Search - WWE: Tagged Classics 2003 - Backlash/Judgment Day on DVD

"Tagged" Yes, but "Classic" No

R.A. McKenzie | New York | 05/02/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Why is the WWE releasing this pair of PPVs? Critics were indifferent to the events, fans don't write to highly of either one on this website, and I personally don't see the need for this re-release. But, I'll try to stay positive, and maybe we can find the answers together:



First, the PPVs themselves:



BACKLASH 2003

---There's some good stuff here, but also some questionable decisions. Both RAW and SMACKDOWN presented solid Tag Titles matches. SMACKDOWN's, decent main event featured John Cena getting his first-ever shot at the WWE Championship against Brock Lesnar. Sadly, the "B Show" also included Big Show squashing Rey Mysterio, which was a jip at best. RAW headlined the PPV with the WWE in-ring debut of Goldberg; although he never matched his WCW success, it was nice to see him face The Rock in a match we never thought we'd see. But throw in a racial-focused Women's Title Match, and World Heavyweight champion Triple H being stuck in a 6-Man Tag Match --- RAW too made some unusual decisions. BACKLASH 2003 is a strange bird. Overall, it's not bad, but you can live without seeing it.



JUDGMENT DAY 2003

---An inexplicable catastrophe. The good news is that SMACKDOWN featured two solid title matches: a WWE Tag Titles Ladder Match, and a WWE Championship Stretcher Match. The main event is a good one --- Big Show faces his greatest rival (WWE champion Brock Lesnar) in a contest with a few neat surprises. Now for the bad...no, I should say ugly.

* Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan (in his Mr. America gimmick) compete in one of the worst matches you've ever seen. When fans are quiet during a Hogan match, something is terribly wrong.

* There's a pointless Bikini Contest between Sable and Torrie Wilson. The women are gorgeous, but gimme a break.

* John Cena & The FBI face Brian Kendrick, Rhyno, & Chris Benoit in a 4-minute opener. Folks, I can't make that up.

* Triple H defends his World Heavyweight Title against Kevin Nash in a match where the entrances last longer than the match itself. Sorry to be a killjoy, but I'm gonna spoil the finish here. IT ENDS IN A DISQUALIFICATION!

* Throughout the evening from their box seats, Eric Bischoff and Stone Cold Steve Austin engage in drinking, spicy food, and vomit humor. Cool, huh?

* As if this isn't all bad enough, here's the worst offender. The Intercontinental Title is reinstated into the WWE, via a Battle Royal only featuring former champions. That sounds cool, doesn't it? But wait until everyone is eliminated within 2 minutes, while the final 4 slow things down for an ungodly 10 more minutes! What a disgrace to one of WWE's most prestigous belts!

In conclusion, JUDGMENT DAY 2003 is one of WWE's most embarassing presentations. Take it from a longtime fan, this PPV is tough to stomach.



OVERALL

---To be fair, these are the original 2003 DVD releases. All of the extras and menus remain on the discs. Also, 13 bucks is a good price for 6 hours of WWE entertainment. But these are the wrong 6 hours to package together.



If you're a fan like me who watches PPVs from start to finish, "Tagged Classics" is going to be a waste of time. But even if you're a fan who just skips to the matches, there still won't be much to sink your teeth into."