2004 INDUCTION CEREMONY
Publisher: Shock
Thu, 1 January 1970
by: The Gimmick
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I got a copy of the WWE DVD “WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 2004” and I was thoroughly impressed. I did have high hopes for this one considering I am a HUGE fan of the older style of wrestling. Before it was released I had heard the extras for this 2 DVD set were right up my ally, and right up my ally they were, but I’ll get to that a little later. For those of you who don’t know what I’m on about (lets face it, it happens more often than not), I’ll explain what this title is all about:
For just under 10 years the WWE have been inducting legendary wrestlers from the past into the WWE Hall of Fame. This year they inducted what, I think, is the most impressive group of wrestlers ever. The 2004 inductees are/were: “Superstar” Billy Graham, Magnificent Muraco, Tito Santana, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Junk Yard Dog, Big John Studd, Harley Race, Jesse “The Body” Ventura, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine Sgt. Slaughter & special celebrity inductee Pete Rose. They now make the hall of fame even more of an elite group as they join past inductees like Gorilla Monsoon, Fabulous Moolah, Ernie Ladd, Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, Capt. Lou Albano & the legendary Andre The Giant.
Ok, let’s get this review underway with disc 1. Now disc 1 has the first half of the actual induction ceremony on it. I know, I was a bit perplexed when I saw they split the ceremony up for this DVD, but what do I know. If I knew anything I would be doing reviews… Anyway, the first recipients for induction are as follows: “Superstar” Billy Graham, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, celebrity inductee Pete Rose, Big John Studd and Sgt. Slaughter. The introductions are great as each man is inducted by a past or present superstar. Also to hear stories from guys like Billy Graham & Greg Valentine is awesome.
For me, not withstanding the importance of the Hall of Fame, the best part of this 2 DVD
Set is the extras. On disc 1 we have matches like the WWWF Heavyweight Championship match from Baltimore Ma 1977, “Superstar” Billy Graham meeting and defeating the then champion Bruno Sammartino. Big John Studd taking on Andre The Giant, from MSG 1983. Sgt. Slaughter meeting Pat Patterson in one of the most famous matches ever, The Alley Fight from MSG 1981; the cool thing about this match is that it not only has original commentary but also alternative commentary featuring both combatants, which is a real eye (or ear) opener. It also has the 3 Wrestlemania appearances of Pete Rose attacking and being attacked by Kane. Funny stuff!! Plus a few other interviews and features are on this particular disc also.
Now I can hear you saying “This review is so good, please let there be more.” Well as an added treat I’ll give you the second disc review for free. Yes free!!! I’ve gone crazy!!!! Sorry I forgot to take my pills. So where were we? Oh yes the DVD! Disc 2 is probably my favorite of the 2, not just for the extras, but for Bobby Heenan’s induction as well. But I’ll get to them both in a moment. First of all the superstars inducted on this disc are as follows: Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Tito Santana, Harley Race, Magnificent Muraco, Junk Yard Dog & Jesse “The Body” Ventura. As I said earlier, all the introductions are great and hearing from these guys, is as interesting as you can get. But for my money Bobby Heenan’s acceptance speech is one of the funniest things I’ve seen or heard. Watch for Kane behind him trying not to burst out with laughter. For those of you who don’t know much about him or why he is as loved as he is, watch his segment. Trust me. It’s funnier than watching a finger-less man trying to pick his nose. If he wasn’t in wrestling he would be a stand up comic. One of the best lines I’ve ever heard is on this disc. Bobby asks a fan how long he’s been married. The fan says 21 years. Which Bobby answers “Do you realize if you had killed her on your honeymoon you’d be out now”! Nuff said! Something else that’s interesting on this disc is the comment made by former governor of Minnesota, Jesse Ventura. He said “in 4 years, maybe it’s time we put a wrestler in the white house”. Wouldn’t that be sweet!
The extras on this disc are awesome. Matches like Magnificent Muraco winning the IC Title from then champion Pedro Morales from1981. Jesse “The Body” Ventura opposing Bob Backlund for the WWF Heavyweight Title from 1982. Harley Race taking on Junk Yard Dog from Wrestlemania 3, (For some reason it says it’s from Saturday Night’s Main Event. Dumb asses!) And a match which I had been searching for, for almost 20 years Tito Santana and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine battling for the IC Title inside a steel cage from 1985. Also there are some classic skits from Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and various interviews from the new Hall of Famers.
So there you have it, the WWE Hall of Fame 2 DVD set which I hope becomes an annual event. Instead of the way it is these days, where they seem to hold it whenever they feel like it. I’d say watch it at the very least, if just for the Bobby Heenan speech. If you really dislike the old school style of wrestling you probably won’t get a huge kick out of it. But if you get even an inkling of enjoyment from the “good ol’ days” then I think you’ll love it.
The Gimmick
“And remember never trust a midget or anyone with 2 first names.”
by: The Gimmick
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