The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling

Director: Kevin Dunn
Distributor: WWE Home Video
Released: 12/07 

Featured Talent
Skandor Akbar, Ric Flair, Mick Foley, Dory Funk Jr., Verne Gagne, Jimmy Garvin, Gary Hart, Michael Hayes, Bill Irwin, Jerry Lawler, Bill Mercer, Shawn Michaels, Dusty Rhodes, Buddy Roberts, Jim Ross, Triple H, Kevin Von Erich


The Good
When the WWE bought the rights to the World Class library many feared the highly regarded Heroes of World Class documentary would be kept under wraps. It was not and in fact the WWE created a complimentary documentary with the comments of different talent and with some different approaches. This one did a comparable job in covering the rise and fall of World Class, but the period in between is not as dense or thorough. The crux of the rise was the Von Erich/Freebird feud, which looking at the cover and knowing the influence of Michael Hayes should come as no surprise. This facet was well built and covered, if only it had given so much time to other parts of the World Class legacy. The discussion about David Von Erich's death was interesting, people's thoughts on Kerry Von Erich's consequential NWA title win and the the coverage of Gino Hernandez's death were strong additions. What this has over Heroes are the parts about Ken Mantell, whose influence is undeniable and the bluntness in talking about the failure of the WCWA World title. WWE's documentaries have no problems with negativity and it added something that Heroes may have lacked. As with Heroes, Gary Hart was the highlight interview here and it did not seem redundant.

The Bad
Did you know the success of World Class essentially rode on the shoulders of the Freebirds? Michael Hayes will let you know throughout this documentary. They were the most innovative, the most heat-garnering and they were as important (perhaps more so) than the Von Erich boys. That B.S. aside, this documentary was not as offensively bad as it could have been. Gary Hart stated after this release that he felt the fascinating history of pro-wrestling in Dallas was downplayed by both documentaries and numerous personalities were left out. This was certainly done here as Bruiser Brody, Mark Lewin, Kamala, Kabuki, Abdullah the Butcher and others were only mentioned in passing. The trend seems that all heels other than the Freebirds and Gino Hernandez were not given much play. These omissions always happen due to the time constraints, talent involved and so on, but it is still unfortunate. This also featured the typical moments that were included and perhaps should have been left on the cutting room floor - Triple H railing against "hardcore," Bill Irwin adamant view that David Von Erich died due to an eating disorder and Bill Mercer's kayfabe are all standout examples. 

The Extras
This DVD set has a nice second disk with twelve matches of varying levels of quality and importance. There is a Duke Keomuka/Ricky Starr match that is totally detached, but an interesting inclusion nonetheless. The rest are from `82-`86 and they feature all the top stars and several who weren't really addressed. Two feature commentary with Todd Grisham (why?) and Kevin Von Erich, which is always a cool feature. 

The Rating: ****1/4

Shooting with the Legends: Don Fargo

The Good
I've waited years to hear this one and it did not let me down.  Don Fargo is one of the most infamous rebels in pro-wrestling who anyone who spent time around can share crazy stories of and often do.  So, how about some tales from the man himself!  Don Fargo, at 70 years of age, basically goes on for two hours straight telling road stories, sharing dirt and laughing at all the messed up experiences he's had.  His era and the territories he worked are so rarely the focus of shoot interviews that this was fantastic to hear.  There are so many legendary characters from Sputnik Monroe and Lou Thesz to Jack Pfefer and Chris Colt that Don Fargo worked with first-hand that it'd be impossible to have a dull interview.

The Bad
I believe I missed the first part of this interview, but that's not really a valid knock, it just makes me sad.  Although I'm not one who hates road stories, this one was largely Fargo sharing his wacky life story with little insight.  It seems likely that Don Fargo has a deeper understanding of pro-wrestling psychology that was not delved into, which is unfortunate.  He talks some about gimmickry and such, but without a great deal of depth.  This could have been blow-away shoot, and I enjoyed it, but was a little disappointed.

The Rating: ****1/2




Enjoy some Don Fargo (at nearly 60 years of age!!) in the AWA in the mid-80s.

Guest Booker with Jerry Jarrett [Re-Booking WCW in 2000]



The Good
Jerry Jarrett is widely considered one of the great minds in pro-wrestling and here he has the chance to demonstrate. This episode, like many of the others, does not consist entirely of fantasy booking, as Sean Oliver is always trying to get at the nuts and bolts of booking. Jerry Jarrett definitely explains the core of his booking approach and offers up some examples where that was successful and why that psychology works. He also waxes philosophical and it makes you wonder, why am I listening to this and not spending time with my family? Luckily, I was on my evening commute home and they eventually got back to the rasslin'. This is pretty good, but I honestly expected more.

