WWE: The five best video packages of all time to promote big matches
As a person who writes television and movie scripts, I know how important a trailer can be in terms of attracting an audience to what you’re trying to sell. The WWE’S version of a trailer is a video package /promo video that usually helps the viewers understand why the wrestlers are feuding. If done correctly, it provides the viewers with excitement, but it can build and make the feud of the wrestlers better.
Over the last two years, WWE has made many mistakes when it comes to what they decide to do with their product, but if there’s one thing that they will always get right, it is their video packaging. In this article, I will be discussing the five best video packages WWE of All Time.
5. Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho (No Mercy 2008)
This was one of the best feuds in professional wrestling in 2008. Both HBK and Jericho put together a fantastic storyline that leads to classic wrestling matches. When you first watch the video, you may think that it is just okay, but when you go back and watch this feud from start to finish, you will understand how important this video was. The fact that this was a ladder match made the rivalry more interesting because both wrestlers were known for being in legendary ladder matches. Throughout the video, it shows how both wrestlers have utilized the ladder match throughout their professional wrestling careers.
4. Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio (Judgment Day 2005)
This video package was one that could have been used as a video package for a lifetime film on two best friends; Eddie and Rey started a feud that involved friendship, victory, deception, mistrust, and betrayal. Eddie and Rey have had classic matches in WCW, but this feud in WWE was personal because of how long they knew each other. Throughout the video, we see the entire feud from start to finish, from the days of them winning the Smackdown Tag titles to Eddie snapping and turning on Rey.
Eddie delivering a brainbuster to Rey on the ring steps is one of the most challenging things to watch throughout the whole video because it was like you felt Rey’s pain. This was Eddie’s last huge feud before he passed later that same year. This is a video package that wrestling fans should watch again because it shows how to write a good storyline involving real-life friends.
3. John Cena Vs. CM Punk (Money In The Bank 2011)
Ask yourself this question where were you at in 2011 when CM Punk made the now-famous shoot promo on Raw became CM Punk 3:16 moment. This moment made the WWE look at him as the star that his fans knew he could be. Cena and Punk created one of the most exciting rivalries in modern WWE history. In the weeks leading up to their Money in the Bank match, Punk would drop pipe bomb after pipe bomb as the fans listened to each word in shock.
The storyline became so big that Vince McMahon himself got involved in the storyline adding just how important this match was. The video promoting the big match highlighted many of the controversial moments that CM Punk had done and said. CM Punk was a loose cannon and was on a mission to win the match and leave the WWE with the World title. This was a moment in WWE history that will never be forgotten. This video made people want to see what was going to happen when it was time for the now-classic Money In the Bank match.
2. Shawn Michaels Vs. The Undertaker (Wrestlemania 26)
When you ask most people which HBK and Undertaker match they like the most, a lot of people will say the Wrestlemania 25 match. It was considered an instant classic by many wrestling critics, and a rematch had to be done. For HBK, it was about putting it all on the line and finally beating The Undertaker.
Throughout the video package, which contains music by Placebo called Running up that hill which was the perfect song for this rivalry. The song not only promoted the match, but it promoted the idea that HBK had become obsessed with beating The Undertaker at Wrestlemania. The video showed moment after moment of HBK losing his cool and allowing Undertaker to get in his mind. The use of the black and white imagery footage and the slow motion of when HBK cost Undertaker the world title all paint the story of a man who wanted to defeat another man more than anything he ever did in the professional wrestling business.
1. Steve Austin Vs. The Rock (Wrestlemania X-Seven)
It is considered the greatest Wrestlemania of all time, and it is no surprise that it would have the most cherished and loved video package in WWE history. The main event featured the two biggest WWE stars ever. The song in the video was provided by Limp Bizkit, and the song was called My Way, which was a fitting theme song. When you watch this video, it was almost like the lyrics were written for The Rock and Steve Austin.
The video package included Steve Austin’s ex-wife Debra who was The Rock manager, and it also had commentary from JR, which added to the package. The final moments of the video shows both men staring at each other with hate in their eyes. This video package alone is what made people want to order Wrestlemania 17.