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Documentary shines on Guerrero DVD
By
JON WALDMAN - SLAM! Wrestling
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WWE has released another huge video, this time paying tribute to Eddie Guererro,
in Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guererro Story.
The documentary section of the DVD is the same as the TV special that aired
a few months ago on UPN. If you missed it the first time, be sure not to miss
it now. The doc tells the complete Guererro story, starting from the time of
his father, through to his brothers' careers in the ring.
The bio the progresses through Eddie's childhood days, and his development in
Mexico, Japan and ECW. His WCW career is extensively covered, especially surrounding
the car accident. The relationship between Guererro, Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko
is also heavily discussed in these sections.
The accident is the first time, however, that we learn about the troubles in
Guererro's life. Soon after the accident, we head to his WWF debut, and the
arm injury he sustained on his second night with the company. There are more
problems discussed here, as Eddie begins to downward spiral. This part of Eddie's
life is extensively discussed, and aside from the origin of Latino Heat, the
section concentrates on Eddie's troubles, eventually leading to his dismissal
from WWE.
The bio finishes with Guererro's battling his demons and eventually overcoming
them. Here, we see a lot about his relationship with Chavo Guererro Jr., and
his attaining the WWE Championship.
As if the documentary wasn't enough reason to get this DVD, the match selection
here is absolutely stunning. All of Eddie's North American wrestling is touched
on, including ECW, WCW and WWF/E. There's also Eddie's teaming with Art Barr
against El Hijo del Santo and Octagon from the When Worlds Collide PPV, in a
superb bout, and a very cool look at Eddie's brothers, Chavo, Mondo and Hector,
from the AWA. Unfortunately, however, there are no matches from Eddie's Japan
days as Black Tiger, which would have been really amazing.
A couple of the matches include alternate commentary. Be warned - on some DVD
players, it may seem like you do not get the original commentary option, but
to access it, you can click around on the audio button on your remote and you
will find it, and you will be glad you did for the Todd Grisham matches. Grisham
once again shows little insight and an utter lack of knowledge on the business,
mis-calling the events at Wrestlemania XX if you can believe it.
While you might be tempted to skip the non-match extras, the majority are worth
at least one look-through. Among the features here are all of the Los Guererros
vignettes, as well as extra scenes with the Guererro family. While some scenes
are throwaway, such as the YJ Stinger commercials, the overall package is great.
There's no question that this DVD is a must-see, if not an out-right must own.
The bio section is something truly special, as WWE out-does itself once again
telling an absolutely fantastic story. The extras are also phenomenal, with
some superb matches and great side stories.
The SLAM! DVD Mad Lib Review
My favourite match was Eddie Guererro vs. Dean Malenko - 2/3 Falls, because
it was a spectacular, pure wrestling match, something you didn't really see
in ECW that often.
If I produced this DVD, I would take out Eddie Guererro vs. Rob Van Dam
- Intercontinental Ladder Match, because the match was a pretty average
ladder match, and the hardcore stye is better exemplified in Guererro's no-DQ
bout against Edge from Smackdown! a couple years back. I would also consider
removing the Rey/Eddie match because the match is available on Mysterio Jr.'s
DVD.
Easter Eggs
AWA - Click left three times on the Superclash match to see Hector Guererro
and Gene Okerlund talking about the Gobbeldygooker (courtesy wrestlecrap.com).
ECW - Go to the Malenko/Guererro ECW match and click left a couple times to
open a promo that shows the history of the two in ECW, narrated by Joey Styles.
WWE Survivor Series - Click left three times on the triple-threat tag-team
match to get the recap video that lead to this match.
WWE No Way Out - Click left three times to see the recap video leading up to
the title match.
Special Extras - Click left three times on Fight for Honour to hear Eddie talk
about his first match.
Special Extras - Click left three times on Injury to hear Eddie talk about his
tattoo.
RELATED LINKS
More on Eddie Guerrero
Visit the SLAM! Wrestling store!
Order Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guererro Story
Jon Waldman, a writer with SLAM! since 2000, is anxiously awaiting the Best
of Los Conquistadores DVD. Feel free to contact WWE and demand the production
of a tribute to the greatest tag team of all time.
