WORLD EXCLUSIVE WWE: You Think You Know Me? The Story of Edge - DVD Review

***MOVIE REVIEW***

WWE keeps their record of superb career biographies with this set. Adam Copeland (Edge) is such charismatic and down to earth talker. Yes he talks about going to Wrestlemania VI in Toronto and seeing his idol Hulk Hogan. We learn the history of how his friendship with Jay Reso (Christian) formed over Christian being the new kid with a throwing ninja star. We see some great home video footage of his learning and traveling the road under the tutelage of Sweet Daddy Siki due to his winning essay. The Brood is discussed and how once he spoke that was it, they new they had a star.

Then we move into the TLC era of classic matches between Edge & Christian, The Dudley Boys, and The Hardy Boyz. From there we move to when Edge & Christian were the coolest and funniest team on Raw or Smackdown. This section reeks of awesomeness. Then the splitting of the team occurs and we movie into his single careers and candid remarks on how some didn't think he was ready, including comments from Edge himself. Of course tragedy struck when his neck problems arose and he had to be out for close to a year. This only motivated him more and when he returned and was booed in hos hometown that is when he flipped the switch and became one of the best heels of the last decade.

My favorite part of this 110 minute biography is when we here a lot of the backstage details of the budding romance between Edge and Lita. I was shocked when we are treated to newly shot comments from Matt Hardy on the situation that happened in the summer of 05 and became the hottest program for about a month. His Money in the Bank cash in is discussed in great detail and John Cena states that him and Vince McMahon were the only ones fully confident in the decision of putting the belt on Edge. Of course he lost it back to Cena 3 weeks later and Edge says he was pissed because the fans were really taking to him as a new champion bit WWE decided to stick to the plan which he jokingly remarks they hardly ever do.

His strong programs with Cena, Batista and Undertaker are discussed in good detail and then some fun insight on his work with Vickie Guererro. One of the unexpected moments is how he calls Zakk Ryder and Curt Hawkins his "kids" and they call him "Uncle Adam". You all know what happens after WrestleMania last year but it was great to hear hos reflections on it now. In between his career retrospective we see Adam Copeland the man just enjoying his life now in the mountains. He tries to get out in nature 2-3 times a week with his dogs, goes kayaking and hiking. He looks to be at peace and loving his new lifestyle since his forced retirement. This is just a wholly entertaining watch and includes newly shot interview footage from Edges' Mother, Lita, Matt Hardy, his close friends, Christian, Sweet Daddy Siki, CM Punk, Chris Jericho, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Vickie Geurerro, John Cena, Curt Hawkins, Zakk Ryder, Michael Hayes, Batista, Randy Orton, Mick Foley, and Trish Stratus. Well worth adding to your wrestling library. 10/10

***VIDEO QUALITY***

The Story of Edge arrives on DVD with a 480p transfer in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. Another high quality down convert from the HD source. There were no major signs of compression at all. Colors saturation was good with the bright coats and outfits Edge&Christian would wear as a tag team. Fine detail was great with close ups in newly shot interview footage all the little details of the participants faces.

Black levels were consistently well balanced. Any footage shot before 2008 is standard def in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 with an Edge pendant design in the sidebars to fill the image on 16x9 HDTV sets. This was an enjoyable and strong presentation overall. 8.5/10

***AUDIO QUALITY***

Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital 5.1 track. Dialogue was crisp and clean as was any commentary heard on the matches of Disc 2&3. Crowd din bleeds subtly to the surrounds from time to time. Edges awesome entrance music came through great and had some added heft from the woofers. A fine listen. 8/10

***SPECIAL FEATURES***


* The Ninja Star

* P.T.A.

