MOVE OVER WWF - MOVE OVER WCW. It's time to get extreme! Extreme Chamionship Wrestling (ECW) is the next generation of of sports-entertainment. Professional wrestling's outer limits. The new frontier. The most unique... more » and extreme brand of all-star wrestling.« less
"Matches: Raven vs. Sandman in a barbed wire match--A great hardcore matchup as these two men risk their lives and careers for ECW's fans. The Eliminators (Perry Saturn and John Cronus)vs. Steve Williams and Terry Gordy--An odd choice for a match that doesn't really seem to fit in, although Saturn's death-defying flying elbow was a great spot. Jerry Lynn vs.Rob Van Dam in a 30 minute bout for the ECW television title from Hardcore Heaven '99--A great match, and the high point of both RVD's and Lynn's careers. Mike Awesome vs. Masato Tanaka in a show-stealing match from November to Remember '99 for the ECW world heavyweight title--A fantastic match as the Awesome/Tanaka feud reached it's peak. Taz vs. Sabu-- A fantastic hardcore grudge match, and a match that in many ways put ECW on the map and solidified them as a Fed to be reckoned with in Proffesional Wrestling. (From Barely Legal '97, by the way). The Dudley Boys vs. Balls Mahoney and Spike Dudley in a world tag team title match--Another excellent hardcore match that sees the Dudleys powerbomb little Spike through two tables which are stacked on top of each other and set on fire, an incredible spot, and a great match. Finally, the match which best defines ECW: Tommy Dreamer and Beulah McGillicuty vs. Shane Douglas and Francine in a mixed tag match-up. First, a fan hits Douglas with a chair, nearly causing a riot, and later, Francine's top comes off while recieving a piledriver from Tommy--All that and a terrific match too! I can not recommend this DVD enough. It is a must-have for any ECW fan, and if you are not yet a fan, and want to know what ECW is all about, buy this DVD and become a fan. The Video version, however, does not contain Taz vs. Sabu or Spike and Balls vs. the Dudleys. And the censored version is well...censored, so if you have to buy the Video, buy the uncensored version, even if it does not have those two matches, it is well worth it!"
THIS IS EXTREME!!! Recommended Viewing
Mr. JKW | Honolulu, Hawai'i | 04/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not having been able to watch ECW during its Golden Era, (it wasn't shown out in our parts) I immediately purchased this DVD when I had a chance. I WASN'T disappointed. This is the ECW I always heard about. Tons of hardcore, hard-hitting action, great athleticism and insane daredevil spots. THIS IS EXTREME.Here are the matches featured on this DVD:1. Rob Van Dam vs Jerry Lynn (5/16/99): CLASSIC match from their high profile rivalry for the ECW TV Title. Athleticism at its finest. Great mat wrestling, aerial action and counter action. Five stars.2. Mike Awesome vs Masato Tanaka (11/7/99): Another classic feud spanning both FMW and ECW. This match dispelled any belief that Awesome was not a credible champ. AWESOME spot and bump fest featuring tables and tons of power moves. Dudley Boyz got nothing on these two when it comes to tables. As Joey Styles would say, "Oh My God!!!" Five stars.3. The Sandman vs Raven (12/7/96): Classic barbed-wire match for the Heavyweight title. Garbage wrestling at its best. ECW hardcore action at its finest. You'll cringe at some of the things these two did to each other. Four stars.4. The Dudley Boyz vs Balls Mahoney and Spike Dudley (8/14/99): Arena spanning WAR between these two teams. Another ECW classic with tons of great spots including a powerbomb into TWO tables LIT ON FIRE!!! Hardcore to the bone. Five stars.5. The Eliminators vs Dr. Death Steve Williams and Freebird Terry "Bam Bam" Gordy (10/26/96): Special challenge between ECW's greatest tag team and the greatest gaijin tag team from Japan. One-sided battle between two great teams. Highlight is the finish of the match which features an insane bump from high above the ring. Four stars.6. Sabu vs. Taz (4/13/97): Classic grudge match from ECW's first ever Pay Per View "Barely Legal." GREAT match with tons of great mat wrestling, high spots and good ring psychology. Plus an appearance by Rob Van Dam and the shocking turn that led to the formation of one of ECW's best heel stables. Five stars.7. Tommy Dreamer/Beulah McGillycutty vs "Franchise" Shane Douglas/Francine (12/7/96): Decent bout with TA and the obligatory catfight. Douglas at his best as a heel. Three stars.Other extras on this DVD includes:1. An Extreme Moments Montage featuring: New Jack's insane dive from a basketball backboard, Taz Tazplexing Dreamer off the stage into tables, Chris Benoit breaking Sabu's neck after a bad back drop.2. Wrestler bios.3. A preview for Acclaim's "Anarchy Rulz" Video Game.Here are my evaluations:Good: AWESOME action. In my opinion, not a single bad match on this DVD. This is the ECW that people always raved about. Extreme action at its best. The "Anarchy Rulz" preview was pretty solid also (though I've heard the game itself wasn't...). The Extreme moments montage was also a decent feature. The wrestler bios were a nice extra, though nothing spectacular.Bad: Nothing really...This DVD is great for any ECW fan, wrestling fan or anyone who likes to see great action. Is it worth watching? DEFINITELY. Is it worth buying and owning? In my opinion, yes. That's for you to decide though. If you do get it though, I doubt you'll be disappointed.Highly recommended."
