WWE's 15 Greatest VHS Tapes Released by Coliseum Home Video

The last WWF/WWE Coliseum Video was released nearly 15 years ago, but today we still fondly remember the catalog of titles that not only entertained us throughout the years but became increasingly difficult to find.

Now that VHS is a defunct medium—replaced with DVD/Blu-ray and YouTube—these tapes have become a rarity, sometimes sold for hundreds of dollars for an individual copy, new or used.

They represent a nostalgic period from the mid 1980s to the late 1990s when the World Wrestling Federation prided itself as more sport than entertainment.

The artwork on these tapes have always been always eye-catching, underscored by titles that were creative enough to get noticed at a video store.

That beings said, despite their front covers, not every tape stamped with the official Coliseum Video emblem was or is worthy of being tracked down.

Many videos either feature batches of boring matches, are lacking in running time or are chock-full of filler material.

Notwithstanding pay-per-view releases or matches, only a handful of Coliseum Videos stand the test of time as coveted collectibles to be purchased on either Amazon or eBay, for instance.

Let's look at 15 video tapes in particular that have earned mythic, underground followings.

WWF World Tour 1990

What makes this tape particularly great is that it features a bevy of matches taking place around the world, from Japan to Paris.

Not to mention, the actual matches are of especially high quality.

A match is only as good as its ambiance and this tape features several worth looking into like The Ultimate Warrior vs. Ted DiBiase, The Rockers vs. The Rougeau Brothers and a spectacular Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage encounter.

Amazon.com, which is currently listing this title at $39.95 (brand new), is the best place to buy this memorable Coliseum Video.

WWF Invasion of the Bodyslammers

Released in June 1993, the Invasion of the Bodyslammers videotape has many rare matches on it, one of which only existed in abridged form until recently upon the release of last year's WWE Raw The Beginning: The Best of Seasons 1 & 2.

The "loser leaves Raw" bout between Mr. Perfect and Ric Flair is uncut and to this day is considered one of the best matches in Monday Night Raw history.

Additionally, this tape features a blistering match between Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart that finally made the light of day on WWE Greatest Rivalries: Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart.

As an added bonus, the tape also has a surreal Undertaker-Papa Shango encounter.

If you're looking for this marvelous tape, Amazon would be your best bet, which is offering this special Coliseum Video for a can't-miss $9.95, brand-spanking new!

WWF WrestleFest 1994

WrestleFest 1994 is remembered for three great matches and one epic tag-team match that was sought after with reckless abandon for years before it was finally made "public" with the release of the Hart Anthology DVD.

Of course, the tag contest I'm referring to is none other than the Steiner Brothers vs. Bret and Owen Hart, a 25-minute classic that is impeccable from the onset until the DQ conclusion, which left viewers wanting more, as opposed to alienating them.

Other battles worth watching are a brisk Randy Savage vs. Rick Martel match, an underrated Razor Ramon-Shawn Michaels collision and a hard-hitting Bret Hart-Diesel main event.

The best part is that it can be bought brand-new via Amazon for $14.95.

WWF Slamfest

Released in 1995, Slamfest is famous for highlighting two underrated bouts in Bret Hart and The British Bulldog vs. Owen Hart and Jim Neidhart in addition to Shawn Michaels and Diesel vs. 1-2-3 Kid and Razor Ramon.

The latter bout, in particular, is one of the fastest-paced affairs you'll ever see, featuring a mix of athleticism, star-power and skillful wrestling.

If it had received more fanfare—or for that matter was known to the wrestling universe—it would've been the runner-up for the 1995 match of the year, second to only the Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon ladder match at SummerSlam 1995.

Amazon currently has this videotape for $2, used.

The Best of the WWF Vol. 7

Out of the entire Best of the WWF Volume series, Vol. 7 is arguably the best of the bunch.

It presents a Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage match that ranks up there with their WrestleMania 5 encounter, a British Bulldogs vs. Hart Foundation war that was eventually hand-picked by Bret Hart to be on his 2005 DVD and an underrated, four-star classic between The Iron Sheik/Nikolai Volkoff and Brutus Beefcake/Greg Valentine.

