WWE BROCK LESNAR: HERE COMES THE PAIN (FSM 87; Nov 12)

Information: - DVD Region: Region Two - Distributor: SilverVision - Price: £29.99 - Other info: 417 mins - Release: Out now - Weblink: www.SilverVision.co.uk

Brock Lesnar's return to WWE after a hiatus of eight years, during which time he forged a successful career in UFC, is one of professional wrestling's biggest stories of 2012. To coincide with his second debut, if you will, WWE has reissued an earlier video biography with new interview footage and extra matches to form Here Comes The Pain: The Collector's Edition.

Disc One begins with that original documentary, which itself starts with Pat Patterson and Michael Hayes explaining that in real life, Brock is both clever and kind, but that his wrestling persona is just the opposite. It's amusing to hear both John Cena and Gerald Brisco claim that Lesnar will be the long-term future of the company, while perennial foe Kurt Angle notes that he doesn't think "The Next Big Thing" could be beaten in a fight, whether it be in a ring or an Octagon, which is interesting considering that Vince McMahon did try to book a legitimate Lesnar versus Lennox Lewis bout in 2002.

The feature then follows Lesnar in a journey back to his hometown in South Dakota. Interviews with his parents and wrestling coach enlighten us into his formative years as a quiet teenager who would gain confidence from wrestling. Whilst at the University of Minnesota, he became the NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion, after which he decided to try his hand at the professional version of the sport. Paul Heyman discusses how it was Tazz who originally told him about the impressive youngster, who needed some guidance when it came to the entertainment side of the industry.

Lesnar's television debut with Heyman as his manager, and early feud with Matt and Jeff Hardy, are briefly covered. Winning the 2002 King Of The Ring tournament shows the faith placed in him by the company, which culminated with a shot at The Rock's Undisputed title at SummerSlam 2002. It's at this event that the crowd begin to cheer Brock, due to a combination of heavy resentment towards The Rock's part-time WWE status, and Lesnar's incredible intensity and realism.

A BLOOD FEUD
A feud with The Undertaker ends with a legendary Hell In A Cell match at No Mercy 2002 that did as much to further elevate Lesnar's status as it did to light a fire under "The Deadman". The mutual respect between Kurt Angle and Lesnar leads to a classic battle at WrestleMania XIX that is tarnished by a disturbing ending, when Lesnar fails to fully rotate on a mind-boggling shooting star press. The documentary then concludes with highlights of his feuds with John Cena, and return series with Big Show.

Discs Two and Three contain a wealth of full matches covering the length of his career. Highlights include a 2001 encounter from Ohio Valley Wrestling against Leviathan, who later became Batista. An incredible destruction of Hulk Hogan from the summer of 2002 proves just how serious WWE were about their new monster. The Hell In A Cell battle with The Undertaker is a brutal and bloody war that is rightly remembered as one of Brock's best outings. A 60-minute Iron Match with Kurt Angle that originally took place in September 2003 is shown in its entirety, and is testament to how good both men were at capturing an audience's attention. Lesnar's return to WWE the night after WrestleMania XXVIII is included, in one of the most incendiary moments of the last few years.

This biography of work shows how much of an impact Brock Lesnar had in WWE. The quality of matches with Angle and The Undertaker makes this set essential viewing, and leaves us to ponder what he may still achieve if he signs an extension to his contract after WrestleMania XXIX.