By Derek Burgan, Torch Media Guy

January, 2005 PWTorch Buying Guide

After the huge success of the PWTorch Christmas Buying Guide last month, I figured it might be an interesting idea to start doing this column monthly. It is a look at many of the wrestling-related products available on the market in January along with some others you may have missed.

DVDs




Rob Van Dam – One of a Kind. In the tradition of some truly exceptional DVDs produced by the WWE spotlighting one wrestler (note the Ultimate Ric Flair Collection, Mick Foley’s Greatest Hits & Misses and Shawn Michaels: From the Vault,) here comes one dedicated to one of the most-over/least-pushed guys on the roster. I remember when I first discovered ECW back in the day that RVD was one of the wrestlers I wanted to see the most. Let’s face it, he was the franchise of the company not unlike Goldberg in WCW and Stone Cold Steve Austin in the WWE. It was if he had the move-set of a cruiserweight in the body of a man much bigger. His laid back approach was also quite striking in a world dominated by men who seem to scream all the time. It is long due for this DVD and it comes via a 2disc’er loaded with matches against the likes of Tommy Dreamer, Jeff Hardy and Sabu. A no-brainer for any ECW fan and anyone who still can’t believe RVD was in WCW as “Robby V.”




WWE Hall of Fame. I recently reviewed this DVD (Click HERE to read review) and was pleasantly surprised at how good a job the WWE did with this one. What could have been a very half-assed and boring show ended up being very solid and I still can’t get over how great Bobby Heenan was. Not only do you get the Hall of Fame introductions, which is pretty damn cool, but each guy on the disc has specific bonus material such as classic matches and promos. A fantastic DVD and I’m looking forward to future editions and I think there is a huge market out there for old WWE footage. Man, if they released old WWE Saturday Night Main Events I’d be all over it.




Santo and the Monters. I got this box set for Christmas and I can’t wait to get into it. In case you didn’t know, El Santo is an icon down in Mexico to the point where he has never been seen unmasked. Go tell that to Eric Bischoff who made Rey Mysterio take off his mask in WCW because he would be “more marketable.” The movies have Santo in high-camp action against villains such as the Werewolf, the Mummy and Dr. Frankenstein. This should be great.




Wrestling's Future Stars. Here’s another one I got for Christmas that unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to watch. This is a collection of matches and angles from Ohio Valley Wrestling. Some big names are on this DVD, such as Batista, John Cena, Rico and the Basham Brothers. Keep in mind this was when they were all booked by the best mind in wrestling, Jim Cornette. Did I mention that Kenny Bolin is also here? God that guy cracks me up.




ROH’s Weekend of Thunder: Night One. I was lucky enough to see this show live (review) and the crowd reaction to Jushin “Thunder” Liger was off the charts. This guy is a star in every way imaginable and his theme music has to be heard to be believed. Solid matches up and down the card including a tag match highlighted by a tag team title match with the Havana PitBulls versus GeNext’s Roderick Strong and Jack Evans. Those who are only used to watching current WWE Pay Per Views will certainly not be used to the high match quality seen in ROH throughout this event such as in the strong Austin Aries –C.M. Punk encounter along with the incredible tag team main event with Liger and his partner Samoa Joe against The American Dragon and Low Ki. The cherry on this sundae is a very good Alex Shelley – Jay Lethal match.




Straight Shootin’ with Jushin “Thunder” Liger. Ring of Honor continues their high production value shoot interviews with one of the biggest wrestling names of the last 20 years, Liger. This is Liger’s first ever insider interview in America. Tons of topics are discussed such as how Liger got into wrestling, his days up in the Stampede promotion and of course, his absurd appearance in Vince Russo’s WCW. A f---ing tequila bottle, I still can’t get over that.




Survivor Series 2004. I have to admit that I love the box artwork for this DVD. There are so many good artists in the comic field (Alex Ross, Michael Turner, Frank Quitely, etc) it’s a shame they are taken advantage of more often.




Fusion Debut Show. You got Scott Hall. You got the Ultimo Dragon. You got Sonjay Dutt. You got New Jack. You got a Tommy Dreamer promo. I'm all over that.




The Mountie Shoot Interview. Yeah, I grew up on The Mountie, but I want to hear this shoot specifically to hear his version of the story the Dynamite Kid gave in his book, Pure Dynamite. Apparently back in the day there was some bad blood between the Rougeau Brothers and the British Bulldogs. This stems from the fact that from what I can piece together, Dynamite Kid was a complete asshole. The other stuff that the Mountie talks about, such as the other WWE teams in his era (such as the KILLER BEES and the Rockers) is all gravy.




