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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Title: Best Pay-Per-View Matches 2011

Format: Three-Disc DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Rating:

Review by: Bill Jones

World Wrestling Entertainment continues its now-annual tradition by releasing its own collection of Best Pay-Per-View Matches, this time for 2011. The latest three-disc set from WWE features the company’s picks for the best matches previously shown on pay-per-view in the 2011 calendar year, starting January 30 with a World Heavyweight Championship Match between Edge and Dolph Ziggler and ending Oct. 23 with a World Heavyweight Championship Match between Big Show and Mark Henry. (more…)

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Title: Vengeance 2011

Format: DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Review by: Bill Jones

Vengeance is an exercise in disappointment, with one major saving grace. This is where CM Punk’s original momentum started to taper after he got trapped in a pointless storyline with Triple H, tagging with him here to take on The Miz and R-Truth. Meanwhile, spoiled on the front of the box, Big Show and Mark Henry recycle an old bit in which the ring breaks under there weight. Not too original. But the interesting twist this time around is that the show does not end when Show and Henry break the ring. Instead, John Cena and Alberto Del Rio start their last man standing match for the WWE Championship in the broken ring. But it’s ultimately a cherry on top of a shit sundae. (more…)

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Title: Night of Champions 2011

Format: DVD

Studio: WWE Home Video

Review by: Bill Jones

Night of Champions saw the derailing of CM Punk’s chance at a real run at the top early on when he locked up with Triple H. It also saw a confusing turn of events with Alberto Del Rio and John Cena, as it relates to the WWE Championship. And then a bunch of other matches that seem very similar to the cards we’ve seen as of late on other pay-per-views. The only real saving grace is the Mark Henry and Randy Orton fight for the World Heavyweight Championship, which sees “Sexual Chocolate” himself finally on top after all these years. (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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Seven Reasons WrestleMania 27 Was Great

for Gaming and Comics Fans

Story and Photos by Bill Jones

WrestleMania 27 took place Sunday, April 3, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga., and aired live on pay-per-view to homes around the world. And whether wrestling fans loved or hated this year’s incarnation of the annual sports entertainment extravaganza, one thing was certain, it was a great WrestleMania for fans of gaming and comics. Pads & Panels recaps the top reasons why. (more…)

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