Ever since the early days of recordable media starting with VHS and even Betamax wrestling fans have been wanting to relive their favorite matches. In the 80’s major wrestling events like WWF’s Wrestlemania and WCW’s Starrcade made it to video. Every once in awhile they would release a special tape of matches recorded especially for video release including foriegn tours, and features on specific wrestlers. In the 80’s these tapes were quite pricey so alot of us grew up renting them from the local video rental store, sometimes renting the same video a dozen times to see our favorite match. During the late 90’s videos got cheaper and it got easier to collect.
Things changed with the debut of DVD. DVDs meant you could rewatch your favorite match hundreds of times with out worrying about damaging your tape, and they also held more than a VHS tape. Since around 2002 WWE has been releasing all of their Pay Per Views on DVD, and on average of once a month they release a special DVD either a best of on a certain wrestler, or a certain match type or event. Things continue to evolve as with Blu Ray having even more space than DVD. On average WWE’s special releases are 2-3 DVDs that last 6-9 hours, with the Blu Ray release having an addition 1-3 hours of exclusive content. When they first started releasing blu rays they would just put a couple extra matches or segments, but on upcoming releases WWE has been specifically picking a very important match as a blu ray exclusive to try and encourage people to buy the blu ray. I don’t see them stopping DVD releases for a year most likely two, but I can see if they are filming in HD and upgrading old content for these releases and the upcoming WWE Network they are going to want people to buy it on blu ray so they can see the difference but also so they get the couple extra bucks to help pay for everything they put into upgrading to the HD process.
WWE’s 2011 DVD releases so far
Raw: Best of 2010
Big Show: A Giant’s World
Includes a 90 minute documentary
True Story of Wrestlemania
A great behind the scenes look at Wrestlemania with interviews and never before scene photage.
DX: One Last Stand
Supposedly the last DX release the downside here is this only covers their last run and none of the 90’s stuff.
Very Best of Monday Nitro
Hosted by Diamond Dallas Page, the oblt downside to this set is they cover all of Nitro’s 6 year run in 3 discs instead of the best of each year like was originally rumored.
Greatest Cage Matches of All Time
This is the 4th cage related relase if you count Bloodbath, Satan’s Prison, and Best of Hell in a Cell.
Rey Mysterio: Life of a Masked Man
Includes documentary
Greatest Superstars of the 21st Century
Includes 3-5 minute bios on about 20 wrestlers and what they accomplished in the last ten years. Most of the matches are multi man matches to feature as many people as possible, the bonus is a lot of matches haven’t been on DVD before.
OMG! Top 50 Incidents in WWE History
As with any top 50 this lsit is highly debatable and includes quite few comedy bits as well as shocking moments.
Randy Orton: Evolution of a Predator
Includes documentary, Does not include his first title win against Benoit.
Coming later this year
Ladder Match 2: Crash and Burn, October 11th
This set will be hosted by Christian, and is a follow up to their previous ladder match set a few years ago.
Disc 1
The Evolution of the Ladder Match
Ladder Match for the Undisputed Intercontinental Championship
Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon
WrestleMania X 20th March, 1994
Ladder Match
Tracy Smothers vs. Chris Candido
Smoky Mountain Wrestling March, 1994
Ladder Match for the WCW United States Championship
Eddie Guerrero vs. Syxx
n.W.o Souled Out 25th January, 1997
Ladder Match for the Hardcore Championship
Mankind vs. Big Boss Man
Raw 30th November, 1998
Ladder Match for the WWE Championship
The Rock vs. Mankind
Raw 15th February, 1999
Setting the Bar for Drama
Handicap Ladder Match for Control of the WWE
Vince McMahon & Shane McMahon vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin
King of the Ring 27th June, 1999
Ladder Match
3 Count vs. Jung Dragons
New Blood Rising 13th August, 2000
Amazing Rewards, Serious Consequences
Ladder Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship
Edge & Christian vs. The Hardy Boyz
Raw 25th September, 2000
Disc 2
A Whole ‘nother Level
Ladder Match to Unify the Intercontinental & European Championships
Rob Van Dam vs. Jeff Hardy
Raw 22nd July, 2002
Ladder Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship
Team Angle vs. Eddie Guerrero and Tajiri
Judgment Day 18th May, 2003
Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship
Christian vs. Rob Van Dam
Raw 29th September, 2003
Different Side of the Divas
