Biography: WWE Legends

In each of the eight bio-docs, we explore a particular Wrestling superstar. Because these are written and funded by the WWE, they have interview with everyone involved at every level. This includes all the wrestlers and staff (included AEW and TNA) and celebrities like Mr. T. Vince McMahon is also interviewed. They have footage from all there matches in almost every promotion to use and this makes for a very colourful and varied story from lots of angles. Add to that the high production values, HD quality cameras and sound. Its just fun to watch.

However the flip side is that WWE can do no wrong. Certain controversial topics may be discussed; but its entirely the performers fault and WWE accept no blame. Even when we know from watching other docs like Dark Side of the Ring they had a hand in it, here they only say "nice thing" (quoting Vince McMahon from the episode about Rowdy Piper) outright admitting he was refusing to talk about the uglier stuff.

Having said that, the stories they give from the individual performers are fantastic. The journeys were well-picked for having substance to them making great documentaries.

Hopefully they will explore others that haven't had the spotlight yet in series 2 that I think have rather interesting stories to tell like: MVP, Lita, Kevin Nash, Scotty 2 Hotty, Shane Helms. Kane, Jake the Snake, Big Boss Man. Davey Boy Smith.

I'm going to keep this short because it is a bit difficult to sum up four seasons of individual WWE biographies. But I have to say this about "WWE Legends": it is hands-down the best biography series I've ever stumbled across. Not just for professional wrestling--but for any topic.

This isn't just a bland formula that each story is grafted upon. Instead, every figure is given in-depth treatment and a personalized approach. Though of course featuring the in-ring and even out-of-ring stories that wrestling junkies will eat up, the emotional factor is what really garnered every episode no lower than 8/10 stars from me. As a child, these figures were my sporting heroes, yet at that time I of course had no idea the types of personal and physical sacrifices they were going through for my entertainment. On multiple occasions--almost every one, if I'm being honest--I was brought to tears by the tales of tragedy and triumph in equal measure.

Though of course a series like "WWE Legends" is going to most effortlessly appeal to 80s/90s wrestling fanatics like myself, I also think it can be enjoyed by a wider audience. The stories here are easily compelling enough to draw in even casual bio fans. As far as that genre goes, this is about as good as it gets across any subject.

Being a kid growing up in the golden years of the 80's I loved "WWF" Wrestling as it began it's exposure on cable TV with many shows. Many of my favorites were Rowdy Roddy, Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior, and Bret Hart. As I loved their ways good or bad as the matches they did made memories, as with this A&E series "Biography: WWE Legends" it shows vintage footage interviews and match clips that I enjoyed from the good old days! The series in 8 parts with 2 hour docs, is a feast a joy for any old "WWF" Wrestling fan. The episodes also give personal info on each grappler showing each's humble starts from home to bodybuilding, to breaking in the regional circuits, interviews are given with friends and stars like Hulk Hogan, Brother Love, and owner and company CEO Mr. Vince. Also revealing and heartbreaking is the tragic downfall and early passing of many wrestling superstars, among my favorites of this series were Randy Savage, Rowdy Roddy, Ultimate Warrior and Brett Hart. Overall a must watch for any wrestling fan and pop culture "WWF" historian buff.

In the UK, we don't get to see this Great Powerful Sad Series.

But there are ways, and I have just finished watching season 4.

I'm in my 60s, was at Summerslam 92, grew up with these Heroes of mine, What I have taken from this series, I have learnt a lot from the stories, about so many stars.

I only saw the Wrestlers on TV and Yes of course I worshipped the Bulldogs, but watching his story the pain he was suffering the drugs, that so many took.

We build these stars up to be Gods, we wear their names on our backs, we feed their ego's. And a lot can't handle that fame and worship, they turn to drugs, booze, ego-manics.

Some turn to pills because of pain of injuries.

I think this series is the best I have ever seen done on the WWF, WWE stars, Vince as we now know is a monster but in the wrestling world, he was also a genius.

It must be so difficult for someone like Taker who Vince gave him everything really, now he is scared to even mention his name.

And that HOF Ring is like climbing a mountain, it's being given flowers by your peers, it means so much to them. As Jake says "I have it you don't", it's something that AEW can never equal. Every wrestler who got one on these doc's is so proud of it.

For me the standout episodes are, mainly because I learned so much about these stars which I never knew are: I don't know how they decide to do a few for 45Mins and others for 90mins? Someone like DDP and Davey Smith deserved 90mins.

The Roman Reigns one surprised me, I was a doubter, and felt it was all because of Heyman, but boy was I wrong, it's Roman who drives the train, his idea for the Brock tractor, his idea for Sami to join, his idea for Jey to be his own man. I don't know if he is in character in this or not, but he really believes he is taking the company to new heights and is the Tribal Chief that wearing the Uni Fabi round his neck does mean he is the "leader" makes you think if he was dead against Cody taking the belt? It was his idea to bring in Solo. But what really surprised me, the past greats like: Hogan, Flair, Taker. Austin, HBK, all believe he is simply the top man and will be for many years. Do they rate him better than them? Does Flair think Roman is better than he was?

Eddie broke my heart, from his 1st words "enjoy the ride, as you don't know when it will end" it's why me a bloke of 62 still does crazy mental trips, driving from UK to Athens in a Mustang and now going to drive to Malta because you don't know when the ride will end.

Watching the Steamboat one, I think Vince would have been happy to behead someone if it was "best for business" He could have died after that attack by Nexus and I wonder how the wrestlers in Nexus felt knowing that for 3 weeks Ricky was near to death, did Vince give a dam?

The Mike Miz one had me crying with laughter, his skit on Raw with the Divas, "Oh my god" I'm sure I watched that when it happened, it's just brilliant. And wtf is "hoorah" he was banned from the locker-room, had to go to the toilets with the audience, that "bullying" would not be allowed today. Mike might have "small balls" but he has Massive Mental Balls. Talking Smack was real, there is real hate between Mike and Bryan, why? I wonder if Rock and Cena feel the same way with Bryan as they talk about on here with Mike? Seth and Foley, and now he is a leader.

Paul Heyman should have been 90mins easy, I never thought I would shed tears watching this, but what he said about his mother hit home. Some people who escaped Germany before the war, felt guilty they got out. I know of someone who hide her whole life from her husband and son for 60 years plus. Only when she passed over did they find out the truth. Maybe she was scared or felt guilty I don't know, but this episode hit hard. For his Mum to survive 3 camps Paul is a Genius, never looking back, never standing still. But they never mentioned his wife, mentioned the kids a lot. But never mentioned Punk at all. Was surprised by that even more so that he is back in the WWE. Is their bad blood outside the ring? Does Paul feel that Punk dumped on his when he left the WWE?

Rowdy Piper Warrior Undertaker Angle Luger Mysterio Chyna Kane Lawler Yokozuna Dusty Sheik Orton Slaughter DDP Davey Boy Roman Eddie Steamboat Miz Heyman.

Although well produced and some interesting behind the scenes footage, overall a big let down as it history from Vince McMahon and his backroom staff.

To paint Randy Savage in such a negative light who was constant professional while Ultimate Warrior is painted as a hero who had "faults" tells you all you need to know in this series.

A real shame as it had a lot of potential.