Review: WWE “Road Warriors: Life and Death of the Most Dominant Tag Team” DVD

Brett Mix’s “Road Warriors: The Life and Death of the Most Dominant Tag Team in Wrestling History” 2 Disc Review:

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“OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH WHAT A RUSSSSHHHHHH!” –Road Warriors

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“In fifty years people will honestly be able to look back and say the Road Warriors, aka the Legion of Doom were the greatest tag team of all time.” -Jerry the King Lawler

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-In Loving Memory of Road Warrior Hawk:

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The Documentary- Disc 1:

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Entering the 2011 Hall of Fame Class where Raw was live from their home-stomping grounds in Chicago, Illinois they found out they would be the last people inducted including-assuming their manager Paul Ellering which is much deserved. Sort of like when Randy Savage gets in, Liz shouild go with him. Animal can induct Paul after he is done, and Savage can induct Liz in hopefully 2012 (in his home state of Florida) or 2013. Time will tell on that one.

When they got into the Georgia Championship Wrestling start specifically is when I tuned in.
Gerry Brisco talks about The Road Warriors initial impact on the wrestling scene, about their unique style and his initial thoughts. Barry Darsow talks about The Road Warriors being very tough, and Jim Ross backs this up by talking about how jobbers or as JR says “extras” would be in mortal fear of being up against The Road Warriors in matches because of their brutality and the unique ability to work a stiff tag team contest.

Barry Darsow recalls a nice little story about when he and Arn Anderson tagged up against The Road Warriors.

Gerald Brisco talks about the difference between the “old school” tag teams like the Brisco Brothers and the new style team of The Road Warriors.

Jim Ross talks about their style being “smash mouth” and totally in your face. Jerry Lawler talks about an instance from Memphis where The Road Warriors faced Austin Idol and Lawler in a match at the Mid South Coliseum, and we see the footage of the match that really shows how powerful the Road Warriors were being portrayed in their matches. Some good comments in this chapter from people like Arn Anderson and Gerry Brisco, who worked with the Road Warrior’s in their first run in Georgia, really portrays how tough they were in the ring.
They talk a lot about there manager Paul Ellering and rightfully so, a manager can really help elevate a wrestler’s or groups credibility.

Animal talks about the original Legion of Doom with Jake Roberts, King Kong Bundy , The Spoiler and The Road Warriors with Paul Ellering. Jim Cornette and Barry Darsow talk about Paul Ellering and how he became a manger.

Paul Ellering talks about how he literally managed The Road Warriors both inside and outside of the ring. Animal, JR and Jim Cornette talk about how clever Ellering was.

Various wrestling superstars comment on the effect Ellering had on The Road Warriors and how valuable he was to the Road Warriors. What a manager Paul Ellering is, as many of the people in this chapter said, Ellering was the glue which kept the Legion of Doom together . If the WWE brought Ellering into the WWE to manager one of their tag teams today then I’m sure they would be a success, without a doubt.
The Chapter of the AWA looks at the move The Road Warriors made from Georgia to the AWA. Comments from people like Michaels Hayes, Animal and Barry Darsow explain why the team made the move.

Hayes really kisses the asses of the LOD the whole set, but it’s fine…both guys are legends and Hayes was and still is great as well.

One interesting piece on here is when they talk about the Hawk & Animal Split Up…

– Paul Ellering talks about Hawk disappearing after the Summerslam 1992 match , Animal talks about Hawk having mood swings and the drink and drug subject is touched upon by Animal, Michael Hayes and Jim Ross. Animal talks about how people influenced Hawk, and how he was a danger to people in the ring by nearly dropping them on their heads during matches. Animal talks about Hawk and Vince McMahon having a personal feud, because Hawk was outspoken as well as the fact he refused to go into rehab when Vince McMahon offered to put him in. Animal talks about how Hawk joined the London section of the Hell’s Angels and handed in his notice with the WWF and left Animal high and dry. Animal speaks candidly about how upset he was with Hawk, especially because he listened to people like Jake Roberts, rather than Animal who had been a long time friend of Hawk . Animal talks about how he stayed with the WWE and completed the remaining dates on his contract, but unfortunately was injured in a handicap match with the Beverly Brothers while in Japan.
Animal talks about how he was also upset at Hawk because he split from Animal and went to Japan without asking Animal and tried to recreate the Road Warriors with Kensuki Sasaki which didn’t really turn out so good. Animal talks about how the team eventually reconciled with each other. We see some footage of the Road Warriors returning to WCW in 1996, as Eric Bischoff talks about why he decided to sign the Road Warriors. Animal speaks about the fans reaction to the both of them when they returned. Animal talks about a contract dispute that occurred with WCW revolving around the Road Warriors having two separate contracts for WCW Japanese dates, and WCW American dates, Animal says the contract never came about. Bischoff says he can’t remember if he did offer them that contract or not, but says he though the Road Warriors thought they were more valuable than they actually were. I enjoyed this chapter because it was so insightful regarding the Road Warrior break up, and Animal talks candidly about his feeling towards Hawk at the time. It seems Hawk really went of the rails at this point and really should have got help then.

