DVD Review: "Ringside" with Vader
Posted: Mar 27th 2009 By: mikeiles
Kafaybe Commentaries: "Ringside" with Vader
Review by: Graham Cawthon, http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com
Whether it's Big Van Vader, Vader, or just Leon White, the name is synonymous with hard-hitting matches against many of wrestling's biggest names.
Now the name is synonymous with a new series by Kayfabe Commentaries entitled "Ringside."
Upon reading the background of the DVD, I was intrigued. Vader and KC co-owner Sean Oliver discuss some of Vader's most famous matches while actually watching the matches together.
I have high expectations when it comes to Kayfabe Commentaries. They've done such a great job with each of their shoot-style DVD releases that they consistently up the bar.
Popping in the DVD, it seemed as though this new style of shoot interview wouldn't meet expectations because the audience is left out of the viewing party. Vader and Sean sit at a table while watching a TV screen - a TV screen that is out of view of those sitting at home.
"How am I supposed to follow this?" I asked myself.
Those familiar with several recent WWE DVDs will recall how some matches have new commentary provided by an actual announcer and the wrestler being profiled. I assumed the situation would be the same here, with Vader providing play-by-play for his own matches.
It wasn't long before I realized that's not really the point of "Ringside."
Rather than give a blow-by-blow description of the action, Vader gives a step by step recollection of how the matches came to be, the backstage goings on of the time, and some fantastic stories from both in and out of the ring. While the in-ring action is mentioned from time to time, it's not a distraction and it doesn't leave the viewer feeling left out.
Matches profiled:
Baby Bull vs. Bruiser Brody
AWA, May 1986
- How Vader broke into the business
- What it was like working for Verne and Greg Gagne
- How the AWA talent of that time went on to become successful in other promotions
- Working against Brody and what influence Brody had on his career
Big Van Vader vs. Antonio Inoki
Sumo Hall, December 1987
- Working in Japan
- Making his debut against Inoki
- What liberties Inoki gave him to help Vader get over in the match
- Drinking backstage with Masa Saito just before the match
Big Van Vader vs. Shinya Hashimoto
Tokyo Dome, April 1989
- How he compares Hashimoto to other Japanese stars like the Great Muta and Masahiro Chono
- Wrestling nearly an hour in three separate matches during this tournament for the IWGP championship
- How the Vader character got over in Japan
- How his headpiece was controlled
- What he thinks of his stiff working style compared to Hashimoto's stiff working style
Big Van Vader vs. Stan Hansen
Tokyo Dome, February 1990
- Thoughts of having his nose broken before he even got in the ring
- Memories of shoving his eye back in the socket during the match
- His friendship with Hansen and how that was somewhat strained during and after the match
- The surgeries he underwent after the match
Big Van Vader vs. Sting
WCW Great American Bash 92
- How he was brought into WCW
- Thoughts on his first match with Sting and their in-ring chemistry
- How he compares Sting to other wrestlers he's worked against
- Comparing the southern wrestling crowd to that of Japan and the AWA
- Road stories with Harley Race and how Race helped him behind the scenes
Big Van Vader & Joe Thurman & TA McCoy (handicap match)
WCW Worldwide, November 1992
- His memories of the night he broke Thurman's back
- What he thinks of the incident now
- Visiting Thurman in the hospital that night with Race
- What Thurman is doing now
Vader vs. Cactus Jack
Munich, Germany March 1994
- Memories of the night Cactus lost his ear
- Working for WCW during the European tours
- First-hand account of the night Sid Vicious and Arn Anderson got into the scissors fight
- His thoughts on Cactus' wrestling style and the two men's relationship
Big Van Vader vs. Shawn Michaels
WWF Summer Slam 96
- His account of the backstage incident with Paul Orndorff that led to him leaving WCW
- How he was brought into the WWF and his health at that time
- Thoughts on the Clique
- Shawn Michaels attitude at the time
- Whether he was or wasn't supposed to get the belt
- What led to him leaving the WWF and who made the decision
Big Van Vader vs. Nobuhiko Takada
Budokan Hall, August 1994
- How he was approached for the fight while working for WCW
- Working a shoot style match
- His take on Takada's career
- Whether he could have been a good shootfighter
Those are just some of the highlights of what is a very entertaining and enlightening release. But with Kayfabe Commentaries, should we expect anything less? The DVD is available online at http://www.kayfabecommentaries.com.
