WWF - Summerslam '99 (DVD) > Reviews (7)

April 2001. Wrestlemania 17. Houston, Texas. It was billed as being the best Wrestlemania of all time, as the WWF does for this event every year. And like it does every year, it delivered.

The first match, Chris Jericho vs William Regal, was a masterclass in technical wrestling. These two put everything into making this a real classic, just like Regal had done previously at a memorial show with Chris Benoit. The top rope back suplex looked great, and the whole match went through pretty much without a hitch.

I never really liked the Right to Censor. Ever since they were put together, it seemed like a place to put the crappy wrestlers when they had lost their spark. However, their match with the APA and Tazz was actually quite impressive. Bull Buchanan wasn't his usual clumsy self and actually looked like he could wrestle. The clothesline from hell that finished the match was great. It was so powerful.

Two up and coming stars, Eddie Guerrero and Test had been on a roll before this event, so I had high hopes for this match. Overall it was a really solid performance by both competitors, with both having an opportunity to show their stuff. Unfortunately, the match was ruined by one bit, where Test's inability to release himself from the ring ropes caused Eddie to fall out of the ring on his own, making him a laughing stock. It was a real shame as this match was impressive.

Chyna vs Ivory was a complete waste of time. Both competitors should have stayed in bed. I don't think I really need to say anything else.

The triple threat hardcore bout featuring Raven, Kane and the Big Show was a really class showing of how hardcore bouts used to be and still should be. Hardcore matches never seem to go backstage anymore, but this included everything. The best bit for me had to be Raven flying through the window. It did look very brutal. The ending could have been better, but it was a great effort, so it didn't matter too much.

The feud between Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle came to a climax here. Wrestlemania really had a big effect on these two wrestlers as they did everything to get over with the fans. And they did just that. We saw the ankle lock, the crossface, angle slam, german suplexes, the lot in this one. This bout was a fantastically technical affair, and a great show for the "old school" fan.

When people say that Wrestlemania makes the wrestlers put everything on the line, they weren't kidding. TLC 2 was as intense as ever. There were so many memorable moves in this match. Matt Hardy and Bubba Ray going through 4 tables. Jeff Hardy doing a swanton bomb through Rhyno and Spike Dudley on the table. However, my favourite move of the match made me gasp in shock, Edge's spear from the ladder on Jeff Hardy. This move could not have been better performed if they had tried 1000 times. The timing was incredible, and you really felt the impact as Hardy hit the canvas. Despite the fact that you got a touch of deja vu occasionally, the inclusion of Rhyno, Lita and Spike Dudley really made the match that little more interesting, and they brought a new level to the TLC contest.

Definitely a match of the year contender without question.

The gimmick battle royal was quite amusing if not tedious. Having to wait for what seemed like an hour to introduce every competitor really didn't help. We did get to see such greats as Michael Hayes, the Bushwackers and Seargent Slaughter, but it still didn't win me over really. Oh well, on the bright side, the match did end quickly!

Shane vs Vince had the potential, on paper, to ruin the card. Not taking anything away from Shane, I think he's a great athlete, but I wasn't sure that Vince could take a street fight. But, I'm glad to say I was proved wrong. This was a fantastic match with two main highlights which would make any wrestler proud. Shane's attempted "big elbow" onto Vince through the announce table was really good to watch. His hang time was incredible. And also, who is going to forget his version of the "Van Terminator" usually performed by the great RVD. This was a great effort for a man known to most fans as the owners son. Shane has the skills to really make it as a wrestler, but I don't think he will ever realise his potential and capitalise on it. Shame.

Triple H is a real credit to the WWF roster. There aren't many WWF main eventers of his calibre who would lay down cleanly on pay per view, even to The Undertaker. But The Game did it, and he also got Undi over in the biggest of ways. He really sold every one of the phenom's moves which is a real credit to HHH as he can receive just as much as he gives. There was unfortunately one slight mishap on the part of the director which made this match slightly tainted. After the Undertaker had hit his "devastating" chokeslam from the balcony, the director decided to take a look at HHH from another angle.......the one that shows him lying on a giant crash mat!! I didn't mind about this, because everyone knows it's fake, and besides, it did look really well performed that I won't hold it against them.

The final match on the card, the main event, was an absolute blinder. It was a rematch of the 1999 wrestlemania. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs The Rock. This match was a real all inclusive bout, filled with technical genius and hardcore brutality. It was a pleasure to see two people who are paid as much as them, to be trying their best and giving it their all for the fans. That is why they are (or were) the two main "good guys" in the WWF. Going into this match, you felt something was going to happen. It was the WWF, so something out of the ordinary was going to happen, it always does. Sure enough, after a belter of a contest, from The Rock hitting the Stunner, to Austin hitting the Rock Bottom, Mr McMahon screws The Rock (again) with the help of Austin, and the two men join forces.
It was a pretty decent cliffhanger to end on. Why Austin, WHY?

Overall, this event is a real corker, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone remotely interested in wrestling. It really is a joy to watch, whether you have hardcore roots, or you prefer a good old fashioned technical match.

Mixed in with some great DVD extras like highlights from AXXESS and footage from the next night on Raw, this DVD has it all. Put it in your collection now. It is superb.