Hello, all,

Happy New Year to you all!  As a result of the upcoming year, I have decided to compile this one of a kind guide involving the scarcity of the wrestling video-tape industry.  This guide, intended for the individual whom is interested in expanding his knowledge on vintage wrestling VHS, will come in handy when in doubt of the history behind your rare tapes.  I am going to speak a little concerning some of the most vintage tapes to ever be produced by the wrestling companies of our past time (i.e. WCCW, WWF, WCW & NWA).  Of course, the list is finite and I will have to stop at some point; however I feel it is necessary for the average collector to be informed on his/her collectibles' history.  For all the collectors out there, please understand my information is accurate as I have been collecting for over 20 years now.  I am not trying to stirr controversy between the collecting world.  The majority of the information below has also been confirmed by not only me, but also by previous employees from some of the respective companies below. 

WCCW

1. WCCW Volume #1
2. WCCW Volume #2
3. WCCW Volume #3
4. WCCW Volume #4
5. WCCW Volume #5

WCCW released these tapes as an celebration album to their many years of success.  This five volume set features some of the greatest highlights from WCCW.  These tapes were released individually, and were never offered as a set to the public.  Retail for each of these tapes began between $39.95-59.95 (exact amount unknown).  These tapes were released for a short period of time, and are considered today to be sentimental to some and very valuable to others.

WWF

1. Women of the WWF (WF054)
2. Wrestlefest 1988 (WF058)
3. Countdown to Summerslam 1994
4. Wrestlefest 1995
5. Terminators 1996
6. Best of Raw Volume 1 (1996) NTSC version
7. Survivor Series 1997 (WF175)
8. In Your House #2 (WF502)
1. Terminators 1995
2. Lumberjacks 1995
9. In Your House #7 "Good Friends Better Enemies" (WF504)
10. In Your House #10 "Mind Games" (WF507)
11. In Your House #12 "Its Time" (WF170)
12. In Your House #15 "A Cold Day In Hell" (WF180)

These are twelve of the most prestigious WWF tapes ever produced.  All with very limited quantities, these tapes date back to two decades ago.  Women of the WWF and Wrestlefest '88 came out around the same time when WWF tapes were on the rise to success.  To find either of these tapes on eBay in excellent condition is a nice thought, however to find them factory sealed is near-impossible.  Countdown to Summerslam was a mail in order only, so if you did not order it directly from WWF Magazine or Coliseum Video themselves you were out of luck.  Wrestlefest 1995 is part of the WF500 series (collectible series) and was produced in limited quantities as well.  Some of these tapes came factory sealed with stickers in the back of the shrinkwrap, and others did not.  Both are very hard to find brand-new, but the ones with the stickers are by far the most prestigous.  Arguably the hardest tape to find on the market is Terminators 1996.  This tape was released for a shorter period of time (2 weeks), and similar to Countdown to Summerslam, this one was a mail in order as well.  The next tape is one the average collector has most likely never seen, Best of Raw Volume 1 (1996).  This tape came in a black clamshell sleeve, with a colorful insert wrapping aroudn the entire case.  Since these tapes were originally produced in the United Kingdom in NTSC format, they are nearly impossible to get your hands on.  There was also a follow-up to this release titled Best of Raw Volume 2 (1997) in the same casing.  Not nearly as rare as Volume 1.  These tapes were released with shrinkwrap around the casing similar to In Your House 12 and 15, which come in the same casing as the Raw volumes.  Don't count on ever finding one brand-new though, quantities were limited to as many as 2,000 worldwide.  Such tapes are very scarce today brand-new, and only a few remain.  Survivor Series '97, one of the last Coliseum Videos to be produced, was limited due to high demand in Canada.  These tapes sold quickly once they hit the shelves, and were never re-released.  To find one brand-new, again, its near imposible.  Same deal with In Your House 2.  Appearing at least once a month, this tape has gradually over the years became semi-prevalant to eBay.  One sealed is a fantastic find.  In Your House 7, 10, 12, and 15 are tapes that all WWF collectors should be proud to own.  Mind Games has forever been known for its extreme scarcity throughout the collectors world, however as a collector I feel compelled to say that WWF Terminators is the hardest WWF title to obtain in mint or sealed shape.  This title, along with the other In Your House titles, should never be sold if obtained.  If you are a serious collectors please know all eight of these tapes are ones to kept for the ages. 