* Working in WCW

* Credgeley

* "Real Emotion"
Raw - 8th August, 2005

WWE Randy Orton: The Evolution Of A Predator - DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***

*DISC ONE*

I Am Randy Orton
The Road to WrestleMania Begins
Preparing for the Chamber
Embarking on a Path of Destiny
Training Days
The Elimination Chamber
Facing the Media
The Next Diamond
Signs of Trouble
Dealing with Injuries
The Legend Killer
The Man of Destiny
Punked Out
Coming Home
A Hard Lesson to Learn
Evening the Odds
The Mecca
The Price and Reward of WrestleMania
Making a Difference
Dark Days
Madison Square Melee
Randy's Redemption
Axxess to the Apex Predator
Legacy
The Day Has Arrived...
I Won't Be Your Hero
The Evolution of Randy Orton

*DISC TWO*

Randy Orton vs. Slick Robbie D
OVW Christmas Chaos - January 31, 2001

Randy Orton vs. Hardcore Holly
SmackDown - April 25, 2002

Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels
Unforgiven - September 21, 2003

Intercontinental Championship Match
Randy Orton vs. Rob Van Dam
Armageddon - December 14, 2003

Handicap Tag Team Match
Randy Orton, Ric Flair & Batista vs. The Rock & Mick Foley
WrestleMania 20 - March 14, 2004

Hardcore Match for the Intercontinental Championship
Randy Orton vs. Mick Foley
Backlash - April 18, 2004

Intercontinental Championship Match
Randy Orton vs. Edge
Vengeance - July 11, 2004

Handicap Casket Match
Randy Orton & "Cowboy" Bob Orton vs. The Undertaker
No Mercy - October 9, 2005

*DISC THREE*

Randy Orton vs. Kurt Angle
Vengeance - June 25, 2006

Legend Killer vs. WWE Legend
Randy Orton vs. Hulk Hogan
SummerSlam - August 20, 2006

Texas Bull Rope Match
Randy Orton vs. Dusty Rhodes
The Great American Bash - July 22, 2007

Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship
Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. John Cena
WrestleMania 24 - March 30, 2008

"I Quit" Match for the WWE Championship
Randy Orton vs. John Cena
Breaking Point - September 13, 2009

Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE Championship
Randy Orton vs. Sheamus
Hell in a Cell - October 3, 2010

Randy Orton vs. CM Punk
WrestleMania 27 - April 3, 2011

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Randy Orton vs. Christian
SmackDown - May 6, 2011

***MOVIE REVIEW***

The main feature on Disc 1 runs at 1hr and 30min. This was one of my most anticipated releases and I wasn't disappointed. It all starts at Elimination Chamber 2011 where we see Randy being candidly followed into the back stage area and locker room. From there the doc follows this path all the way to WrestleMania XXVII with some great insight and reflection of his career so far.

One of the highlights is seeing the great family man he has matured into when he has a home show in St. Louis. We are given a glimpse into their home life with his adorable little girl and his beautiful wife. Harley Race is seen near catering at the arena and is so sweet with Randy's daughter. John Cena jokes that he got his food all ready for him. Randy and his Wife speak openly about his drug addiction and how it almost claimed his life and it by the end of this feature you will be proud of the man he has become by focusing on his family and how he now channels his rage into his "Viper" character instead of lashing out at people who care about him.

HHH, John Cena, Batista, Edge, Cowboy Bob Orton, The Miz, and several more superstars are both praising but bluntly truthful , the best Cena calling the old Orton "a Dick and and an asshole". HHH speaks on them bringing him into Evolution and seeing a once in lifetime talent. He also reflects on Randys cockiness and addictions. It first of all was great there was no Matt Striker or Michael Cole anywhere to be seen, and to here people be so candid for once instead of just glowing praise was refreshing. I won't speak anymore on this well made documentary and let you see for yourself, you will not regret purchasing this set. 9/10

***VIDEO QUALITY***
Evolution Of A Predator arrives on DVD with a 480p transfer in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The main feature is a superbly edited feature and there were no major signs of compression or edge enhancement.Interspersed between the main feature on Disc 1 are new interviews and they are pretty much perfect with deep blacks, rich color saturation, and superb facial details. The matches are presented in their original aspect ratios of 1.33:1 and more current ones in 1.78:1. There is a static image on the sides for the early matches to fill out the image on your HDTV. The content overall is crisp and clean with great color balance and strong black levels. This is a solid presentation that I'm sure will look even better on Blu-ray. 8/10

***AUDIO QUALITY***
Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital 5.1 track. While this is a 5.1 track it is for the most part very front heavy. The front channels exhibit some decent stereo separation and there was some subtle crowd din in the rear channels. The commentary on the matches was crisp and clean. Narration on the main feature was perfect, as was the newly shot interview footage. 7/10

