Product Details

• Actors: Abdullah the Butcher, Ric Flair, Jerry Lawler, Sunshine, Mark Lewin
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: World Wrestling
• DVD Release Date: December 11, 2007
• Run Time: 360 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000LC3IKQ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,059 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars World Class Championship Wrestling - An Epic But Sad Tale December 18, 2007

By Ervin Griffin

Format:DVD

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 (kayfabe "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.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Too Much, Too Soon January 22, 2008

By County Lineman

Format:DVD

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.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars World Class Wrestling what only 2 dvd,s? December 27, 2007

By Scott Denny

Format:DVD

I must say that the New WWE dvd release the Von Erichs is well done but how could they justify giving 2 dvd,s to this dynasty when they gave 3 to some one so insignificant as Ray Mysterio Jr.,Its just not fair there should have been 3 or even maybe 4 dvd,s attached to this set.Unfortunately Vince McMahon now owns the rights to all the WCCW Tape Library that Kevin sold to him this year.If McMahon was smart he would put out a box set with every World Class Wrestling Show there was especially since Blue Ray discs can hold 8 times what a regular dvd can hold.I must say growing up with World Class in syndication here in South Jersey it was very emotional for me to watch the final moments of the dvd where they showed the Sportatorium and the music that went with it was erie.It brought a lump in my throat.If anyone knows what the music was called at the end of the dvd would you let me know.thanks
Scott Denny