WCW & NWA

1. Starrcade 1985 "The Gathering" from Presdential Square Distributing (The real version exhibits a colorful slipcase with Flair and Rhodes faces in the stars)
2. NWA Crockett Cup 1986 in original black rough surfaced clamshell with original white printed insert
3. Clash of the Champions #1
4. Clash of the Champions #2
5. Clash of the Champions #3
6. Clash of the Champions #4
7. Clash of the Champions #5
8. The Great American Bash 1990 Alternate Version - Sting's face painted in red, white, and blue on cover
9. WrestleWar 1992
10. BattleBowl 1993
11. Crockett Cup 1986
12. The Great American Bash 1991 "Legend vs. Legacy"
13. Fall Brawl 1996
14. Halloween Havoc 1996
15. World War 3 from 1997
16. Fall Brawl 2000
17. New Blood Rising 2000
18. Bash at the Beach 2000
19. Road Wild '97, Souled Out '98, Fall Brawl '97 and Great American Bash '98 were all released in the U.K. under a private label.  The problem with these UK tapes is the fact that these tapes were mass produced as fakes in foreign countries, so several collectors find themselves with fake PAL converts.  Even though it is normally easy to spot a fake, there are ones out there that can be quite convincing due to high-laser printers.  Remember, these were snapcase videos.  Labels can easily be produced in high quality and slapped on tapes with no trouble.  The truth is, to truly know whether you have an original can be determined only by a professional.  I have seen hundreds of these tapes and know them top to bottom.  If a real copy is obtained prices can range in the high $200 US per copy.  If you have any questions, please contact me and I'll answer them accordingly.  Proud to help.

Starting with Starrcade 1985.  "The Gathering" is the most scarce WCW video to ever be produced.  Regardless of what other collectors state, Starrcade 1985 is the most limited produced video EVER as far as WCW and the NWA are concerned.  This information has been confirmed by a previous employee of Presidential Square Distributing (1985) who assured me less copies of this title were produced due to a tight budget and new category of merchandise the VHS presented.  Interesting story, when this tape was first ordered PSD limited these titles to one title per customer.  This title was sold on red velvet tables in the lobby of road events that Flair and Rhodes performed on at the time.  The story on exactly how many of these tapes were produced originally is limited to only a few living today.  This title was produced brand-new in shrinkwrap, however no watermark was ever stamped on the shrinkwrap.  I will be able to confirm a real factory sealed copy if confronted since I still own one to this day, so if you have a question I'll be happy to comply.  If you own this tape brand-new I would strongly recommend holding onto it.  It will in the end put you apart from other collectors' inventory.  Very rare tape to own that sells today "new" for neary $800 US.  A must have for any serious collector.  Moving on, NWA released a rare set of the first five Clash of the Champions' events.  These videos have always been considered prestigious on the wrestling video scarcity scale due to their near-extinct presence in the wrestling video world.  Crockett Cup 1986 was produced with and without commentary (two totally different looking cases).  The version with commentary and the jet black case with the type-written label is the most scarce of the two versions ranging in the near $400 US range (compared to the less scarce version which sells for $80-120).  The Great American Bash 1991 was released in limited quantites as well, but not to the extreme as Starrcade '85.  This title featured Flair and Lugers extended feud and Sting and Koloffs famous russian chain match.  This tape if found in near-mint shape retails for around $125 US.  Of course though, for each of these tapes prices can be subjective depending on the shape and quality the title possesses.  Fall Brawl '96, Halloween Havoc '96, World War '97, Fall Brawl 2000 and New Blood Rising 2000 all fall into the same category of scarcity as far as I am concerned.  All ranging to sell in the mid $60-120 range, these titles will forever be rare.  To find one of them factory sealed prices can range between $350-600.  Out of them all I'd have to say New Blood Rising 2000 is the most scarce; selling in mint shape for $125, factory sealed for as much as $600, as of November '08.  Last, but definitely not least, Bash at the Beach 2000!  An ultimate find for any WCW collector.  This title is known in the wrestling world as the "most scarce wrestling tape ever produced".  Suprisingly enough, this extremely limited tape was produced in a higher quantity than Starrcade 1985.  This information has been confirmed.  I've seen this tape sell for various amounts of money, some ranging as high as $510 US!  This tape is one to be kept if found.  If your looking for a factory sealed copy please know they DO NOT exist (possibly 50 exist today) and ONLY buy one with the "WB" watermark stamp on the shrinkwrap.  Many re-seals and fakes have been produced of this tape as well.  Looking for the STAMPED title on the cassette (NO LABEL) is crucial towards finding a legit version of Bash at the Beach 2000.  Re-seals contain no watermark and are usually intended to do no harm (most rental companies re-seal their items with no intention of misrepresenting their items, and eventually the re-seals get around).  Nonetheless, I have seen this title factory sealed and the title indeed comes with the "WB" white watermark on the shrinkwrap.  Factory Sealed copies of this tape could range anywhere between $450-600 US.

Thank you for reading my guide.  I hope this information was helpful (from one collector to the next).  Please vote "YES" at the bottom if this guide was helpful.  I appreciate your time guys and I hope I was able to help you out.

Until next time Wrestling Fans...

Have A Wonderful Day!

- Fast-N-Convenient