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RADICAN'S PWTorch DVD review: The Best of RVD TV Vol. 1: RVD trains MMA with a UFC fighter, talks the power of the mind with The Ultimate Warrior, discusses love on a beach with Samoa Joe Jun 3, 2009 - 5:44:03 PM
Radican's wrestling DVD review series
The Best of RVD TV Vol. 1
Big Vision Entertainment
By Sean Radican, Torch columnist
One of the more interesting DVD releases I've come across in a long time is "The Best of RVD TV Vol. 1," which has just been released for national distribution by Big Vision Entertainment, who have put several really good wrestling releases out on the market in recent years. I never even knew RVD had his own reality show until I heard of the pending release of this DVD. I was skeptical at first after reading the back sleeve, as it didn't look like RVD was going to be featured in anything wrestling-related on this release, but it only took a couple of episodes of RVD TV to win over before I sat mowed through the entire 2 disc set in a couple of days.
The concept of this show is simple: put RVD on camera hanging out with his friends, working out, talking Zen, and talking about different social issues with his famous friends and you have a winning formula. RVD TV is available through a subscription service at RobVanDam.com, but this release will more then satisfy those curious about RVD TV due to its low price point, as the subscription online seems steep.
If you ever wondered where you could find RVD and Samoa Joe talking about true love on a beach with their shirts off, look no further than here. I was blown away by getting to see another side of so many wrestlers, who I really only know through wrestling. Needless to say, I was captivated by Samoa Joe and RVD talking about Joe's upcoming marriage (at the time) on the beach and RVD gave him this great speech about wishing Joe and his bride-to-be well.
Another one of the highlights of the show also involves Samoa Joe when RVD, Joe, and UFC fighter Justin McCully go to the gym and train MMA together. McCully appears multiple times, but I really enjoyed seeing him in his own environment working with RVD and Joe, who actually do some wrestling sparring after a brief lesson on takedowns from McCully. Joe has always incorporated a lot of MMA stuff into his matches, so it was a blast to see him train with a real UFC fighter alongside RVD.
The biggest selling point on this release is the "Friends in High Places" segments where RVD discusses social issues with various celebrities and wrestlers. Where else are you going to find RVD discussing language censorship with Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas? My favorite segment of the entire release came when RVD, The Ultimate Warrior, and Chris Nowinski discussing the power of the mind. It was downright surreal watching these three men talking about the power of the mind in relation to positive thinking and I enjoyed the entire thing as I thought to myself while watching it that you might never see these three people in the same room anywhere ever again.
I really enjoyed "The Best of RVD TV Vol. 1" and I highly recommend a purchase, especially given the value and low price point. I really enjoyed seeing an entire new side of RVD that I never knew about while he was a wrestler in ECW and WWE. I've seen this DVD for less than 20 bucks, which is a steal given the content here. The first disc has ten episodes of RVD TV, but once again, Big Vision made sure to pack this release with a second disc full of bonus features as they have done with some of their other releases in the past. The second disc has behind the scenes footage from all ten episodes on the first disc and a rare Booker T vs. RVD match that was shot at Booker T's independent show in Houston in 2007. I'm looking forward to Vol. 2 being released, as I'd really like to see more of this reality show, but at a better price point.
You can purchase "The Best of RVD TV Vol. 1"at most major retail stores or by clicking here.
Sean Radican and co-host Derek Burgan record ROH themed audios on the Radican Audio Showcase on most weekends that are made available exclusively to Torch VIP members. Sean also reviews nearly every ROH release for Torch VIP members. You can contact Sean at PWTorchSean@Gmail.com.
Send feedback on this article to pwtorch@gmail.com and we'll regularly publish reader feedback in the "Torch Feedback" category on the Main Listing.
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