The Rise and Fall of ECW

Type: Documentary
Publisher: WWE
Release Date: November 16, 2004
Number of Disks: 2
Running Time: 300 Minutes(including bonus features)

One of the greatest financial moves Vince McMahon could have ever made was not bringing in a certain wrestler or wrestlers, but the buying of other, defunct companies tape libraries, such as WCW, NWA(not TNA), AWA, WCCW, and ECW. Not only have they really helped with the career retrospectives of wrestlers(Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero come to mind), but have allowed WWE to release such DVDs based on companies such as The Spectacular Legacy of the AWA, released late last year, one about the Von Erichs and WCCW, due out later this year, and the one I am about to review, The Rise and Fall of ECW.

After getting through the previews and the Don't try this at home message, we are taken to the opening menu, complete with ECW highlights, and Matt Morgan's shortlived theme music. Here we go!

During the DVD, they talk about such things as their rivalry with WCW, their partnership with WWE,Mass Transit The Night the Lin was Crossed, Mike Awesome leaving with the title, Luchas coming to ECW, the Closing of ECW, and much much more.

The DVD is closed with all the wrestlers giving their thoughts about what made ECW so special. This DVD is even more relevant, considering what the WWE higher-ups like to push as ECW now these days.

Highlights:

-Heyman's Steve Austin impression, and Stevie Richard's impression of Terry Funk.

-The footage

-Some of the interviews were very good.

-The Bonus Features and Matches were pretty great

Lowlights:

-Some of the segments were way too short, glossing over some of the biggest things and people of ECW.

-Greats of ECW not being interviewed(mainly due to contracts with TNA).

Final Word: Still a great DVD. If you even have a slight interest in ECW, this DVD is a must buy.

****(out of Five)