WORLD EXCLUSIVE WWE: Greatest Superstars of the 21st Century - DVD Review

***SYNOPSIS***

DISC 1

Signature Open

Ground Breaking Superstars

Chris Jericho

Edge

Triple H

JBL

Kane

Kurt Angle

The Rock

Randy Orton

Brock Lesnar

Decade of the Divas

Jeff Hardy

Big Show

Eddie Guerrero

Shawn Michaels

Booker T

Stone Cold Steve Austin

The Undertaker

Rey Mysterio

Batista

John Cena


DISC 2

WCW Championship Match
Booker T vs. The Rock
SummerSlam August 19, 2001

Intercontinental Championship Match
Chris Jericho vs. Rob Van Dam
Raw September 16, 2002

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Triple H vs. Kane
Raw June 23, 2003

60 Minute Iron Man Match for the WWE Championship
Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar
SmackDown September 18, 2003

WWE Championship Match
Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio
SmackDown March 18, 2004


DISC 3

Fatal 4-Way Match for the WWE Championship
JBL vs. The Undertaker vs. Eddie Guerrero vs. Booker T
Armageddon December 12, 2004

Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship
JBL vs. Big Show vs. Kurt Angle
Royal Rumble January 30, 2005

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Triple H vs. Edge
Raw February 7, 2005

Women's Championship Match
Lita vs. Trish Stratus
Unforgiven September 17, 2006

Triple Threat Match - Winner Faces John Cena For The WWE Championship At WrestleMania 23
Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton vs. Edge
Raw February 5, 2007

8 -Man Tag Team Match
John Cena & Batista & Shawn Michaels & The Undertaker vs. Randy Orton & Edge & Mr. Kennedy & MVP
Raw February 15, 2007

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Batista vs. The Undertaker
WrestleMania 23 April 1, 2007

***MOVIE REVIEW***

The main feature on Disc 1 runs just a little under 1hr and 40min. So that breaks down to about 5 minutes per Superstar and turns into nothing more than a fun highlight reel of the first decade of the new millennium. The voice over narration was good but admittedly a little annoying at the start with generic guitar riffs playing in the background. My personal favorite segments was Kurt Angle which shows why he was one the all time greats and why it is such a sad state of affairs to see him on Impact now. Hopefully one day he can clear his head and make one last run in the WWE. Of course Brock Lesnar is put over huge and is the recipient of some of the best superlatives from the interview participants.
The interview participants include The Miz, Alex Riley, Arn Anderson, Santino Marella, John Cena, Josh Mathews, and Matt Striker. The Miz comes across the best as you can see how much this business means to him and how much he truly loved watching these certain competitors. Disc 2 & 3 have a good selection of matches with the absolute highlight of the whole set being the full 60 minute Iron Match between Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar. Another highlight would be a WWE Championship match from Smackdown with Eddie Guererro vs. Rey Mysterio, what a great match this was. It even includes Paul Heyman's promo after the match. I also highly enjoyed seeing the hard work Batista and The undertaker put into their match for WrestleMania 23.
While not the most substantial 3-Disc collection WWE has released, this is a good effort overall and includes a couple 4 star matches for the ages. 8/10

***VIDEO QUALITY***
WWE: Greatest Superstars of the 21st Century arrives on DVD with a 480p transfer in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1. This is a solid that for the most part consists of the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio of the vintage matches and footage with a colored background on the sides of the image to fill out the screen on HDTVs without sacrificing the original footage and stretching it. Early footage was better than expected with good color saturation and nice contrast. Detail was an improvement over 80's footage from the past couple WWE releases. Interspersed between the main feature on Disc 1 are new interviews and they are pretty much perfect with deep blacks, rich color saturation, and superb facial details. A visually pleasing release. 8/10

***AUDIO QUALITY***
Audio is provided by a Dolby Digital 5.1 track. While this is a 5.1 track it is for the most part very front heavy. The front channels exhibit some decent stereo separation and there was some subtle crowd din in the rear channels. The mid 00's matches exhibited crisp and clean commentary and good bleeding of the entrance music. Narration on the main feature was crisp and clean as were the newly shot interviews. 7/10

EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK PHOTOS WWE: Greatest Superstars of the 21st Century DVD

Hello all. I just got in WWE: Greatest Superstars of the 21st Century 3 -Disc DVD set to release on July 26, 2011. WWE has continued their new practice of having the full content listing on the first left flap of the fold out case (see photo below).