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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Nice Counterpiece (NOT REPLACEMENT) To "From The Vault", October 21, 2007
Unlike how the 3 disc sets of Rey Mysterio & Hulk Hogan were their career anthologies & used matches they had on their other DVD's, that isn't the case here. This 3 disc set isn't a replacement for his previous released DVD sets (both DX DVD's & "From The Vault") but another HBK set to add to that collection as none of the matches on the previous DVD sets are used here along with a documentry on his life & career.
The documentry kicks off talking about Shawn growing up on an air force base & becoming a wrestling fan at age 12 to the point where he started doing Ric Flair promos & wrestling in his pool. Shawn tried college but quit to get trained by Jose Lathario & started in World Class & Mid-South Wrestling. The next story is how he met Marty Jannetty in Kansas City & brought him up to the AWA a month after he was there. They're "life in the fastlane" lifestyle & the fued between Doug Sommers & Buddy Rose over the AWA tag team titles is talked about next along with how it lead to them coming to the WWE before Jimmy Jack Funk led to them getting fired. They're experience in working Continental Wrestling and alternating between Memphis & the AWA before making it back to the WWE is discussed. They're second run in WWE is discussed along with the story behind their tag title win being recalled & erased from the record before the story behind their breakup & the impact of the Barber Shop segment that happened between Shawn & Marty. Shawn's morphing from The Rocker into the Heartbreak Kid with Sensational Sherri (R.I.P.) giving him credibility, Mr. Perfect coining the nickname "Heartbreak Kid", and the importance of the Intercontinental Title. The story behind Shawn bringing in Kevin "Diesel" Nash (and what Rick Steiner had to do with it) is briefly talked about before moving on to why he was suspended in late 1993 & how that indirectly planted the seeds for the WrestleMania 10 ladder match. How the Kliq was formed along with what exactly they're "backstage power" was along with various opinions of the group by people such as Vince & Ted Dibiase is talked about. The story behind the WrestleMania 11 match with Diesel is talked about before the story behind Shawn being attacked in a New York nightclub and how Triple H came up with the idea for Shawn to do the "Owen Hart" angle where Shawn passed out. Who's idea it was for the WrestleMania 12 Ironman match along with how Shawn trained for it is talked about next before they go into detail about how Shawn was very bitter & heavily opinionated despite being the champion at the time. A very interesting part was Shawn, Triple H, and Vince giving their sides of the story behind the infamous "curtain call" in Madison Square Garden. Shawn's homecoming at the Royal Rumble '97 was briefly discussed before his forfitting the title because of the knee injury in Feb. '97 is talked about along with what his mom had to do about him "losing his smile." His Hell In The Cell match with Taker & pushing the envilope with DX are both talked about before moving on to Survivor Series '97, how involved HBK really was with the whole incident, and how that effected him backstage is heavily discussed. HBK's injury in the Royal Rumble casket match and wrestling though the injury at WrestleMania 14 while being bitter about passing the torch to Austin is talked about. How Shawn found his wife Rebecca (who he saw on WCW Monday Nitro), got married, and had a child is discussed along with Shawn's heavy downward spiral that led an incident backstage at RAW the week before WrestleMania that resulted in his falling out with Triple H before he found religion though his wife's bible study. The return to WWE is talked about next along with what exactly Triple H had to do with. How important the WrestleMania 19 match with Jericho was along with the heavy details about why the fued with Hulk Hogan resulted in HBK being a heel for a month is talked about. His fued with HBK along with "infamous" McMahonism/God angle is talked about before they go into the DX reunion & why Shawn wouldn't go where he did with the original DX. The documentry closed out with the WrestleMania 23 match with John Cena & how Triple H's injury figured Shawn into the title picture along with how everything was on HBK (not John Cena) to deliever.
