Pads & Panels

Title: The Epic Journey of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Format: Three-Disc DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

“1995. $7 in my pocket. Thru blood, sweat and respect – I relentlessly chase greatness. This is who I am, this is what we do.” –Dwayne Johnson, The Rock, Team Bring It Strong

So reads the printed-to-look-handwritten inscription on the first foldout of WWE Home Video’s latest collection for The Rock, The Epic Journey of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, released just in time for his WrestleMania main event with John Cena more than one year in the making. It sounds like a good rags-to-riches story, but if the first DVD of the three-disc set is any indication, that’s far from true when it comes to The Rock. (more…)

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Interview with WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes

WWE Extreme Rules Preview

Interview by Bill Jones – Images courtesy of WWE

Cody Runnels, better known by his ring name Cody Rhodes, is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes, a fact he played into with the multi-generational stable The Legacy. Cody Rhodes cut his teeth in the WWE in tag team competition with Ted DiBiase, but in recent years, Rhodes has made a name for himself as a singles competitor poised to be a main eventer. He has had great feuds and even better matches with the likes of Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton and Booker T. But his current feud sees him up against the 7-foot 441-pound Big Show, upholding the time-honored pro wrestling tradition of fighting a giant, in this case a giant who beat him Sunday, April 1, for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania.

Rhodes will get his rematch Sunday, April 29, at the Extreme Rules pay per view, held at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill. (Chicago). Rhodes was kind enough to take 15 minutes out of his busy travel schedule Thursday, April 26, to chat on the phone about the upcoming show and his career, delving into his mask, video games, his father, Chicago, twitter, the return of Attitude Era Superstars, dream matches, mystery stipulations and, of course, the Big Show. (more…)

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Title: OMG! The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History

Format: Three-Disc DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

World Wrestling Entertainment’s latest mining of the archives elicits OMG! The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History. What are incidents, you ask? Well that’s a very good question, as WWE seems to use the term liberally in this instance, encompassing everything from contrived stunts, to real (once) behind-the-scenes things like the Montreal Screwjob to big moments in matches. What it amounts to, though, is a fun countdown of some of the biggest moments in WWE history, designed to spark argument over what did and did not make it, as well as where things placed. The feature is packed with moments like Stone Cold’s first stunner on Vince McMahon, to miraculous stunts from the likes of Shane McMahon and Jeff Hardy, to Brock Lesnar and Big Show collapsing a ring, to not-so-PG moments like Sable removing her top on television to reveal handprints on her breasts. The picks are good, though indicate how much better the programming was during the attitude era than what we get now, and the few modern-era choices are questionable. Still, the list is fantastic, thought it’s a bummer the second two discs didn’t contain some others that didn’t make the discs, rather than full-length versions of what is on the list, but having full matches like the Undertaker and Mankind Hell in the Cell also has its benefits. (more…)

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Title: Greatest Superstars of the 21st Century

Format: Three-Disc DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

World Wrestling Entertainment has been using its back catalog of content and superstars (along with its current ones) in recent years to pump out a seemingly never-ending stream of home video releases, many of them in three-disc sets. And surprisingly, to the benefit of wrestling fans, a great many of them have been very good. But one of the latest from the McMahon camp is questionable, and that is Greatest Superstars of the 21st Century.

My immediate thought was, “Didn’t they just do something like this?” But I was, of course, mixing it up with the Top 50 Superstars of All Time set released earlier this year. That feature focused on all eras of wrestling, while this one is strictly from the year 2000 and on. So there is a distinction, but many of the wrestlers on Greatest Superstars have already been featured on Top 50, and arguably in much better fashion. (more…)

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Pads & Panels’ Bill Jones and Matt Peters caught up with World Wrestling Entertainment’s Monday Night RAW announcer Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler on the verge of his first match at WrestleMania. As The King prepares to take on fellow announcer Michael Cole, he talks about going into his first WrestleMania, getting a couple title shots, his favorite announcer to work with, and his passion for comic book art. The interview took place Saturday, March 19, at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) at McCormick Place in Chicago. A special thanks to The King for taking time to do the interview after a long day of signing and illustrating.

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Title: WWE Top 50 Superstars of All Time

Format: Three-Disc DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

World Wrestling Entertainment has maintained popularity (albeit at different levels) for several decades, as other promotions have started and disappeared in the same timeframe. And it is mostly credited to the company’s captivating superstars. Sure, we all know that the outcomes of the “sport” are predetermined and South Park has already run them through the ringer for the soap opera-esque storylines. But movies aren’t real, and sometimes they’re cheesy as well, but that doesn’t stop us from finding entertainment in them. (more…)

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Title: Breaking the Code: Behind of the Walls of Chris Jericho

Format: DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

WWE Home Video has been on a role creating quality three-disc DVD sets for its top-tier superstars. The first discs usually feature some sort of documentary on their lives and wrestling careers, along with special features. The second and third discs of the collections compile matches and moments chronicling their in-ring careers. Though it strictly follows the formula, there are few candidates more deserving – with such good stories and matches – as Chris Jericho. But it unfortunately shows more than ever how WWE’s (understandable) decision to disavow Chris Benoit can affect the roster’s back catalog. (more…)

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