Back in 2005 while walking around Wal*Mart about seven in the morning I came across In Your Face: The Lost Episodes Of The XWF. I was shocked that Wal*Mart even would carry such a DVD, I guess the marketing of Hogan got them to sale it. At the time I never heard of XWF so I bought this three disc set on a whim. Hey, it’s wrestling. After watching it I seen some familiar faces. Hogan, Piper, Kid Kash, The Road Warriors, Hennig and a few new faces A.J. Styles, Shane Twins and Jimmy Snuka Jr.
The product itself had that WCW Nitro feel to it because the majority of stars came from the dying day of WCW. Even Buff Bagwell was in XWF. But don’t let that turn you away from this three disc set. Each disc has matches, promos and moments from XWF. Some of the notable matches are. Curt Hennig vs. Vampiro, A.J. Styles vs. Kid Kash. And a battle royal for the XWF Cruiserweight Championship. Featuring Billy Fives, Psichosis, Juventud Guerrera, A.J. Styles, The Tongan Prince, Quick Kick, Christopher Daniels and Kid Kash. The bonus material includes.
Disc 1
The Behind the Scene is a “making of” montage. The ring crew setting up the squared circle, wrestlers walking around breaking kayfabe, fan interaction and about half way through the montage you get a promo by Jim Duggan about coming to XWF and the “making of” is hosted by Gene Okerlund.
Hacksaw and Willie… Well tough guy! Duggan intros this soon to be interview with Willie Nelson on what Willie thinks of the XWF. Duggan is standing outside of Nelson’s tour bus talking to the camera throwing out questions to himself on what will Willie think of XWF, once he says the question a quick cut goes to Willie Nelson sitting in the bus answering that question. This happens about four times. Finally Duggan makes his way in the bus and talks with Willie for a few minutes then rants on about a story of carrying old glory until he dies.
Disc 2
More Behind the Scenes… Yea not really. It’s the same “making of” montage with one or two added scenes.
Disc 3
An interview with Hulk Hogan where he answers general wrestling fan questions and XWF questions.
Bonus Match: Curt Hennig with Bobby Heenan vs. Hulk Hogan.
A few thoughts, if you will: Just from the wrestling history aspect it’s a buy. Sure WWE puts out their own collection of wrestler spotlight DVDs with matches. But here’s your chance to see those superstars outside of WWE, ECW or WCW. It’s a gem of a DVD, I’ll tell yea. I know the lack of extras are there but some of the matches and talent makes up for it. Also to find the DVD extras you have to go to the Scene Selection option to find them. Massive.
Xcitement Wrestling Federation (XWF)
XWF’s slogan was “No more prima donnas, no more politics… In your face!”.