JR mentions that the Road Warriors hadn’t burned any bridge beyond repair, and we see L.O.D 2000 return at Wrestlemania 14 with Sunny.

Road Warrior Animal mentions that LOD changed their style with new shoulder pads and helmets to try and reinvent theirselves. Then we see footage of Paul Ellering returning with D.OA and feuding with L.O.D in 1998 .The worst part of this section is the fact that the WWE seem to have forgotten about 1997, which is a huge surprise because I always thought L.O.D enjoyed a good run in 97 feuding with the like of The Nation of Domination, The Bulldog and Owen, Furnas and Lafon, and The Godwins, but I guess the WWE decided to forget about that. Which is strange I guess……not everything is always included in a Documentary and we can certainly come to expect that by now from DVD releases.
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Really emotional when Hawk Gets Help…That chapter looks briefly at Hawk’s recovery from his alcohol and drug abuse, mentioning that he was a born again Christian and got his life back on track and became completely clean.

Animal talks about how the Road Warrior wanted to have one final stint with the WWE, Animal mentions that Hawk had tried to contact Vince McMahon on a number of occasions to try and make peace with him before they were invited to RAW and Smackdown in 2003 for some try out matches. I would have loved to see L.O.D back in the WWE for one final run, I’m sure they could have brought something to the company, but I guess it wasn’t to be.

Now it’s time for the End of the Road Warriors – Various superstars comment on Michael “Hawk” Hegstrand’s death, including emotional comments from Michael Hayes, Animal and Paul Ellering. Animal mentions what the Dudley Boys did in 2003 to pay tribute to Hawk on a broadcast on Monday Night RAW. In my opinion the wrestling world lost one of the biggest and most popular stars of all time when Hawk past away, as part of L.O.D he was a true great and will always be remembered.

The DVD closes with some classic footage of the Road Warriors and some comments from the people who worked with both Hawk & Animal over their illustrious career.

Pretty great documentary in the second half especially.

An emotional roller-coaster at times and pretty entertaining which is the most important aspect of any Documentary obviously.

For a team of this calibre a Documentary like this was essential.

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Disc 1 Matches:

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1) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs Joe Young and Randy Barber -NWA Georgia Championship Wrestling (11/06/83)

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Here we get a match EARLY on in their careers, that is for certain.

Here in the NWA, Road Warrior Animal and Road Warrior Hawk are ready for some action from Georgia as in this territory they were up against Jae Young and Randy Barber.

Lets see how this one goes first match on the LOD’s disc.

Such a small venue, of course because this is that small facility in GCW where the NWA would put on some standard or classic matches, depending on NWA talents showed up.

Here the Road Warriors look more like Cops from the Villiage People.

Road Warrior Hawk begins in the ring here. A side headlock and then he is pushed to the corner. Hawk

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Short action, just gives us a sneak peak to what they’re all about.

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NO RATING

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2) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs Arn Anderson & Paul Jones -NWA Georgia Championship Wrestling (07/08/83

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Double A, the Enforcer, a legendary tag wrestler in his own right teaming up here with Paul Jones to take on the Legendary (not quite as of yet) and young Legion of Doom.
Better known as the Road Warriors.

Again nothing really to see her other then a different venue at a different time and a short little bout.

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NO RATING

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3) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs The Brisco Brothers in a NWA World Championship Wrestling (28/08/83) Texas Tornado Match

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Might be clipped, surely did not see the whole thing unfortunately.

It featured some decent material but it needed to be longer.
This match had serious potential.

**

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4) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs Mike Jackson and Stone -NWA Georgia Championship Wrestling (03/01/83)

Road Warrior Animal and Hawk get things done in 2 minutes here.

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I swear it’s definitely a theme.

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No Rating

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5) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs Baron von Raschke & The Crusher(c) for the AWA World Tag Title Championship -AWA All Star Wrestling (25/08/84)

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Some OLD SCHOOL AWA Action!

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Finally come commentary from Jim Ross as an addition and a match here. Road Warrior Animal joins him.

