Cert: 15

Length: (VHS) 87 mins (DVD) 358 mins

He is without a doubt one of the most recognisable names in the world of pro-wrestling. He has been a formidable figure in wrestling for over 20 years, winning both the WCW and WWE World Championships on numerous occasions. He has been one of the most loved, and one of the most hated wrestlers ever to step foot in the ring. Hollywood Hulk Hogan: Hulk Still Rules follows the career of Hulk Hogan, from the birth of Hulkamania, the rise and fall of the New World Order and the rebirth of Hulkamania in the 2002.

There is no doubt that Hogan is a legend in wrestling, he has had many great matches with the likes of Randy Savage, Andre the Giant, Roddy Piper, Paul Orndorff and a whole host of wrestling legends, but this DVD doesn’t just look at them, it looks at the matches Hogan had in his early days in the WWWF, matches that have never been seen before, footage that has never been seen before and a whole host of stuff that is very rare.

Terry “Hulk Hogan” Bollea also speaks candidly about Randy Savage, Roddy Piper, Paul Orndorff, King Kong Bundy and his time in World Championship Wrestling, plus much, much more. This Video/DVD certainly does have a lot to offer, so sit back and relax as I review this WWE Video/DVD of the “Immortal One”

Highs and Lows

Where to start with this one, I don’t really know, it covers so much and has so much to offer I really don’t know where to start. I suppose the beginning might be as good as anywhere, so here goes.

The Video/DVD starts off covering Hogan growing up, being in a band and getting trained by the legendary Brisco Brothers, and heading over to New York, to work for Vince McMahon Sr. The Hulkster talks about various things, including being a heel and working with Freddie Blassie. This is a nice way to open the Video/DVD and it lets the viewer learn more about Terry Bollea, appose to Hulk Hogan. Hogan talks about how he was all set to be in feud with the late Andre the Giant, however after a offer from Hollywood to star in the Rocky III film, Hogan was released by Vince McMahon Sr. We move to the early 80’s and Hogan’s time in the AWA, Hogan talks about not being able to become the AWA World Champion, and his frustrations with the company. Then, in a twist of fate, Vince McMahon offered Hogan a chance to return to the WWF and wrestle where he’d thought he never wrestle again. Ok, up to this point the Video/DVD is excellent, it is very interesting and enjoyable to watch, with some good commentary from Hogan and some very rare footage it makes great viewing.

The Video/DVD rolls on to the chapter entitled “The Birth Of Hulkamania”, and you guessed right, its that faithful night, June 23rd, 1984, Hulk Hogan vs. Iron Shiek, a night when Hulk Hogan won the WWF Championship, and the course of WWF History would be changed forever. Hogan gives his thoughts about how he felt when he won the belt.

Now the ego takes over, Hogan talks about how he and Vince McMahon had the weight of the company on their shoulders, how they were under pressure to keep the company growing and making money all by themselves. Hogan talks about how he and McMahon changed the wrestling world forever, by crossing into other territories and running all competition out of business. Hogan continues to talk about lots of stuff, including how King Kong Bundy worked very stiff, and often hurt Hogan during the matches. Talks about how Piper should have jobbed to him 20 years ago, and he talks about the Florida rivalry between Hogan and Paul Orndorff. The Hulkster talks about Andre the Giant and Wrestlemania III. If you disregard Hogan’s ego in this chapter of the Video/DVD its not a bad section, however Hogan blowing his own trumpet did make this part of the DVD slightly annoying.

Moving on, Hogan comments on his relationship with Randy Savage, he takes total credit for the “Macho Man” gimmick and comments that Randy blamed Hogan for the break-up of between himself and Elizabeth. We move on, Hogan speaks on his move to WCW, as McMahon said that Hogan character was lacking in usefulness, so he headed down to WCW. Footage of Hogan debuting in WCW is shown, and guess what, Hogan takes all the credit for making WCW big, that maybe true, but please. Again, Hogan digs into the Randy Savage, he comments on how he got Randy in WCW, but then he goes onto how he was blamed for the break up in the relationship between Gorgeous George and Randy, but didn’t that happen back in 1999? so I’m not sure where that is going, but regardless, Hogan just doesn’t like the “Macho Man”, “Oh Yeahhhhhhhhhhh!”

The rise and fall of the New World Order is up now, Hogan talks about how he suggested the idea to Bischoff, various clips are shown from Bash at the Beach ’96, then clips from the New World Order in WCW. Again, Hogan takes full credit for the New World Order being a success, but hell, are you surprised? Hogan talks about the Monday Night Wars, he had two monitors in his locker room you know? That’s when he was writing Nitro you know? Anyway, Hogan speaks some sense and talks about Russo; he says he was a mistake for WCW, Really? And he says that he though that Russo was working for Vince McMahon all along. We see some clips of the Bash at the Beach 2000 match between Jarrett and Hogan, Hogan shoots on Russo. Again, interesting to watch, and Hogan gives some good comments, but you can really tell he does credit himself for practically everything in wrestling.