Ladder Match for the Undisputed OVW Women’s Championship
Katie Lea vs. Beth Phoenix
OVW 23rd December, 2006
Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Mr. Kennedy vs. CM Punk vs. Edge vs. Finlay vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy vs. King Booker vs. Randy Orton
WrestleMania 23 1st April, 2007
The More The Merrier
Ladder Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship
The Hardys vs. The World’s Greatest Tag Team
One Night Stand 3rd June, 2007
Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship
Jeff Hardy vs. Carlito
Raw 10th December, 2007
Disc 3
“Somebody Else’s Yard”
TLC Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Undertaker vs. Edge
One Night Stand 1st June, 2008
Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels
No Mercy 5th October, 2008
Money in the Bank Ladder Match
CM Punk vs. Kane vs. Mark Henry vs. MVP vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Finlay vs. Christian
WrestleMania 25 5th April, 2009
“Brand New Concept”
Money in the Bank Ladder Match
The Miz vs. Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho vs. Evan Bourne vs. Ted DiBiase vs. John Morrison vs. Edge vs. Mark Henry
Money in the Bank 18th July, 2010
#1 Contender’s Ladder Match for the WWE Championship
John Morrison vs. Sheamus
TLC 19th December, 2010
Ladder Match for the Vacant World Heavyweight Championship
Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio
Extreme Rules 1st May, 2011
“Action Packed, Innovative, and Dangerous”
Blu-Ray Extras
Ladder Match for World Heavyweight Championship
Edge vs. Jeff Hardy
Extreme Rules 7th June, 2009
Ladder Match for the ECW Championship
Christian vs. Shelton Benjamin
TLC 13th December, 2009
TLC Match for WWE Championship
The Miz vs. Jerry “The King” Lawler
Raw 29th November, 2010
Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship
Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Jack Swagger
TLC 19th December, 2010
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Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart, October 26th
This set looks back at the long lasting rivalry between HBK and the Hitman. 2 hour interview where JR interview HBK and Bret together.
Disc 1 (Interviews)
WWE Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart DVD
San Antonio vs. Calgary
The Rockers vs. The Hart Foundation
Heartbreak Kid vs.The Hit Man
Intercontinental Champion vs. WWE Champion
Showstopper vs. Excellence of Execution
Progressive vs. Traditional
Fantasy vs. Reality
Respect vs. Trust
Redemption vs. Reconciliation
Hope vs. Peace
Disc 2
WWE Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart DVD
The Rockers vs. The Hart Foundation
Madison Square Garden – 25th November, 1989
Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
Wrestling Challenge – 10th February, 1990
The Rockers vs. The Hart Foundation
Tokyo Dome – 30th March, 1991
Ladder Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
Portland, Oregon– 21st July, 1992
Intercontinental Championship Match
Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
Syracuse, New York– 29th April, 1992
WWE Championship Match
Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
Survivor Series – 25th November, 1992
Steel Cage Match
Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
Utica, New York – 1st December, 1993
Disc 3
WWE Shawn Michaels Bret Hart
Iron Man Match for the WWE Championship
Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
WrestleMania 12 – 31st March, 1996
WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Bret Hart’s Induction
Chicago, Illinois – 1st April, 2006
Bret Hart Returns to Raw
Raw – 4th January, 2010
WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Shawn Michaels’ Induction
Atlanta, Georgia – 2nd April, 2011
Blu-ray Exclusives
Vince McMahon Interviews Shawn Michaels & Bret Hart
Raw – 3rd February, 1997
Bret Hart Promo In Ring
Raw – 12th May, 1997
Hart Foundation Promo In Ring
Raw – 19th May, 1997
WWE Championship Match
Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels
Survivor Series – 9th November , 1997
Extra Interview Pieces:
The First WWE Ladder Match
SummerSlam 1992
Winning the WWE Championship for the First Time
Bret’s WCW Regrets
Cameras Rolling Between Takes
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Stone Cold Steve Austin: The Bottom Line , November 29th
4 DVD or 3 Blu ray set handpicked by Austin with indepth documentary.
Disc 1
DOCUMENTARY (approx. run time: 2-1/2 hours)
Chapters
WWE Signature
Open
Football and Wrestling
Rookie of the Year
From Hollywood California
A Platform
Fang McFrost
Main Event Momentum
1% Tough, 99% Lucky
Raising Hell
Tyson & Austin
Austin Era Has Begun
Cultural Phenomenon
Stooges
The Boss
Rattlesnake vs. Brahma Bull
Difficult Decisions
Return to Mania
Stone Cold Comedy
Really? I’m not coming!
