WWE DVD Review: CM Punk - Best In The World

CM Punk (born Phil Brooks) is one of the most unique and enigmatic WWE superstars of all time.  His private life is of great value to him so it's truly a treat for any wrestling fan to be able to get some form of insight into the man who redefined the current WWE.  Punk vowed to bring about change in the WWE and his attitude towards his DVD set is no different.  He was granted full creative control over everything from the music, to the list of personalities featured to the matches on discs two and three.  Needless to say, the hype around this set has many anticipating it to be one of the best the WWE will ever produce.  So did it live up to the hype?  Is this DVD indeed the best in the world?  Find out after the jump!

DISC ONE

Documentary

The opening minutes of the doc showcase some of the most awesome work the WWE production team has ever done

The feature is almost an hour and fifty minutes and is quite extensive, with Punk discussing his ties to family and friends, from his roots in independent wrestling organizations in the Midwest to the more visible Ring of Honor promotion, until Paul Heyman brought him into the Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), the WWE's developmental organization at the time. It was nice to have some indie legends like Colt Cabana and Chris Hero give their thoughts on some of Punk's more famous pre-WWE work.  Punk already had a good reputation on the indie circuits for his work in the ring, but with Heyman he improved on this and on his work outside the ring. His already impeccable interviews improved massively with a genius like Heyman cutting the fat and making sure that Punk was ready for TV.  Still, the documentary truly reaches greatness when on the topic of Punk's many struggles in the WWE. 

CM Punk has mentioned that he fully encourages everyone to be completely honest and it makes for some of the most compelling interviews the WWE has ever produced.  Names like The Miz, John Cena and Triple H all stop in and it was refreshing to hear their true feelings towards the talent in question instead of the usual "ass kissing-fest" that WWE documentaries tend to lean towards.  Overall, without spoiling anything, I'll keep it simple by saying that the documentary was far and away, the most unique, intense and inspiring wrestling-related bio I have ever seen.  It's so good, that it's practically worth the money alone.  It's very rare that I feel such a way without having taken a look at the rest of the set, but it was just that well done.  Whether or not you're a fan of Punk or his work in the ring, I highly recommend you check this doc out.  The extras on disc one also offer some 30 or so minutes of great deleted scenes from the DVD that make Disc One an event all unto itself.

You truly feel is if you know Punk by the time the disc is finished

DISC TWO

Bonus Matches 1-6: The Rise of a Second City Saint

A collection of matches that truly show CM Punk's evolution from indie darling to the Best In The World

Match 1:: OVW Heavyweight Title Tournament Final: Brent Albright vs. CM Punk

One of the bonus features on the first disc offers up some insight into just how special this feud was.  It's arguably, the best rivalry that OVW has ever seen and this match stands alone as the best work that both men did in their stint there.  Great, intense and innovative action backed by the unique chemistry between Punk and Albright.  An awesome match to start off the set.

Match Rating: ****

Match 2:: CM Punk vs. Justin Credible

This match is unique because it marks Punk's TV debut on ECW.  It wasn't anything special, but it's cool to see the immediate buzz he had in his arrival and even those who had never heard of him could really tell that there was something special about him.  Still, this match was nothing more than an exhibition.

Match Rating: **

 

 

 

 

Match 3:: ECW Championship match: John Morrison(c) vs. CM Punk

This was one of the first matches that really got people talking about Punk in the WWE.  Morrison was no slouch here either and after months of being strangled by time constraints on PPVs, Punk and Morrison turn in one of the best performances of their careers.  An exciting match that is arguably, the best of the WWE-run ECW title's history.  This also marks Punk's first major title win at the time.

Match Rating: ***3/4

Match 4:: Wrestlemania XXIV: Money In The Bank Ladder match

The first of Punk's record 2 MITB briefcase wins occurred at the most historic event in the WWE.  As far as the ensuing title run goes, it's one of the more forgettable reigns of all time.  The same could be said for this match.  It's not bad by any means, but there are many far better ladder matches that come to mind.  Still, this match is significant as it marks the beginning of Punk's ascent to main event status in the WWE.

Match Rating: ***1/4

Match 5:: WWE Tag Team Championship match: Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase(c) vs. CM Punk & Kofi Kingston

This match is a sentimental pick for Punk as he wins the WWE tag titles with his close friend, protege and "road wife", Kofi Kingston.  It's pretty standard fare as far as WWE tag matches go, but one could understand why he would want to include it in the set.

