WWE - The Self-Destruction Of The Ultimate Warrior [DVD]

Now, 7 years after his final mainstream wrestling appearance, WWE have decided to "honour" Warrior's career and legacy with a special DVD documentary (along with a few extras). However, on this merit, "The Ultimate One" won't be being inducted into the WWE "Hall Of Fame" any time soon.

As the title suggests, this is the WWE corporate version of the Warrior's story. However, the extent that they and their talent go to to insult the Warrior and make him look like a fool is shocking, to say the least.

As usual, WWE have assembled a variety of "talking heads" to discuss the highs and lows of Warrior's career. Why they bothered asking Jim Ross and Bobby Heenan for their opinions is baffling; neither man has a good word to say about Warrior (besides, what does "JR" know anyway? He only worked with the Warrior once and that was in 1996, during "Ultimate's" 3rd and final WWF return).

Surprisingly, Steve Lombardi (Brooklyn Brawler) and Hulk Hogan give Warrior more credit than most and Ted Dibiase (though he sort of comes across as a hypocrite) isn't too bad.

The actual documentary footage is well produced, but sadly only starts properly from Warrior's WWF debut in 1987. From there, various Warrior feuds and matches are revisted, including the infamous "Ultimate Challenge" at WM 6, where Warrior dethroned Hulk Hogan for the WWF Title.

Warrior's departure in 91' is openely discussed (and is very interesting), but only a very naive fan would believe that he was brought back for a 2nd run in 92' because Vince McMahon is a forgiving kind of guy (really, he was desperate for big name talent after Hogan announced that he would be leaving to pursue a film career).

We're then taken back to a strange feud between Warrior and Papa Shango, which from a creative standpoint, looked like an enjoyable feud (as far as in-ring action goes, however, some of us will never know as WWE fail to show us any footage of their matches).

We soon learn that Warrior's unreliability cost him his job (McMahon and JR act like going back on what you had advertised for the fans is an unpardanable sin, even though Vince has promoted dozens of UK PPV's here, with many of the big names not appearing on the night).

Warrior's court victory and WCW career are discussed last and the latter is not a pretty sight, even for die-hard Warrior fans.

The documentary at least ends on a high note, with Chris Jericho and Christian crediting him for being a memorable character (Jericho also says that he was underrated as a wrestler).

The DVD extras are okay, but like the documentary, could have been better. WWE have curiously chosen the matches that they thought opponents "carried" Warrior through (e.g. Cage Match VS Rick Rude, WM 6 with Hogan) or quick "squashes". There's not much depth there with the extras, but then I guess that's because Warrior (to his credit) turned down the offer to work with WWE on the project.

Overall, this is a controversial yet strangely compelling DVD release that will obviously impress Warrior's critics more than his fans, but nonetheless should be viewed by both.

This is the impression we get from his contemporaries who are interviewed on the DVD too. Jim Ross, Ted Dibiase, Bobby Heenan, Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler… All line up to castigate the Warrior and tell stories of how stiff his performances were, how little technical skill he had, what a self-centred egomaniac he was, and how selfish and ignorant he could be. I would have been horrified and outraged at this character assassination and instantly suspected another McMahon speciality screw job (a’ la Bret Hart) if it wasn’t for the fact that this was the exact same impression I’d gotten from the man’s own disjointed, ramblings on his web-site. I don’t doubt for a second that most, if not all, of these highly entertaining anecdotes are true. Having said that, I am left with no doubt that Vince McMahon is also an unprincipled liar and an opportunistic screw-job artist. The way he talks about the faults of others breaks the known bounds of hypocrisy, considering he is capable of being the most dishonest, conniving and unprofessional man in the industry. Him criticising the Warrior’s ethos is like a skunk complaining that a dog stinks. McMahon has a brilliant brain for wrestling and its various angles, but as a human being he is worth nothing. Doesn’t detract from the fact that he’s probably telling the truth about the Warrior here however.

Having said this, the Warrior is still my favourite wrestler of all time and this DVD not only gives you the career commentary, but five of his most memorable matches as an extra: his WWF debut against a “jobber”; his under 60 second IC title win against the Honky Tonk Man at Summerslam 88; his WWF title win against Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania 6; the WWF title defence against Rick Rude at Summerslam 90, and the thunderous career ending match against Randy Savage at Wrestlemania 7. (The last one being my all time favourite Warrior match and not containing the cuts and rewinds the WM 7 VHS video had.) The wrestling content of this DVD is great, especially for us nostalgia lovers and especially for actual fans of the Warrior. Say what you like about the man (and I obviously have done) but the wrestler was great fun and captivating to watch. The interview content is also captivating and fun. The newer and younger guys (Christian and Chris Jericho – to name two off the top of my head) are all enthusiastic about the Warrior and recall his days with great enthusiasm (they never had to work with him mind you). Seeing Christian’s impression of a classic Warrior promo is side-splitting.

If you’re a fan of wrestling back in the early 90’s, then go ahead and get this, you won’t regret it. If you were a fan of the Warrior himself, then this DVD is probably worth sacrificing one of your internal organs for.