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Hello, everyone! I recently purchased the new Brian Pillman DVD entitled "Loose Cannon." I thought the two-disc set was definitely one of the better DVDs WWE has released, and being a huge Pillman fan, I decided to write a review of the collection. Hope you enjoy!

We begin with an image of the "Loose Cannon" himself with the caption, "A Tribute to the Life of Brian William Pillman: May 22, 1962 - October 6, 1997".

The DVD opens with a great video montage of various wrestlers describing Brian Pillman.

Pillman's two sisters describe their brother's challenging childhood, from losing his father at two months old to Brian's 40-plus operations due to continuous growth of polyps on his vocal cords.

We hear of Pillman's initial desire for a hockey scholarship, but how he transcended into football due to the lack of scholarship opportunities for hockey players in Cinncinati. Brian's friends and family detail his heart and drive in becoming one of the top college football players in the country, despite being undrafted by the NFL. After eventually being accepted to the Cinncinati Bengals, Jim Ross tells us how Pillman won the Ed Block Memorial Courage Award for being the most inspirational player on that team during his first and only year in the NFL.

After injuring his ankle while playing in the CFL, we come to the story of Brian's introduction to the wrestling business through Stu Hart. Pillman's Stampede days are highlighted, and Chris Benoit speaks of how "Flyin'" Brian's aerial ability stood out even before he became proficient at the technical aspects of professional wrestling. Kim Wood (former Bengals strengths coach) and Jim Ross explain how Pillman became a student of the game, studying tapes (some containing exclusively Ric Flair promos) and even contacting wrestling greats such as Lou Thesz and Terry Funk.

We arrive at Pillman's debut in WCW (then the NWA), where Brian's high-flying offense differentiated him from everyone else there at the time. William Regal, Eric Bischoff, Teddy Long, and others explain that Pillman was one of the pioneers of aerial wrestling in America.

After a brief recap of "Flyin'" Brian's solidly successful tag team with Tom Zenk, the early days of WCW's Cruiserweight (then called the Light Heavyweight) division are documented, featuring Pillmans revolutionary feud with Jushin "Thunder" Liger. Arn Anderson and Mick Foley believe Pillman helped paved the way for cruiserweights at that time and in the future.

Clips of Brian and Melanie Pillman's wedding are shown. Melanie speaks of how her and Brian met and what her husband was like as at home and as a family man.

Of course, no Brian Pillman DVD would be complete without a chapter on the Hollywood Blonds. Some great clips are shown of the Blonds wrestling, and Steve Austin speaks of how much fun he had teaming with Pillman. "Stone-Cold" states that Brian was the leader of the team as far as creative ideas were concerned (even coming up with the Hollywood Blonds name), and expresses the disappointment he felt when the pair were shut down.

Pillman's Four Horsemen days are shown, which in turn planted the seeds for the "Loose Cannon" character. We see footage of the infamous Superbrawl match with Kevin Sullivan ("I respect you ... bookerman"), along with various clips of Brian's ensuing insanity in WCW.

Highlights of Pillman's ECW debut are featured, where he threatened to urinate in the middle of the ring. Paul Heymen explains that Brian's "Loose Cannon" character was the talk of all three major promotions at the time (ECW, WWE, and WCW).

Pillman's car accident in mid-1996 is recapped, along with the ankle injury which more or less put an end to "Flyin'" Brian's aerial offense. Shortly afterward, Pillman signed his WWE contract. Bruce Prichard feels that Brian returned too soon, and Melanie Pillman speaks of her husband's eagerness to return to action. It is this desire which disallows Pillman's ankle to heal properly, causing it to be re-injured.

The controversial gun angle involving Pillman and Steve Austin in late 1996 is showcased. Austin states that the storyline is what helped WWE turn the corner in the ratings war with WCW. Melanie Pillman believes Brian was happy to be a part of such a revolutionary angle, one that helped usher in the era of wrestling television that blurred the lines of reality and entertainment.

We see footage of Pillman's stint with the Hart Foundation. Austin believes it was a tremendous honor for his former partner to be a part of the group. Both "Stone-Cold" and Road Warrior Animal state that Pillman was a good fit for the Harts, as he shared the same beliefs and work ethic as the other members.

Jim Ross, Melanie Pillman, and Brian's friends discuss the pain that the injured ankle caused Pillman after the car accident. Ross and Melanie both state that Brian was determined to continue his wrestling career regardless of his injuries, and how broadcasting could not satisfy him.

Ross speaks of the drug test that he ordered on Pillman, and how the results verified that the injured wrestler was taking an overabundance of pain medications and muscle relaxers. Eric Bischoff, Kim Wood, and others speak of how their friend changed and began his downward spiral during the final months of his life.

