The Essential Starrcade Collection

[Ric Flair guy]

Picked this up yesterday. While I'd like to see a complete anthology of Starrcade's released, this doesn't seem half bad. I'm halfway through the documentary portion and it's decent. I still can't figure out why some wrestlers on these WWE dvds refuse to break character. Also, there's a tendency to talk about certain events or matches as being "great" "amazing" and "groundbreaking" endlessly instead of actually providing some insight or funny stories.

Actually, I would like to see WWE release complete anthology's for Starrcade, Great American Bash, Clash of the Champions, and any other big events they held in the 80s. Those were the days.

 

[D-Backs Hack]

Turner put out a pretty lengthy VHS of Starrcades 1983-88 back in the day, but I never can seem to find it.

I bought Starrcade 85, my personal fave -- that was an instance where the Dusty Finish worked well, I thought -- and the 85 GAB on eBay a while back.

My digital cable OnDemand has the WWE network, where you can buy re-airs of the NWA Saturday TBS shows from the mid-80s. Those are the best.

Flair's behind-the-scenes account of Starrcade 83 in his book is good reading.

 

[UncleHappyPants]

I've lost track of how many times I've watched the "Flair for the Gold" match from Starrcade with Ric Flair challenging Harley Race in the cage for the NWA title. That era of wrestling was so, so cool.

I also love the Magnum TA vs. Tully Blanchard "I Quit Match" and the Roddy Piper vs. Greg Valentine dog-collar match. Those things had an intensity that was just off the charts.

I also remember Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood challenging the Briscoe Brothers in a tag-team match that was just worked beautifully. Steamboat and the Briscoes were so good.

Wrestling, to me, was so great when it was presented as a real competition. Most everyone knew that it was a work but it was much easier to suspend disbelief and get sucked into the action. I mean, I know Dark Knight is not real either but it sure is easy to forget I'm watching actors and special effects...

 

[Ric Flair guy]

I have a dubbed copy of the 83-88 best of Starcade. Very good stuff, but my copy is worn out. How much are the re-airs on Comcast? And do they go in order or is it just highlights and random shows?

 

[D-Backs Hack]

I have Cox, but I'm sure it's the same. About 90 minutes, original commercials edited out of course, and occasionally they'll put up VH-1 Pop-Up Video-style "TerriStories" with something related to the footage on the screen.

Can't remember how much it is right now, but it's about the same as a PPV movie, $4.95 or so.