Mike Graham [RF Video Shoot Interview]

The Good
I had never heard Mike Graham talk much more than the pieces on the Florida DVDs that were released years ago, but I just knew he'd be an excellent shoot interview. On those, he seemed laid back and personable with a good sense of humor that makes for an enjoyable shoot interview. I also had heard from many of his peers (Kevin Sullivan being most notable) that he was very smart about the business and so I expected he could get into some of the booking and psychology aspects as well. Moreover, Mike Graham grew up as a second-generation wrestler and his father, Eddie, is regarded as one of the best bookers in the business. Finally, the peak and fall of Championship Wrestling from Florida was something Mike lived through and was inarguably impacted by. All of these factor made this the definitive shoot interview about the peak and fall of pro-wrestling in Florida. Yes, I have heard many legends of Florida talk about it from Dusty Rhodes and Jack Brisco to Kevin Sullivan and Sir Oliver Humperdink, but Mike Graham just has that in-the-bubble mentality that provides for deep insight, passionate comments and an overarching view that those others lacked because of their extensive careers elsewhere. The angles, the booking, the characters, the hot periods, the cold periods and all the rest of it are covered here. Mike also peppers this with great road stories about Dick Slater, Terry Funk and other legendary characters who passed through Florida. This shoot interview reaches a climax of sorts when Eddie Graham's suicide is covered. People have attributed Eddie's decline to poor business decisions, the change of the pro-wrestling scene, the departure of Dusty Rhodes and many of his top stars, problems with a mistress and perhaps his own body breaking down, Mike gives credence to all of these to an extent. He gives an emotional remembrance, but also gives the details. While you may not have enjoyed Mike Graham as a performer and might find some his claims (see below) to be a bit much, one has to admit that he does a great job here and delivers one of the best shoot interviews I've ever experienced.

The Bad
Mike Graham grew up in and became a central figure in Florida like Greg Gagne, the Von Erichs, the Harts, the Fullers, Captain Ed George and many others did in their respective territories. Like many of those aforementioned talents, he never really left home until he had to. Now some people might see Mike Graham's claims as lofty. He credits himself for giving Eric Bischoff the formula that took WCW in a more successful direction in the mid-90s. He says he called out Sid Vicious, Chris Benoit and such, but they backed down. He seems to allude to some admittedly outrageous stories that he can't get into because it would hurt certain parties, which seem to be tales of pro-wrestling wild side. I suppose much of that could be true, but many of his more grandiose comments have never been told by others (that I've heard) and while he is generally well-regarded by his peers, I'm frustrated that many of his eyebrow-raising statements are being heard for the first time. I am not going to say that Mike Graham is a liar and is just focused on putting himself, his father and Championship Wrestling from Florida over, but his comments certainly do that.

The Rating: *****

Memphis Heat: The True Story of Memphis Wrasslin'
Director: Chad Schaffler
Released: 2011



Featured Talent 
Jim Blake, Jerry Calhoun, Guy Coffey, Bill Dundee, Jack Eaton, Jackie Fargo, Ron Hall, Jimmy Hart, Jerry Jarrett, Rocky Johnson, Jerry Lawler, Herman Mitchell (fan), Sputnik Monroe, Len Rossi, Jimmy Valiant, Buddy Wayne, Billy Wicks

The Good 
I first became of the ¨Memphis Heat¨ project in 2009 when one of the producers e-mailed me trying to track down footage. It sounded like a great project with excellent potential as it was such a colorful territory and so many of the key players were still alive (the inclusion of the now-deceased Sputnik Monroe really brings up the quality). While I was not able to help provide footage, I offered some names and some opinions. I was actually slow to buy this one, but did get it eventually. Amazingly only a couple week after buying it, the director and his wife met my own wife in an unlikely story of happenstance. Aside from enjoying "Lipstick & Dynamite," my wife has never had any interest or enjoyment in pro-wrestling. She brought that up and Chad Schaffler (who does documentaries and is not just some crazed pro-wrestling fan) expressed liking it and I can definitely see some of the same aesthetic elements here with the retro visual effects, rockabilly music and quick-cut editing. It is really a great approach that fits beautifully and is a great change of pace from the formulaic WWE documentaries. I've heard comparisons to "Heroes of World Class," which is fitting. While this has more appeal for its look and feel, "Heroes" has this beat in sheer length and depth (and has the nice WWE complimentary documentary). Neither is one I'd highly recommend to a non-fan (like my wife), although of the two, "Memphis Heat" has more mainstream appeal and parts of it (the Sputnik Monroe segment especially) could get over with anyone (and has as NPR did a story on him in 2001). "Heroes" also had the disadvantage of so many of the key players being dead (which fit into the story), "Memphis Heat" though had most of the key players, including Sputnik, Billy Wicks and Jackie Fargo. Just as Memphis was the last territory, this may be the last independent pro-wrestling documentary of this nature as WWE recently bought up the Mid-South library. Portland seems to have the same potential and could be a lot of fun with a similar approach.

The Bad 
By my estimation, there are three key strikes against this documentary that probably most "overview of a pro-wrestling company" would have. First and foremost is the absence of certain talent and inclusion of other talent. The most notable is Lance Russell, who was unavailable because of living in Florida, but would have added a whole other layer of insight. If you have ever heard an interview with him, you can imagine how much he could've added. Other stars like Dutch Mantell, Honky Tonk Man, Lanny Poffo, Jim Cornette, Robert Fuller, Bill Bowman and Joe Turner are names that come to mind as tremendous interviews who all had varying degrees of success and experience in Memphis (and/or Nashville). They certainly had budget limitations, so it seems they mainly focused on the biggest names or locals. Second is the choice of angles and stories, which is largely a matter of preference. Jerry Jarrett has always mildly resented the attention that the Lawler-Kaufmann angle is given in Memphis's overall history and here it is played up again and sort of plays into swansong of the territory along with the departure of Jimmy Hart (the third man in the storyline). I was not brought up on Memphis wrestling, so I cannot speak to the best angles through a young fan's eyes, only through looking back. The angles chosen seem to logically coincide with a narrative and with the personalities interviewed. Third is the 1985 cut-off, which is approximately a decade before Memphis went down. I can appreciate wanting to avoid that whole USWA era (1989-1997), but obviously some fans would feel that period was important. Overall, the knocks against "Memphis Heat" are few and the same types that any documentary of this nature have.

The Rating: *****

Art of Wrestling [Weekly Podcast]

The Good
A few years ago, Colt Cabana began concentrating his efforts on developing his brand following his WWE release. For those of us who remember watching him in IWA Mid-South a decade ago, he seems like a completely different character. Cabana took his goofball personality and made it a commodity that people not only enjoy, but will check out and hopefully pay for. Part of his branding process included starting this podcast, which in its first 100 episodes developed a reputation as being one of the most enjoyable and distinct. Cabana not only gets himself over, but provides a forum for a wide variety of pro-wrestling personalities to share their stories, experiences and wisdom. Although he predominantly features his peers on the indy circuit, Colt has managed to interview people that I have never heard interviews with before. As his buddy CM Punk revealed on the 100th episode, the show is very formulaic and after a while that becomes part of the charm. Colt's cadence is distinct and he has a number of phrases that might irritate some, but gives the show a feeling of familiarity that creates a loyal audience. Colt usually shares some funny anecdotes or thoughtful reflections about his current situation and some plugs to open the show and ends the show with some closing thoughts and some more plugs. His song-of-the-week is a nice feature and it provides some more frivolity that is the show's trademark. The meat of the show though is Colt Cabana sitting down and interviewing someone else from the world of pro-wrestling. The variety is a positive, but the best interviews are those with people he has a good rapport with because they're friends. It is cool to hear him chat with Johnny Saint, Kentaro and Alejandro, but it is the interviews with guys like Cliff Compton, Bull Pain and Chris Masters that really stand out as the best. Those that are the most comfortable with him, tend to let their hair down the most and it lets him dig a little deeper. In comparison to interviews with more highly regarded people, Cabana is able to get more out of certain people like Dolph Ziggler, Jimmy Jacobs and Pac. The Art of Wrestling is one of the best pro-wrestling podcasts out there and one that everyone should at least sample a few times.