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Baron Von Raschke and The Crusher were intimidating in a huge way.

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Some slower action. Road Warrior Animal and Baron Von Raschke go back and forth.

In somes the Crusher to deliver some punishment.

We skin the to he ten minute mark. Jim Ross says The Crusher was a beer drinkier before he was.

Baron Von Raschke using the claw to squeeze the temple of Aninmal..

Ellering with the distraction on th eoutside and that allows Animal to get the three count at 11:50 and the Road Warrions win their first ever AWA tag team titles.

This match was pretty slow but decent all at the same time.

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** 1/4

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What follows our interviews and segments:

Disc One Extras:

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NWA Georgia Championship Wrestling (27/08/83) (very good)
AWA All Star Wrestling (28/07/84) (rare and quite good)
AWA ESPN Championship Wrestling (15/10/85) (rare footage)
NWA World Championship Wrestling (03/10/87) (decent stuff)
NWA World Championship Wrestling (10/10/87) (A good promo)
NWA World Championship Wrestling (28/01/89) (Showcases rare stuff)
WCW Wrestle War (25/02/90) (Normal Promo)
Brutus the Barber Beefcake’s BarberShop Wrestling Challenge (28/09/91) (Hate Bruti but decent footage)
Royal Rumble (21/01/92) (typical LOD promo at this time)
In Your House: Degeneration X (07/12/97) (Decent Promo)
Hawk Tribute Part 1 Confidential (08/11/03) (Very touching)
Hawk Tribute Part 2 Confidential 08/11/03) (See Above)
Trophy Room (shows off)
Paul Ellering “Go For It” (nice speech)
Michaels Hayes “A Lesson in Striving for Success” (good way of putting it)
Road Warriors Music Video…(zzzz…)

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Disc 2 Matches:

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6) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs Larry ‘the Axe’ & Curt Hennig -AWA All Star Wrestling (21/08/85)

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Talk about two legendary teams. WWE Hall of Famer, Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig before he was Mr. Perect teaming up with his legendary dad Larry “The Axe” Hennig to take on the Road Warriors in the AWA back in 1985 when Wrestling was just booming everywhere.

Even though the AWA lost there major meal ticket to the WWF in Hulk Hogan.

Here we are, set for this one.

Road Warrior Animal had a side-headlock on the Axe, then he tagged into Hawk because the Axe got the better of him in that predicament. Serinor Hennig puts a bearhug on the Hawk. Hawk with a front facelock. Hawk now holds onto this move in the corner.

Hawk stunned from an elbow shot from the Axe to the head. Bothh guys tie-up, and Senior Hennig with a stiff European uppercut.

Curt Hennig comes in and holds poweerfuk side adlock

Curt Hennig exploits his toughness, but what the broadcaster points out is his size. Hennig sends Hawk to the ropes by Curet. Curet with a chop, tried to get Road Warrio Animal.

Road Warrior Hawk with a front facelock to Curt Hennig. Road Warrior Animal with a powerful body slam to Curt Hennig.\Hawk thne picks up Curt Hennig.

The broadcaster has NO IDEA who is Hawk and who is Animal and that is prettu hilarious.

Hawk with a snapmare to the soon to be Mrp. Perfect and holds him in poisition. Hawk is deliving a ton of punishment to Curt Hennig wirh a biig knee lift. Road Warrior Animal tagged in and thrown into the buckle by Curt hennig. Road Warrior Animal then clotheslines Curt but only got a two as the Axe brole the count. Road Warrior Hawk tagged in and came off the ropes to the canvas. Road Warrior Animal comes in, and he is continued to be called the Animal, and Hawk is continued to be called The Hawk.

Curt Hennig caught Road Warrior Animal coming down with his knees up.

Larry the Axe with the hot-tag, Larry tags in his son Curt Hennig with a missile dropkick and he got a one. Paul Ellering dragged Road Warrior Animal away to the ropes. The Axe id hammering Paul Ellering.

The Bell rings as a DQ is called against the Hennigs and the Road Warriors Win at 12 minutes.

This match was quite good. Each guy got a chance to show what he could do.

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** 1/2

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7) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) (c) vs The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy and Michael Hayes) for the AWA Tag Team Championship -Superclash (28/09/85)

A great tilt here!

The Freebirds were one of the greatest tag teams ever and I can’t believe they have yet to be inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame (as of this writing in 2011) but I am sure they will be soon.

Superclash 85 taking place outside. Both teams are red-hot over, a lot of anticipation for this match.

Thr Freebirds with make-up on to made the Warriors, Hayes then runs out of the ring to gain more heel heat.