The Brian Pillman-Goldust feud is profiled, including Pillman wearing a dress, the "Loose Cannon" acquiring Marlena's services for 30 days, and Pillman's "XXX Files". Mick Foley states that the angle was one of the first reality-based storylines due to the fact that Pillman and Terri Runnels had dated in the past.

The day Brian Pillman died is discussed by Jim Ross and Steve Austin. Vince McMahon is shown informing the television audience of Brian's passing (as Pillman's death occurred on the day of the October 1997 Badd Blood pay-per-view). We see footage of the McMahon interview with Melanie Pillman the following night on Raw, in which she states that Brian died of a heart attack in his sleep. Melanie points out in the DVD that she was not pressured into the interview, and that she agreed to it only to try and lay to rest all of the speculation at that time surrounding her husband's death.

The DVD closes with with colleagues, friends, and family speaking about Brian Pillman.

Bad Company vs. Midnight Cowboys (Calgary Stampede Wrestling, April 1988): We join this Stampede tag title bout in progress. As Chris Benoit states in the documentary, Pillman's awesome aerial ability was obvious even during these early days of his career. The highlight of this match for me was "Flyin'" Brian's almost senton-like clothesline from the top rope onto Rip Rogers. In the end, it's Bad Company going over Rogers and Gary Lee Brown to retain the straps.

Brian Pillman vs. Lex Luger (NWA, October 1989): Probably the best Luger match I've ever seen. If I am ever able to view any of his bouts with Ric Flair from the mid to late 1980s in their entirety, I may change that opinion, but for now this match is tops for me as far as Lex is concerned. Man, did Pillman ever work his ass off here. This Halloween Havoc '89 contest saw Luger retain his U.S. title using an Eddie Gilbert "Hotshot". It's a real shame that the NWA/WCW never really followed up on the momentum "Flyin'" Brian had at this time.

Brian Pillman/Tom Zenk vs. Fabulous Freebirds (NWA, 1990): This was a tournament final for the vacant U.S. Tag Team titles. Good match here, which sees Pillman catching Michael Hayes with his patented springboard clothesline as the Freebird was setting up Zenk for a DDT, allowing the "Z-Man" to get the pin.

Sting, Brian Pillman, and the Steiners vs. Ric Flair, Barry Windham, Sid Vicious, and Larry Zybysko (WCW, February 1991): I have no idea what WCW officials were thinking by having the roof of the cage so low for this "War Games" match, as the wrestlers' awkwardness when attempting to perform aerial maneuvers was obvious (although I admit the cage's bizarre structure did provide for a few cool spots, such as Pillman grabbing the top fencing for a headscissors on Windham, and Sting military pressing Flair into the steel). In the end, it also proved dangerous, as Vicious' first of two powerbombs on "Flyin'" Brian was botched when Pillman's feet hit the steel grating as Sid lifted him into the air. This caused Vicious to drop his opponent quite violently on his neck (and yes, you read that right - Sid, for some reason, then proceeded to deliver ANOTHER powerbomb on Pillman, who was obviously hurt). The match ends when referee Nick Patrick renders Brian unable to continue.

Brian Pillman vs. Richard Morton (WCW, October 1991): The finals of the first-ever WCW Light Heavyweight title tournament saw Pillman squaring off against the former Rock 'N Roll Express member. Good, solid match, which sees "Flyin'" Brian take the gold after a top-rope flying bodypress on Morton.

El Gigante/Brian Pillman vs. Barry Windham/Arn Anderson (WCW, June 1991): To be honest, I'm not even sure why WWE included this match on the DVD, as it is only about three minutes long at best. Windham kicks Pillman in the face for the victory, sending his arch-rival out of WCW for a short time (as the stipulation for this match stated that the man who lost the fall would leave the promotion). The result of this bout set up the ridiculous Yellow Dog angle (which coincidentally is not even acknowledged in the documentary).

Brian Pillman/Barry Windham vs. Tom Zenk/Johnny Gunn (WCW, December, 1992): Ah, what a difference a year and a half makes. Pillman and Windham - now best buddies - team up to take on the "Z-Man" and his new partner, Johnny Gunn. Good tag contest, which sees the former rivals use a leg-clip/clothesline combination to put away Gunn.

Hollywood Blonds vs. Dos Hombres (WCW, May 1993): I would have loved for the match in which the Blonds defeated Rick Steamboat and Shane Douglas for the WCW Tag Team titles to have been included on this DVD. I remember watching that bout as a kid and immediately choosing it as my pick for 1993's "Match of the Year". Still, this Slamboree encounter in a cage is nothing to scoff at, although it is actually Steamboat and Tom Zenk wrestling as Dos Hombres (despite both WCW and this DVD stating that it is "The Dragon" and Douglas under the masks). The match is highlighted by Steamboat's flying bodypress off the top of the cage onto both Pillman and Austin. The Blonds get the win after a "Stun Gun" on "Shane Douglas".