The Bad
If I was recommending this podcast to other pro-wrestling fans, I would probably suggest that they listen to the interviews with wrestlers they know first. The show's structure is a strength of the show, but it takes some time to internalize that aspect. Colt's personality is another dimension and he may simply be a turn off for a great many people. He admittedly loves fun and that comes across. If you prefer the RF Video's red-eyed marathon shoots, Kayfabe Commentaries' in-depth and well-researched shoots, then you might feel this series is lacking. Colt interjects a lot of humor (or tries to) and typically that enhances the interview, but it is largely a matter of taste. While he provides a great deal of personality and often personal connections to the interviewee, he is not a hard-hitting journalist, well-studied newsletter writer or an enthusiastic super-fan. He does have a sound knowledge base and grew up as a fan and follows the business pretty closely. Colt tries to keep his interviews friendly and sometimes lightly steps into some heavy topics, but generally does not to. That levity is nice, but it can lead to disappointing interviews. Colt's goal is not to present breaking news, but he sometimes stumbles across some without trying.

The Rating: ****1/4

Ahmed Johnson ["Highspots" Shoot Interview]



The Good
If you take nothing else away from this interview, realize that for all his personal problems, Ahmed Johnson could've been a major player. While his work had its flaws, Ahmed had an unbelievable intensity that very few have. He certainly puts over that strength of his here and rightly so. While that factor did intrigue me during his WWF run, I felt people like Randy Savage, Goldberg, Sid Vicious and especially Chris Benoit were able to kick their careers to a higher level and became bonafide top guys as a result. Ahmed really could have been a top guy and this shoot interview gives perspective on why that did not happen. He does feel he was cooled off, miscast as a heel briefly and undermined by some people (he particularly targets Steve Austin as a racist), although ultimately he left due to his sister's health problems and never recovered from that life-changing situation. The interview does get into some of the dirt about him and he seems to respond with sensible answers to everything - his work being too stiff, him stealing the LOD's shoulder pads, his steroid abuse, his unreliability.

The Bad
Ahmed Johnson's legacy is certainly tarnished and he will probably be remembered favorably by a small number of people. Few of his peers say highly positive things about him, he was a rising star in the WWF when it was at its lowest point and he left before the boom. This shoot interview gives him the opportunity to clarify his place. He put himself over very strongly and leaves the impression that he is not highly regretful of leaving when he did. If he had stayed and kept his head on straight, Ahmed Johnson could have very well been a key component in the Attitude Era. The interview does not really take that corner though. There are also the tales of him dealing drugs, pimping underage girls and his membership in the Bloods (he has repeatedly confirmed the last issue) that go unexplored, but certainly are part of his story. This shoot interview is one that has been put over as great and it simply was not.

The Rating: ***1/4

LAW (Live Audio Wrestling) [Weekly Podcast]

The Good

I recall first stumbling across the LAW in 2000 when I was really clamoring for more free online content.  Back in those days, it was Jeff Marek and Dan "The Mouth" Lovransky.  At that time, they were covering three companies in the US and had pretty well open access to everyone.  They also had an amazing archive of interviews and Dave Meltzer making regular appearances.  If you fast forward a few years, the LAW had dramatically changed in a number of ways.  "The Mouth" was now joined by Jason Agnew, the landscape of pro-wrestling was in the gutter and there once impressive archive was no more.  Fast forward another few years, John Pollock was playing a more active on-air roll, they were affiliated with the Fight Network and were expanding the LAW brand significantly.  In 2012, they're on TSN Radio and have a firmly established product complete with regular segments, callers and the like.  I honestly only listened to the LAW sporadically between 2007 and 2010 as I tended to opt for other audio options, but was pleasantly surprised when I picked back up per recommendation.  I think for a single weekly show that gives a nice package of "news, opinion and interviews," the LAW really delivers, furthermore it is very nicely produced and has a level of energy and quality that other podcasts do not.

The Bad

I fell out of listening to the LAW for a reason.  If one is listening to several podcasts during the week, you can only hear reviews of Raw, pay-per-views and such so many times.  The show needs to offer more and for a time, I didn't feel like the LAW did that.  I enjoyed aspects of the show, but felt much of it was tedious and uninteresting.  The quality of calls, because they are such a part of the show, really determines its overall quality and I've never thought these are worth it.  The "Title Bout Trivia" segment is more often than not painful.  The interviews are usually very good, but if they are largely edited down and a full version is available on their website, then I'll opt out.  There are many times when I simply stop after "Wrestling Observer Extra."  I can also understand people not caring for the hosts as can be the case with any show.  I'm not sure when this trend began, but Jason Agnew tends to be curt (sometimes downright mean) with callers to the point that I almost wonder why they have that part.  It gives the show such a negative element.  The shows without him are not much different in quality and avoid that bad taste.  If you don't like your callers - don't have them.  Most of the regulars offer little in the way of fresh perspectives or worthwhile commentary, so it seems like a lose-lose situation.  The LAW offers a lot of substance for those who are not heavy consumers of pro-wrestling podcasts and great style, but this Canadian offering might be an acquired taste for some - brother!

The Rating: ****

RF Video's "Behind Closed Doors" with JJ Dillon

The Good
JJ Dillon has always been a favorite of mine (in this capacity, not so much as a manager) because he is very insightful, very straightforward and has some good stories to share. As someone who worked all over the place, including with the Funks and Eddie Graham as well as the assistant booker to Dusty Rhodes in the mid-80s and as one of Vince McMahon's right-hand men as the Head of Talent Relations, JJ Dillon certainly has psychology to share. They spend a far amount of time going over his career, but it is the nuts and bolts of booking, working angles and such that makes this good. Talking about getting a break as a different type of heels up in the Maritimes, talking about his approach to interviews, talking about the Florida standard of big events, talking about simply why angles worked makes this excellent. This is quite an extensive shoot at roughly three-hours in length, but the thoroughness in his anecdotes are all parts of the lesson.

The Bad
Since I enjoy listening to JJ Dillon, I feel like I've heard some many of his stories already. While that does not totally kill the enjoyment, it is perhaps not as good as hearing his material fresh. He is certainly an acquired taste as he is not particularly bitter, humorous or crass. JJ Dillon has nice things to say about most everyone and even when he has an issue (such as with Abdullah the Butcher, Mick Foley or Dusty Rhodes), he can put it into perspective. That is probably a healthier attitude, but if you want over-the-top, you won't get it here. While contextualizing is important, I felt too much time was spent on the career of JJ Dillon. What made Jake Roberts' and Bret Hart's "Behind Closed Doors" shoots excellent was they really dug into the psychology, whereas this one, Paul Orndorff's, Stan Hansen's and many others seems like a regular old RF Video shoot under another name.

