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MIKE JOHNSON TAKES A LOOK AT THE WRESTLEMANIA 21 DVD SET

Wrestlemania Goes Hollywood

The theme for Wrestlemania 21 was “Wrestlemania Goes Hollywood” but it was truly about trying to create two new headline stars in John Cena and Batista. The new DVD release for the event (scheduled to hit stores tomorrow) does a great job collecting not just the PPV event but all of the events that surrounded the week that was the biggest in the year of professional wrestling. The DVD also immediately reminds you of the fact that it was about new headliners, because the second you open up the packaging, you are met with photos of the new WWE champions brandishing their belts in celebration.

Disc One is made up of the majority of the excellent Wrestlemania 21 card. There’s Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio in decent opener that was the start of their storyline. The excellent “Money in The Bank” ladder match that propelled Edge ever closer to a top spot while cementing Shelton Benjamin as one of the top rising performers in the company. The return of Hulk Hogan to the Wrestlemania stage. The excellent Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle match, a bout that was the best in WWE’s recent years to the point I’ve watched it three times since getting my hands on the DVD and I’ve never been one to go back and study matches again and again. Steve Austin face to face with Roddy Piper. Randy Orton in a much better than expected match with The Undertaker, right down to the Cowboy Bob Orton cameo.

The second disc leads into the two main events – the disappointing John Cena vs. JBL WWE championship win and the satisfying Batista victory over Triple H. I say disappointing for the former because it was too convenient for JBL, who has brawled and escaped his way out of every situation for much of the last year, to be beaten within 7 minutes by one F-U by Cena. It seemed completely anticlimactic and in a way, insulting to JBL’s title run. I say satisfying for the latter because the fans wanted to see Triple H beaten and while it wasn’t a classic main event in the vein of the previous year’s HHH vs. Benoit vs. Michaels Three-Way, WWE gave the fans what they wanted here and everyone involved was working hard.

Beyond the PPV, the DVD’s second disc features the dark match Battle Royal featuring Raw vs. Smackdown which is much better on tape with Tazz and Michael Cole’s commentary then I remembered it live. There are video features on the WWE shutting down Hollywood Boulevard for a live event (although sadly, not the entire show is included) and different appearances in the LA area. There is also a filmed discussion between Triple H and Motorhead backstage.

One of the highlights of the set is the collected Wrestlemania 21 Parody Trailers, especially a feature with deleted scenes and Bloopers from the trailers. There’s some classic stuff with Ric Flair and the donkey from the Braveheart promo and some great Edge scenes that were deleted from the Taxi Driver promo. Really great stuff.

The third disc features the complete WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony with the inductions and video packages on Hulk Hogan, Paul Orndorff, The Iron Sheik, Roddy Piper, Nikolai Volkoff, and Bob Orton. Despite a somewhat rowdy audience, it’s a really classy night and it’s well worth the price of the DVD itself. Highlights include Ric Flair’s long introduction of Roddy Piper, featuring a number of great stories that didn’t make the Spike TV Network including one trip that featured a riot, a lot of drinking, a wrestling match in an airport, and a pilot threatening to land a plane because Piper is attempting to get the plane to sing “Jingle Bells” the day before Christmas. Then there is also the The Iron Sheik’s hysterical never-ending speech, and much more. Others who were good hands but never really get their just due by today’s fans, like Paul Orndorff, who was as much of a top draw as anyone, also get their time in the sun. The historical packages are great. It’s a few hours where you can feel good about being a wrestling fan. In many ways, that’s the whole point of Wrestlemania – to celebrate the good and make some money all at the same time.

One of the things that continue to be overlooked by many fans that I always find myself fascinated with is the production values of the shows. WWE did an amazing job at Wrestlemania 21 with the Hollywood motiff, right down to the changing marquee for each bout and the Undertaker’s floating entrance. Likewise, WWE Home Video has done themselves another fine job, one on par with the awesome Rise and Fall of ECW and Chris Benoit titles. It’s a collection fitting of the Wrestlemania name.

The following extras are featured on the Wrestlemania 21 DVD:

Promotional Spots:
*JBL vs. John Cena
*Triple H vs. Batista
*Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels

Wrestlemania 21 Trailers:
*Forrest Gump
*Basic Instinct
*Braveheart
*Pulp Fiction
*A Few Good Men
*Dirty Harry
*Taxi Driver
*When Harry Met Sally
*Gladiator
*Outtakes & Bloopers

Career Highlights:
*Shawn Michaels
*Kurt Angle
*The Undertaker

Wrestlemania Week:
*Hollywood Boulevard Event
*Superstar Appearances
*Battle Royal
*Motorhead Unplugged with Triple H

Disc Three features the complete 2005 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony of Hulk Hogan, Paul Orndorff, Jimmy Hart, The Iron Sheik, Roddy Piper, Nikolai Volkoff, and Bob Orton.

The Wrestlemania 21 DVD can be ordered now in the PWInsider.com Online Store for immediate shipping.

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