Just a few problems
Ken Usen | Croton on Hudson, NY United States | 09/17/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The tape kicks off with Rob Van Dam versus Jerry Lynn. Although this was a great match I don't understand why it was placed on this tape. This match was shown on the very first episode of ECW on TNN so most fans have seen it. Not a bad match to start off the tape...but also not a great one. I understand why they wanted to put an RVD match on the tape since he is the top star of the promotion but if it was up to me I would have put the RVD/Sabu respect match on. The second match is Tanaka versus Awesome. This is a very good match. Both men take insane moves from each other. The powerbomb out of the ring through a table is insane. Awesome is an amazing big man and Tanaka is an all around amazing wrestler.Sandman versus Raven was not a great match...but I understand why it was placed on the tape. It used to be impossible to find this match in its entirety. Although I did not enjoy the match it was still good to see what I had been missing for so many years. The Eliminator's versus Steve Williams and Terry Gordy is a match that has taken a lot of heat from the ECW fans. I guess for good reason. All four men are great wrestlers but this match was a bit slow. I must admit I am guilty of fast forwarding a bit. I do understand why this match was on the tape since it was in the old intro to ECW TV and it was also impossible to find. The tape could have done without this match. Sabu versus Taz was a great match at the time. It had good drama to it and some rather stiff moves. This was the first real grudge match on ECW pay per view and it defiantly earned it's place on this tape.Dudley's versus Spike and Balls was nothing spectacular. I am not a big fan of a total brawl so I did not enjoy this match. Fast-forwarded most of it. The flaming table stuff was pretty good. Dreamer and Beulah versus Douglas and Francine was not a bad pick. I still think that the Dreamer/Beulah versus Fonzi/RVD was better.This is a pretty good tape. I still think that the Sabu/RVD respect match should have been on it. Also Douglas/Sabu/Funk from the night the line was crossed should have been on. Still this is a good tape for newer ECW fans as well as older ones who never got to see some of these matches."
Great, but could have been better...
Mark Twain | LI | 06/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"ECW's first commercial release... while still rad in itself (finally getting out the Raven/Sandman barb match), it just leaves a bit to be desired. Odd choice for a Sabu match, and whats with the Dr Death match?"
The First ECW DVD It Rocks!
Ken Usen | 08/14/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"When I got this DVD I thought it would ... but I was wrong it is a great DVD and you have to buy it here are the matches on the DVD and the special features1. Rob Van Dam vs Jerry Lynn for the ECW TV Title from Hardcore Heaven 1999 this is a great match two of the best wrestlers in ECW at the time I give this match (5 stars)2. Mike Awesome vs Masato Tanaka for the ECW Heavyweight Title from November To Remember 1999 a good match with insane chair shots and table breaks (4 1/2 stars)3. The Sandman vs Raven for the ECW Heavyweight Title Barbwire Match from 1996 this match is a bloodbath not a lot of wrestling but a lot of hardcore fighting (4 stars)4. Dudley Boyz vs Balls Mahoney and Spike Dudley for the ECW Tag Team Titles from 1999 this match goes all over the arena even into the concession stand and the high spot in this match is Spike Dudley being driven through 2 Flaming Tables! (4 1/2 Stars)5. Eliminators vs Steve Williams and Terry Gordy from 1996 this match ... big time I don't know why they put this match on they could have put another match on instead of this stupid match (1 Star)6. Sabu vs Taz from Barely Legal ECW's first PPV this match is awesome with a lot of high spots and good wrestling and harcore wrestling (5 Stars)7. Tommy Dreamer and Beulah vs Shane Douglas and Francine from 1996 good match with Francines Top coming off during a piledriver by Tommy Dreamer and a fan hits Shane Douglas with a chair and a riot breaks out (3 Stars)The Special Features are 1. Dolby 5.1 2. Extreme Moments Montage (Chris Benoit breaks Sabu's Neck!) 3. Interactive Menus 4. Match Access 5. Wrestler Bio's 6. ECW Anarchy Rulz Video Game Previewwell go out and buy this DVD it's good!"