Online World of Wrestling DVD Review
“The Great Debate ’08: Race/Sammartino”
Available at www.KayfabeCommentaries.com
Reviewed By: Brad Dykens
Kayfabe Commentaries’ latest DVD release could very well be its greatest to date. A unique concept created on the cusp of a historic Presidential Election in the United States. “The Great Debate ’08” features a lively discussion between living legends Bruno Sammartino (representing the WWWF) and Harley Race (representing the NWA). Together they “debate” the inner workings of the wrestling business from the era that they know best.
Mr. Sammartino and Mr. Race are far too polite to engage in any dirty mud-slinging, and spent much of the time agreeing with one another and praising each other’s work ethic. Neither man sacrificed their integrity to name names or insult another person’s character. Race was very soft spoken and to the point, while Sammartino would go the extra mile to give his solid opinion on any topic thrown at him. KC director Sean Oliver tossed a few softball questions, but managed to sneak in a few controversial ones as well. “What’s the worst thing to happen to professional wrestling?”
Personally I am in awe of Bruno Sammartino. The man is a true living legend, living a life of near perfect health and prosperity at the age of 73 – an anomaly for a pro-wrestling legend. He is humble and generous, a grandfatherly type. Race, on the other hand, is a little rough around the edges. Both men love kayfabe and share distaste for the current wrestling scene, although Race obviously tolerates it for financial reasons.
This is a definite MUST SEE for any fan of kayfabe wrestling. You will find yourself hypnotized by the words of wisdom straight from the mouths of legends. Check this and many other incredible Kayfabe Commentary DVD releases at www.kayfabecommentaries.com
Monday Night Mayhem DVD Review
“The Great Debate ’08: Race/Sammartino”
Available at www.KayfabeCommentaries.com
Reviewed By: Alan Wojcik (www.alanwojcik.com)
Did you get to the polls on Election Day? Your vote created history as Barack Obama became President of the United States. Now the folks who run www.kayfabecommentaries.com are asking you to cast your vote, this time for Race or Sammartino. Your probably thinking who and what are you talking about? Well the company that produces My Side of the Story and Guest Booker brought together multi-time NWA World Heavyweight champion Harley Race and two-time WWWF World Heavyweight champion Bruno Sammartino for The Great Debate ’08.
Unlike the Presidential and VP debates from October, this debate is friendly, entertaining and educational. Host Sean Oliver introduces the two men then asks the questions leaving the talking to the former World champions. To be upfront this is one of the best DVD’s not produced by RF Video, WWE or TNA this year. Mr. Race and Mr. Sammartino are given free reign to speak on a variety of topics including: which was the better wrestling city; St Louis or New York, what made Vince McMahon Sr. and Sam Muchnick great promoters, what makes a great babyface/villain, what makes a great champion and the always fun question, is “Nature Boy” Ric Flair the greatest World Heavyweight champion of all-time. The one draw back on this presentation is there are no chapters, so if you begin it and stop it completely you will have to begin again and fast forward to your spot. But who cares because you will not want to stop the DVD.
Both men have no reason to leave none of the subjects unanswered. Mr. Sammartino shocked me when he admitted he hasn’t watch wrestling for years. If memory serves Mr. Race runs a training school and promotion in the mid-west and talks to the viewer like Sammartino, he was teaching a master’s class on the sport of wrestling. After the presentation, Mr. Oliver returns and asks you to place a vote on the company website for the legend you felt represented their promotion and championship the best. That vote I will leave up to you as I feel the debate is too close to call and I vote for both men to have wings in the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, shame the WWE will possibly never induct Mr. Sammartino. But then again didn’t some guy named Hart go in a couple of years ago?
Log onto www.kayfabecommentaries.com to buy this DVD and other titles.
Monday Night Mayhem DVD Review
“The Great Debate ’08: Race/Sammartino”
Available at www.KayfabeCommentaries.com
Reviewed By: “Wild” Bill Brown
Content: 8.0
Yes another innovative concept is instilled, as Kayfabe Commentaries once again present their latest video release — featuring arguably two of the greatest champions of the last century. This time, “The Great Debate ’08” is the platform where both Harley Race & Bruno Sammartino, legendary champions of their time, are each presented challenging questions involving the wrestling business & give their takes from their own points of view. As most may know, both of their paths rarely crossed, as they were solely working for their own promoters when they headlined their own territories, but each man now will reflect back from their points of view & tell you why they believe their territory was better or worse, their title reign was good or bad, their promoters booking was supreme or lacking, as well as touch on a number of topics such as what makes a top champion, referee roles, newsletters, squash matches, realism, announcers & working styles. Hear from the best from the two biggest federations in the wrestling world, and cast your vote on who defends their story the best.
********
Video: 7.5
Main camera set-up focusing on the two made podiums, with both Bruno on one side & Race on the other. Each man is allowed to answer all the questions in any way they feel, and you are to be the judge, as the viewer to each man presenting their views & selling you on their side of the story. The video set-up is straight with a few close shots, but other than that, there is not much more to the style of production. The quality is suburb & clear.
********
Audio: 8.5
Both questions & answers from all involved are very clear & crisp in dolby surround two-channel volume.
********
What’s On The DVD?
For almost an hour & a half, listen to both men, as they tell you why their territory was better than the other. Get points of view in regards to amateur backgrounds of wrestlers & what they should know in order to succeed. What makes a top champ? Find out the similarities between both Sam Mushnick & Vince McMahon’s booking styles & what made them the best booker. All this & so much more are told, and you can make the decision on whose case is the best for their particular beliefs.
********
The Verdict:
This DVD features a great story from an awesome time during professional wrestling’s glory days. Listen to the leaders, two men stacked with knowledge, & truly enjoy their views. You should find this new style of open discussion to be very entertaining.
********
Overall Recommendation:
Buy this DVD. Hear from the legends. What they say will feed your mind with a great understanding of the wrestling world when territories were just that, and each man has those different views from their own sides defending their areas. Kayfabe Commentaries provides you “The Great Debate ‘08,” and in the end, the choice is yours to cast your vote on who you feel proved their points of view to be the most superior.
********
Overall Rating: 8.0