DVD extras include the debut of his "Heartbreak Hotel" interview segment, hie "Tell Me A Lie" music video, and his infamous Larry King Live spoof of Hulk Hogan. There were tons of interview outtakes & bonus stories such as Shawn earning his letterman's jacket as a sophmore in high school, how his mom approves of his outfits, the backstage fight that started the Rockers breakup, his wrestling school that produced Lance Cade & Brian Kendrick, discussion of his WrestleMania 21 match against Kurt Angle, Shawn's thoughts about the ladder he used at WrestleMania 23, and Triple H & Chris Jericho talking about the HORRIBLE brown tights Shawn wore at Survivor Series 2002. Hidden extras include a story about heaving trouble learning his left hand from his right, a Midnight Rockers promo from the AWA, the Hardys talking about HBK's influence in a ladder match they had at a fair, Tully Blanchard talking Hogan's reaction to a match he had with Rockers, and Marty Jannetty talking about the Rockers reunion.
Matches Include:
Midnight Rockers vs. AWA Tag Team Champions Buddy Rose & Doug Somers - This isn't the bloothbath match that happened on the "From The Vault" DVD but the match where they finally won the AWA tag team championship.
AWA Feb. 10/87
2 Out Of 3 Falls Match: The Rockers vs. WWE Tag Team Champions Hart Foundation - This IS the 2 out of 3 falls match that was taped for Saturday Night's Main Event in which The Rockers won the tag team titles only to have the decision reversed & erased from the record books due to the top rope malfunction. This is the first time this match has been seen anywhere. For those looking for when the malfuction happened, it was during the second fall.
October '90
vs. Intercontinental Champion British Bulldog - This match happened the week before that years Survivor Series & was Bulldog's last match in the WWF until he returned in '94. The story here was HBK working on Bulldog's back which was injured during the match & HBK winning his first I.C. title after Bulldog couldn't hold the superplex off the top rope.
Sat. Night Main Event Nov. 8/92
Royal Rumble Battle Royal - This was the Rumble where Shawn made history by entering #1 & winning the Rumble after pulling off that infamous ending where one foot hit the floor instead of both. This Rumble didn't have the same format as the usual Rumble's as the entries didn't happen every two mins. Other moments to look out for besides Shawn's performance in the Rumble are Bulldog's performance & Bret Hart getting revenge on those who attacked him in his title match earlier in the night.
Royal Rumble '95
vs. Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett - About time they put this match on DVD because this is a "lost classic." This was not only a great wrestling match (one of Jarrett's best in his WWF history) but also the story of each man trying to show off & "one-up" each other thoughout the match added to it by Jarrett doing HBK's pose on the top turnbuckle or Shawn doing Jarrett's strut. Again, a lost classic that finally made it's way to DVD.
In Your House Jul. 23/95
The Rockers vs. La Resistance - This was the Rockers reunion that happened on RAW to further the storyline between himself & Kurt Angle who was facing Jannetty on SmackDown later that week. La Resistance were just bodies for The Rockers to get over on but what was real impressive was how they worked together like the Rockers of old eventhough they haven't teamed together for over 13 years.
RAW Mar. 14/05
vs. Kurt Angle - The sequel to their classic at WrestleMania 21 & this match was no different than the last one in which it had you on the edge of your seat going "ohh & aww" thoughout the bout. I can't describe this match except for it was a classic that you have to see.
Vengeance '05
vs. John Cena - One of the longest "bell to bell" matches in RAW history here. This heavily made up & surpassed their WrestleMania match here. They went close to an hour which you don't see anymore these days in WWE and boy, what a match it was. This was the best HBK/Cena encounter that's happened dating back to their brief series together in 2005.
RAW Apr. 23/07
Other matches include Rockers matches vs. Super Ninja & Super Go, Brain Busters (MSG 1989), and Orient Express (Rumble '91). Solo matches include vs. Billy Jack Haynes in WCCW, British Bulldog (King Of The Ring '96) and Triple H (Dec. '03).
In the end, this DVD set reminds me of how Bret Hart's was in which it doesn't include his most memorable & high profile matches that haven't been put on DVD sets yet such as his matches with Triple H (Last Man Standing from Rumble '04, HITC from Bad Blood '04, Boot Camp Match from the Christmas RAW in '04) but more of his rare performances which makes this one unique set to pick up if your a HBK fan. Personally, I would have liked to seen the Boot Camp match with HHH from RAW since that was very emotional for HBK growing up around the military along with his Gold Rush tournament match against Shelton Benjamin...but like always, you can't win them all. If your just looking for more of his high profile & memorable matches, "From The Vault" might suit you better but this is a DVD set I would recommend.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A couple of notes, December 4, 2007
This was a VERY good DVD and it showcased Shawn Michales Career very well. I especially liked the territory footage which showed a very green Michaels, who could barely speak on camera and had to rely on Jannety to carry the interviews. It was amazing to see how much Michaels devloped into the orator he is now and to hear Jannety is pretty sad, as he sounds like his brain is now mush due to some of the drugs he has taken.
The only real complaints is what was left out. They edited out the section on Kurt Angle (probably because he went to TNA) and the last half of the DVD is very rushed and doesn't really focus on some of Michael's latest items. Also, Sid is never mentioned, nor do they review the feud that He and Jannety had over the IC Belt. Chyna is never mentioned, there are no interviews with Hall, Nash, or Sean Waltman (only Hall is working for TNA so they could have used the other two) so you felt that a lot of the story wasn't being told from another perspective.
Also, Bret Hart fans will be enraged not because of Michaels giving his side of the Montreal hit, but because of the blatant lie given by HHH when he states that Hart's contract was going to expire the day after Survivor Series. In actuality, Hart had more than 4 weeks left on his contract and cold have lost the belt any time anywhere during those weeks.
Other than any of that, I would highly recommend this DVD!
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Documentary, Wonderful Selection of Matches, September 28, 2008
I have been a wrestling fan since 1996 and have watched all kinds of wrestling. I have a wrestling DVD/VHS collection spanning over 50 all together. This is the most complete and accurate review of this DVD you will find. I hope you find this review helpful; remember to vote helpful or not helpful. (Note-Each DVD I review has a "Match of the DVD" award somewhere in it.)
The Shawn Michaels Story- Heartbreak & Triumph
Heartbreak & Triumph is an incredible story of one of the best wrestlers in the world. Shawn Michaels is often compared to masters of the ring like Ric Flair, Bret Hart, and Triple H. However, Shawn is in a league of his own. The Heart Break Kid is a highflyer, a technician, and a brawler. He can take any style and make it his own. Very few wrestlers can say they can do that. Even fewer superstars excel when they do this. Shawn Michaels is loved by the common fan and the hardcore internet fan. Shawn Michaels is on of the best wrestlers in the world and this is a great set for him.
Heartbreak & Triumph is a glorious three-disk set. The first disk contains a documentary about Shawn's life. The other two disks are filled with great matches from his career. The documentary is one of the better ones I have seen. The story begins with Shawn being born. His mother wanted a girl instead of him, but his mother learned to love him. Shawn's love of wrestling began when he was twelve years old. He and his friend actually wrestled for a talent show. They move into his early career in AWA, and his part in the popular Rockers tag team. They then move into his WWE career and his egotistical problems. They talk about Shawn's drug and injury problems. They go through his entire career until Wrestlemania 23. The story is very good and filled with emotion. The story itself probably earns this set five stars.
There is also a good amount of extras on the first disk. Promos, deleted scenes, and stories are all here. The deleted scenes include his feud with Kurt Angle, which was left out due to Angle leaving for TNA. The extras are all great, except a music video I did not like much. All the matches are great and perfect choices.
-Disk 2-
Shawn Michaels VS Bill Jack Haynes (WCCW, 1/11/85)
This is just a quick squash match. Michaels looks good, but quickly loses.
RATING- No Rating
AWA Tag Team Championships (AWA, 2/10/87)
Midnight Rockers VS Buddy Rose & Doug Somers(c)
This is not the bloody battle described in the documentary. However, this is the first Tag Title win for the Midnight Rockers. The match is slow, but entertaining. The Rockers do not use much of their fast-paced wrestling in this match. Rose and Somers dominate most of the match. The match is slow, but has its moments.
RATING- 7.5/10
AWA Tag Team Championship (AWA 6/12/87)
Midnight Rockers(c) VS Super Ninja & Ninja Go
Let me say that the two Ninjas are ridiculous. They only do a ninja stance every now and then; nothing else is ninja about them. Regardless, this match starts fast paced with the Rockers getting the advantage. The Ninjas gain control later in the match and does not relinquish it for a long time. This match is much better than the previous match is.
RATING- 8.5/10
The Rockers VS The Brainbusters (Madison Square Garden, 1/23/89)
This match is wonderful. The Brainbusters consist of Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard. There is some fast-paced action, comedic action, and good tag team wrestling. This is my favorite tag team match on the set.
RATING- 9.5/10
2 out of 3 Falls Match
WWF Tag Team Championship (October 1990)
The Rockers VS The Hart Foundation(c)
This match was erased from history due to one of the top ropes breaking. I will say that this match feels like a big mess. Both teams hesitate a lot and moves do not seem to flow right. The top rope is fixed for the third fall, but the match is not working correctly yet. In addition, there is not commentary for this match. Still, it is not all terrible. The match just lacked fluidity.
RATING- 7.5/10
The Rockers VS Orient Express (Royal Rumble 1991)
This is another good tag team match. Orient Express controls most of the match, but The Rockers get their offensive moments. Both these team put on a good showing.
RATING- 8/10
Intercontinental Championship (Saturday Night's Main Event, 11/8/92)
Shawn Michaels VS British Bulldog(c)
British Bulldog had just beaten Bret Hart in their historic match at Summerslam 1992. This match is a fantastic showing. Bulldog uses his power to control the match. There is a good technical showdown at one point. I loved the ending, but I do not think the crowd understood what happened.
RATING- 9/10
Royal Rumble Match (Royal Rumble 1995)
If you do not already know how this one ends, you have never watched wrestling. While the ending is an epic moment, the Rumble itself is not epic. In fact, the 1995 edition of the Rumble is horrible. There are only five true stars in the match; two of them are eliminated in a matter of seconds. The other three dominate the entire match. Those three are Michaels, Bulldog, and Luger. Everyone else in the Rumble is just a pawn for them to throw out. In addition, the intervals between entrants were only thirty-seconds. This means people were constantly coming in nothing truly interesting ever happens. The final two is epic and bring this match up slightly.
RATING- 6/10
-Disk 3-
Intercontinental Championship (In Your House, 7/23/95)
Shawn Michaels VS Jeff Jarrett(c) w/ The Roadie
Many are claiming that this match is a "lost classic." This match has been lost in time, but it is not a classic. The match is good, but by no means a classic. Shawn out wrestles Jarrett until Shawn takes a sick spill until the outside. Jarrett then controls the match. Roadie interferes from time to time. Roadie would go on to be known as B.G. James later in his career.
RATING- 8/10
WWF Championship (King of the Ring 1996)
Shawn Michaels(c) VS British Bulldog
Mr. Perfect is an outside referee for this match. Mr. Perfect has been aligned with Bulldog and Owen Hart lately, so the match is bias. Michaels tries to take away the upper power of Bulldog by working on his arm. The match is back and forth. This is even better than there other match on this set. The problem is the weird ending.
RATING- 9.5/10
World Heavyweight Championship (Raw, 12/29/03)
Shawn Michaels VS Triple H(c) w/Ric Flair
This match took place in Shawn's hometown. The crowd is hot, and this match is electric. Triple H and Michaels go back and forth the entire match. Shawn takes a sick dive to the outside onto Flair and Triple H. Shawn even locks on the Figure-4 onto Triple H. The match has an exciting closing minutes. The ending is odd, but I loved it.
RATING- 9/10
The Rockers VS La Resistance (Raw, 3/14/05)
This is a one night only return on The Rockers. Shawn and Marty still look great together. The match is short, but it is nice to see them together again.
RATING- 7/10
Shawn Michaels VS Kurt Angle (Vengeance 2005) (Match of the DVD)
After WrestleMania 21, no one thought this match would take place again. Angle was drafted to Raw though and the match was on. Angle focuses on the neck of Michaels for most of the match. There are some sick spots including a German Suplex onto the announce table and a powerbomb into the turnbuckle. This match is epic. You will love every second of it.
RATING- 10/10
Shawn Michaels VS John Cena (Raw, 4/23/07)
Use the bathroom, get something to drink, and get ready to stay glued to your seat for nearly an hour. This is the rematch from WrestleMania 23 that lasted an hour. The match goes back and forth. Cena just cannot get Shawn to stay down. The match is slow, but that works in this match. The ending is great. Unfortunately, this match is not for the WWE Championship.
RATING- 9/10
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