WWE - Wrestlemania 1 And 2 [DVD]

As the appeal only affected the UK, this new "Tagged Classics" series is a UK exclusive. In essence, fans are getting two super shows for the price of one back when the events were available on video.

This particular DVD set features Wrestlemania 1 & 2. Wrestlemania 1 took place in March 1985 and put the then-WWF on the map. Due to the influx of celebrities on the show (such as Boxing legend Muhammed Ali and singer Cyndi Lauper), there was far more emphasis on entertainment than actual wrestling. Then again, this was Vince McMahon's vision: Wrestling had to be more of a show, more like "sports entertainment".

By today's standards, the actual in-ring action of WM 1 looks wholly inferior (which is because it is). But there are still some good matches on the show. For example, Hulk Hogan and Mr T (from the A-Team) have an entertaining tag-team main event with Roddy Piper and Mr Wonderful, Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo (IRS) have a surprisingly decent match with Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik, Ricky Steamboat has a very good battle with Matt Borne (the original Doink The Clown) and Tito Santana sets the stage for WM well in a good opener against The Executioner. To be honest, the only true stinkers on the show are King Kong Bundy VS S.D. Jones, Andre VS John Studd and Wendi Richter VS Lelani Kai (boy, the Women's division has come a long way!)

The appeal of WM 1 lies in it's overall entertainment effect. It served it's purpose of gaining wrestling a whole new fan base and taking the business in a new direction. For any fan, it remains an historic collector's item to this day.

Wrestlemania 2 took place in 1986 and was the first (and last) time that the WWF alternated between 3 venues (Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York). It wasn't really a good idea as it conned the fans and led to allot of unnecessary hassle.

Once again, Hulk Hogan's match (a bloody Cage Match against Bundy) is the best, although the tag-title match between The Bulldogs and The Dream Team comes in a close second. Other worthy bouts include The Funks VS JYD and Santana, the 20-Man Battle Royal (which was Andre's career highlight), and a wild bout between George Steele and Randy Savage.

As with WM 1, there are some diabolocal bouts to endure. These include Moolah VS Velvet McIntyre, Adrian Adonis VS Uncle Elmer, Kirschner VS Volkoff, and Roddy Piper VS Mr T in a Boxing Match (seriously!)

However, like WM 1, WM 2 should be perceived as historical evidence as to how much the actual in-ring product has improved today. Old-school fans like myself will probably appreciate it more.

Overall, WM 1 and 2 are both enjoyable in their own right and are a worthy purchase for any fan. It's unfortunate that there are no DVD extras on offer, but the fact that these 2 hour shows are being sold 2 for 1 and are on great quality DVD's, is a good consilation.