The Rating:  ****1/2
 

Demolition [RF Video Shoot Interview]

The Good
Tandem shoots can be really good if the two have good chemistry, one does not do all the talking and they do not get off on the individual's careers. RF Video had previous interviewed both of these guys who had significant careers before partnering up, so they kept those pre-Demolition question to a minimum. These two clearly have great respect for one another and believed in their gimmick and how over it was. I felt like Rob dealt with the Road Warrior clones issue well and these two made a great case for their legacy. Bill Eadie came in first with Randy Colley and he explains why Randy didn't work, why he did and why he thought the gimmick would get over. They talk about the various teams they worked, their runs as heels and babyfaces and how they avoided getting caught up in the WWF's drug and party culture. The most interesting part of this was talking about their potential feud with the Legion of Doom, which never really happened. Ax's health woes, Crush's presence and the LOD's super-push saw the thing shortchanged and they seem a little upset by it all.

The Bad
The major bone of contention here is whether or not Demolition was WWF's second-rate answer to Road Warriors or if they were something unique. Sure, there are similarities - the makeup, the likeness to the Lord Humongous character (from the Road Warrior sequel), the balls-to-the-wall brawling style and monster heel approach. Demolition though was comprised of a highly polished heel and one coming into his prime, they worked longer matches, were known for their cardio and were revered by their peers. Demolition seem highly dismissive of the comments, which is a bit much, but then they get into how WWF fans saw the LOD as Demolition clones…which I can't buy at all. There are differences and there are similarities, but let's not get ridiculous. I liked the narrow focus on just their run together as Demolition, but since I have not yet heard their individual shoots, I was left wanting to hear more about the amazing run of the Masked Superstar in the years prior.

The Rating:  ****

Pride FC (2003 - 2004)

In 2002, Pride FC co-promoted with K-1 the largest MMA show to date (as of 10 years later) and their momentum continued into the following year.  The year started off grimly with the death of the president of Dream Stage Entertainment (their parent company).  Speculation that he was involved with the yakuza or had been evading taxes died down in what was the most momentous year for the company, but rumors of shady goings-on with DSE would return.  The company expanded dramatically introducing the Bushido brand with lighter fighters and penalties for stalling, which held five events over the next two years.  Pride also brought back the tournament format for their middleweights, which led to a card of nearly 70,000 for the final fights at year's end.  The following year, a heavyweight tournament was highly success as well.  Amazingly, scandal and poor management was around the corner for Pride FC.

Why does this belong on a blog about pro-wrestling?

Pro-wrestling made Pride.  In these first eight events offered up by Pride you'll see some legendary fighters, some fighters who would become legendary and a large number of pro-wrestlers.  After the repeated attempts to build a shoot-style promotion, Pride FC became the solution.  It most certainly had fixed fights, rampant drug abuse and the no athletic commissions making sure everything was legit.  They offered the kind of colorful cards that UFC and other American companies could not and still do not.

Look through the cards and you will notice approximately 25 men who had been, would be or dabbled in pro-wrestling (from the WWF and New Japan to UWFi and U-Style).

**Explanation of my rating system - I devised a odd little system to evaluate fights.  I based my ratings on entertainment value, skill displayed, energy displayed and finish.  This tends to mean that slugfests and high-paced mat battles rate higher than lay n' pray snoozers and "squash matches".  I also tried to include how the majority of the fight looked in two parts.  Part 1 - standing, on the ground or a combination.  Part 2 - striking, hooking or a combination**

Pride FC 2000 - 2002

Pride Fighting Championships reinvented Mixed Martial Arts in Japan and abroad.  Big money, big names and big events turned Pride FC brought the seemingly dead genre back and helped it reach the success in sees today.  After establishing themselves with some hit-or-miss cards in the late 1990s, Pride FC would reach amazing heights over the next few years.
Why does this belong on a blog about pro-wrestling?
Pro-wrestling made Pride.  In these first eight events offered up by Pride you'll see some legendary fighters, some fighters who would become legendary and a large number of pro-wrestlers.  After the repeated attempts to build a shoot-style promotion, Pride FC became the solution.  It most certainly had fixed fights, rampant drug abuse and the no athletic commissions making sure everything was legit.  They offered the kind of colorful cards that UFC and other American companies could not and still do not.

Look through the cards and you will notice approximately 25 men who had been, would be or dabbled in pro-wrestling (from the WWF and New Japan to UWFi and RINGS).

**Explanation of my rating system - I devised a odd little system to evaluate fights.  I based my ratings on entertainment value, skill displayed, energy displayed and finish.  This tends to mean that slugfests and high-paced mat battles rate higher than lay n' pray snoozers and "squash matches".  I also tried to include how the majority of the fight looked in two parts.  Part 1 - standing, on the ground or a combination.  Part 2 - striking, hooking or a combination**

Pride 25 - Body Blow
Date of Event: 3/16/03
Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten
- Opening Video featuring Vanderlei Silva
1. Kazuhiro Nakamura vs. Rogerio Noguiera - ***1/4 (Combo/Combo)
- Steibling interview
2. Akira Shoji vs. Alex Steibling - **3/4 (Ground/Striking)
- Newton/Silva interviews
3. Anderson Silva vs. Carlos Newton - ***1/4 (Combo/Striking)
- Henderson interview
4. Dan Henderson vs. Shungo Oyama - ***1/4 (Standing/Striking)
- Elvis interview
5. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Elvis Schembri - **3/4 (Standing/Striking)
- Randleman/Jackson interviews
6. Quinton Jackson vs. Kevin Randleman - ***1/4 (Combo/Striking)
- Jackson/Silva confrontation, Noguiera & Fedor interviews
7. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Fedor Emelianenko (Heavyweight Championship) - ***1/4 (Ground/Striking)


Pride 26 - Bad to the Bone
Date of Event: 6/8/03
Length: 2 hrs
Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten
- Show introduction, fighter intros
1. Elvis Schembri vs. Kazuhiro Hamanaka - *** (Combo/Combo)
2. Anderson Silva vs. Daijyu Takase - ***3/4 (Ground/Combo)
3. Alistair Overeem vs. Mike Bencic - **1/2 (Ground/Striking)
- Jackson interview
4. Quinton Jackson vs. Mikhail Illhoukhine - ***3/4 (Ground/Combo)
- Jackson interview, intermission highlights
5. Fedor Emelinenko vs. Kazuyuki Fujita - ****1/4 (Combo/Striking)
- Herring & Crocop interview
6. Mirko Crocop vs. Heath Herring - ***1/2 (Standing/Striking)
- Frye & Coleman interview
7. Don Frye vs. Mark Coleman - **1/4 (Ground/Striking)
- Coleman promo & interview


Pride Grand Prix - Total Elimination
Date of Event: 8/10/03
Length: 2 hrs 45 mins
Commentary: Damon Perry & Bas Rutten
- Preshow, Rutten-Perry intros, fighter intros
- Goodridge interview
1. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Gary Goodridge - ***1/2 (Standing/Striking)
- Liddell video & interview, Overeem interview
2. Chuck Liddell vs. Alistair Overeem - ***3/4 (Standing/Striking)
- Liddell, Jackson, Bustamante interviews
3. Quinton Jackson vs. Murillo Bustamante - ***1/2 (Combo/Combo)
- Rodriguez & Noguiera interviews
4. Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera vs. Ricco Rodriguez - ***1/2 (Ground/Combo)
- Inoki with Shoji, Nakamura, Sakurai, Mishima and Oyama
- Crocop interview
5. Mirko Crocop vs. Igor Vovchanchyn - *** (Standing/Striking)
6. Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Hidehiko Yoshida - **** (Standing/Combo)
7. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Vanderlei Silva - *** (Standing/Striking)


