perils when business - at all costs - takes precedence over family.

The second disc - though Gino Hernandez is not in any of the bouts - features a good overview of the superior matches during the glory years; including the historic steel cage match of Kerry Von Erich versus Ric Flair and a steel cage match featuring two legends who invented hardcore, Bruiser Brody and Abdullah the Butcher.

This is a must purchase for fans who fondly remember WCCW or those who want a better historical understanding of the great heights and dramatic demise of a company which had so much, but for many of the wrestlers, it was too much, too soon.