It’s Terry Gordy starting things out with Road Warrior Hawk! Road Warrior Animal is now the legal man, to join Gordy.

Both men to be said weighing in at around 290 pounds. Both big men.

Gordy backed Road Warrior Animal to the corner but he reverses the irishwhip

This looks like something I would see on ESPN Classic Canada Wrestling. Terry Gory at the vie minute mark tags iN Hayes and he was going to slam the head of Road Warrior Hawk intot he buckle but in comes Bam Bam asgain. Gordy and Hayes a double clothesline.

Road Warrior Hawk is somehow fighting back against the Fabulous Freebirds. Road Warrior Animal with a powerslam. Both Road Warriors, Hawk is working on Hayes, Animal is working over Gordy. Buddy Roberts tries to get in and just dropped Paul Ellering wit a chair o the outside. Hayes and Gordy somehow win the Championshiiip of the world at ther ten minute mark.

Long-time AWA promoter and now WWE Hall of Famer Vern Gagne asks for a replay.

By virtue of replay the Road Warrios retain the titles!
This match kept up a very entertaining pace.

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***

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8) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs Magnum T.A and Ronnie Garvin -Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament Cup (19/04/86)

Good old JR on commentary in this match.

Now this one should be good. Ronnie Garvin such an underrated worker, and of course one of the most underrated EVER in Magnum T.A going at it with arguably the greatest tag team of ALL TIME.
Magnum T.A could of been one of the greatest of all time, such a shame what happened to him.

T.A with a leapfrog over Road Warrior Animal. An overhead wrist-lock by Road Warrior Animal to T.A and MAgnum brought straight down to the mat. magnum T.A drives his knee into the abdomen of Road Warrior Animal.

Ronnie Garvin with a front facelock, now Hawk is in. Hawk is chopped in the corner by Garvin.

Road Warrior Hawk and Garvin he it hitting a few quick strikes on him. Hawk stomping on Ronnie Garvin isolating him in the corner.

Perfect tag-team ring psychology keeping one man in your own corner, and a snapmare by Hawk then a wear-down reverse chinlock. A Body-Press splash sending Garvin down and a pinning combination.

Animal taking apart T.A in the corner. A bearhug to Magnum .focusing on his lower spine. A gut-wrench suplex into an overhead back.

Road Warrior Animal hits a powerslam in the middle of the ring to Magnum T.A and he tries to get out of the corner.

Garvin is called underrated, he tries a move with his broken hand, falls and Road Warrior Animal clotheslines him and gets the fall at the 11 minute mark.

In the end at the Warriors are movin up.

This match was great.

*** 1/4

9) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs Ivan & Nikita Koloff in a Russian Chain Match -Great American Bash (05/07/86)

Road Warrior Animal and Hawk pretty much took case of business here at the Bash.

Here at this Super show of sorts outside at night, they are all tied up to chain.

No commentary.

Both teams attack viciously with nothing but chain.
In the end at around 5 minutees the LOD gets the win.

This match is pretty violent but noting to write home about.

**

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10) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs The Midnight Express in a Scaffold Match -November 27th, -NWA Starrcade 1986

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This match made the fifth spot on the Essential Starrcade DVD.

Jim Cornette was injured in the match when he fell to the ring from the underside of the scaffold.
Two excellent teams going at it again here.
The Scaffold was a hard thing to climb up on above a ring, Road Warrior Animal still claims its one of the most dangerous matches in Wrestling history.

The Midnight Express showed they were scared of it. Cornette talked “Beautiful” Bobby into meeting Road Warriors all the way up there.

So here it is, two teams completely different but awesome in their own right in the NWA, meeting here at Starrcade, the stage was set.

Bobby Eaton slides in those last couple of feet and he meets the LOD up high on the Scaffold. The Warriors meet both members of the Express.

To win you must throw both men off the Scaffold. Road Warrior Animal with Bobby on one platform exchanging rights, Hawk on the other side gets powder thrown into his face by the opposite Express.

Eaton then throws the powder in Animal’s face. Now the Express go to work on the Road Warriors on both ends taking it to them, Cornette obviously had the POWDER game up his sleeve. Hawk looked to be slipping off but his head was being grated by the hard steel, which was the Scaffold holding them up there.

Both teams neared one another, Hawk hanged off one side. Road Warrior Animal was being dragged by the leg, and Beautiful Bobby hung from a ladder to add excitement. Eaton remained alive as he grabbed onto the red rope. Hawk drops a double axehandle.

All teams back up on the Scaffold and the Express are busted open as Road Warrior

Animal gives him some hard rights on the steel.’