The videotape offers a great look at the World Wrestling Federation in 1986 when the matches were depicted as legitimate fights.

It's amazing how a product that swoons you into suspending your disbelief can encourage your appreciation of what is happening in the ring that much more.

This tape is reminiscent of a bygone era—an illuminating history lesson if you will.

Good ol' eBay has it used for $12.99.

WWF Global Warfare

WWF Global Warfare, like its World Tour counterparts, offers a glimpse of our favorite superstars in locales we're not normally accustomed to seeing them in.

The crowds can be so much livelier overseas and this videotape is no different in demonstrating that.

Not to mention, there are three wonderful matches worth checking out: Bret Hart vs. Bam Bam Bigelow, The Steiner Brothers vs. Money Inc. and Shawn Michaels vs. Crush.

The first match is so well-worked it was later selected to be on Bret Hart's 2005 DVD and the last two are underappreciated matches that would be fondly remembered today if they had only transpired on pay-per-view.

If you're looking for a copy of this tape, Amazon has it for $9.99, brand new.

WWF Monday Night Raw: Prime Cuts

Once in a while, fans will come across a tape that offers pure quality from start to finish.

Monday Night Raw: Prime Cuts doesn't waste a minute during its two-hour running time, giving fans great match after great match.

It features a four-star Mr. Perfect vs. Doink affair, the 1993 match of the year between Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty, a four-star Quebecers-Steiner Brothers melee and a back-and-forth barnburner between Razor Ramon and Rick Martel.

You'd be hard-pressed to find many other Coliseum Videos that take your breath away like this one does.

The bouts are so fantastic they were once again released by the WWE in the form of last year's RAW The Beginning: The Best of Seasons 1 & 2.

Luckily, the tape isn't too hard to find and can be had for 13.95 (like new) from ebay.

WWF Wrestling's Greatest Steel Cage Matches Ever!

Some Coliseum Videos promote the "best of" something on the cover and deliver anything but; however, some videotapes like this one truly do their title justice.

It has the two best steel cage matches Hulk Hogan has ever been involved in—versus Paul Orndorff and The Big Boss Man, both of which occurred on Saturday Night's Main Event.

Moreover, it has the most frenetic six-man cage bout you'll ever see between The Hart Foundation/Honky Tonk Man and Strike Force/Randy Savage.

Last but not least, it delivers a Randy Savage-Ted DiBiase cage match for the WWF Title that is a classic in every sense of the world.

Best of all, Amazon is advertising it for $5.44, used.

WWF Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams

While this one doesn't feature any classics, it has consistently good to great affairs from beginning to end.

The Steiner Brothers vs. The Headshrinkers, Owen Hart vs. Rick Martel, Bret Hart vs. Crush, Shawn Michaels vs. Marty Jannetty in a steel cage and Randy Savage vs. Jerry Lawler all engage the senses.

Although you may not be impressed with every wrestling move, you'll appreciate the fun the wrestlers have when the TV cameras are not rolling.

And how could a Coliseum Video that is called Bloopers, Bleeps and Bodyslams be anything less than entertaining, anyway?

Amazon is once again the best place to purchase this one, which is now going for $7.95, brand new.

WWF WrestleFest 1995

Most Coliseum Videos are a patchwork of matches that aired on TV, domestically or abroad. WWF WrestleFest 1995 is the rare exception to that rule as every match was filmed specifically for the video release.

While it may be a little pricier than its counterparts, going for as much as $150 on eBay, it offers a collage of matches that epitomizes the mid-1990's WWF.

Razor Ramon vs. Jeff Jarrett in a steel cage, Bret Hart/Savio Vego/Razor Ramon vs. Hakushi/Owen Hart/Yokozuna, Shawn Michaels vs. Tom Prichard and a rare mixed-tag match between Alundra Blayze/Bob Holly and Bull Nakano/Hakushi don't let the viewers down.