Supplemental Information
Spotlight in History
- 1984 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. The Long Riders (Bill Irwin & Scott Irwin) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 2005 Big Van Vader def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
- 2005 Carnage def. John O'Malley for the IZW Hardcore Title
- 2005 Ryan Davidson became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
- 2005 The Lone Shining Star def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Tri-State Title
- 2005 Michael Faith def. Outlaw for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
- 2005 The Real Impact Players (Aaron Neil & Se7en) def. The Red Dirt Outlaws (Devon Monroe & Kevin James) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 2011 Fuel def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 2022 Justin Lee def. Koko for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 2022 Dutch Hagen def. Wesley Crane for the WFC Heavyweight Title
- 2023 Tunnel Vision (Derek James & Logan Knight) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
- 2023 Luke Richmond def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Oklahoma Title
- 2023 Trench Blythe def. El Gallardo for the BPW Lion Heart Title
- 2023 The Stage Dive Mafia (Rook Tyler & Axel Savage) def. Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
Week of Sun 10-18 to Sat: 10-24
- 10-18 2009 Carnage def. Spoiler 2000 for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
- 10-18 2019 Tego def. Prince Mahalli for the ASP Inter-County Title
- 10-18 2019 Will Allday def. J. D. Griffey for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
- 10-18 2024 Luther Zay Diamond def. Brandon Warhawk for the MajCW Flawless Title
- 10-18 2024 Nashoba became the MajCW Wetumka Indian Community Centre Champion
- 10-18 2024 Auzzy def. Kari Wright for the TexPro Dynasty Title
- 10-18 2024 The Strays (Barrett Brown & Izzy James) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
- 10-19 1976 Karl Kox & Ken Patera became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
- 10-19 2013 Tyson Jaymes def. Brock Landers for the SWCW All-American Title
- 10-19 2013 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. Nasty Swag (Ace Archuleta & Robert Lee) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
- 10-19 2013 Jon Cross def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 10-19 2014 Jon Cross def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 10-19 2019 Luke Langley became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
- 10-19 2024 Anarchy [2nd] def. Damien Morte for the EPW Internet Television Title
- 10-19 2024 E-Bone def. Trench Blythe for the EPW International Title
- 10-20 1969 Danny Hodge def. Chuck Karbo for the TSW North American Title
- 10-20 1971 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
- 10-20 1986 Crusher Yurkov def. Steve Simpson for the WCCW Television Title
- 10-20 2001 The Texas Outlaws (Beau Dalton & Butch Dalton) def. The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 10-20 2001 Amanda St. George became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
- 10-20 2001 Big Daddy Moore became the OPW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
- 10-20 2007 Chris Fury became the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
- 10-20 2007 Impact, Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) def. Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 10-20 2007 Tyson Armstrong became the SECW Heavyweight Champion
- 10-20 2007 The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) became the SECW Tag Team Champions
- 10-20 2012 Kevin James Sanchez def. Austin Tacious for the SWCW All-American Title
- 10-20 2012 The Static Knights (X-Statik & Keith Knight) def. Dynamic Storm (Justin Dynamic & Daemon Storm) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
- 10-20 2018 Fuel def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 10-20 2018 Galaxy Cruzers (Paul Puertorico & Steven Cruze) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
- 10-20 2018 Dusty Gold became the UWE Apex Champion
- 10-20 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Dusty Gold for the UWE Apex Title
- 10-21 1969 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 10-21 1985 King Parsons def. John Tatum for the WCCW Television Title
- 10-21 2005 Mitch Carter def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Title
- 10-21 2006 J. T. LaMotta def. John O'Malley for the IZW Cruiserweight Title
- 10-21 2017 MVP def. Damon Windsor for the IWR Heavyweight Title
- 10-21 2017 Spirit Squad (Kenny [1st] & Mikey [1st]) def. Excellence Personified (Duke Swellington & Dustin Heritage) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 10-21 2022 Tego def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
- 10-21 2023 Wolf of War def. Martin Justice for the EPW International Title
- 10-21 2023 Johnny Dynamite def. Johnny Lightning for the WFC Prime Title