More brawling until the Warriors chase the Express and at 7:08 the LOD kick the Express off the Scaffold.

Afterwards Cornette falls.

Great stuff, full of violence, creativity and excitement.

***

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11) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard (With James J. Dillon) (c) for the NWA Tag Team Championship -NWA Starrcade 87

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This made #19 on the best of Starrcade DVD.

The Road Warrior’s had never held these titles yet.

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Also the fact this match took place in The hometown of the greatest tag team of all time in Chicago going up against the Horsemen. What could be better?

Tully and Arn did not get the best response from the Windy City, quite obviously.
Road Warrior Hawk began in with Double A, shot in the corner but Anderson lifted a knee. Arn climbs up but Hawk scoops him in the air and slams him to the mat. Tully checks on his partner’s back on the outside.

sHawk in with Arn again, Arn hesitant to get things going. Anderson with a standing sidehead lock has it taken over by Animal who then drops a leg on Anderson. Hawk’s strength has gotten the best of Anderson.

The Horsemen needed time to re-groip. Another tie up and Hawk shoves Tully down this tiem. Tully runs into a clothesline, on the outside now Road Warrior Animal lifts up Blanchard who had fell to the floor and the fans love this. Road Warrior Animal tosses Tully right back in for Hawk but Blanchard rolled out of the ring.

Hawk met him near the entrance way and threw him back inside the ring. Hawk sends Tully to the ropes and nails him with a dropkick. Blanchard barely escaped and Animal tagged in. Tully bought himself a break with a knee in the corner but Animal caught him up top and slammed him! Road Warrior Animal gets another near fall and the Legion of Doom are in control.
Double A wants to attempt at slowing down the Road Warriors as he comes in slowly. Arn releases a few shots before Road Warrior Animal gets the better out of him in the corner. The fans in Chicago love how much there boys, The Road Warriors were in control. James J Dillon had to have a talk to both Blanchard and Double A.

Hawk sends Anderson and then they criss-cross until Hawk slaps on a bearhug and its broken up immediately by Blanchard. Both of them try and double team Haw sending him to the corner but he bounced back with a double clothesline to both men. Hawk lands a right hand and in comes Road Warrior Animal. Animal weith a unique lowerback hug and as he lifts him up Hawk delivered an extra shot from the apron.

Road Warrior Animal has punished Blanchard and he couldn’t gain an inch from the corner. Animal wins a chopping war with Tully until he lands a elbow to the head. Arn tags in and he tries to intimidate Road Warrior Animal anyway he could. They tie up and Arn has a standing side headlock, he gets pushed off the ropes and leaps over Animal, he saw him coming and went for a run.

Back in the ring Arn went for a piledriver and Road Warrior Animal countered with a backbody drop. Animal showing power pressing Arn Anderson twice in the air before dropping him to the canvas. Hawk tagged in and went to work on Blanchard but there seemed to be problems with his knees and Tully went at it like a Shark who smelt blood.
Tully Blanchard all over the knee of Road Warrior Hawk as the finally found an opening. Outside the ring the Horsemen followed up work on Hawk’s knee as they smacked his leg with a chair on the concrete floor. Hawk could barely stand now as the Brain Busters strategy was starting to work. Anderson scored a cover on Hawk. Anderson hit a ddt to Animal.

Blanchard tags in and goes for a figure four and Hawk countered it into a small package until Blanchard rolled through again and went right back to work on the leg of Hawk. Blanchard carried his leg while they methodially took him down any way they could. Anderson with a spinning leglock to Hawk but he kicks off Anderson to the corner with his good leg. Hawk tries to tag and Anderon stops him nicely.
Brain Busters isolating the injured Road Warrior Hawk and his left leg. Double A slaps on a figure-four on Hawk in mid-ring. Can Hawk escape this predicament was the question. Another tag to Tully and he continued the damage, and in again comes Blanchard, frequent tags to isolate Hawk. A snapmare into an overhear wristlock as Double A went to pin Hawk any chance he got, but tremendous strength from Hawk helped him lift his knees and catch Double A.

Hawk had boughten himself a moment and Chi Town erupts! Road Warrior Animal tags in after a limping Hawk and Animal went right to work on Blanchard with a dropkick, he went to Anderon but Tully tropped him from the outside.

The official went flying to the floor with all the carnage from the four men in the ring. Anderson went to the outside. On the inside Road Warriors double-clothesline Blanchard and then hit him with a Dommsday Device, they get the cover and the three!
New Champions!

