One of the online wrestling video producers, No Rules Wrestling, recently announced an “extinction sale.” They are selling off the last of their DVD stock and will no longer offer DVDs.
Obviously other video makers may continue to sell content in DVD format (for a while), but overall, DVDs seem to be going the way of the VHS tape, and this “Extinction Sale” signals the end of an era for long-time wrestling lovers.
For the past few decades, wrestling addicts who couldn’t find enough material on TV (or material that was racy enough) would order DVDs — and before that, VHS tapes — to get their fix. Now that video can be quickly streamed and downloaded 24/7, there’s little need to buy disks or tapes.
In honor of the eventual “extinction” of recorded media, today’s gallery features images captured from videos shipped to me during the VHS and DVD eras.
As you can see from these images, diverse types of wrestling content was made available for shipping if you knew where to find it: classic jobber vs. heel material, modern Indy pro, and the more erotic private matches.
One of my favorite types of wrestling DVD to order had been the “Best of” videos. The seller would compile a mix-tape of the most exciting matches performed by one wrestler (usually a really handsome jobber like a Bob Emory, or a Kenny Kendall, or a “Cowboy” Scott Casey.)
The buyer was then treated to two glorious hours of the same wrestler facing opponent after opponent in all shapes and sizes. The focus on this one lone athlete in agony repeatedly, the array and variety of suffering he demonstrated, made for very compelling viewing indeed.
The avid wrestling fan would also become a collector (or hoarder), slowly building up a wealth of videos like Smaug amassing a mountain of treasure. Tape lists were carefully maintained to document gems available for trade with other collectors.
But recorded media was also a drag to store. Soon you had a big boxful in the back of your closet, then a second box, then a twelfth. If you had to move or there was a fire in your house, how would you explain this unhealthy obsession with pro wrestling videos?
So the extinction of the DVD will help to decrease the clutter under the bed, and streaming content is much more instant gratification (no need to wait 5 to 7 days for snail mail delivery.)
But there was also a certain thrilling suspense and anticipation from waiting for an order to be delivered that I will miss.
After ordering videos, you’d begin anxiously checking the mailbox every day. You’d wonder if some horny mail clerk had stolen your precious vids.
You’d begin to think about the specific matches to be seen on that video at random times, anticipating how exciting it will be and getting yourself all turned on and drooling while you await delivery.
And then one day, Hallelujah, it would FINALLY be in your mailbox or left on your doorstep, in a plain little box or padded envelope. What a dizzying, thrilling experience to at last have your hands on those videos you had waited so long for!
Once safely in private, you’d rip the wrapping off, your heart pounding as you catch your breath, and the disk would be inserted in the machine in no time flat. Maybe the material would meet your expectations, maybe not, but the experience of waiting for and at last receiving a shipment was intoxicating.
Young wrestling fans who have never ordered wrestling videos — who have always been able to simply click and download every match ever wrestled anywhere — will not know the bittersweet thrill and agony of waiting, and the chorus of angels that would sing when the shipment finally arrived.
But there is also a thrill in the instant gratification of placing an order and getting to devour the content online within minutes.
So as we begin to count to three on the DVD, I just want to take a moment to thank those who produced and sold these great videos over the years. I can’t explain the great thrill and excitement when a young wrestling fan first discovers that there is much more wrestling (and much sexier wrestling) available for purchase than the few shows per week on television. As you explore newer, faster, cheaper ways to sell and deliver your wrestling content, just know that this wrestling lover is in your corner and willing to support the sport.
A nice homage to an era just about past. And yes, the anticipation for the arrival of a tape or, later, a DVD was definitely a part of the enjoyment. But as the quality of almost all the available downloads improves as HD becomes the norm, it’s hard to argue with the instant gratification. Something lost, something gained.