One More Round
The Law of Monday Night RAW
The Show Never Ends
New Horizons
Somewhere Down In Texas
DISC 1 SPECIAL FEATURES
Autograph
Hair Club
The Rattlesnake
Tangled
Punked
The Stunner
Bleed For Me
Disc 2
An Introduction From “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
USWA – May 1990
Stunning Steve Austin vs. Gentleman Chris Adams
WCW Saturday Night – July 30, 1994
Stunning Steve Austin & Ric Flair vs. Sting & Ricky Steamboat
King of the Ring – June 23, 1996
King of the Ring Final
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Jake The Snake Roberts
WrestleMania 13 – March 23, 1997
Submission Match
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart
W/ Alternate Commentary By: Steve Austin & Jim Ross
In Your House: D-Generation X – Dec. 7, 1997
Intercontinental Championship Match
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Rocky Maivia
WrestleMania 14 – March 29, 1998
WWE Championship Match
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels
W/ Alternate Commentary By: Steve Austin & Jim Ross
Disc 3
Over the Edge – May 31, 1998
No Disqualification, Falls Count Anywhere Match for the WWE Championship
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Dude Love
SummerSlam – Aug. 30, 1998
WWE Championship Match
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Undertaker
Raw – March 22, 1999
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Big Show
WrestleMania XV – March 28, 1999
No Disqualification Match for the WWE Championship
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Rock
WrestleMania X-7 – April 1, 2001
No Disqualification Match for the WWE Championship
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Rock
W/ Alternate Commentary By: Steve Austin & Jim Ross
Disc 4
WCW Saturday Night – June 5, 1993
A Flare for the Old
Hardcore TV – Oct. 10, 1995
“A Bunch of Violent Crap”
Hardcore TV – Oct. 31, 1995
Monday Nyquil
Hardcore TV – Dec. 19, 1995
“Flat Out Disgusted”
In Your House: Mind Games – Sept. 22, 1996
“My Exact Opinion of Bret Hart”
Livewire – Oct. 19, 1996
“Stone Cold” on Livewire
Raw – Nov. 4, 1996
Home Invasion
Slammy Awards Show – March 21, 1997
1996 New Sensation Award
Slammy Awards Show – March 21, 1997
Freedom of Speech Award
Raw – April 21, 1997
Ambulance Attack
Raw – Sept. 22, 1997
The World’s Most Famous Stunner
Raw – Jan. 19, 1998
Tyson and Austin!
Raw – March 30, 1998
The Easy Way or the Hard Way
Raw – Sept. 28, 1998
Zamboni 3:16
Raw – Oct. 5, 1998
Paging Dr. Austin
Raw – Oct. 12, 1998
McMahon’s Cement Corvette
DISC 4 MOMENT EXTRAS
Raw – October 19, 1998
Bang 3:16
Raw – March 22, 1999
“Stone Cold” Beer Truck
Raw – April 19, 1999
The Funeral of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Survivor Series – Nov. 19, 2000
Austin’s Revenge
SmackDown – March 22, 2001
Jim Ross Interviews Steve Austin and The Rock
SmackDown – July 5, 2001
Gift Giving Mood
SmackDown – July 12, 2001
Mr. McMahon’s Alliance Woes
SmackDown – July 19, 2001
The Old “Stone Cold”
Raw – Jan. 14, 2002
Whataburger
SmackDown – June 7, 2003
The Highlight Reel
Blu-Ray Exlusive Content
Blu-ray Exclusive Special Features
“Stone Cold” Answers Your Twitter Questions
The Sportatorium
The T-Shirt
The Broken Skull Ranch
Blu-ray Exclusive Matches
No Mercy – May 16, 1999
Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Undertaker vs. Triple H
Raw – Oct. 8, 2001
WWE Championship Match
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle
No Mercy – Oct. 21, 2001
Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle vs. Rob Van Dam
WrestleMania XIX – March 30, 2003
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. The Rock
Blu-ray Exclusive Moments
WCW Saturday Night – May 15, 1993
A Flair for the Gold
Superstars – Nov. 17, 1996
The Biggest Draw in the World
Superstars – March 23, 1997
The Foundation of the WWE
Raw – Aug. 18, 1997
You Want a Pear? You Want an Apple?
Raw – March 17, 2003
Post-Raw: “Stone Cold” Has Some Words with The Rock
WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony – April 4, 2009
Vince McMahon Inducts “Stone Cold” Steve Austin into the Hall of Fame
WrestleMania 25 – April 5, 2009
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin Salutes Texas
Best of King of the Ring, December 13th
Hosted by Booker T
Best Pay Per View Matches of 2011, December 27th
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What was your favorite 2011 DVD release and what are you most looking forward to?
Stay tuned for a follow up article later this week where I discuss the rumored releases for next year and what i’d like to see WWE release in 2012 on DVD and Blu Ray.
