Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26527 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-03-21
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 331 minutes

Synopsis
Features sixteen complete matches chronicling the fighter's career.

Customer Reviews

Rob Van Dam is a legend of Extreme
Rob Van Dam is one of the true wrestlers to ever step foot in the ring he has all the moves the style and charisma. The DVD mainly shows his matches at his very best starting with WCW which are not so great then his ECW years which made him a huge star. Then a match from WWE Raw in 1997 against a young Jeff Hardy RVD as he says smokes Jeff Hardy quick match. Then were back on the ECW lines with Tommy Dreamer and Jerry Lynn. Disc 2 has about 4 of his WWE matches the best on this disc is without of a doubt is his match from Invasion against Jeff Hardy for the hardcore title. The extras show 2 of ECW matches a little of his story from Before they were Superstars DVD and other bits and pieces.

Rob Van Dam is one of the best in wrestling he proves it with the matches that are shown in this DVD. You will never see anyone pull of the moves he does as exciting as he does. The only problem with it i would of loved to have known Rob Van Dam's life story and Bill Alfonso with his whistle is annoying couldn't RVD give him a five star frog splash.

One of a kind
I'd been meaning to get around to watching this for some time and finally did it. I was absolutely blown away, more than I expected. I've followed RVD for years since he popped up on Sunday afternoon on WCW Worldwide, through ECW and into the WWE. This DVD is presented in such away that you help relive the journey, all the matches are shown in chronological order (bar a few matches included as extra's), plus there are in character interviews with RVD before the matches that help remind us of the story. Anyway onto the matches:

Robbie V Vs Scotty Flamingo, RVD's initial brief time with WCW is summed up quickly (keep your eyes open for a peek at Kevin Nash in his Vinnie Vegas character) explaining why he left so quickly and his brief name change. The match chosen is a fairly quick match between RVD and Raven (in an early gimmick character) before either became stars and are still finding their feet.

RVD Vs Axl Rotten, this is RVD's debut in ECW and see's him against a fan favourite trying to win the fans over. This is a good match as the ECW fans are initially cheering for Axl but RVD slowly wins them over impressing them with his unique style. A good match and surprising to see RVD picking people up and slamming them around the ring.

RVD Vs Sabu, OH MY GOD WHAT A MATCH!!!!!!! The DVD is worth buying for this alone. A match from the epic feud between the two and arguably the match which made RVD. This much be seen to be believed, these two together have such a free flowing match and that's despite everything going against them. The match had been delayed due to the ring breaking until about 2AM, half way through the ring ropes snap and they have to throw the planned match out of the window and make it up as they go along. This match is a classic against adversity and you get a good use of tables, chairs and even an umbrella. Also a must on this is the Paul Heyman and RVD commentary, which makes you appreciate the match in a new light.

RVD & Sabu Vs The Eliminators, I'm not a fan of two single stars joining up and taking on an established tag team as quite often it doesn't work. This however is a rare case of showing how to do it right, RVD and Sabu do all their single spots and the Eliminators hold their own with their double team skills. This is a match that shows how to do it right and should be watched - especially by bookers.

The ECW Vs WWE invasion
The following three matches are part of the RVD wanting to leave ECW angle and should be viewed together to tell the full story.
RVD Vs Lance Storm, this match opened the first ECW PPV and is an electric classic opener all highflying and quick tempo basically an opening match how it should be - keep an eye out for the moment when Storm (the face in this match) loses the crowd support by giving RVD a very soft chair shot. This match also one of the first to feature the Van Daminator.
RVD Vs Jeff Hardy, basically a squash match to put RVD over with the WWE fans. This is a young Jeff hardy who was still tagging and hadn't worked out his single style yet.
RVD Vs Tommy Dreamer, the are certain rules of wrestling one is you can't have a DVD with ECW matches and not have a Tommy Dreamer match. This match does what both wrestlers do best RVD the heel using his unique style and working the crowd and Tommy Dreamer the face with the odds stacked against him. An exciting match with a few twists and turns showcasing the fact that you never knew what to expect with ECW.

RVD Vs Bam Bam Bigelow, the start of the RVD epic run and it's easy to see why. Keep your eyes peeled for some fantastic off the rope manoeuvres, these two work a good match despite the size difference. In certain respects this sums up what was best in ECW, one guy in the crowd, the other guy on the top rope with the crowd doing the ECDub chant. Brilliant - makes me want to go back to 1998.

The debut of the Van Terminator, arguably the coolest move ever and it shows the build up to the first one ever. The crowd are wild not knowing what's going to happen and then raising the roof - this is a seminal moment. It always got the crowd going to see Bill Alfonso getting the chair ready and a juicy bit of trivia the only finisher where the manager is actively involved with the move. Personally I would have preferred to see the entire match but well done for including this moment.

The two RVD Vs Jerry Lynn matches, I was so relieved there was more than one Jerry Lynn match because RVD says they showcase him the best. I can't big these two matches up enough, every so often there come along a pair of wrestlers that can get the best out of each other (an example Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle) and that's what these matches do. Both wrestlers unleash their entire arsenal on each other producing two classic matches. There's a moment when about 10 moves in a row are countered by both which shows how fluid the two of them are in the ring. A good thing is that they are both shown as heel and face and one match shows the Van Terminator.

RVD Vs Jeff Hardy, a match from the Invasion PPV and RVD's first PPV match and it stole the show. I remember it like it was yesterday and this is the match I was most looking forward to. Jeff Hardy has found his feet at this stage and both produce a brilliant match - the match that got RVD over with WWE fans. The Van Daminator on Jeff Hardy off the stage was the moment of the night.

RVD Vs Chris Jericho, the semi final from King of the Ring and that PPV's opener. Another class opener, high paced and a genuine feel of two people trying to steal the show. Wish it had been a bit longer but still a good opening match.

RVD Vs Christian, what a way to end the DVD - a ladder match. By far one of the best ladder matches I've seen (quite brutal in places) and a good idea to put this match together with RVD against a ladder match specialist. The best moment is the frog splash off the ladder which may have been the highest RVD has got (in the ring). Only problem is that the match feels out of place on RAW, this should have been high on the bill at a PPV.

The Extra's are all good with a few matches hidden away, the WCW debut against Pat Rose, against Balls Mahoney (with THAT leap into the crowd moment) and another against Sabu (Brutal).
Apart from this the best ones are a comparison of the frog splash with Eddie Guerrero, a before they were superstars feature a fantasy match up Jimmy Snuka Vs RVD (not actually a real match).

To sum up this is a must have for RVD fans as it shows the story of RVD up to that point and also for wrestling fan who wants to buy a DVD packed full of brilliant, highflying and hardcore matches.

5 star and not the frog splash!
I personally have been waiting for an RVD DVD for a while and with WWE's recent run of excellent discs i'm proud to say this is not an exception. The documentary places heavy acknowledgment of his ECW matches and features excellent matches against Sabu, Lance Storm and the beast from the east Bam Bam Bigelow. It wouldn't however be RVD's disc if it didn't showcase his superb Jerry Lynn Matches.
The extras are good showing a couple of extra matches including one against sabu. The only drawback I noticed though is that WWE matches are the minority, is this an admittance of underuse of the character. I must tell you this, because this is the match I remembered to buy it for. The disc includes a ladder match between RVD and Christian which practically blows the roof off the DVD. It equals the Benoit-Jericho match from Rumble 2001 and surpasses the ladder match of his shown on the Eddie Guerrero. I have no doubt this will be a big seller anyway but if you are unsure of buying the ECW disc try this first then make your mind up.