In the end at 12:17 The Road Warrios defeated The Brainbusters for the NWA Tag Title’s. They did it for the first time in there home town.

Wow, what a story this match told. From the intimidation of the Busters to the Road Warriors, all the way to the isolation of Hawk and his leg. Both these teams brought it out in this memorable clash that could even be defined as an 80’s Classic from the NWA.

Excellent material.

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12) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs The Midnight Express (c) (W/James E. Cornette) for the NWA World Tag Team Championship -Oct 1988 New Orleans

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You’ve got to appreciate both teams of this stature going at it for the gold.

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45 minute time limit given here.

It certainly doesen’t take long for the LOD to get the job done.

Ellering attakcs Cornette!

Road Warriors take care of business early against one of the best teams!

NO RATING

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13) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs Demolition (With Mr. Fuji) – WWF Challenge (09/02/91)

Axe and Crush.

The Legion of Doom.

The DREAM MATCH in the Federation.

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Demolition.

Talk about a dream match.

The federation’s version of the LOD all these years was Demolition and now they had them.

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Both teams battle it out as Monsoon and Heenan are on commentary.

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Road Warrior Animal takes it to Crush. Too bad it wasn’t Smash and Axe the original Demolition.

Road Warrior Hawk slammed into Ace and then Animal was as well

In the end at five minutes their hands are raised in count out.

This match didn’t feature much but was still unique to see.

* 1/4

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14) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs The Hart Foundation -Wrestlefest (12/03/91)

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Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart

The only match from the tandem’s on the set.
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Road Warrior Animal and the Anvil lock-up.

Animal’s shots are blocked by Neidhart but he runs into Animal who won’t budge. Both men down at a double clothesline

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Road Warrior Hawk in anow and in comes the Hitman. Shots to the mid-ssectio and an elbow to the top of the head.

Road Warrior Hawk militarry presses the Hitman, grabbing the top rope for leverage then back-body dropping the Hitman over the top rope to the floor.

Nicely done.

Road Warrior Hawk in control of Bret.

Road Warrior Hawk outside the ring and then back in with a front facelock to the Anvil. Neidhart out of that predicament the Hitman in with a reverse front facelock on Road Warrior Hawk.

Animal comes in but the Hart Foundation double-team against Road Warrior Hawk with a sling-shot, shoulder block.

Bret covers Hawk but he kicks out.

The Anvil with a front facelock. Animal comes in as does the Hitman and Animal is sent into Bret, sling-shot from Haek!

The LOD lift up Bret, but the Anvil interefere. Animal droops Bret. Hart with a side-walk slam to Animal.

Bret flings Anvil into the ring with a shoulder block to Road Warrior Animal. Bret is elevated off the top but Road Warrior Animal splashes him to the mat in mid-air at the thirteen minute mark.

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Awesome match!

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*** 1/2

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15) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs Hulk Hogan & Genichiro Tenryu -Tokyo Egg Dome (30/03/91)

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Bonus commentary here from Jim Ross & Animal.

March 31th 1991.

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Hogan and Tenryu versus the LOD.
Road Warrior Animal and Tenryu lock-up and he is sent to the corner.

The top star in America, the top tag team, and one of the top Japanese stars here so this was unique.

A good crowd, Hogan bladed and then held a reverse chinlock on Hawk.

Hawk now turns the tide and has a chinlock on Hogan, a tag to Road Warrior Animal. A double reverse elbow.

Hogan kicks out.

Road Warrior Animal gets caught with a drop toe-hold from Hogan, some chain wrestling like it’s Wrestlemania 5 versus Randy Savage. Tenryu tags in and the crowd Ahhhh’s.

Hawk slams him on the flooor. Hogan goes after Hawk with a chair on the outside.

Tenryu slammed on the table here in Japan after they made him noise.

Hawk viciously chopping Hogan on the outside.

Japanese fans watches this thing keep going with chairs flying everywhere.

The bell rings and the Warriors win at the fourteen minute mark by countout.
This match was fun, despite Tenryu and Hogan trying to make their presence felt, but in the endf Road Warrior Animal and Hawk had the answer for them.

A bloody brawl from Japan.

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** 3/4

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16) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs The Nasty Boys in a WWF Tag Team Championship Match: -No Disqualification Match (Street Fight): August 26th, 1991-WWFSummerSlam 1991

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Road Warriors get a great pop as you’d expect. LOD not wasting any time with the attack. Crowd chanting for the LOD as there early offense in the match didn’t last a great deal of time as The Nasty Boys started to dominate the Road Warriors but the crowd didn’t give up on LOD as they continued to chant for them.
The Nasty Boys rammed Animal into the steel steps as Monsoon points out there is no DQ’s and no count outs and for back then it was extra special. This PPV has seemed to have a bit for everyone, definately a great Summerslam!