We skip to February 2002, and the rebirth of the New World Order in the WWE. Vince McMahon gives his speech about how he will kill the WWF, him and the NWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! The DVD covers all the coverage with Hogan returning, his feud with The Rock and the match at Wrestlemania X8. Hogan talks about various things, including how he was told to get along with all the boys in the back and how he had the match with The Rock and how Rocky handled the crowd when they booed him.

The following night on Raw, Hogan talks about leaving the New World Order, and donning the Red & Yellow once more, he talks about how the fans wanted him to become the WWE Champion again. And no WWE Video/DVD would be without a dose of verbal Triple H loving, as Hogan talks about how good Triple H is. We see Hogan winning the WWE Championship at Backlash 2002. Hogan talks about that faithful night in Montreal, where the fans nearly had Hogan in tears, then we skip to a WWE autograph signing where the fans say how much they love Hogan, and Hogan comments about the fans. To finish things off we have various WWE employees talking about how great Hogan is, I’m sure that will help his ego. So the final few chapters of the DVD are pretty good, mostly what people have seen from WWE TV this year, not what I’d buy the Video/DVD for, but might as well watch it.

Overall

What can I say? love him or hate, this Video/DVD is first class, In my opinion its probably the best WWF/E Video/DVD on the market today. It does have the usual crappy WWE comments, on how great Hogan is, and of course how great Triple H is, but that a side its well worth buying. The Video does just have the main show, and its not bad, with some really rare footage from Hogan in his early days, I’d buy the video if I could, but if you can get the DVD, then run to the shop now, buy a huge bag of Crisps, preferably Pickled Onion, get a nice cool bottle of your favourite beverage, find a comfortable chair and sit back, because you’re in for a long haul, as the DVD has over 4 Hours of Hulkamania magic.

Ok, I’m not going to review the whole 4 Hours of extra stuff, but WOW, unlike some of the WWE DVD’s this has mountains of extras, footage that makes your mouth water just by looking at them. The first disk has some great extras, as does the second disk. It would take far too long to review all the extras, so I’ll select my best picks from each disk and I’ll give you the low-down on them.

Disk 1

Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant, 8.9.80, Shea Stadium: Very different match than the match from Wrestlemania III, Hogan wrestles very differently as does Andre. This match is most certainly one to watch, very entertaining.

“Mene Gene” Okerlund Learns the Ropes: Training vignettes from the Tuesday Night Titans show 8.21.84. Very funny, with Hogan teaching Gene how to get fit, with various segments in parks and at Gene’s home, it is hilarious to watch.

The Big Event in Toronto: Hulk Hogan vs. “Mr Wonderful” Paul Orndorff, a very good match between Hogan and Orndorff. I have never seen the match until now, and it was enjoyable, it was one of the better Hogan matches I have seen.

The Disk contains lots more extras, that’s just my pick of some of them.

Disk 2

Bash at the Beach 1994: Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair, in a pretty decent match, WCW attempted to gain the ratings, with two of the greatest wrestling icons in history. Not a classical technical match, but it was very entertaining and enjoyable. Hogan wins the WCW World’s Championship as Hulkamania beings in WCW. Good stuff, and nice to see Vince using the WCW video library.

This Tuesday in Texas: Hulk Hogan vs. The Undertaker, 12.9.91. Just coming off Survivor Series 1991, Hulk Hogan challenges the newly crowned WWE Champion the Undertaker in a Championship match. Again, not a great match but very entertaining, with inference from Ric Flair, its not to be missed.

Puerto Rican Pour Down: Hulk Hogan vs. Big John Studd, 1985. No, its not a crappy name for a PPV, its from a match in 1985 in a open air stadium. Hogan and Big John Studd were locking up in a match, when it started to pour down with rain. Hogan and Big John continued with the match, until Big John walked out after he and Hogan were unable to wrestle anymore due to them both slipping over. A very interesting match to watch, but the wrestling was understandably worse than usual.

Again this disk has a whole feast of other extras, including interviews and rare matches plus classic matches with the likes of Roddy Piper and Mr. Perfect.

Bonus Extras: “BONUS!” I hear you shout, “Is that possible on such a great DVD?” Well, indeed it is, on the first disk, on the third chapter page, entitled “Wrestlemania X8”, highlight the “Hulk Still Rules” logo and watch the greatest WWE Entrance video of all time. And on the second disk, go to the last “Extras” page, highlight the logo, and watch “Mene Gene” and Hogan perform “Tutti Frutti”; it’s a sure fire Christmas Number 1.

This is a phenomenal DVD set; the extras are the best a WWE DVD has ever offered. It is well worth the money and will have you going back to watch it over and over again. Whatever you think of Hulk Hogan, love him or hate him, admire him or loathe him, you should have this DVD, if you don’t have a DVD player; the Video is also very good. As always, if you can, get the cash out, head down to Silvervision.co.uk, or any good Video/DVD stockists and get this Video/DVD. Then all you need to do is ask yourself “What'cha Gonna Do, When Hulkamania runs wild on your TV”.

Many thanks to Silvervision.co.uk for supplying me with this great DVD, for all your WWE Video/DVD needs, head down to Silvervision.co.uk and grab some of the best wrestling Videos and DVD’s around.

Points: 10/10

Dan

Buy it:

UK: VHS / DVD

USA: VHS / DVD