Since the invention of the DVD, the WWE has been mass producing their catalog of footage to the delight of fans worldwide. Back in the day, the only way you could watch your favorite event is by trading with your friends, or if you were lucky, a local video store would carry it on VHS. Nowadays, wrestling DVDs are almost instantaneous. And that’s great for fans. Here is a guide to the top 14 pro wrestling DVDs of all time.
14) The Monday Night Wars: WWE Raw vs WCW Nitro
In the mid to late 90s, you had two sets of wrestling fans. The loyal WWF crop who supported guys like The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin. On the other side of the coin were the fans who cheered men like Hollywood Hogan, Goldberg, Sting and The Outsiders. This is the story of the two rival companies who waged war on each other for several years, until the WWE eventually came out on top. The documentary is very good and give some great details on the backroom deals of the business. It includes some great interviews with wrestling personalities involved directly in the war. This includes Hulk Hogan, Vince McMahon and Eric Bischoff. The DVD was made several years ago, but still carries its weight. The Monday Night War
13) WWE: OMG Top 50 Incidents in WWE History
Have you ever watched a WWE pay per view or Monday Night Raw and saw something that made you jump out of your seat and say “Oh my God!” Well this DVD captures and counts down all those incredible moments. The DVD is a three disc set and features some of the top wrestlers of all time including Hulk Hogan, Edge, Mick Foley, John Cena, Mr. McMahon and Stone Cold Steve Austin. The downfall is that, although it chronicles the top 50 incidents, it doesn’t show the matches in their entirety. It’s a long clip show. But it’s still great and worth watching. OMG The Top 50 Moments in WWE History
12) WWE The Greatest Cage Matches of All Time
Do you like carnage? What about mayhem? Well, if you get squeamish around blood, this DVD is not for you. This DVD chronicles the Greatest Cage Matches of All Time. And luckily for those who enjoy a little violence, this DVD delivers the goods. A brilliant collection of matches that will satisfy the appetite of the wild wrestling fan. This giant three disc set features some of the best cage matches from the WWE, World Championship Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance. The best match on this DVD is the epic cage match between Andre The Giant and Hulk Hogan from July 1988. It’s amazing to watch Andre The Giant in a steel cage, and Hogan was at his popularity pinnacle. The Greatest Cage Matches of All Time on Amazon
11) WWE Greatest Rivalries: Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels
Two of the greatest WWE superstars of all time recollect their volatile relationship in the first release for the WWE Greatest Rivalries series. These two sit side by side for nearly 90 minutes and swap stories about how their mutual adoration and respect turned into an all out battle of the egos. The two also discuss the moment they met for the first time since the Montreal Screwjob, which happened 12 years later. Many people think all wrestlers get along. This is the perfect DVD that proves the exact opposite. Pro wrestling is a very selfish business and benefits the individual, and not the group. Good guys don’t always like good guys, as Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart will prove to you on this disc. Shawn Michaels vs Bret Hart Greatest Rivalries
10) Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows
An incredible DVD, and one of the few wrestling DVD’s worth watching that wasn’t produced by World Wrestling Entertainment. In 1997, Hall of Fame wrestler Bret Hart was being courted by WCW. During this time, Bret hired a documentary film crew to follow him around during these stressful negotiations. In turn, they stumbled upon the greatest story in professional wrestling history. The Montreal Screwjob. Through the years, WWE has been able to put a slant and its own revisionist history on the Montreal Screwjob. But this perspective is clear and shows both sides as agitators to the event that took place at Survivor Series 1997. It’s a very informative documentary and shows how real the fake sport of pro wrestling can be. Definitely worth checking out. Wrestling With Shadows 10th Anniversary w/ Bonus Owen Hart
9) WWE The Very Best of WCW Nitro
When WCW Monday Nitro hit the airwaves, critics had already written their epitaph. It was a long shot show that many people in the business thought would kill World Championship Wrestling. Instead, the show gave birth to the biggest and most successful run for the long running second rate organization. WCW set itself apart from the popular WWF Monday Night Raw by featuring foreign high flying wrestlers like Jushin Thunder Liger, Brian Pillman and Rey Misterio Jr. It also started featuring top notch matches like Hulk Hogan versus Lex Luger, which was the main event of the second ever Monday Nitro. This strategy completely washed away the old jobber matches that WWE Raw was displaying. It was innovative and revolutionized wrestling as we knew it. The Very Best of WCW Monday Nitro is available on Amazon. The Best of WCW Nitro
8) WWE The Best of Saturday Nights Main Event
The release of 2008’s Best of Saturday Night’s Main Event was released after it’s short term return to television in 2006. Although popularized in the 80s, when it ran on NBC once monthly in place of the dwindling Saturday Night Live, Saturday Night’s Main Event continued into the early 90s with several one night prime time specials. The nostalgic show returned in 2006 as prime time specials as well. The DVD features mostly 80s matches, but a couple of 90s bouts too. Most notably, the British Bulldog versus Shawn Michaels match from 1992. I remember watching this match for the first time and being really disappointed that one of my favorites, the mighty Bulldog, lost the championship to the egotistical Rocker Shawn Michaels. The DVD covers a lot of history and is a must have for any wrestling fan. More information available at Best of Saturday Nights Main Event by Amazon
7) WWE Greatest Wrestling Stars of the 90s