Extreme Fan Cam: Final 2 ECW shows. After watching The Rise and Fall of ECW I now miss that company more than ever. Here is a great chance for fans of the company to reminisce over what was as RFVideo is offering a fan cam version of the last two shows the company ever run. Hey, we all remember the last Nitro, right? As a bonus, this doesn’t have Vince McMahon trying to shove himself and his family down our throats. Pick this up and have one last toast to the greatest wrestling promotion of our lifetime.

Dan Severn

The Duckwall Tapes. Last year I was sent several shoot interviews on DVD-R by Bert Duckwall, which unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to review yet. This are available by writing Bert at BertDuckwall@aol.com What was most amazing was what Duckwall sent along with the shoots. Apparently Duckwall approached Dan Severn about doing a comic book based on Severn. Out of all the wrestlers in the world, why in God’s name would ANYONE choose Dan Severn?! So I got to see some of the pages of a comic that was never-to-be and it was actually quite interesting. I’m now working on my own project: Shannon AllThatAnd Moore, and I’m talking to Marvel, DC and Image. Seriously though, Duckwall does a good job with these shoots and I was sent interviews with Severn, SHARK BOY and that goofball Chris Hamrick.Again, contact Duckwall via email if you are interested. You’ll be as amazed as I was to find out “THE BEAST” Dan Severn talks like that Jay Leno impersonator from The Late Shift.

Kevin Nash in The Punisher

The Punisher. I think this movie never got it’s due. Certainly it is no Spider-Man, and I disagree with the casting of John Travolta, but all things considered it is a pretty decent movie. For wrestling fans, it also has the acting debut of KEVIN NASH. Yes, Nash plays an evil Russian who is sent to kill the Punisher. Nash was well suited for this role because the majority of the fight is booked so that Russian doesn’t sell anything by the Punisher. If you remember, Nash lost a “hair vs. hair” match against Chris Jericho shortly before he filmed his role. Of course I believe they said “loser gets shaved bald” and as you can see above, he ain’t bald. The DVD also comes with an exclusive comic by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillion which actually makes the IDIOTIC idea of having the movie take place in Miami make more sense. Dillon and Ennis, by the way, are responsible for one of the comic book's best runs, if not the best.

Nathan Jones, preparing for his battle vs. Brad Pitt

Troy. And here you thought Triple H was the only WWE movie star. Nope, before The Game cut his acting chops in Blade 3 the incomparable Nathan Jones showed up in this summer’s Troy. Jones joins Brad Pitt, Orlando Jordan and Eric Bana in an epic story of Greek Lore. I actually liked this movie a lot and was blown away to find out that goof Roger Ebert put it in his worst movies of the year list. Although Ebert also criticized Spider-Man because you couldn’t see Spider-Man’s mouth so clearly I’m not part of the same audience he is.

Other stuff

The Great Muta

Great Muta figure. Oh come on, this is just cool.

The Beast, Bob Sapp

Bob Sapp figure. Soon Bob Sapp will hit America with his role in the new film Elecktra (the spin-off of Daredevil.) Sapp made his name in Japan where he was a gigantic success over the last several years in the world of Mixed Martial Arts, and because of that pro wrestling. Who else in pro wrestling has a sex toy based on them? As Puroresu Power Host Keith Lipinski noted “it brings a whole new meaning to Sapp Time” (Sapp Time was Sapp’s Japanese pop hit)




The Death of WCW. I recently reviewed this book (Click HERE) and consider it to be the best book on wrestling I have ever read. RD Reynolds and Bryan Alvarez have put together a thought provoking and humorous tale of the one wrestling company that dared to take on Vince McMahon face-to face, and won, before it ultimately collapsed upon itself. This should be required reading for anyone who wants to get into the pro-wrestling business or any current non-wrestling fan who was heavily involved during the Monday night wars.




Did you know that “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes has a book coming out? I didn’t either, but Highspots has it for a preorder. This should be an interesting read to say the least. I for one hope they have an audio version because hearing Dusty read his own book would be priceless.




Triple H's New Workout Book. I assume this doesn’t come with a syringe and directions to your ass, but you never know.




A replicate WWE “spinning” U.S. Title is the ideal gift for any hardcore WWE fan.

That’s it for January, see you next month! If there is anything you would like to see in this space, send us a note!

Derek Burgan now has One Night In China. A review will be forthcoming. Considering that your warning. You can reach Derek by clicking here (derek@gumgod.com)

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