Zachary FenellDVD Review: "The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling"
November 14th 2011 22:33
Continuing my recent trend of reviewing bargain priced DVDs, here’s an analysis for WWE Home Video The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling. Released initially in 2007 the two-disc set covers the highs and lows of WCCW, a Texas promotion ran by Fritz Von Erich during professional wrestling’s territory days. Disc one contains a documentary about the promotion and disc two features various matches.
Admittedly I knew next to nothing about WCCW before watching The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling so I can’t verify the documentary’s accuracy. I can say however the WWE did an excellent job obtaining insight from nonemployees for the DVD. In addition to interviews with employees such as Michael Hayes and Ric Flair, WWE reached out to guys like Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts, Dory Funk Jr., and Kevin Von Erich. WCCW’s triumphs included presenting a polished wrestling product and the Fabulous Freebirds/Von Erichs feud. The company’s tragedies dealt with the many early deaths in the Von Erich family and the events leading to WCCW closing their doors.
Genuine wrestling fans from my generation (90s, early 2000s) will find the matches on disc two very entertaining. You get to see guys like “Ravishing” Rick Rude, King Kong Bundy, and Kamala before they entered the national spotlight over in the WWE. When you watch King Kong Bundy vs. Fritz Von Erich you’ll get a feeling similar to leafing through your parents’ wedding album because like your now bald uncle, King Kong Buddy actually had hair in the early 80s! What stands out the most on disc two though is how much the Von Erichs meant to Texas wrestling fans. Texans showed more enthusiasm for Fritz, David, Kerry, and Kevin Von Erich than the WWE Universe does for the beloved John Cena.
All in all I recommend The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling to anyone with an interest in learning more about professional wrestling’s past. Now’s a great time to pick up the DVD too as Amazon still has the WWE Home Release available for under $7.
The Von Erichs and Fabulous Freebirds enjoyed a tremendous rivalry. Photo: PrtSc from DVD menu
Admittedly I knew next to nothing about WCCW before watching The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling so I can’t verify the documentary’s accuracy. I can say however the WWE did an excellent job obtaining insight from nonemployees for the DVD. In addition to interviews with employees such as Michael Hayes and Ric Flair, WWE reached out to guys like Terry Gordy, Buddy Roberts, Dory Funk Jr., and Kevin Von Erich. WCCW’s triumphs included presenting a polished wrestling product and the Fabulous Freebirds/Von Erichs feud. The company’s tragedies dealt with the many early deaths in the Von Erich family and the events leading to WCCW closing their doors.
Genuine wrestling fans from my generation (90s, early 2000s) will find the matches on disc two very entertaining. You get to see guys like “Ravishing” Rick Rude, King Kong Bundy, and Kamala before they entered the national spotlight over in the WWE. When you watch King Kong Bundy vs. Fritz Von Erich you’ll get a feeling similar to leafing through your parents’ wedding album because like your now bald uncle, King Kong Buddy actually had hair in the early 80s! What stands out the most on disc two though is how much the Von Erichs meant to Texas wrestling fans. Texans showed more enthusiasm for Fritz, David, Kerry, and Kevin Von Erich than the WWE Universe does for the beloved John Cena.
All in all I recommend The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling to anyone with an interest in learning more about professional wrestling’s past. Now’s a great time to pick up the DVD too as Amazon still has the WWE Home Release available for under $7.
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