Brian Pillman/Sting/Dustin Rhodes vs. Rick Rude/Steve Austin/Paul Orndorff (WCW, February, 1994): This is one of two "Thundercage" bouts featured at Superbrawl IV. A solid six-man tag, with Sting military pressing Pillman onto Austin for the winning pinfall.

Brian Pillman vs. Jushin Liger (WCW, September 1995): This was the opening match on the very first edition of Nitro. Not as good as their Superbrawl II encounter, but still a fast-paced and exciting bout. Definitely a great choice for the first match of Nitro's debut. The end sees Pillman reversing a Liger German suplex attempt into a pinning combination for the three-count.

Brian Pillman vs. Dean Malenko (WCW, January 1996): We arrive at our first bout on the DVD from Pillman's Horsemen days. I really liked the ending here, as Brian pins "The Man of 1,000 Holds" as Malenko's leg is entangled in the second and bottom ropes. A unique finish, and one that you don't see very often (as usually the heel pins the babyface using the ropes for his own leverage).

Brian Pillman vs. Eddie Guerrero (WCW, January 1996): One night after the Malenko bout, our "Loose Cannon" Horsemen takes on another scientific master in Eddie Guerrero. This match is most notable for Bobby Heenan's "F-word" slip on live television after Pillman grabbed him at ringside. Back in the squared circle, Brian pins Eddie with a flying cross-bodyblock, using Guerrero's tights for extra assistance.

Brian Pillman vs. Steve Austin (WWE, June 1997): To be honest, I would have preferred Austin and Pillman's awesome Clash of the Champions XXV match to this 1997 Raw encounter, but we do see some good brawling here from the former Hollywood Blond partners. The match spins out of control, as members of the Hart Foundation (who were handcuffed to the ringposts) break free and interfere, causing Mankind, Goldust, Ken Shamrock, and the Legion of Doom to run out and even up the odds. This sets the tone for our next bout:

Hart Foundation vs. Ken Shamrock/Goldust/Legion of Doom/Steve Austin (WWE, July 1997): This match is just awesome, and was done to near perfection. Almost every participant in this 10-man bout was given time to showcase their strengths and talents, and you will not find a dull moment in the entire contest. The Harts' hometown crowd in Calgary, Alberta also added emotion and energy to the match. The end sees Owen pinning Austin with a roll-up and handful of tights, much to the delight of the partisan Canadian audience.

Brian Pillman vs. Goldust (WWE, September 1997): Considering the condition of Pillman's ankle at the time of this bout, I feel it could be the best one-on-one encounter of the former "Flyin'" Brian's WWE tenure. In fact, there are a few spots here that almost made me cringe, such as Pillman missing a dropkick from the top rope and later being catapulted from the second turnbuckle into the guardrail outside the ring. The "Loose Cannon" wins the match after clocking 'Dust with Marlena's purse, thereby winning Mrs. Runnels as his "personal assistant" for 30 days.

Brian Pillman vs. Jushin Liger (WCW, February 1992): I remember reading about this match in various wrestling magazines as a kid, but did not actually get a chance to see it until this DVD was released. Younger fans who grew up on TLC bouts and Luchadores such as Rey Misterio and Juventud Guerrera may not view this Superbrawl II Light Heavyweight title match as anything special. However, the encounter was revolutionary for its time, and helped pave the way for future aerial wrestlers in the U.S. After some great high-flying and mat wrestling, Pillman uses a reverse roll-up and bridge (a la Bob Backlund) to pin Liger and begin his second reign as Cruiserweight champion.

    Other extras on the DVD include Pillman's "XXX Files", the infamous gun incident involving Steve Austin, the Hollywood Blonds "A Flair for the Old" segment, and comments from Brian's fellow wrestlers and colleagues such as Eric Bischoff, Mick Foley, Road Warrior Animal, and Jim Ross (including a hilarious J.R. story from he and Pillman's days together in WCW. Five words: Brian Pillman and human waste).

    Overall, I consider this DVD a must-have, especially if you are a Brian Pillman fan. The documentary great, and the matches on this set are stacked. Just about every important moment and classic match from Pillman's career is featured on this collection.

    On a personal note, I'd just like to express my admiration and respect for Brian Pillman. This is a man who began overcoming adversity almost since the day he was born. Pillman ignored his detractors to become an outstanding football player and later a superstar in the wrestling world. He was a pioneer of the aerial style in the late-1980s, and when a near-fatal car wreck ended "Flyin'" Brian as we knew him, Pillman continued to give nothing but his very best effort - both in the ring and with the "Loose Cannon" character. While some may question Pillman's insistance on competing in the ring after his ankle injury, Brian's heart and passion can never be denied.

    Rest in peace, Brian Pillman - we all remember and miss ya!