The Bad
The Guest Booker series seems so hit-or-miss. I think someone could easily come away from this thinking Jerry Jarrett is out-of-touch, too old-fashioned and too Southern in his approach. Would I have wanted to see the cards he builds here? Not especially, but his logic is sound and you begin to believe that he could have really picked WCW's activity up in 2000. I doubt it would have been any worse than what we got!

The Rating: ***3/4

  

The Godwinns (Henry & Phineas) RF Video Shoot Interview

The Good
For all the rambling and incoherence, this interview had some interesting nuggets in there.  Personally, the vague description by Dennis Knight (Phineas Godwinn) of the BKS group (a group similar to the Kliq) was of great insider interest.  Although it seems that in his state he may have left out key details and members, basically he and Mark Canterbury (Henry Godwinn), the Undertaker, Yokozuna, Rikishi, Savio Vega and a few others looked out for one another as a group.  It is funny because other than Rikishi, none of these people can or probably will do an interview of this nature.  There are some interesting road stories, but the quality of this is seriously hampered by...(see below).

The Bad
Excessive drinking, possible pot-smoking, Rob Feinstein and a couple pro-wrestlers does not necessarily mix.  When Rob asks, "What about the Outlaws?" and no one including Rob can remember Road Dogg, then the credibility of this shoot interview went in the crapper.  Dennis Knight has to take the award for the most rambling shoot interview in history.  He starts stories that go off in other directions and ultimately never end.  What's worse is RF cannot keep track of them.  Basically Phineas likes/loves, yet also hates/doesn't think much of: Tammy Sytch, the Road Warriors, the Harris Twins and a few other random people.  He loathes Ric Flair, but you never really understand why.  He and Mark got more ass on the road than most anyone and somehow he can tie that to a sentimental story about visiting quadriplegic children.  Canterbury got a few words in here and there, but was repeatedly interrupted and edged out of the conversation by Knight.  I'm sure some people would enjoy this, but those same people probably enjoy train-wrecks with Iron Sheik, Missy Hyatt and New Jack.

The Rating: ***

Debra Marshall Shoot Interview [Highspots]







The Good
Shoot interviews with some unlikely people can provide unique insight and perspective on the business.  I've heard interviews with peripheral figures like the Von Erich's bodyguard, independent referees and various friends of pro-wrestlers that were more interesting than some of the sport's biggest names.  I hoped this one with Debra would fall into that category.  At times, it did.  Her comments on Steve "Mongo" McMichael (whose never done a shoot that I know of), Jeff Jarrett (who sparingly does them) and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin (who selectively does them) were all interesting.  She has led an unusual career and her viewpoint reflected that.  This had its moments.

The Bad
Part of the reason I had to reduce Debra to a fringe personality was because her actual tenure in the sport was so brief, often so minor and undeveloped made her seem like such a character.  She did not grow up a fan, she did not really express that she was a fan and she never seemed like she was into much more than getting on TV and being a star.  Most of those comments could be untrue, but they probably are not.  This lacked depth for the most part and it did not really make you want to see or hear any more Debra when it was over.

The Rating: ***

Reinventing the Sheik

The Good
Since his infamous shoot interview where he first revealed another side of himself, Khosrow Vaziri aka The Iron Sheik has been an internet pro-wrestling phenomenon.  From Youtube clips of him freaking out at conventions to his eventual hook-up with Howard Stern, the Iron Sheik has been reinvented as a controversial character.  His drunken anti-Semitic, homophobic, misogynistic tirades where he threatens to "humble" his enemies through sodomy may not be seen as high comedy to some and this shoot interview takes a unique look at this carefully crafted character.  He is a drug addict, he is an alcoholic, he is totally broken down physically and practically penniless after being a near millionaire at one point, yet he has been made this vulgar and maniacal babyface through his own brilliance and the guidance of his carny-inspired agent Eric Simms.  Here, the two of them talk about their complicated relationship and how it has helped the Iron Sheik regain some of his former fame.  They go into the original shoot interview; his true feelings about Brian Blair, Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior; his struggles with "the medicine" and how much of his persona is a work.  This is fascinating rather than exploitive as two crazy characters are unveiled in a totally different type of shoot interview.



The Bad
If you hate this new Iron Sheik character, you probably won't care for this.  The character is explained, rationalized and demystified to an extent.  While it is a part of the real man, it is largely a fabricated character who rants and raves to capture interest.  Eric Simms, however, has always seemed like a scumbag and while he takes the edge off a bit, he still seems like a profiteer on the Iron Sheik's unfortunate situation.  He explains away securing drugs, videotaping him talking to a drug deal (from an infamous RF Video shoot) and providing him with anything he demands.  This could reinforce some negative feelings people have about the new Sheik for sure.

The Rating: ****1/4