- 10-21 2023 Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
- 10-21 2023 Malik Mayfield def. Clayton Bloodstone for the NCWO Choctaw Nation Title
- 10-21 2023 Dominik Whiteheart def. Luke Richmond for the NCWO United States Title
- 10-22 1984 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. The Long Riders (Bill Irwin & Scott Irwin) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 10-22 2005 Big Van Vader def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
- 10-22 2005 Carnage def. John O'Malley for the IZW Hardcore Title
- 10-22 2005 Ryan Davidson became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
- 10-22 2005 The Lone Shining Star def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Tri-State Title
- 10-22 2005 Michael Faith def. Outlaw for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
- 10-22 2005 The Real Impact Players (Aaron Neil & Se7en) def. The Red Dirt Outlaws (Devon Monroe & Kevin James) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 10-22 2011 Fuel def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 10-22 2022 Justin Lee def. Koko for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 10-22 2022 Dutch Hagen def. Wesley Crane for the WFC Heavyweight Title
- 10-22 2023 Tunnel Vision (Derek James & Logan Knight) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
- 10-22 2023 Luke Richmond def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Oklahoma Title
- 10-22 2023 Trench Blythe def. El Gallardo for the BPW Lion Heart Title
- 10-22 2023 The Stage Dive Mafia (Rook Tyler & Axel Savage) def. Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
- 10-23 1965 Lee Fields & Bobby Fields became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
- 10-23 1967 Spoiler #1 & Gary Hart def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 10-23 1968 Manuel Perez & Pepe Perez def. The Blue Demons (Blue Demon #1 & Blue Demon #2) for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
- 10-23 1988 Jerry Lawler def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Title
- 10-23 2003 Payton Scott def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Title
- 10-23 2005 Matt Garza & Mr. Brown def. Brandon Bishop & John Zorthos for the ACW Tag Team Titles
- 10-23 2005 Pretty Young Things (Cade Sydal & Mitch Carter) def. Matt Garza & Mr. Brown for the ACW Tag Team Titles
- 10-23 2011 Javi Hernandez became the UWF06 Heavyweight Champion
- 10-23 2015 Vinny Pacheco def. Buster Cherry for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
- 10-23 2015 The Creepsters (Buster Cherry & Mr. Barnes) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 10-23 2021 Richie Adams def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Prime Title
- 10-23 2021 Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) def. The Space Age Cowboys (Paul Puertorico & Jason Jones) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
- 10-23 2021 Luke Langley def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
- 10-24 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
- 10-24 1998 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 10-24 2004 Se7en def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 10-24 2009 Xavior became the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
- 10-24 2009 Dawn of Extreme (Ty Thunder & Crucifer) def. Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 10-24 2009 The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
- 10-24 2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
- 10-24 2009 Rated N (Crisstopher Crow & Shane Sanchez) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
- 10-24 2020 Sam Stackhouse def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
- 10-24 2021 Ryan the Ripper def. Drake Gallows for the EPW Internet Television Title
- 10-24 2025 Merc def. Riker for the BUW This Is Wrestling Title
- Tom Jones Oct 22nd Today!
- Porkchop Cash Oct 22nd Today!
- George Knight Oct 22nd Today!
- Red Eagle Oct 23rd
- Bobby Lambert Oct 24th
- Ray Durán Oct 24th
- Daniel Powers Oct 24th
- Bill Dundee Oct 24th
- Paige Turner Oct 25th
- Double D Oct 25th
- Phil Shark Oct 25th
- Sheriff Schultz Oct 25th
- Halo Oct 26th
- Eddie Williams Oct 26th
- Anthony Wayne Oct 26th
- Troy Graham Oct 26th
- Miss Linda Oct 27th
- Doberman [2nd] Oct 27th
- AWOL Oct 27th
- Jake Boulder Oct 28th
- Mike Sharpe, Jr. Oct 28th
- Chris Smith Oct 28th
- MVP Oct 28th
- D. J. Hall Oct 29th
- Mischief Oct 29th
- Paul Orndorff Oct 29th
- George Wells Oct 30th
- Brandon Bishop Oct 30th
- Jesse Beeler Oct 30th
- Debbie Combs Oct 30th
- Danny McShain Oct 30th
- Jayson Boss Oct 31st
- Big Daddy Moore Nov 1st
- Dutch Hagen Nov 1st
- Bugsy McGraw Nov 1st
- Mike Davis [2nd] Nov 2nd
- Stephen Nitro Nov 3rd
- Rob Barnes Nov 3rd
- Kenny Silva Nov 3rd
- Dylan Michaels Nov 3rd
- Michael La Noy Nov 3rd
- Korstia Korchenko Nov 3rd
- Jimmie Deen Nov 4th
- Assassin 1 Nov 4th
- Max Leon Nov 4th
Tag Cloud
Roddy PiperWWEAndre the GiantJunkyard DogTNAAWAVerne GagneA. J. StylesJim CornetteSputnik MonroeBilly Wicks