The Nasty Boys won the WWF Tag Titles from The Hart Foundation at Wrestlemania 7 earlier in the year 1991 but this was the last night during this reign they’d carry them to the delight of the fans.

They cut the ring in half did the Nasty Boys as they controlled Hawk on one side while Animal looked on impatiently from the ring apron. Sags with a tag to Knobbs and more domination to Road Warrior Hawk as they sent him to the buckle and Sags hit a big splash in the corner with all his body weight.

Knobbs hit a big elbow drop off the top but Animal broke up the count.
Jimmy Hart screamed with the mega phone on the outside don’t let him make the tag but he did and Animal came in and the fans went crazy. However it did’t take long for The Nasty boys to get in control of Animal either as he got hit by both Nasty Boys with Jimmy Hart’s mega phone. The Road Warriors got back in control though when Hawk hit them both from the outside with the mega phone!

The place exploded with the LOD hit there trademarked Dooms Day Device!

We’ve got new tag team champions at 7:45!

A lot of fun! The place went insane again!

LOD wins the WWF Tag Team Titles.

All popular decisions on this night for MSG with the crowd going insane and this just made the PPV complete!

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**

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17) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs Money Inc (Ted DiBiase and IRS) -WWF Summerslam 1992

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Kind of strange these teams were going at it in the opening match at Summerslam 1992 and it WASN’T for the tag team titles!

Just goes to show that even after the late 80’s generation, heading into the WWF New Generation slowly that the WWF still had a strong tag team division given the fact this match opened the PPV not for the title belts. Both teams massively over in their respected roles.

What’s not strange? The atmosphere in this match. One thing I absolutely love about outdoor events is the atmosphere for the first few matches while the light is still flashing outside with possible winds, like at WM 9 when Shawn faced Tatanka, or at WM 24 recently when JBL faced Finlay.
Here it is an awesome clash of styles with The Road Warriors the top babyface tag team in the promotion against the top heel tag team of Money Inc; Dibiase and Rotundo known here as Schyster.

Ted Dibiase started things off with Road Warrior Hawk in this match!

Dibiase walked around the ring trying to psyche out Hawk but Animal threw him in and he recieved a big clothesline to the outside by Hawk. The fans were going crazy and then Road Warrior Animal ran up to him and hit him with another clothesline as The Million Dollar Man cought two of them.

In the ring Road Warrior Animal continued to be dominant and showed his unbelievable power and strength by lifting Irwin (Rotunda who was a big time guy himself) and slamming him to the mat. Hawk got tagged in as the two double teamed IRS and Hawk worked over his arm, until IRS got Hawk in a sleeper hold.

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IRS and DiBiase were both able to neutralize the Road Warrios through a large portion of the bout with fundamental tag team offense which saw Road Warrior Animal slammed to the mat on the ground outside the ring, Irwin with some old school maneuvers such as a snapmare inside into a chinlock.

After LOD got out of that brief predicament Hawk missed a flying clothesline from the top then he was double teamed by Money Inc. Dibiase and Irwin ran him into the corner then IRS kept dropping the elbow on Hawk and he only got a nearfall while the fans were still solidly behind LOD of course.

Ted Dibiase kept Road Warrior Hawk in the corney of Money Inc, slammed his head on the top turnbuckle, and Heenan calls this classic scientific Wrestling as they kept this Road Warrior grounded. IRS got tagged in and he kept the sleeper on Hawk, Dibiase came right back in and held the sleeper on Hawk.

IRS then in again and Money Inc is working incredible as tag team, and they show that agin as each man after a breather comes in and goes to work on a beaten down Hawk and Dibiase then had him in the other corner and rammed his head into the top, and then Hawk turned the tide somehow and slammed Dibiase into the corner. Hawk tried his hardest to get to Animal but he was wandering around the center of the ring as he looked dazed and IRS then went to work on Hawk again and sent him to the ropes, Hawk ducked the first clothesline then came up ahead with a wierd looking offensive move, but it still wasn’t enough to get out of this predicament and Dibiase continued to kick the hell out of Hawk.

Hawk took a load of punishment in this match but through it all still managed to tag in his partner Road Warrior Animal. Animal came in all furious and fresh and drop kicked both of Money Inc. He then controlled the matches pace for the final two minutes.

At 15:10, the Road Warriors were declared the winners of the match in the end when Animal hit a power slam on Dibiase and covered him for the victory!