All in all, it is definitely a worthwhile addition to any collection.

WWF Grudges, Gripes and Grunts

This videotape was coveted for years because of one match: Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair vs. Bret Hart and Randy Savage.

It is the perfect melding of the 1980 and 1990s generations, featuring four WWF/E Hall of Famers that are known for their personalities as much as their ring work.

The bout, while a four-star classic, did not see the light of day until the Macho Madness DVD was released in November 2008.

Also, while some may be inclined to call this a one-match tape, it also features two Shawn Michaels-Jim Duggan matches that rank as some of Hacksaw's best.

Amazon has it for the amazing price of $6.69, brand new.

WWF WrestleFest 1988

WrestleFest 1988 is, unequivocally, the best of the WrestleFest series.

Instead of being a collection of matches picked from different nights, all the bouts happened on the same day at the same venue.

It wasn't just any venue, either, but the Milwaukee County Stadium, which filled over 40,000 people for this massive show.

If this event was broadcast on pay-per-view, as it should have been, it would be heralded as one of the greatest spectacles ever put on by the WWF/E.

How can you go wrong with The Killer Bees vs. The Rougeau Brothers, Bad News Brown vs. Bret Hart, Jake Robers vs. Rick Rude, Randy Savage vs. Ted DiBiase and Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant in a steel cage?

Speaking as someone who has been lucky enough to see this event in its entirety, you can't.

As of now, the best available price is $58.65 (used) on eBay.

WWF's Explosive TNT Show

Since the 1980s, wrestling has been equally comprised of in-ring action and interviews. WWF's Explosive TNT Show focuses exclusively on the latter, presenting some of the most charismatic performers you'll ever see in a light you never thought possible.

TNT is an acronym for the Tuesday Night Titans TV show that aired on the USA Network over two decades ago, putting wrestlers in unfamiliar, variety show-esque settings.

The results are still relived by wrestling aficionados to this day, who contend that the wrestlers finally became real-life entertainers on the show.

It's not hard to believe if you watch The Hart Foundation/Jimmy Hart preside over a segment called "The Mating Game," Adrian Adonis get a makeover or Don Muraco get a massage, for example.

Because it is so scarce, you won't find it any cheaper than around $70, used.

WWF Supertape Vol. 2

Arguably the best of the Supertape series, Supertape Vol. 2 offers a myriad of great matches that are not only rare, but surprisingly engrossing.

Four matches in particular stand out: Hulk Hogan/Brutus Beefcake vs. Mr. Perfect/The Genius, The Rockers vs. The Powers of Pain, Roddy Piper vs. Rick Rude in a steel cage and Bret Hart vs. Rick Martel.

The first is one of the better tag bouts Hogan has ever partook in; the second is a classic encounter between finesse and power; the third is one of the most brutal cage matches you'll ever witness; and lastly, the fourth one is a masterpiece between two technicians.

If you want to buy this videotape, Amazon—which currently has it for around $6, used—is your best choice.

WWF Smack 'Em Whack 'Em

Finally, we arrive at what many wrestling pundits deem the golden child of the Coliseum Home Video anthology: WWF Smack 'Em Whack 'Em.

And the reason being is because it features two of the WWF/E's most historical matches/moments: Bret Hart defeating Ric Flair for his first WWF title reign and the first-ever WWF ladder match between Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart.

Until its inclusion in the WWE's Top 50 Superstars of All-Time release, the Hart-Flair match in Saskatoon, Canada, was the match most requested match in history. And it was always a head-scratcher as to why it never aired on TV, considering it is an epic contest.

Furthermore, the Bret-Shawn ladder match has always been invoked as proof by WWF/E fanatics that the Shawn Michaels-Razor Ramon match at WrestleMania 10 was not the very first ladder match in company history despite what the commentators like to tell us.

The two matches together, on one videocassette, represent a trove of WWF/E treasure.

Surprisingly, the VHS tape can be found for an affordable $15, brand new, on Amazon.