5 Must-Watch WWE Vault Gems Every Wrestling Fan Needs to See!

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Have you heard that WWE has a YouTube channel filled with classic matches from Coliseum Video releases, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, and all sorts of fascinating clips? I stumbled upon the WWE Vault not too long ago, and since then, I’ve been glued to it, revisiting some of my favorite WWE moments from the New Generation and Attitude Era, as well as discovering previously unknown gems.

Absolutely, if you’re passionate about wrestling and seeking content similar to what was offered on the old WWE Network but is not accessible with Peacock or Netflix subscriptions, this channel could be just what you need. Here are five must-watch items tailored for dedicated wrestling enthusiasts or newcomers since the Triple H Era began!

If you’re a wrestling fan looking for content that was on the WWE Network but isn’t available with Peacock or Netflix, this channel is worth checking out. Here are five things I highly recommend for die-hard fans or those new to wrestling since Triple H took over!

So Many Classic Matches Are In The Vault And Easy To Watch

To set the record straight, I adore catching classic pay-per-view events and sporadic episodes of WCW Monday Nitro on Peacock. Yet, there are moments when I yearn to retrace a standalone match without having to fast-forward through two hours only to land smack dab in the middle of it. Although the WWE Vault YouTube channel may not house every single match ever made, it boasts an impressive library of more than 1,000 videos, which includes some truly electrifying matches. Let me share one such encounter that I found myself revisiting with great pleasure:

Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Triple H – Three Stages of Hell at No Way Out 2001

I’ve just revisited the 2001 Royal Rumble event and found myself captivated by Stone Cold Steve Austin’s fierce confrontation with Triple H during his attempt to join the match (he ultimately emerged victorious, setting the stage for WrestleMania X-7). Shortly afterwards, WWE Vault showcased their intense “Three Stages of Hell” match (the sequence consisted of a Singles Match, a Street Fight, and a Steel Cage Match). I promptly rewatched every brutal moment of that hard-hitting spectacle in vivid detail.

Watch Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H’s Three Stages of Hell Match on YouTube.

These Old Coliseum Video Home Releases Are Are Great

Among my cherished recollections of childhood were frequent visits to Blockbuster with my father, where we’d select wrestling videos from their surprisingly extensive collection. Over time, I had hoped that the defunct WWE Network or the current WWE Network on Peacock might carry these old pay-per-view releases and Coliseum Video compilations, but unfortunately, they were either missing or taken down before I could enjoy them. However, a change occurred with the advent of The Vault, as this channel consistently uploads several vintage VHS tapes every month. Yet, there’s one old compilation tape from around 1993 that has been on my mind non-stop:

Smack ‘Em Whack ‘Em

I hadn’t known about the Smack ‘Em Whack ‘Em tape until a few weeks back, but discovering it has been such a delight. Not only does it highlight Bret Hart winning the WWE Championship from Ric Flair (his first WWE title), but also includes Razor Ramon versus The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels challenging Hart for the WWE belt, and some side-splitting skits with The Bushwhackers and Lord Alfred Hayes. To be honest, this was an unexpected and fantastic journey down memory lane.

Watch Smack ‘Em Whack ‘Em on YouTube.

The Must-See Dark Matches Compilation Is Full Of Forgotten And Random Matches

I’ve always found watching dark matches to be oddly captivating yet inappropriate, as if these videos were meant to remain hidden somehow. Over time, clips of tryout matches and warm-up bouts for shows like Raw, SmackDown, or pay-per-views have surfaced online, but recently, The Vault has released a 34-minute collection featuring wrestlers such as Paul London, Brian Kendrick, Justin Credible, and PCO. However, one video in particular stands out to me:

Dr. Death Steve Williams vs. 2 Cold Scorpio

It’s unfortunate that Dr. Death Steve Williams didn’t have a proper stint in WWE, given his legendary status in WCW, AJPW, and other wrestling circles, including a memorable tag team match with Hacksaw Jim Duggan at a high school Boat Show I attended. Fortunately, there’s a compilation of an impressive dark match between the late Williams and 2 Cold Scorpio from around early 1998 (when WWE was still using its pre-Attitude Era font). Trust me, this match is worth watching!

Watch Dr. Death Steve Williams vs. 2 Cold Scorpio

There’s A 4.5-Hour Terry Funk Mixtape Full Of Great Promos, Matches, And Horse Farts

In August 2023, the realm of professional wrestling mourned the loss of one its hardest, wildest, and most productive personalities as Terry Funk passed away at the age of 79. From his tenure as NWA Champion to his later fame as a deathmatch wrestler, and everything that transpired in between, Funk was a legend amongst legends. A comprehensive four-and-a-half-hour collection, showcasing matches, promos, and even footage of Funk with a farting horse, was released by The Vault. However, my favorite part of this tribute is…

Terry Funk and Jerry “The King” Lawler’s Empty Arena Match

During a fierce rivalry, Terry Funk issued a challenge to Jerry “The King” Lawler for a match in an empty arena at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee, way back in June 1981. This was more than two decades before The Rock and Mankind fought during the Super Bowl half-time show; these adversaries instead engaged in combat with only a cameraman and commentator Lance Russell (who continually urged Funk to stop cursing) as witnesses. It’s legendary, it’s unforgettable, and watching it is pure enjoyment.

Watch Terry Funk and Jerry “The King” Lawler’s Empty Arena Match on YouTube.

The WWE Vault Will Randomly Release Behind-The-Scenes Videos From Past Royal Rumbles And Other Iconic Moments

Similar to collections of untelevised bouts, The Vault occasionally publishes miscellaneous backstage videos featuring a variety of content, such as “discovered footage” from ECW and WWE events, as well as the recording of the 1995 Monday Night Raw intro on Titan Towers in Stamford, Connecticut. Incidentally:

The Raw Rooftop Open BTS Video

If you’re yearning for a blast from the past, specifically the New Generation era, and curious about how one of wrestling’s most iconic and ambitious introductions were created, then don’t miss out on this behind-the-scenes video. Although I had previously enjoyed the amusing clip of The Undertaker shooting skeptical glances at Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Goldust as they played the WrestleMania arcade game, much of what I saw in this video was unfamiliar to me.

Watch the Raw Rooftop Open BTS video on YouTube.

However, it’s just a glimpse into the vast library of WWE Vault, as they consistently upload an abundance of matches, programs, and miscellaneous videos daily.

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2025-02-22 19:07