Pride Bushido
Date of Event: 10/5/03
Length: 3 hours
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo & Bas Rutten
Guest Commentary: Royce Gracie
- Show intro with drumming, fighter intros
1. Chris Brennan vs. Eiji Mitsuoka - *** (Ground/Combo)
- Brennan interview
2. Khalid Arrab vs. Rodney Faverus - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)
- Gracie interviews
3. Carlos Newton vs. Renzo Gracie - ***1/4 (Ground/Combo)
4. Ralph Gracie vs. Dokonjonosuke Mishima - ***3/4 (Combo/Combo)
5. Kazuhiro Nakamura vs. Daniel Gracie - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)
6. Rodrigo Gracie vs. Daijyu Takase - **3/4 (Ground/Striking)
- Royce & Yoshida interviews
7. Ryan Gracie vs. Kazuhiro Hamanaka - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)
8. Mauricio Rua vs. Akira Shoji - **** (Combo/Striking)
- Crocop & Caras interviews
9. Mirko Crocop vs. Dos Caras Jr. - **3/4 (Standing/Striking)


Pride Grand Prix - Final Conflict
Date of Event: 11/9/03
Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Commentary: Damon Perry & Bas Rutten
Guest Commentary: Randy Couture
- Total Elimination highlights, Preshow w/ Couture, Fighter Intros
1. Gary Goodridge vs. Dan Bobish - ** (Standing/Striking)
- Jackson/Liddell interviews & highlights
2. Quinton Jackson vs. Chuck Liddell - ***1/4 (Combo/Striking)
- Silva interview
3. Vanderlei Silva vs. Hidehiko Yoshida - ***3/4 (Ground/Combo)
- Hype Video
4. Dan Henderson vs. Murillo Bustamante - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)
- Randleman interview
5. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Kevin Randleman - **1/2 (Combo/Combo)
- Crocop/Noguiera interviews
6. Mirko Crocop vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Interim Heavyweight Championship) - ***1/2 (Combo/Combo)
- Interim Championship presentation
7. Vanderlei Silva vs. Quinton Jackson - ***1/4 (Combo/Striking)
- Award Ceremony, Show Close


Pride - Shockwave 2003
Date of Event: 12/31/03
Length: 3 hours and 30 minutes
Commentary: Japanese commentators
- Opening with Takada, Fighter Intros
1. Quinton Jackson vs. Ikuhisa Minowa - **3/4 (Ground/Striking)
2. Heath Herring vs. Giant Silva [no 2nd] - **3/4 (Combo/Combo)
3. Murilo Rua vs. Akira Shoji - ***3/4 (Combo/Striking)
- Hype for Hustle I w/ Takada, Hashimoto, Ogawa and Goldberg
4. Royce Gracie vs. Hidehiko Yoshida - **1/4 (Ground/Striking)
- Clips of Frye, Tamura, Saku, Nogueira
5. Gary Goodridge vs. Don Frye - *** (Standing/Striking)
- Gooridge interview
6. Daniel Gracie vs. Wataru Sakata - *** (Ground/Combo)
7. Yuki Kondo vs. Mario Sperry - ***1/4 (Combo/Combo)
8. Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Rony Sefo - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)
- Ringside discussion, Highlights: Saku-Jackson, Saku-Randleman
9. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Rogerio Nogueira - ****1/4 (Combo/Combo)
- Closing Highlight Reel


Pride 27 - Inferno
Date of Event: 2/1/04
Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo & Bas Rutten
- Music Video, Intro w/ announcers, fighter intros
- Bobish interview
1. Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Dan Bobish - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)
- Peterson interview
2. Sergei Kharitonov vs. "L.A. Giant" Cory Peterson - **1/2 (Ground/Combo)
- Murillo "Ninja" Rua low blowing Alexander Otsuka
- Dos Caras Jr. interview
3. Kazuhiro Nakamura vs. Dos Caras Jr. - **1/4 (Combo/Combo)
4. Murillo "Ninja" Rua vs. Alexander Otsuka - *** (Ground/Combo)
- Kerr interview
5. Mark Kerr vs. Yoshihisa Yamamoto - **1/2 (Combo/Striking)
- Kerr interview, McGee & Herring interviews
6. Heath Herring vs. Gan McGee - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)
7. Mirko Crocop vs. Ron Waterman - *** (Combo/Striking)
- Crocop promo, Crocop interview, Pride Girls closing


Pride Bushido 2
Date of Event: 2/15/04
Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo & Bas Rutten
Guest Commentary: Mario Sperry, Renzo Gracie
- Rutten/Ranallo Opening, Fighter Intros
1. Choi Mae Base vs. Yusuke Imamura - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)
2. Yushin Okami vs. Ryuta Sakurai - *** (Ground/Combo)
3. Yasuhito Namekawa vs. Egidijus Valavicius - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)
- Sherk interview
4. Sean Sherk vs. Ryuki Ueyama - ***1/2 (Ground/Combo)
- Sherk, Sperry and Bencic interviews
5. Mario Sperry vs. Mike Bencic - **1/2 (Standing/Striking)
- Sperry, Noguiera and Brennan interviews
6. Daijyu Takase vs. Chris Brennan - **3/4 (Ground/Hooking)
- Rodrigo, Ryan and Renzo interviews
7. Rodrigo Gracie vs. Hayato Sakurai - **1/2 (Ground/Combo)
- Crocop interview
8. Mirko Crocop vs. Yoshihisa Yamamoto - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)
- Crocop promo, Rutten spying on Chute Boxe team
9. Takanori Gomi vs. Jadson Costa - *** (Ground/Striking)
- Gomi promo
10. Mauricio Rua vs. Akihiro Gono - ***1/2 (Combo/Striking)
11. Vanderlei Silva vs. Ikuhisa Minowa - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)
- Silva promo


Pride GP - Total Elimination 2004
Date of Event: 4/25/04
Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo & Bas Rutten
Guest Commentary: Heath Herring, Chuck Liddell
- Intro w/ announcers, fighter intros
- Herring interview
1. Heath Herring vs. Yoshiki Takahashi - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)
- Rua interview
2. Murillo "Ninja" Rua vs. Sergei Kharitonov - ***3/4 (Standing/Striking)
- Silva & Sentoryu interviews
3. Giant Silva vs. Sentoryu - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)
- Silva-Kondo hype, Schilt & McGee interviews
4. Semmy Schilt vs. Gan McGee - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)
- Leko interview
5. Naoya Ogawa vs. Stefan Leko - **1/2 (Combo/Combo)
- Sakuraba promo, Crocop & Randleman interviews
6. Mirko Crocop vs. Kevin Randleman - *** (Combo/Striking)
- Mark Hunt promo, Nogueira interview
7. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Hirotaka Yokoi - ***1/2 (Combo/Combo)
- Fedor interview
8. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Mark Coleman - ***1/4 (Ground/Combo)
- "Great Eight" intros & promos
- Interviews: Randleman, Noguiera, Hunt


Pride Bushido 3
Date of Event: 5/23/04
Length: 2 hours and 50 minutes
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo & Matt Hume
Guest Commentary: Renzo Gracie
- Intro w/ announcers, fighter intros
1. Katsuhisa Fujii vs. Kim Jin Oh - **1/2 (Combo/Combo)
2. Alexandre Emelienko vs. Matt Foki - **3/4 (Combo/Combo)
3. Kazuo Misaki vs. Jorge Patino - **** (Combo/Combo)
- Newton interview
4. Carlos Newton vs. Daijyu Takase - ***1/4 (Combo/Combo)
5. Akira Shoji vs. Tamakairiki - **3/4 (Standing/Striking)
- Shoji promo, Chalid interview
6. Kazuhiro Nakamura vs. Chalid Die Faust - ***1/4 (Combo/Combo)
- Crocop interview
7. Mirko Crocop vs. Hiromitsu Kanehara - *** (Combo/Striking)
- Team Gracie interviews
8. Ricardo Almeida vs. Ryo Chonan - ***1/4 (Ground/Combo)
9. Ralph Gracie vs. Takanori Gomi - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)
10. Ryan Gracie vs. Ikuhisa Minowa - *** (Ground/Combo)
- Hype for Critical Countdown


