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Bulldog's DVD Rack - The Self-Destruction of The Ultimate Warrior

By Canadian Bulldog Dec 13, 2011 - 12:53 PM

So here's the deal - I have a ton of DVD's that have been sitting on my rack for weeks.... months.... in some cases, years.... and it's about time I reviewed them...

Previously reviewed on the Rack:

10 Must-Have Wrestling DVD's  

Andre The Giant       

Before They Were Famous  

The Best Of CM Punk (In Full Impact Pro)

TNA Best Of The Bloodiest Brawls

Bobby The Brain Heenan

Born To Controversy: The Roddy Piper Story

Breaking The Code: Behind The Walls of Chris Jericho

Brian Pillman: Loose Cannon

Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guerrero Story

Compilation Tape Extravaganza~!

The Definitive Guide to Mick Foley on DVD

FMW King of the Death Match

FMW Ring Of Torture

A Guide To ECW On DVD

Hardcore Homecoming: November Reign  

Hart & Soul: The Hart Family Anthology

The History Of TNA: Year 1

Hulk Hogan's Unreleased Collectors Series

Immortal... Forever?

IndieMania (3PW, ROH, UPW, FMW

JCW Volume 3

Jeff Jarrett: King Of The Mountain  

John Cena: My Life

King Kong Bundy: The Missing Matches    

Last Call With Raven & Sandman

WWE Legends Of Wrestling

Legends Never Die

Macho Madness: The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection

McMahon    

Omega: Uncommon Passion

Pro Wrestling's Ultimate Insiders: Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara

Raw: The Beginning

    

Ricky Steamboat - The Life Story Of The Dragon

River Of Darkness

Road Warriors: The Life and Death of the Most Dominant Tag-Team In Wrestling History

The Spectacular Legacy Of The AWA

 

Triple H: The King Of Kings

The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling

The True Story Of WrestleMania

Twist Of Fate: The Matt & Jeff Hardy Story

The Very Best of WCW Nitro

The World's Greatest Wrestling Managers

WWE Unauthorized

ECW Deep Impact

Kurt Angle: Champion

The Twisted, Disturbed Life of Kane

 

What are my thoughts on The Ultimate Warrior? Well, since you asked, I thought he was fine for what he was: a unique performer with a limited shelf-life. Do I think some of his post-career comments make him sound like a racist, bitter, homophobic lunatic? Absolutely. But still, kudos to the dude for getting out of the business with a truckload of money and not becoming another unfortunate statistic that dies far too young. 

And in his own deranged way, Warrior has principles in the sense that he won't participate in anything related to WWE any more. Apparently, this prompted Vince McMahon to launch a smear campaign against the guy in the form of The Self-Destruction of The Ultimate Warrior.

It's really unfortunate because WWE could have released a kick-ass DVD set that chronicled his entire career -- with or without Jim Hellwig's participation -- and they still could have snuck in their own personal agenda about buddy being a few fries short of a Happy Meal.

But instead, this DVD is what we're left with, an awkward collection of backhanded compliments and downright nasty shots at Warrior, who again, isn't around to defend himself. The usual collection of DVD folks, including McMahon, Triple H, Hulk Hogan, Edge, Christian, Ted DiBiase, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross, Mean Gene Okerlund, Bobby Heenan, Bruce Pritchard and Steve Lombardi, provide endless commentary on how Warrior believed his own hype a little too much.

There are a few problems I have with this treatment. If Warrior couldn't work worth a lick, why did he keep getting pushed? If he so dangerous to the industry, why on earth was he booked to defeat Hogan for the WWF Title at one of the biggest events of all time? If he couldn't cut a coherent promo, why was he one of the most popular draws of the early-1990's?

The truth, of course, is that Warrior didn't come "back" to WWE when his career was over. He hasn't accepted an invite into the Hall of Fame. He doesn't show up as a certified WWE Legend whenever McMahon asks him to.  History is rewritten by the winners, so there ya go.

Need evidence I'm right? Look at Bret Hart or even Mick Foley. They parted from WWE on less than ideal terms, but once they decided to play ball, history seemed to look on them quite favorably.

To be fair, there is a documentary wedged in between the burial, and it does look at most of Warrior's career highlights, between Texas, WWF and WCW. It's just mired in hatred for the guy, most likely through people who were told to say such things.

To me, the most amusing part of the documentary is when Christian and Edge mimic, word for word, Warrior's epic pre-WrestleMania 6 tirade. It's hilarious, and can be seen as more of a tribute from two guys who were at the event as fans, than a trashing of Warrior himself.

But the most unfortunate part is that this is only one disc. So while DX, Rey Mysterio and John Cena get a handful of three-disc videos, The Ultimate Warrior only gets one. And while chronicling his battles with Hogan, Rick Rude and The Honky Tonk Man are great, there's so much more they could have added here to give it the full three-disc treatment.

Should you buy this DVD? I will say "possibly" because it's at least entertaining and a rare chance to see WWE gets its hate-on for a former employee. But is this the way Warrior should be remembered? Probably not.


Canadian Bulldog has been writing about professional wrestling since 2003, and became a WWI Superstar at  World Wrestling Insanity  in January 2006. Need more Bulldog? Check out his "Complete and Utter Bulldog" podcast at  Club WWI ; like his  Facebook page and follow him on  Twitter.

 


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