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: Stone Cold Steve Austin: The Bottom Line on the Most Popular Superstar of All Time

Format: Four-Disc DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Stone Cold Steve Austin is one of the biggest stars — if not the biggest star — in the world of professional wrestling. He was at the top of the business during WWE’s most popular Attitude Era and made it incredibly cool to like professional wrestling. He was a consummate badass in the ring, and spent plenty of time making appearances and getting guest spots on television shows to raise awareness for the company, and WWE has put together a definitive DVD collection for fans to remember his accomplishments. (more…)

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Title: Survivor Series 2011

Format: DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Review by: Bill Jones

The big story of Survivor Series 2011 was The Rock returning to in-ring competition on a tag team with John Cena as part of the build to WrestleMania, where the two will go head to head. On paper, the main event looks weak against a team of The Miz and R-Truth, but ultimately it delivered, with The Rock performing surprisingly smooth after a seven-year hiatus. The event also featured two title matches, both of which delivered (CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio more than the other). Hell, even the women’s match delivered, making Survivor Series the second-best pay-per-view of the year after Money in the Bank. (more…)

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Title: The Greatest Cage Matches of All Time

Format: Three-Disc DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Over the years, the most popular way to settle a heated rivalry in wrestling has been the cage match — the idea being that it keeps others from getting involved and the competitors in close combat, while creating the illusion of a match that is much more brutal than the common bout. But frankly, I’ve always felt that they’re a little boring.

When the rules allow for escape (they’ve fluctuated over the years from wins only by escape, to pinfalls and submissions inside the cage), either through the cage door or over the top, it always felt to me like the person running away from the fight shouldn’t be the one winning. Outside of that, the matches are just confined, and aside from the heightened potential for blood, I’ve felt most superstars can better entertain by having the ability to leave the ring as well. (more…)

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Title: The True Story of WrestleMania

Format: Three-Disc DVD Set

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

The True Story of WrestleMania hit shelves just before WrestleMania 27, offering fans a deeper look into more than quarter century of history the of the sports entertainment extravaganza. From the major gamble Vince McMahon took putting on the first event, to the week-long spectacle it has become in recent years, WrestleMania has become a major force in bringing the realm of the athletes and celebrities together, and this DVD set seeks to document its history. (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: Smackdown: The Best of 2009-2010

Format: DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

Smackdown: The Best of 2009-2010 provides just that, 20 of the best matches (as well as moments) from the 2009-2010 television season of Smackdown, which coincidentally celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2009. It starts with the “return” of the Rock (via satellite/pre-recorded message), who offers a disappointing tease that never came to fruition of a Raw hosting gig. And there’s no doubt the season was full of other big moments, such as Jack Swagger’s championship reign, Kane’s assault on the Undertaker and some solid matches, as well as the fantastic debut of Alberto del Rio. But what is left out is even more disappointing, such as Swagger’s diatribes after winning the title and Alberto del Rio’s promotional videos. Both of these would have made for fantastic special features, especially considering the space that could use filling in the supposed 9-hour running time of the three discs. (more…)

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