WWE - Wrestlemania 1 And 2 (DVD 2004)

The very first Tagged Classics release, first issued in 2004, is certainly a mixed bag. Featuring the first two installments in the iconic Wrestlemania series of pay-per-views in 1985 and '86 respectively, it is definitely an essential purchase for completists and WWF/WWE enthusiasts. Be warned, however,as the quality of the matches pales in comparison to just about any of the other Tagged Classics releases and will certainly deter those seeking latter-day high-flying action. The discs are broken down as follows, with brackets following each match to explain stipulations and title matches:

Wrestlemania I

1. The Executioner vs Tito Santana
2. King Kong Bundy vs S.D. Jones
3. Ricky Steamboat vs Matt Borne
4. David Sammartino vs Brutus Beefcake
5. Junkyard Dog vs Greg 'the Hammer' Valentine (Intercontinental Championship)
6. Barry Windham & Mike Rotunda vs Nikolai Volkoff & Iron Sheik (Tag Team Championship)
7. Adre the Giant vs Big John Studd (Body Slam Match)
8. Wendi Richter vs Leilani Kai (Women's Championship)
9. Hulk Hogan and Mr T vs Rowdy Roddy Piper and 'Mr Wonderful' Paul Orndorff

Of the above matches, a couple deserve special mention. King Kong Bundy's match against S.D. Jones was for many years claimed as the shortest in WWF history (though actually lasted longer than claimed). Wendi Richter was accompanied to the ring in her match by Cindi Lauper. The main event is quite easily the best match on the card, and features Liberace as guest timekeeper, with Muhammad Ali as an outside referee. Hogan and Mr T also have Jimmy 'Superfly' Snuka in their corner, with Orndorff and Piper joined by 'Cowboy' Bob Orton. The overall match quality is poor, but the main event and the delirium of the crowd inside Madison Square Garden save it- Hulkamania and Rock n' Wrestling was at its peak, and is in full force here.

Wrestlemania II

1. Don Muraco vs 'Mr Wonderful' Paul Orndorff
2. George 'the Animal' Steel vs Randy Macho Man Savage (Intercontinental Championship)
3. Jake 'the Snake' Roberts vs George Wells
4. Rowdy Roddy Piper vs Mr T (Boxing Match)
5. Fabulous Moolah vs Velvet McIntyre (Women's Championship)
6. Corporal Kirschner vs Nikolai Volkoff
7. 20-man Battle Royal (Featuring WWF Superstars and NFL players)
8. Greg the Hammer Valentine & Brutus Beefcake vs British Bulldogs (Tag Team Championship)
9. Hercules Hernandez vs Ricky Steamboat
10. Adrian Adonis vs Uncle Elmer
11. Terry and Dory Funk vs Junkyard Dog and Tito Santana
12. Hulk Hogan vs King Kong Bundy (WWF Championship Steel Cage Match)

The second Wrestlemania certainly improved on the first, no doubt thanks to the addition of talent such as Randy Savage and the British Bulldogs. It is still the only Wrestlemania to eminate from three separate locations (New York, Chicago and L.A.) and so the commentary differs in each segment. The Tag Team Championship match steals the show, with Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith at the height of their technical powers, and the Battle Royal is notable for featuring such a vast array of wrestling and football talent (including Andre the Giant, Bret Hart and William 'the Refrigerator' Perry). An improvement, certainly, though still only average in terms of overall match quality.

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James