Blog: Before The WWE DVD There Was The VHS Tape – Where It Began

We all remember the VHS tape before the DVD came along. Well here in the USA there are still some original WWF VHS tapes that demand top dollar cause the events were never released on DVD.

Some countries have been lucky enough to get these events released on DVD, such as the United Kingdom who got the Tagged Classics. To make things even better about these DVDs is the fact that they come with no edits. All the original WWF logos and the mention of WWF is all there. If the USA is ever lucky enough to even get these events released on DVD at all you can bet there well be edits.

Im gonna talk about some of these VHS tapes that still bring in big bucks to this day on sites like EBAY. These are VHS tapes that if found in great condition are very collectable. When I say great condition I’m talking about videos that were not former rentals, the cases have not been cut to fit a clamshell case, and don’t have rental and “please rewind” stickers on them.

Some of these VHS tapes will never be released on DVD because they are a compilation of matches. Some were released in very small numbers or only available to order via WWF magazine. All of them are very expensive if found still factory sealed with the Coliseum water mark on the shrink wrap. 

Keep in mind also that these are original releases and thats why they are expensive. Like sports cards and comic books have an original press or release, the original is always more collectable and expensive then the repress or second release.  So lets get this list started!

Mega Matches ’96: This video has the In Your House event titled Good Friends, Better Enemies. This was released in small numbers and only available via mail order in WWF magazine. This video usually sells for $100-$175.

In Your House 2 Terminators / Lumberjacks: This video was released with 2 different names (terminators and lumberjacks) but its the same thing on both videos. The title lumberjacks was released in the USA and terminators was released in Canada. The terminators title is the harder of the 2 to find. Either version usually sells for $150-$200.

In Your House 10 Mind Games: Everyone that collects VHS tapes knows about this video. Its one of the rarest and most sought after VHS tapes out there. Released in small numbers and also only available via WWF magazine mail order. This usually sells for $175-$225.

In Your House 12, Its Time: Another video only available via WWF magazine mail order and also released in small numbers. A very rare video that usually sells for $125-$175

In Your House 15, Cold Day In Hell: This is a rare video that hardly pops up for sale. Released in small numbers and highly sought after. It usually sells for $150-$250

Survivor Series 1997, Gang Rulz: We all know why this event is so popular cause of the famous screw job. This is a video that a lot of collectors want in there collection. This video usually sells for $70-$115.

WWF Terminators: This video is a compilation of matches, this is one that well never see a DVD release. This video is really hard to come by and if you are lucky enough to find it you can plan on spending some cash to get it. This video usually sells for $175-$250

WWF Wrestling Grudge Matches 1993: Another compilation video release that is tricky to find. It has a great WWF championship match between The Undertaker and Ric Flair. This video usually sells for $65-$100

Wrestlefest 1988, 1993, and 1995: These videos are part of the early releases of the wrestlefest series. These are the 3 rarest ones of the series and are tough to find. I have to admit the matches on these videos are not the best. 1995  has a steel cage match between Razor Ramon and Jeff Jarrett for the intercontinental title advertiased on the cover, but thats not what is on the video. Instead you get a match between them with the Roadie (Road Dogg) in a small cage suspended above the ring, and to top it off the match stinks! The 1988 video usually sells for $75-$125, 1993 usually sells for $80-$125, and 1995 usually sells for $80-$130

Best Of Raw Volumes 1 and 2 (1996): These 2 videos are great, every collector that likes old school should get these. These were released in the USA but under the Silvervision title. They didnt come in regualr Coliseum covers, instead they came in black clamshell cases kinda like a rental case. Volume 1 is very rare and very hard to find, most collectors actually have not seen this video. Volume 1 usually sells for $125-$175 and volume 2 usually sells for $75-$100

Shawn Michaels – Hits From The Heartbreak Kid (1995): This is another video that was released via Silvervision. It also came in a clamshell case instead of a slide cover. Its a tough find and very rare, it usually sells for $75-$100

1996 Year In Review: Another video released via Silvervision and only available to order in WWF magazine. This is a great video that has some of the best matches from 1996 pay per views. This video usually sells for $70-$115

The Macho Man Randy Savage and Elizabeth: This is a tough video to find, its the first video Release of the Macho Man. Its the 26th home video released from Coliseum for the WWF and comes in the big clamshell case. It usually sells for $75-$100

The Hart Foundation: This is the first video release featuring the hitman Bret Hart. Its the 37th WWF home video release and also comes in the big clamshell case. This video usually sells for $65-$95

The British Bulldogs: This is the 30th home video for the WWF and is a real tough find. Especially with the case and not a former rental. It usually sells for $75-$100

The History Of The Intercontinental Belt: This is a awsome video with some classic matches. Its the WWF”S 36th home video and also comes in the big clamshell case. It usually sells for $50-$75

The History Of The WWF Heavyweight Championship: This is another great video like the intercontinental title video. This video has some classic championship matches from the 80’s. This video usually sells for $90-$125

Survivor Series 1990: This video is very collectable for the obvious reason, its The Undertakers debut! To find this video in great shape and one thats not a former renatl is tough. It well usually sell for $45-$65

WCW Bash At The Beach 2000: Now I know this is about WWF VHS videos but since im talking about rare high dollar VHS tapes I have to talk about this video. This is considered by most the rarest and hardest to find wrestling video out there. This has the Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett, Vince russo incident on it that had real life drama play out on national tv. It was also Hogans last WCW tv appearance and Booker T’s first world title win. The video had a very short shelf life because of all this, to find this video with original uncut cover and one thats not a former rental is a major challange. I have personally seen this video sell for $600 in perfect condition. On average this video in the condition of a former rental to one thats perfect usually sells for $250-$600!

Countdown To Summerslam 94: This is a pretty tough video to find, another that was only available via WWF magazine order. The video is only 30 minutes long and its just the countdown show (free for all) before the pay per view aired. It usually sells for $125-$175

Well I hope you enjoyed this blog about the original tapes and where it all began. While VHS tapes are out-dated, they are still collectable, especially if they are cared for. While some of the prices seem high, they are what they are. Remember this also, if you find these still factory sealed you can expect the prices to be 3 – 5 times the prices than opened ones. There is still a big market of collectors out there that collect VHS tapes, and I’m one of them.

Enjoy this and I hope it helps the VHS collectors out there, and as always happy hunting!!