The documentary on the upcoming WWE Starrcade: The Essential Collection 3-Disc DVD set must have been filmed while Vince McMahon was on vacation.
While the WWE logo adorns the DVD set (available tomorrow), this comes across as an NWA/WCW production through and through. Many NWA/WCW stalwarts are interviewed, even down to staff members from the famed Greensboro Coliseum. And the history of the event as it is portrayed is anything but revisionist. They pay tribute to the event itself and the significance it holds in wrestling history.
Vince is actually portrayed as the villain as Starrcade was entering its 1987 iteration. He does not appear in the documentary, but is represented in photos that make him look downright smarmy. The NWA having the annual Thanksgiving-day tradition clearly did not sit well with Vince. So, he created the Survivor Series and put the show right up against it. Pay-per-view capability being what it was, the notion of carrying two wrestling shows would not work technologically. Cable companies had to make a choice and Vince put the hammer down by denying Wrestlemania III to those providers who went with Starrcade.
Perhaps that is where the a$$hole chant was born.
The loss of revenue forced the Crockets to sell to Ted Turner. Next year, the now-WCW would move Starrcade to the end of December. That was the first of many moves that stripped the uniqueness and legacy of Starrcade. It became just another pay-per-view. The event went from main eventing Ric Flair vs. Harley Race in 1983 to Hulk Hogan vs. the Butcher. Today, the “Granddaddy of Them All” moniker belongs to WrestleMania.
The story of Starrcade even takes time to talk about the 1986 car accident that ended the career of “Magnum TA” Terry Allen. He was slated to defeat Ric Flair at that year’s Starrcade and become the new NWA champ. Magnum has “superstar” written all over him. Wrestling history was changed on that fateful rainy day.
In addition to the documentary, the DVD set features the Top 25 Starrcade matches as voted on by the fans. While there are a couple that will make you scratch your head, the bouts are truly reflective of the Starrcade era. And you don’t have to worry about the blurring of any logos or any editing because of a certain wildlife federation.
Filled with reflections from the wrestlers of that time and old promos and 80’s-style graphics, this DVD set is truly made for the wrestling fan who attended that older school. Pure delight and some moments that will bring out the latent mark in you (Does anyone else enjoy Tom Miller and Bob Caudle as much as I do?). For new wrestling fans, WWE Starrcade: The Essential Collection is a true and valuable history lesson.
The Particulars
Disc 1
Starrcade December 29, 1996 – The Match of the Decade
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan
Starrcade December 13, 1989 – Iron Man Singles Tournament
Sting vs. The Great Muta
Starrcade December 28, 1992 – Unified World Tag Team Championship
Barry Windham / Brian Pillman vs. Ricky Steamboat / Shane Douglas
Starrcade December 27, 1998 – WCW World Heavyweight Championship
Goldberg vs. Kevin Nash
Starrcade December 29, 1991
BattleBowl
Starrcade December 27, 1993 – 2 out of 3 Falls for the WCW United States Championship
Dustin Rhodes vs. Stunning Steve Austin
Disc 2
Starrcade November 26, 1987 – NWA World Tag Team Championship
Road Warriors vs. Arn Anderson / Tully Blanchard
Alternate Commentary: Todd Grisham / Road Warrior Animal
Starrcade December 29, 1996
Rey Mysterio Jr. vs. Jushin Thunder Liger
Starrcade November 26, 1987 – Scaffold Match
Rock ‘n Roll Express vs. The Midnight Express
Starrcade December 26, 1988 – NWA World Heavyweight Championship
Ric Flair vs. Lex Luger
Starrcade December 27, 1995
Eddie Guerrero vs. Shinjiro Ootani
Starrcade December 26, 1988 – NWA World Tag Team Championship
Dusty Rhodes / Sting vs. Road Warriors
Starrcade December 28, 1992 – King of Cable Tournament Final
Sting vs. Big Van Vader
Starrcade November 24, 1983 – NWA World Tag Team Championship
Brisco Brothers vs. Jay Youngblood / Ricky Steamboat
Starrcade November 28, 1985 – NWA World Heavyweight Championship
Dusty Rhodes vs. Ric Flair
Starrcade December 28, 1997 – WCW Cruiserweight Championship
Eddie Guerrero vs. Dean Malenko
Disc 3
Starrcade December 13, 1989 – Iron Man Tag Team Tournament
Road Warriors vs. The Steiner Brothers
Starrcade December 17, 2000 – Ladder Match for a Contract for the World Cruiserweight Championship
3 Count vs. Jamie Knoble & Evan Karagias vs. Jung Dragons
Starrcade December 13, 1989 – Iron Man Singles Tournament
Sting vs. Ric Flair
Starrcade November 24, 1983 – Dog Collar Match
Greg Valentine vs. Roddy Piper
Starrcade November 27, 1986 – Scaffold Match
Road Warriors vs. The Midnight Express
Alternate Commentary: Todd Grisham / Road Warrior Animal
Starrcade December 28, 1997 – WCW World Heavyweight Championship
Sting vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan
Starrcade November 24, 1983 – Steel Cage Match for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
Ric Flair vs. Harley Race
Starrcade November 28, 1985 – Steel Cage “I Quit Match” for the NWA United States Championship
Magnum T.A. vs. Tully Blanchard
Starrcade December 27, 1993 – WCW World Heavyweight Championship – Ric Flair’s Career Is On the Line
Ric Flair vs. Vader