Following in the popular footsteps of the 80s brand, was the 90s wrestling crew. The roster of guys that popularized the 90s were a bit shorter, and more toned than bulky. And their wrestling style was quick and polished. By comparing this DVD and its sister, The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the 80s, you can easily interpret that pro wrestling is an evolutionary sport. This three disc set features some of the all time greats like Bret “Hitman” Hart, Shawn “HBK” Michaels and WCW’s own Sting. It’s refreshing to see the wildly popular Sting given justice and included on this DVD, since he never worked for Vince McMahon’s conglomerate. The 90s were filled with up and downs, and wrestling was trying to find its footing after a huge steroid scandal. But you won’t find any Damien Demento or T.L. Hopper on this DVD. Only the finest wrestlers from the attitude era are promoted. Check out the Sting versus Vader match from May 1994. It’s a hard-hitting bout between two men whose in-ring work gelled incredibly well. The DVD is available at Greatest Wrestling stars of the 90s from Amazon
6) WWE The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the 80s
The era that redefined professional wrestling as we know it. This DVD features the superstars that took wrestling out of the small smoky arena, to the big thousand seat well lit arenas of today. Featuring the ultimate 80s superstars Hulk Hogan and his gang of cohorts like “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Sgt. Slaughter and “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, this DVD will remind you why you became a fan in the first plan. The 80’s was an era of mainstream, and an era of the big man circus like atmosphere that rocketed the WWF into America’s living room. In addition to several great 80s matches, the DVD features a mini biography on the dozen or so wrestlers it chronicles. This is a must have for any long time wrestling fan. If you’re going to watch one match on this awesome disc set, check out Piper vs Greg Valentine in a dog collar chain match. Incredibly intense. The DVD is available at WWE’s The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the 80s
5) Beyond The Mat (Unrated Directors Cut)
Beyond the Mat is the only full length feature film documentary about the the pro wrestling business. It’s a eye popping and shocking look at the behind the scenes workings of pro wrestling. It breaks down the fourth wall that so many wrestlers have tried to protect. It’s funny, it’s sad, but more than anything, it’s real. There are three main stories in this documentary. One features Mick Foley as the loving dad who struggles with being a good father and making a living for his family. Then the story Dennis Stamp, former pro wrestler who exercises everyday on his backyard trampoline because you “never know when they’ll call.” It’s a hilarious segment. The most depressing part of the documentary is about the former wrestling icon Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Jake opens up candidly about his battle with alcohol and drugs. It’s a very personal story. Overall, Beyond The Mat is probably one of the best all time wrestling DVDs on the market. You can purchase it from Amazon at Beyond The Mat Special Edition
4) WWE Macho Madness The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection
The “Macho Man’ Randy Savage was one of the greatest superstars of all time. Easily in the top 10. He was charismatic, lively, flamboyant, and on top of all that, he was an incredible athlete and performer. He had all the unique attributes it takes to be a main event pro wrestler. Unfortunately, we lost the icon in May 2011. The untimely death of the “Macho Man’ Randy Savage reminded fans just how much they missed the awesome performer. As late wrestler Gorilla Monsoon used to say, “they broke the mold when they made this one.” This DVD set chronicles the rise of the shining superstar. From his days as WWF Intercontinental Champion, to his feud with Hulk Hogan, and then his move to World Championship Wrestling. The DVD was released before his tragic death and lacks an in depth biography, but the matches are enough to carry this DVD into the greatness category. I encourage you to buy this storied DVD at Amazon by going to Macho Madness DVD
3) WWE: The True Story of Wrestlemania
If you’re a fan of the behind the scenes documentaries, then the True Story of Wrestlemania is for you. It’s a fairly complete and accurate story of every Wrestlemania. It gives the viewer some great backstage stories, and how the events became what they were. Although it’s slightly seasoned with some of the WWE’s famous revisionist history, the DVD is quite candid and far from being a fluff piece. It gives the wrestling a few tidbits of information that they may never have known before. It’s a very informative documentary, and though it does feature some matches, you shouldn’t buy this DVD unless you’re interested in the true story of Wrestlemania. You can purchase the DVD through Amazon. The True Story of Wrestlemania
2) WWE Royal Rumble: The Complete Anthology
Considered by many to be the second best pay per view, The Royal Rumble debuted in 1988. Since then, the Royal Rumble has been one of the big four events that the WWE produces each year. The Royal Rumble is completely unique. It sets itself apart from the other pay per views by featuring a 30 man over the top rope wrestling match. If you’re reading this, I don’t have to detail exactly how the Royal Rumble works. You probably already know. But many important events happened at The Royal Rumble. My personal favorite is the after match heel turn of Owen Hart on his brother Bret Hart. It happened in 1994, but still remains a favorite moment of mine to this day. The complete anthology lets you recollect your favorite rumble moments of all time. Available through Amazon at Royal Rumble Anthology
1) Wrestlemania: The Complete Anthology
It doesn’t get any bigger or better than this. The mother of all wrestling events. It’s the World Series and Superbowl rolled all in one. Wrestlemania isn’t just about wrestling. It’s an mega event that features wrestling, entertainment, fireworks, celebrities, boxing…and the list goes on and on. Wrestlemania has hosted such celebrities as Donald Trump, Liberace, William “Refrigerator” Perry, Muhammed Ali and Pamela Anderson. Wrestlemania is pure pomp and circumstance. It’s where all the biggest feuds come to an end. Or in the case of John Cena and The Rock, it’s the alpha and omega. Regardless, no wrestling fan should be without the complete anthology of Wrestlemania. You cannot call yourself a true fans without these events. It’s impossible. The Wrestlemania Anthology is available through Amazon and is the most epic DVD is the history of WWE. Wrestlemania Anthology
Luckily for fans, the WWE production department is putting together several DVDs as you read these. They increase their product line each year. WWE is a top notch production company and really know how to please their fans, who are always begging for more top quality wrestling DVDs. I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the top 14 pro wrestling DVDs of all time.