Match Rating: ***

Match 6:: No Disqualification match for the Intercontinental Championship: William Regal(c) w/Layla vs. CM Punk

An amazing physical battle against one of the best technicians the WWE has ever seen.  This match took place in Punk's hometown of Chicago and still ranks amongst my favorite IC title matches of all time.  This was Punk's first WWE match where I truly felt some of that magic that made me a fan while he was still making a name for himself in the indies.  Everything just clicked in this one and it's a special match for sure.  One of the best matches on the set.

Match Rating: ****

DISC THREE

Bonus Matches 7-11: Becoming The Best In The World

Roughly half of Punk's best work can be found on this one disc

Match 7:: TLC match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Jeff Hardy(c) vs. CM Punk

 At Summerslam 2009, CM Punk and Jeff Hardy were the main event in a card that featured the second reunion of D-Generation X with the returning Shawn Michaels.  That alone, makes this match special.  This was Punk's first true test as a legitimate main event star and he passed with flying colors.  Battling Jeff in a match he made famous and supported by one of the best storylines the WWE has seen in the past five years, this match was the match that had the wrestling world buzzing about the arrival of a new star in the WWE.  It's a brutal battle that stands alone as the match (and feud) that "made" CM Punk in the eyes of many casual fans and it's the peak of the brilliant Hardy/Punk rivalry. 

Match Rating: ****1/2

Match 8:: Hair vs. Pledge match: CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio

While their classic at Capitol Punishment last year is the best from an in-ring standpoint, this match has received much more critical acclaim and has aged very well over the past two years.  If you want to know why I often say Punk is the best storyteller of this generation, look no further than this match.  Punk and Mysterio turn in a true classic here and this is one of those matches people will gush about more and more as time passes.  From beginning to end, it's one of the real testaments to what makes the often criticized "WWE style" so awesome.

Match Rating: ****1/4

Match 9:: WWE Championship match: John Cena(c) vs. CM Punk

An obvious choice, this is the legendary match between CM Punk and John Cena from last year's Money In The Bank PPV.  You could throw any Punk/Cena match in here and it would be understandable, but this match is the best of the decade thus far and easily, the most significant match in CM Punk's entire career.  In many ways, this match saved pro wrestling.  It definitely saved the stagnant landscape of the WWE and it's main championship.  It's one of those once in a lifetime clashes that will forever be mentioned amongst transcendent matches like Bret Hart/Steve Austin from Wrestlemania 13 and Shawn Michaels/Undertaker from Wrestlemania 25.  One of the most important matches in WWE history and a must-see if for some astounding reason you haven't already.

Match Rating: *****

Match 10:: WWE Championship match: CM Punk(c) vs. Chris Jericho

Punk and Jericho's classic from Wrestlemania XXVIII was largely overshadowed by the masterpiece that was Taker/HHH and the mega-hyped lore of Rock/Cena, but from a pure wrestling standpoint, it was the best match of the night.  The match also suffered from a slightly dead crowd, but they did an amazing job pulling the exhausted audience back to their feet by the end.  One of the highlights of CM Punk's incredible second WWE title run and easily, his best and most important Wrestlemania match to date.  That alone, makes this match much more important than most of the others in this collection.

Match Rating: ****1/4

Match 11:: WWE Championship match: CM Punk(c) vs. Daniel Bryan

Technically, this is the finest match of Punk's WWE career thus far.  This match is boasts the very unique blend of the stiff Ring Of Honor style and the story driven style of the WWE.  You'd be hard pressed to find many better matches in 2012 from a mat wrestling perspective and the only matches that come close, also involve Punk and Bryan.  These two just create magic together whenever their in the ring.  It's always exciting, fresh and provides fans with a reason to buzz about the in-ring action in the WWE again instead of the happenings outside the squared circle.  It's been a long time since we've been treated to a better WWE title match.  No BS, no over-the-top antics, just the two best in the world leaving it all on the mat for the company's top prize.  My personal favorite match of 2012 thus far.

Match Rating: ****3/4

Final Thoughts

An outstanding set that stands alone as the best superstar themed DVD the WWE has ever made.  I find it hard to pick which disc is the best and I don't think I can say that about any of the other DVDs in the WWE library.  The documentary is downright moving and the matches all deserve their placement here.  The only issue I have with it, is that I wish they had included some of Punk's more infamous promos as extras on discs two or three.  Still, all in all this is the most well-balanced WWE DVD to date and it has set a new standard for future superstar collections that will inevitably be made. 

Overall DVD Score: 10/10 (MUST HAVE)

Best Match:: Money In The Bank: CM Punk vs. John Cena

Best Disc: Discs 1 and 3