An excellent tag team opener at Summerslam 92! Fast paced, smart and the atmosphere was terrific.

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*** 1/4

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18) The Road Warriors (With Paul Ellering) vs Sting and Lex Luger for the WCW Tag Team Championship Match -Superbrawl (02/11/96)

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Sting and Luger are both over big time.

Sting starts the match with Hawk and Sting circles the ring and throws Hawk into thre barricade.

A spinning neck-breaker by Hawk and he hooks the leg. A Snapmare take-over, a modified form of AN STF now from Road Warrior Hawk.

Despite the Road Warrriors best being known as fighters then can also wrestle. Road Warrior Hawk isolating Sting with a tag into Road Warrior Animal and he kicks Sting, and torks the arm. Luger is waiting on the ring apron and now Road Warrior Animal still holding onto an armbar.

Sting tags in Lex Luger.

Lex Luger now and Road Warrior Animal licking his chops looking for an opening. Luger drops the bomb on Animal.

Road Warrior Animal putthe breaks on now and slams Liger’s head into the turnbuckle. A double axehandle blow, Animal picks Luger up and drops him with a scoop up powerslam.

Animal with an armbar. Road Warrior Animal sends Lug er into the steel. Sting helps Luger in the corner nbut Lex clotheslines Animal. In comes Road Warrior Hawk and Sting as well.

Sting wit a snapshot vertical suplex to Hawk and a one count. Sting rolling arond on thr mat in a side headlock was Hawk. A headbutt as Hawk hit the ropes, Animal in as is Lex Luger and he takes apart Road Warrior Animal.

Luger with a hard atomic drop to Animal. Luger trash-talking LOD and tags in Sting and he continues to weardowm

Sting went up top but Road Warrior Animal lifted the knees and blocked it. Hawk made the tag and attacked Luger and then hit a flying shoulder block. Hawk knee drops Luger and he kicks out.

Road Warrior Hawk with a reverse chinlock on Luger and a chop. Off the ropes Hawk has Luger caught in a sleeper but Luger with a jaw-breaker, and now Sting walks in with Road Warrior Animal and Sting hits the Stinger Splash!

Sting tried the Scorpion Deathlock but Hawk broke it up, then Luger broke it up. The LOD double-team Sting in the corner. Hawk with a snapmare to Sting. Road Warrior Animal with a hard, impactful clothesline to the Stinger. Road Warrior Animal with a neck-vice to Sting!

Sting in a vulnerable position and Road Warrior Animal holds the move on, Luger trying to get the crowd to encourage Sting out of it from the apron.

Luger had seen enough and comes dropping the double axe-handles viciously, Hawk comes in and takes him apart.

These four men are beating each other up for certain. Sting hit a nice suplex to Road Warrior Animal but he got back up and dropped Sting. Sting got back up and flexed. Road Warrior Hawk it illegally tagged in and he stops Luger from coming in but tried to go for Sting.

Luger slammed head-first ont he steps.

Sting outside the ring is brawling with Hawk.

A double count out around fourteen minutes.

A good match regardless of the faulty finish.

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***

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19) The Road Warriors (c) “The Legion of Doom” vs The Godwinns for the WWF Tag Team Championship -Raw (13/10/97)

This is the last match on the Road Warriors DVD.

Both teams had bad blood meeting at Summerslam 97 and feuding throughout the Summer of 97

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Phinneas I, and Henry O take on the LOD here for the straps.

Road Warrior Animal starting out with Phinneas, Road Warrior Animal torks the arm and tags in Hawk.

Kind of fun reviewing a match ffrom Raw is War. It had definitely been awhile. Henry Godwin looking to be in better shape sends Haw to the corner. A front facelock and then a

The Godwinns in control with the tag titles up for grabs and they go to a commercial.

The Godwinns working on the neck of Road Warrior Hawk with a neck-vice. Road Warrior Animal helping out but there was no ref.

Phinneas lifted up Hawk but he caught the clothesline and the LOD Win at 11 minutes.

New Champs.

Ending the DVD on a positive note.

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** 1/4

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Final Rating for = “Road Warriors DVD” = 7/10

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This set features several matches, over a dozen that are very rare and for the most part quite good. It served its purpose of telling the story of perhaps the greatest tag team of all time. It’s your call on getting it, this is definitely one of the top teams in history if not the very best so this could be an essential collection to your list. That is not even an arguable. I liked the variety and it really showed how the Road Warriors were dominant everywhere they went and as far as tag teams go, getting the job done everywhere in the wrestling world. They are certainly Legends in their field of tag-team competition and this DVD proves that.