WWE Home Video History and Discontinuation Explained

WWE Home Video has a rich history that spans over three decades. The first WWE home video was released in 1985, featuring a collection of classic matches from WrestleMania I.

The early days of WWE home video were marked by VHS tapes, which were the primary format used until the late 1990s. These tapes were filled with a mix of wrestling matches, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes footage.

WWE's decision to discontinue their home video line in 2008 was likely due to the rise of digital media and online streaming services. This shift in consumer behavior made it less necessary for fans to purchase physical copies of wrestling content.

WWE Home Video was a subsidiary of the World Wrestling Federation, later known as WWE, that released home entertainment content such as DVDs and Blu-rays.

The company's history dates back to 1997 when it re-released videos that were being or had been released by Coliseum Video with new packaging and the WWF Home Video name and logo.

Content from the World Wrestling Federation's "Attitude Era" (1998–2002) had to be edited due to a lawsuit, with all WWF "scratch" logos and references to the initials WWF blurred or edited out.

WWE Home Video released content in various categories, including documentaries and swimsuit videos, and also produced exclusive content for home entertainment.

Some early WWE home video releases were not edited, such as "The Rock Just Bring It", which was probably because some videos were just renamed with the WWE logo.

The company discontinued its physical content releases in 2023, with Crown Jewel 2023 being the last WWE Home Video release in the British and German regions, and Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 being the last release in North America.

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Fremantle announced on December 5, 2023, that they would not renew their contract with WWE to continue releasing physical content in British and German regions.

This decision effectively made Crown Jewel 2023 the last WWE Home Video release in those regions.

WWE Home Video releases were discontinued in North America as well, as no announcements were made by the company to release physical products in 2024 and beyond.

Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 was the last WWE Home Video release in North America, marking the end of their physical releases altogether.

On December 31, 2023, WWE posted an announcement on their X account, stating that they would no longer license DVD or Blu-ray releases globally.

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La expansión de la WWE ha permitido que su videoteca aumente, lo que ha llevado al lanzamiento de muchos contenidos, incluyendo clásicos de la WWF, AWA, WCW, ECW, WCCW y NWA.

Todo el contenido ha sido exclusivamente lanzado en formato DVD y UMD desde el 2005. WrestleMania XXIV es el primer show de WWE y el primer evento deportivo sacado a la venta en Blu-ray Disc, el 20 de mayo de 2008, con dos discos.

Entre los contenidos lanzados en DVD y UMD se encuentran:

El contenido de la "Attitude Era" (1998-2002) tuvo que ser editado debido a problemas legales, pero los videos de la WWE Tagged Classics no tuvieron ediciones ni censuras de WWF.

The WWE Home Video library is a treasure trove of wrestling content. With the expansion of the WWE Video Library, classic content from WWF, AWA, WCW, ECW, WCCW, and NWA has been released.

The library has been growing since 2005, with content exclusively released on DVD and UMD formats. This has made it easier for fans to access a wide range of wrestling events and matches.

The library includes classic Pay-Per-View events, which are listed in order of their original airing. This makes it easy for fans to track down their favorite events and relive the excitement.

Some notable releases include Royal Rumble (1989), WrestleMania V, SummerSlam (1989), and Survivor Series (1989). These events are just a few examples of the many classic matches and events available in the WWE Home Video library.

Here are some of the classic Pay-Per-View events that have been released:

WWE Home Video has a long history of releasing content on various formats.

Content was released exclusively in the DVD and UMD format from mid-2005 until their closure in 2023. This means that if you're looking for WWE content on DVD or UMD, you'll want to check out their releases from this time period.

WrestleMania XXIV was the company's first show to be released on Blu-ray Disc, being released in stores on May 20, 2008, as a 2-disc set. This marked a significant shift in the way WWE content was being distributed.

Some content, primarily pay-per-views, were also available on Video CD format through certain licensors in developing markets like India. This highlights the global reach of WWE Home Video and their efforts to make their content accessible to fans worldwide.

WWE Home Video has been releasing content exclusively in the DVD and UMD format since mid 2005.

Their first show on Blu-ray Disc was WrestleMania XXIV, released on May 20, 2008, as a 2-disc set.

Content was also available on Video CD format through certain licensors in developing markets like India, where Ultra Video was the licensee in the mid 2000s followed by Excel Home Video starting in 2010.

WWE Home Video discontinued the DVD and UMD format in 2023, marking the end of an era for the company.

Here's a list of some of the notable releases on DVD and UMD format:

The WWF began releasing home video products in the United Kingdom in July 1990 through an exclusive partnership with Silver Vision.

Silver Vision released WWE products in other European territories like Germany, previously distributed by PolyGram Video. The UK-exclusive WWE Tagged Classics DVD series was a popular line from Silver Vision, with no edits or censoring of the WWF initials.