Pride Grand Prix - Critical Countdown
Date of Event: 6/20/04
Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo & Bas Rutten
Guest Commentary: Quinton Jackson
- Intro w/ announcers, fighter intros
1. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Elvis Schembri - *** (Combo/Striking)
- Saku promo, Arona & Jackson interviews
2. Quinton Jackson vs. Ricardo Arona - ***3/4 (Combo/Combo)
3. Sergei Kharitonov vs. Semmy Schilt - ***1/4 (Combo/Combo)
- Silva interview
4. Naoya Ogawa vs. Giant Silva - **1/4 (Ground/Striking)
- Hunt interview
5. Hidehiko Yoshida vs. Mark Hunt - ***1/2 (Combo/Combo)
- Herring & Nogueira interviews
6. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Heath Herring - ****1/4 (Ground/Combo)
- Randleman & Fedor interviews
7. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Kevin Randleman - ***1/2 (Ground/Combo)
- Fedor promo, Final Four presentation


Pride Bushido 4
Date of Event: 7/19/04
Length: 2 hours and 50 minutes
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo & Bas Rutten
Guest Commentary: Quinton Jackson
- Introduction with announcers and fighters
1. Luis Buscape vs. Hiroyuki Abe - ***1/4 (Ground/Combo)
2. Dokonjonosuke Mishima vs. Marcus Aurelio - ***3/4 (Ground/Combo)
- Mishima promo, Final Conflict commercial, Lister int.
3. Amar Suloev vs. Dean Lister
4. Hayato Sakurai vs. Brady Fink - ***1/4 (Ground/Combo)
5. Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Kenichi Yamamoto - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)
6. Takashi Sugiura vs. Giant Silva - *** (Ground/Striking)
- Crocop interview
7. Mirko Crocop vs. Shungo Oyama - *** (Standing/Striking)
- Crocop promo, BTT featurette
8. Paulo Filho vs. Akira Shoji - ** (Standing/Striking)
9. Takanori Gomi vs. Fabio Mello - ***3/4 (Combo/Striking)
10. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura - *** (Combo/Striking)


Pride Grand Prix - Final Conflict
Date of Event: 8/15/04
Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo & Bas Rutten
Guest Commentary: Quinton Jackson
- Intro w/ announcers, drum & fighter intros
1. Murillo Bustamante vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura - **1/2 (Combo/Combo)
- Kharitonov & Noguiera interviews
2. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Sergei Kharitonov - ****1/4 (Combo/Combo)
- Fedor interview
3. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Naoya Ogawa - **1/2 (Combo/Combo)
- Waterman & Randleman interviews
4. Ron Waterman vs. Kevin Randleman - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)
- Crocop & Alexandre interviews
5. Mirko Crocop vs. Alexandre Emelianenko - ***1/2 (Standing/Striking)
- Crocop promo, Silva interview
6. Vanderlei Silva vs. Yuki Kondo - ***1/4 (Standing/Striking)
- Semifinal highlights
7. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Fedor Emelianenko (Heavyweight GP Finals) - **1/2 (Combo/Striking)


Pride Bushido 5
Date of Event: 10/14/04
Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo & Bas Rutten
Guest Commentary: Quinton Jackson
- Intro w/ announcers, drum & fighter intros
1. Mauricio Rua vs. Yasuhito Namekawa - *** (Ground/Combo)
- Sentoryu & Foki twins int.
2. Sentoryu vs. Mal Foki - **1/2 (Standing/Striking)
- Sentoryu promo
3. Luis Buscape vs. Masakazu Imanari - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)
4. Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Ryuki Ueyama - ***1/2 (Ground/Combo)
5. Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Katsuhisa Fujii - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)
- Newton int.
6. Ryo Chonan vs. Carlos Newton - ***3/4 (Ground/Combo)
- Chonan promo
7. Crosley Gracie vs. Hayato Sakurai - ***1/2 (Combo/Combo)
- Bennett int.
8. Takanori Gomi vs. Charles Bennett - ***1/2 (Combo/Combo)
- Gomi promo, Bennett int., Frye-Takayama clip


Pride 28 - High Octane
Date of Event: 10/31/04
Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo & Bas Rutten
Guest Commentary: Mario Sperry
- Intro w/ announcers, Herring int.
1. Heath Herring vs. Hirotaka Yokoi - *** (Ground/Striking)
- Pride Knockouts preview
2. Ricardo Arona vs. Sergei Ignatev - *** (Ground/Combo)
- Bushido 5 commercial, Thompson int.
3. Alexandre Emelianenko vs. James Thompson - **3/4 (Standing/Striking)
- Overeem int.
4. Alistair Overeem vs. Hiromitsu Kanehara - **1/2 (Combo/Striking)
- Hunt & Bobish int.
5. Mark Hunt vs. Dan Bobish - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)
- Henderson int.
6. Dan Henderson vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)
- Barnett & Crocop int.
7. Mirko Crocop vs. Josh Barnett - DUD
- Silva-Jackson hype
8. Vanderlei Silva vs. Quinton Jackson - **** (Combo/Striking)
- Announcers closing, Takada promo, Gardiner-Yoshida hype, Gardiner int.


Pride Shockwave 2004
Date of Event: 12/31/04
Length: 3 hours
Commentary: Mauro Ranallo & Bas Rutten
Guest Commentary: Randy Couture
- Intro w/ announcers
1. Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Stefan Leko - **3/4 (Ground/Striking)
2. Giant Silva vs. Choi Mae Base - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)
3. Ryan Gracie vs. Yoji Anjo - ** (Ground/Combo)
4. Ryo Chonan vs. Anderson Silva - **** (Combo/Combo)
5. Hidehiko Yoshida vs. Rulon Gardiner - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)
6. Mirko Crocop vs. Kevin Randleman - **3/4 (Standing/Combo)
7. Dan Henderson vs. Yuki Kondo - **** (Combo/Combo)
8. Takanori Gomi vs. Jens Pulver - **** (Standing/Striking)
9. Vanderlei Silva vs. Mark Hunt - ****1/2 (Combo/Striking)
- Fedor-Noguiera hype
10. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Fedor Emelianenko (Heavyweight Championship) - *** (Combo/Striking)

Pride FC (2000 - 2002)


Pride Fighting Championships reinvented Mixed Martial Arts in Japan and abroad.  Big money, big names and big events turned Pride FC brought the seemingly dead genre back and helped it reach the success in sees today.  After establishing themselves with some hit-or-miss cards in the late 1990s, Pride FC would reach amazing heights over the next few years.  Not since their initial card in 1997 had they neared the 50,000 attendance number, but they did several times in 2000 and had their biggest card of over 90,000 in the summer of 2002.  While they saw bigger business years in the next few years, Pride reached a level of mainstream success while still maintaining their distinct appeal and style during this era.

Why does this belong on a blog about pro-wrestling?

Pro-wrestling made Pride.  In these first eight events offered up by Pride you'll see some legendary fighters, some fighters who would become legendary and a large number of pro-wrestlers.  After the repeated attempts to build a shoot-style promotion, Pride FC became the solution.  It most certainly had fixed fights, rampant drug abuse and the no athletic commissions making sure everything was legit.  They offered the kind of colorful cards that UFC and other American companies could not and still do not.

Look through the cards and you will notice approximately 15 men who had been, would be or dabbled in pro-wrestling (from the WWF and New Japan to UWFi and RINGS).

**Explanation of my rating system - I devised a odd little system to evaluate fights.  I based my ratings on entertainment value, skill displayed, energy displayed and finish.  This tends to mean that slugfests and high-paced mat battles rate higher than lay n' pray snoozers and "squash matches".  I also tried to include how the majority of the fight looked in two parts.  Part 1 - standing, on the ground or a combination.  Part 2 - striking, hooking or a combination**

Pride FC 2000 - 2002

Pride Fighting Championships reinvented Mixed Martial Arts in Japan and abroad.  Big money, big names and big events turned Pride FC brought the seemingly dead genre back and helped it reach the success in sees today.  After establishing themselves with some hit-or-miss cards in the late 1990s, Pride FC would reach amazing heights over the next few years.

Why does this belong on a blog about pro-wrestling?

Pro-wrestling made Pride.  In these first eight events offered up by Pride you'll see some legendary fighters, some fighters who would become legendary and a large number of pro-wrestlers.  After the repeated attempts to build a shoot-style promotion, Pride FC became the solution.  It most certainly had fixed fights, rampant drug abuse and the no athletic commissions making sure everything was legit.  They offered the kind of colorful cards that UFC and other American companies could not and still do not.


Look through the cards and you will notice approximately 25 men who had been, would be or dabbled in pro-wrestling (from the WWF and New Japan to UWFi and RINGS).


**Explanation of my rating system - I devised a odd little system to evaluate fights.  I based my ratings on entertainment value, skill displayed, energy displayed and finish.  This tends to mean that slugfests and high-paced mat battles rate higher than lay n' pray snoozers and "squash matches".  I also tried to include how the majority of the fight looked in two parts.  Part 1 - standing, on the ground or a combination.  Part 2 - striking, hooking or a combination**

Pride Grand Prix Tournament - Opening Round

Date of Event: 1/30/00

Length: 1 hour and 20 minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten

Guest Color: Ken Shamrock, Maurice Smith, Gary Goodridge

- Show Opening with Fighter Introductions

1. Vanderlei Silva vs. Bob Schibjer - **1/4 (Combo/Combo)

- Shamrock announces deal with Pride

2. Gary Goodridge vs. Tachihikari - **1/2 (Combo/Combo)

3. Akira Shoji vs. Ebenezer Fontes Braga - **1/4 (Ground/Striking)

- Fujita interview

4. Kazuyuki Fujita vs. Hans Nyman - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)

5. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Guy Mezger - **1/2 (Standing/Striking)

- Sakuraba-Mezger-Shamrock post-match

- Satake interview

- Drummer show

6. Mark Coleman vs. Maasaki Satake - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)

7. Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Alexander Otsuka - *** (Combo/Striking)

- Inoue interview

8. Mark Kerr vs. Enson Inoue - *3/4 (Ground/Striking)

- Helio, Royce, Takada interviews

9. Royce Gracie vs. Nobuhiko Takada - *1/2 (Ground/Striking)

- Royce Gracie interview

Pride Grand Prix Tournament - Finals

Date of Event: 5/1/00

Length: Tape 1, Tape 2 (2 hours)

Commentary: Stephen Quadros, Bas Rutten, Maurice Smith

- Show opening, Sakuraba interview

1. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Royce Gracie (Quarterfinals)

- Vovchanchyn and Goodridge interviews

2. Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Gary Goodridge (Quarterfinals) - **3/4 (Standup/Striking)

- Interview with Shoji and Coleman preparing

3. Mark Coleman vs. Akira Shoji (Quarterfinals) - *** (Ground/Striking)

- Fujita & Kerr interviews

4. Mark Kerr vs. Kazuyuki Fujita (Quarterfinals) - ***1/4 (Combo/Striking)

5. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Igor Vovchanchyn (Semifinals) - ***3/4 (Combo/Striking)

- Satake and Mezger interviews

6. Guy Mezger vs. Maasaki Satake - ** (Combo/Striking)

7. Mark Coleman vs. Kazuyuki Fujita (Semifinals) - n/a

- Shamrock-Otsuka hype

8. Ken Shamrock vs. Alexander Otsuka - **1/2 (Combo/Striking)

- Shamrock promo, Main Event hype

9. Mark Coleman vs. Igor Vovchanchyn (Finals) - **1/2 (Ground/Striking)

- Coleman promo, closing ceremony with runner-ups

Pride 9 - New Blood

Date of Event: 6/4/00

Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten

- Pre-show analysis and opening

- Herring & Peeters interview

1. Heath Herring vs. Willie Peeters - **3/4 (Combo/Combo)

- Telligman & Barreto interviews

2. Tra Telligman vs. Carlos Barreto - ** (Combo/Striking)

- White & Goes interviews

3. Vernon White vs. Allan Goes - **1/4 (Ground/Striking)

- Sano & Newton interviews

4. Carlos Newton vs. Naoki Sano - **1/2 (Combo/Combo)

- Shoji & Recken interviews

5. Akira Shoji vs. John Recken- **3/4 (Ground/Combo)

- Goodridge & Rodriguez interviews

6. Ricco Rodriguez vs. Gary Goodridge - *** (Ground/Combo)

- Matsui & Vovchanchyn interviews

7. Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Daijiro Matsui - **3/4 (Ground/Striking)

- Yvel & Belfort interviews

8. Vitor Belfort vs. Gilbert Yvel - **3/4 (Ground/Striking)

Pride 10 - Return of the Warriors

Date of Event: 8/27/00

Length: 2 hours and 50 minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Eddie Bravo

- Pre-show analysis and opening

1. Vitor Belfort vs. Daijiro Matsui - **1/2 (Combo/Striking)

- Belfort promo

2. Vanderlei Silva vs. Guy Mezger - **** (Standing/Striking)

- Silva promo

3. Ricco Rodriguez vs. Giant Ochiai - *** (Ground/Combo)

- Ochiai/Rodriguez promos, Yvel/Goodridge warmups

4. Gilbert Yvel vs. Gary Goodridge - **1/2 (Standing/Striking)

- Yvel promo

5. Mark Kerr vs. Igor Borisov - **1/2 (Ground/Combo)

- Kerr promo

6. Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Enson Inoue - ***1/2 (Combo/Striking)

- Shamrock interview, prefight warmups

7. Ken Shamrock vs. Kazuyuki Fujita - ***1/4 (Standing/Striking)

- Fujita promo, Ryan-Ishizawa warmups

8. Ryan Gracie vs. Tokimitsu Ishizawa - **1/2 (Combo/Striking)

- Ryan promo, Renzo interview & preparation

9. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Renzo Gracie - ****1/4 (Combo/Striking)

Pride 11 - Battle of the Rising Sun

Date of Event: 10/31/00

Length: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Eddie Bravo

- Fighter Introductions

1. Heath Herring vs. Tom Erickson - ***1/2 (Ground/Striking)

2. Vanderlei Silva vs. Gilbert Yvel

3. Gary Goodridge vs. Yoshiaki Yatsu - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)

4. Alexander Otsuka vs. Mike Bourke - ***1/4 (Ground/Combo)

- Otsuka promo

5. Akira Shoji vs. Herman Renting - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)

6. Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Nobuhiko Takada - **1/4 (Ground/Striking)

7. Maasaki Satake vs. Naoya Ogawa - **3/4 (Standing/Striking)

8. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Shannon Ritch - **3/4 (Standing/Combo)

Pride 12 - Cold Fury

Date of Event: 12/23/00

Length: Tape 1 (2 hours) & Tape 2

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten

Guest Color:

- Quadros/Rutten Opening, X-Mas Pride Girls

- Mezger interview

1. Guy Mezger vs. Alexander Otsuka - **1/2 (Standing/Striking)

2. Akira Shoji vs. Ricardo Almeida - ***3/4 (Combo/Striking)

- Inoue/Herring interviews

3. Heath Herring vs. Enson Inoue - *** (Ground/Combo)

- Newton interview

4. Carlos Newton vs. Johil de Oliveira - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)

5. Vanderlei Silva vs. Dan Henderson - **** (Combo/Striking)

- Yvel interview

6. Kazuyuki Fujita vs. Gilbert Yvel - *1/2 (Ground/Combo)

- Rodriguez interview

7. Ricco Rodriguez vs. John Marsh - **1/2 (Combo/Striking)

- Kerr interview

8. Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Mark Kerr - *3/4 (Ground/Striking)

- Gracie interview

9. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Ryan Gracie - ***1/4 (Ground/Combo)

Pride 13 - Collision Course

Date of Event: 3/25/01

Length: Tape 1 (1 hour and 11 minutes) & Tape 2 (1 hour and 31 minutes)

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten

- Opening Video

- Introduction of Rutten & Quadros

- Fighter Introductions

1. Vitor Belfort vs. Bobby Southworth - **1/2 (Combo/Combo)

- Mezger/Inoue interviews

2. Guy Mezger vs. Eagan Inoue - **3/4 (Standup/Striking)

- Herring interview

3. Heath Herring vs. Denis Sobolev - **1/2 (Ground/Combo)

- Henderson/Gracie interview

4. Dan Henderson vs. Renzo Gracie - *** (Combo/Striking)

- Coleman/Goes interview

5. Mark Coleman vs. Allan Goes - *** (Combo/Striking)

6. Maasaki Satake vs. Tadao Yasuda - *3/4 (Standup/Striking)

- Telligman interview/warm-ups

7. Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Tra Telligman - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)

8. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Vanderlei Silva - ***1/2 (Standup/Striking)

- Silva/Sakuraba interviews

- Post-match with Herring, Mezger, Telligman, Shamrock, Ortiz, Silva, Vovchanchyn, Coleman

- Closing highlights and comments

Pride 14 - Clash of the Titans

Date of Event: 5/27/01

Length: 2 hours and 50 minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten

Guest Color: Mark Coleman

- Introduction with Rutten & Quadros

- Show opening with giant sphere and fighter introductions

1. Vanderlei Silva vs. Shungo Oyama - **3/4 (Standup/Striking)

2. Johil de Oliviera vs. Antonio "Nino" Schembri - **3/4 (Ground/Striking)

- Goodridge and Overeem interviews

3. Gary Goodridge vs. Valentijn Overeem - *** (Ground/Combo)

4. Daijiro Matsui vs. Jose "Pele" Landi - ***1/4 (Ground/Combo)

- Interviews with Mezger and Liddell

5. Guy Mezger vs. Chuck Liddell - ***3/4 (Standup/Striking)

6. Dan Henderson vs. Akira Shoji - ***1/2 (Combo/Striking)

- Interviews with Herring and Belfort

7. Heath Herring vs. Vitor Belfort - *1/4 (Ground/Combo)

- Interview with Yvel

8. Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Gilbert Yvel - **3/4 (Combo/Combo)

- Fujita and Takayama preparing

9. Kazuyuki Fujita vs. Yoshihiro Takayama - ***1/2 (Combo/Striking)

Pride 15 - Raging Rumble

Date of Event: 7/29/01

Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten

Guest Color: Mark Coleman

- Opening Video

- Introduction with Quadros & Rutten

- Pride Girls, Fighter Intros

1. Valentijn Overeem vs. Assurio Silva - **3/4 (Combo/Combo)

- Ismail interview

2. Wallid Ismail vs. Shugo Oyama - **1/2 (Combo/Striking)

3. Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Maasaki Satake - **** (Combo/Striking)

- Herring/Kerr interviews

4. Mark Kerr vs. Heath Herring - ** (Ground/Striking)

5. Daijiro Matsui vs. Ebenezar Fontes Braga (JIP) - ** (Combo/Striking)

- Goodridge interview, Noguiera backstage

6. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Gary Goodridge - *** (Combo/Combo)

- Jackson interview

7. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Quinton Jackson - **** (Ground/Combo)

8. Ryan Gracie vs. Tokimitsu Ishizawa - *3/4 (Ground/Striking)

- Interviews with Coleman, Jackson, Herring

Pride 16 - Beasts from the East

Date of Event: 9/24/01

Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten

- Moment of silence and Morishito (DSE)

- Card rundown

- Show opening with Nou Drummer and fighter introductions

- Goodridge interview

1. Gary Goodridge vs. Yoshiaki Yatsu - *** (Standup/Striking)

- Matt Hume on scoring fights

2. Assurio Silva vs. Yoshihisa Yamamoto - *** (Standup/Striking)

3. Murillo "Ninja" Rua vs. Daijiro Matsui - ***3/4 (Ground/Striking)

- Mezger & Arona interviews

4. Guy Mezger vs. Ricardo Arona - **1/4 (Combo/Striking)

5. Semmy Schilt vs. Akira Shoji - ***1/4 (Ground/Striking)

- Vanderlei Silva and Kazushi Sakuraba rematch promos

- Interviews with Frye and Yvel

6. Don Frye vs. Gilbert Yvel - *** (Combo/Striking)

- Coleman interview

7. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Mark Coleman - ***3/4 (Ground/Hooking)

- Closing Interview with Frye

Pride 17 - Championship Chaos

Date of Event: 11/3/01

Length: 2 hours 45 minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten

Guest Color: Royce Gracie

- Opening with Quadros & Rutten buying souveniors

- Show opening with flag presentation

- Fighter introduction

- Interview with Quinton Jackson

1. Quinton Jackson vs. Yuki Ishikawa - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)

Henderson interview

2. Dan Henderson vs. Murilo "Ninja" Rua - *** (Ground/Combo)

3. Semmy Schilt vs. Maasaki Satake - **3/4 (Standup/Striking)

- Renzo Gracie interview

4. Renzo Gracie vs. Michiyoshi Ohara(clipped) - *1/2 (Standup/Striking)

- Vovchanchyn interview

5. Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Mario Sperry - **1/2 (Ground/Combo)

- First half of the card rundown

- Bas Rutten announces his comeback

- Last half hype

- Erickson interview

6. Tom Erickson vs. Matt Skelton - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)

- Herring interview

7. Heath Herring vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Heavyweight Championship) - **** (Combo/Combo)

8. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Vanderlei Silva (Middleweight Championship) - ***1/4 (Combo/Striking)

- Sakuraba & Vanderlei interviews

Closing interview with Quadros, Rutten, Royce Gracie

Pride 18 - Cold Fury II

Date of Event: 12/23/01

Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten

Guest Color: Matt Hume

- Opening Segment

- X-Mas Girls Opening, Fighter Introductions

- Jackson interview

1. Quinton Jackson vs. Daijiro Matsui - DUD

- Hume interview

2. Allan Goes vs. Alex Steibling - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)

3. Murillo "Ninja" Rua vs. Alex Andrade - ***1/4 (Combo/Striking)

4. Jan Nortje vs. Norihisa Yamamoto - **1/2 (Combo/Combo)

5. Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Valentijn Overeem - ***1/2 (Combo/Combo)

6. Akira Shoji vs. Jeremy Horn - *** (Ground/Combo)

7. Vanderlei Silva vs. Alexander Otsuka - **3/4 (Standup/Striking)

8. Semmy Schilt vs. Yoshihiro Takayama - **1/2 (Combo/Striking)

- Closing Credits with highlights

- Rutten, Quadros, Pride Girls

Pride 19 - Bad Blood

Date of Event: 2/24/02

Length: 2 hours and 35 minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten

- Opening Segment

- Quadros & Bas with katana

- Erickson interview

1. Tom Erickson vs. Tim Catalfo - **1/2

- Ismail & Steibling interviews

2. Wallid Ismail vs. Alex Steibling - n/a

- Newton interview

3. Carlos Newton vs. Jose "Pele" Landi - ****3/4

- Newton post-match promo, Herring interview

4. Igor Vovchanchyn vs. Heath Herring - ***1/2

- Noguiera interview

5. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Enson Inoue - ****1/4

6. Vanderlei Silva vs. Kiyoshi Tamura - **3/4

- Frye-Shamrock hype and interviews

7. Don Frye vs. Ken Shamrock - ***1/2

- Frye post-match promo

- Closing with Quadros, Rutten and Frye

Pride 20 - Armed & Ready

Date of Event: 4/28/02

Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten

- Bas Rutten MMA Workout Opening, Sapp interview

1. Bob Sapp vs. Norihisa Yamamoto - **3/4 (Standing/Striking)

- Jackson interview

2. Quinton Jackson vs. Maasaki Satake - ***1/4 (Combo/Striking)

3. Antonio Rogerio Noguiera vs. Yasuke Imamura - **1/2 (Ground/Hooking)

- Henderson interview

4. Dan Henderson vs. Ricardo Arona - ***3/4 (Ground/Striking)

5. Mario Sperry vs. Murillo "Ninja" Rua - ****3/4 (Combo/Combo)

6. Sanae Kikuta vs. Alexander Otsuka (JIP)

- Silva & Crocop interviews

7. Vanderlei Silva vs. Mirko Crocop (Special Rules Fight) - **** (Standing/Striking)

- Sakuraba promo

Pride 21 - Demolition

Date of Event: 6/30/02

Length: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten/Josh Barnett

- Opening Segement & Fire Show

- Sapp interview

1. Bob Sapp vs. Kiyoshi Tamura - **1/2 (Standing/Striking)

- Goodridge interview

2. Gary Goodridge vs. Ahmed Labazanov - ** (Ground/Striking)

- Steibling interview

3. Alex Steibling vs. Anderson Silva - ** (Standing/Striking)

- Yvel interview

4. Gilbert Yvel vs. Jeremy Horn - **3/4 (Combo/Combo)

- Gracie interview

5. Renzo Gracie vs. Shungo Oyama (JIP)

- Schilt interview

6. Semmy Schilt vs. Fedor Emelianenko - **1/2 (Ground/Combo)

- Frye interview

7. Don Frye vs. Yoshihiro Takayama - ****1/4 (Combo/Striking)

PRIDE - MMA The Best #2

Date of Event: 7/20/02

Length: 2 hours

- Introduction

1. Jukei vs. Joe Son - **3/4 (Ground/Striking)

2. Daisuke Nakamura vs. Shannon Ritch - ***1/2 (Ground/Combo)

3. Fatih Kocamis vs. Anglosaxon Oba - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)

4. John Alessio vs. Eiji Mitsuoka - ** (Standing/Striking)

5. Giant Ochiai vs. Tomohiko Hashimoto - ***1/4 (Combo/Striking)

6. Alistair Overeem vs. Yusuke Imamura - **3/4 (Standing/Striking)

7. Nino "Elvis" Schembri vs. Daijyu Takase - *** (Combo/Combo)

8. Sokun Koh vs. Bob Schrijber - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)

- Closing

Pride - Dynamite/Shockwave

Date of Event: 8/25/02

Length: 2 hours and 40 minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten

Guest Commentary: Bill Goldberg

- Opening with announcers, torch & drumming ceremony with fighter intros

- Silva interview

1. Vanderlei Silva vs. Takasuya Isawa - **1/2 (Combo/Striking)

- Veneetian interview

2. Daijiro Matsui vs. Jereel Veneetian (JIP)

- Goldberg, Erickson, Coleman, Goodridge backstage; Goodridge & Van Dams interviews

3. Gary Goodridge vs. Lloyd Van Dams - **1/2 (Ground/Striking)

- Hoost & Schilt interview

4. Ernesto Hoost vs. Semmy Schilt (K-1 Rules)

- Goldberg & Frye backstage, Frye interview"

5. Jerome Le Banner vs. Don Frye (K-1 Rules)

- Helio Gracie presentation, Goldberg promo, para-Inoki promo, Goldberg & Sapp backstage

- Noguiera & Sapp interviews

6. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Bob Sapp - ****1/2 (Ground/Combo)

- Gracies interview

7. Royce Gracie vs. Hideko Yoshida - *3/4 (Ground/Hooking)

8. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Mirko "Crocop" Filopovic - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)

Pride 22 - Beasts from the East II

Date of Event: 9/29/02

Length: 2 hours and 40 minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten

- Quadros & Rutten intro, fighter Introductions

- Randleman interview

1. Kevin Randleman vs. Michiyoshi Ohara (clipped)

- Mezger interview

2. Guy Mezger vs. Naohisa Yamamoto - **3/4 (Standing/Striking)

3. Anderson Silva vs. Alexander Otsuka - ***1/4 (Ground/Combo)

4. Paulo Filho vs. Akira Shoji - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)

- Herring interview

5. Heath Herring vs. Kotchkine Ioure - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)

- Sperry interview

6. Mario Sperry vs. Andrei Kopylov - ** (Ground/Combo)

- Jackson and Vovchanchyn interviews

7. Quinton Jackson vs. Igor Vovchanchyn - ***1/2 (Combo/Striking)

- Gracie interview

8. Ryan Gracie vs. Shungo Oyama - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)

- Randleman-Rutten closing skit

Pride 23 - Championship Chaos II

Date of Event: 11/24/02

Length: 2 hours and 40 minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten

- Quadros & Rutten intro, fighter Introductions

- Hirotaka Yokoi vs. Jereel Veneetian (JIP)

1. Kevin Randleman vs. Kennichi Yamamoto - **3/4 (Ground/Hooking)

- Rua/Arona interviews

2. Murillo "Ninja" Rua vs. Ricardo Arona - *** (Ground/Combo)

- Herring interview

3. Heath Herring vs. Fedor Emelianenko - ***1/4 (Ground/Striking)

- Noguiera interview

4. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Semmy Schilt - ***1/2 (Ground/Combo)

- Silva interview

5. Vanderlei Silva vs. Hiromichi Kanehara - ***1/4 (Combo/Striking)

- Frye interview

6. Don Frye vs. Hideko Yoshida - *** (Ground/Combo)

7. Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Gilles Arsene - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)

Pride 24 - Cold Fury III

Date of Event: 12/23/02

Length: 2 hours and minutes

Commentary: Stephen Quadros & Bas Rutten

- Opening with Dou Drummer

- Mezger interview

1. Guy Mezger vs. Rogerio Noguiera - **1/2 (Combo/Combo)

- Waterman interview

2. Ron Waterman vs. Valentijn Overeem - **3/4 (Ground/Combo)

- Gracie interview

3. Rogerio Gracie vs. Yuki Sasaki - **1/2 (Combo/Striking)

- Pride action figures

4. Alistair Overeem vs. Volk Ataev - **3/4 (Combo/Striking)

- Randleman & Rua interview

5. Kevin Randleman vs. Murilo "Ninja" Rua - *** (Ground/Striking)

- Noguiera interview

6. Antonio Nogueria vs. Dan Henderson - ****1/2 (Combo/Combo)