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WRESTLING DVDS
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WWE Best of Confidential
Description: Confidential was a relatively unique show: its analysis on what takes place outside the ring, views of late great wrestlers and previous moments in wrestling were really appealing and interesting for its consumers. Although it was nothing to write about, it was one of those shows you would want to watch if you were still awake at night. Sadly, it got canceled probably because the show started to grow stale but in 2003, the WWE managed to bring some decent behind-the-scenes stories on the DVD. The results, however, are greatly hit-or-miss and a bit one-sided.
The best chapters involve Kurt Angle, William Regal, Bobby Heenan, Davey Boy Smith, Steve Austin, Randy Orton and Jimmy Snuka. Regal's fascination in reptiles is very entertaining for everyone, featuring a graphic spoof of a lizard v. lizard (funny stuff). Angle's chapter features the Olympic Hero talking about how he trained for the 1996 Olympics and that he teaches a couple of amateurs of its importance. This is a very good lesson to anyone whose determination of being part of event becomes more special than it looks. The 3-Generations of Orton is another strong highlight, showing the family tree having a special influence in wrestling. Randy also explains on how he got arrest when he refused to join the Marines. Backstory on Jimmy Snuka is a dandy as well, and finally answers why he always wrestle barefooted. The Davey Boy segment is a nice, if short, homage to one of wrestling's most underrated performers. Bobby Heenan, however, is the best of the bunch, showing why he was always the guy people loved to hate with hilarious sketches which include Brian getting a massage but actually gets pounded by Gorilla and Brian tricked into going in a woman's bathroom. Steve Austin, on the other hand, is a dark back-story of why he quit the company.
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Now comes the problem with the DVDs: most of the chapters are filler and one-sided. The "Hoops Competition" is bad comedy to say the least and Eric Bischoff joining WWE has lost its freshness even though it was shocking the first time we saw it. And speaking of which, Bischoff being blamed for the death of WCW. Granted, it was primarily his fault but he was not the only one to blame: let's not forget Vince Russo, who turned WCW into a gay strip club from hell or Kevin Nash's booking debacle, where Big Poochie put himself in the main event picture repetitive times and change the angles in the midcard. Some should not be on this program. Trish's House, while good, should've been shown on MTV House Tour shows and Booker T meeting Levon Kirkland is better off on The Real World-style type of show. Perhaps the biggest offender is the Bret vs. Shawn-Montreal '97, where they finally reveal the truth of what happened before Montreal and they talk like Bret should get the blame. I understand that you've got to do what you've got to do, even if it means releasing a high-profile veteran but you think Vince would realize all the mistakes he made that led to the Hitman's release like HBK's infamous "Lose Your Smile" speech after all these years, rather than believe "Bret Screwed Bret". Bleh.
The extras, while few, are the best portions of the DVD. There's a decent final WCW Championship match between Scott Steiner and Booker T, the Montreal'97 match, which should finally stop people from raising $45.00 to get the video online, and the IC title classic between Davey Boy Smith and Bret Hart himself. You must get the DVD for the IC title match alone as Bret physically carried a blown-up British Bulldog to a hot ***** technical masterpiece that might've made a huge star out of the English native.
So there are neutral feelings here. On one side, there is good material in the extras section and several very entertaining behind-the-scene story segments. On the other hand, most of the segments suck and the lack of many extras are bound to disappoint. Today, WWE would improve their DVD products and put out some outstanding video hits where in 2003, this dog barely carried the load or take advantage of the DVD qualities. Still, if you're into nostalgia and clamoring on Bret-Davey and Bret-HBK'97 for what seemed like an eternity, then this is recommended. If not, then don't buy it. You're not really missing much here.
Rating: Mildly recommended.
Reviewed by JLR on March 13, 2005.
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