On September 19, 2012, Silver Vision announced that the partnership between their parent Clear Vision Ltd. and WWE would end on December 31, 2012. This marked the end of Silver Vision's WWE releases, with SummerSlam 2012 and nWo: The Revolution being their final titles.

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FremantleMedia took over as the new WWE Home Video distributor for the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe on November 19, 2012. They replaced Silver Vision and released all future WWE DVD, Blu-ray, and digital-file-based releases in Europe.

Fremantle's official UK website launched in January 2013, along with their initial releases - Night Of Champions 2012, Hell In A Cell 2012, Top 100 RAW Moments, and The Attitude Era. All of these titles were issued on DVD and Blu-ray.

WWE Home Video releases were originally set to be discontinued in the United States and Canada in early 2022, but continued to be released throughout 2022 and 2023.

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Coliseum was a company that released VHS and Betamax cassettes of WWF content. They were initially founded in 1985 by Evart Enterprises.

The WWF initially partnered with Coliseum to release home videos of its content under the "WWF Official Video" label. This partnership ended in 1997 when the WWF decided to release content in-house.

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Coliseum released VHS cassettes that fell into several categories. These categories included "Best-of" volumes, wrestler profiles, theme videos, and pay-per-view events.

Some of the specific types of content released by Coliseum included classic matches, recent matches, and title changes. They also released wrestler profiles, which encompassed the WWF careers of company wrestlers, both current and former.

In addition to WWF content, Coliseum also released the two World Bodybuilding Federation events.

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WWE Home Video has a treasure trove of special documentaries that are a must-watch for any wrestling fan.

The "Before They Were WWE Superstars" series is a great place to start, with two installments that showcase the early days of some of WWE's biggest names.

If you're a fan of the 80's and 90's, you'll love the "Greatest Stars of The 80's" and "Greatest Stars of The 90's" documentaries, each spanning three discs.

WWE Home Video also delves into the world of hardcore wrestling with a documentary of the same name.

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The "History of WrestleMania" series covers the first nine years of this iconic event, from 1985 to 1993.

Here are some of the special documentaries available from WWE Home Video:

WWE Home Video offers a wide range of compilations and documentaries that are sure to delight fans of all ages. From wrestling legends to modern-day superstars, these collections showcase the best of the WWE universe.

Some of the most popular compilations include Edge: A Decade of Decadence, which spans 3 discs and features some of Edge's most memorable matches, and The John Cena Experience, also a 3-disc collection that highlights Cena's journey to the top. Hulk Hogan: The Ultimate Anthology is a 4-disc set that covers Hogan's illustrious career, while Hulk Hogan: Unreleased Collector's Series offers 3 discs of rare and unseen content.

Fans of documentary-style content will love the in-depth looks at wrestling legends like Ric Flair, Randy Orton, and The Undertaker. For example, Ric Flair: The Ultimate Collection spans 3 discs and features interviews, matches, and behind-the-scenes footage, while The Undertaker: He Buries Them Alive offers a unique perspective on the Phenom's career.

Here are some of the most popular compilations and documentaries available:

The Special Match Compilations are a treasure trove for wrestling fans, offering a range of DVDs that showcase the greatest matches in history.

The Best Pay-Per-View Matches Of The Year 2009–2010 is a 3-Disc DVD set that's a must-have for anyone who wants to relive the most epic matches of the year.

Each DVD in the Special Match Compilations is carefully curated to bring you the most thrilling and memorable moments in wrestling history.

The Hell in a Cell DVD is a 3-Disc set that puts you in the midst of the most intense steel cage matches.

You can also explore the history of the WWE Championship, Intercontinental Championship, and World Heavyweight Championship through their respective documentaries.

The Ladder match DVD is a 3-Disc set that takes you on a thrilling ride through the most electrifying ladder matches in history.

The run time of each DVD is approximately 20 minutes, making it easy to fit into your busy schedule.

Here are some of the Special Match Compilations available:

Documentales de Superestrellas offer a deep dive into the lives of wrestling legends. These documentaries showcase the highs and lows of their careers, providing a unique perspective on the world of professional wrestling.

Batista: I Walk Alone is a 3-disc set that explores the life of Batista. It's a must-watch for fans of the WWE superstar.

The documentary series includes several films about wrestlers like Bret "Hit Man" Hart, with "The Best There Is, the Best There Was, the Best There Ever Will Be" being a 3-disc set. It's a testament to the enduring legacy of the wrestling icon.

Some notable documentaries in this category include "The Shawn Michaels Story: Heartbreak & Triumph" and "The Shawn Michaels Story: My Journey", both 3-disc sets that offer an intimate look at the life of Shawn Michaels.

This category also includes documentaries about wrestlers like Eddie Guerrero, with "Cheating Death, Stealing Life: The Eddie Guerrero Story" being a 2-disc set. It's a gripping tale of the wrestler's life and career.

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Here are some notable documentaries in the Documentales de Superestrellas category: