In the world of sports entertainment, managers are almost as important as referees. A good manager in your corner coIn fact, there are some managers that end up being more popular than the wrestlers they're managing. Besides representing their "client", the manager is able to speak for "client" who might not possess sufficient mic skills. In addition, a manager, at times, could interfere with a match to make sure the outcome is favorable for their "client". The WWE has had its share of great managers and this ninety minute documentary gives us the lowdown on twelve of the best that have ever worked for the company.

• Introduction by Todd Grisham
  
  
• What Makes A Good Manager? - Past and present WWE stars weigh in on the things necessary to be a good manager.
  
  
• Freddie Blassie - Fittingly enough, the disc starts with one of the greatest wrestling managers ever. In fact, Freddie was so great, that he also managed Muhammad Ali! It's a shame he's passed on.
  
  
• the Grand Wizard - Ernie Roth aka "the Grand Wizard" was one of the most hated managers in the early 70's and managed some of the greatest wrestlers ever to step in the ring. With his flamboyant style and ever-present turban, he was one of the three main managers in the late 70's that gave the faces in the WWE a hard time.
  
  
• the Mouthpiece - More WWE wrestlers talking about managers doing the talking for wrestlers who might not be the most skilled on the mic.
  
  
• Sunny - Even though Sensational Sherri and Miss Elizabeth were involved with the WWF before her, Sunny was, for all intents and purposes, the very first diva. She's also the only manager in WWE history to have managed three consecutive tag team champs.
  
  
• Jimmy Hart - "the Mouth Of the South" was managing during the WWF/E's heyday in the 80's. He's one of my favorites. Oh, and Vince was responsible for giving him his megaphone.
  
  
• Todd Grisham On the Megaphone - The less said about this, the better. Why is this a chapter?
  
  
• Women Managers - Yes, Virginia, it's true. Women managers have certain advantages over male managers.
  
  
• Paul Bearer - A certified mortician and former wrestler, Percy did a great job managing the Undertaker and i'd have to agree with Jerry "the King" Lawler that he was a great part of the success of the Undertaker. Sure, Mark did the wrestling, but Percy was responsible for adding to 'taker's "mystique".
  
  
• Arnold Skaaland - He wasn't as flamboyant or "loud" as other managers, but Arnold was the manager for two wrestling greats - Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund.
  
  
• Previous Wrestling Experience - Is it important to have in-ring experience to be a good manager? WWE wrestlers and hall of famers weigh in.
  
  
• Sensational Sherri - Starting out as the women's champion, Sherri eventually became the manager for "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Ted DiBiase and, most famously, Shawn Michaels. The segment doesn't delve much into her history, but they make mention of the fact that she can scream her lungs off.

• Jim Cornette - Cornette was a fast talking manager who was always seen brandishing a tennis racket. He managed people like Owen Hart, the tag team "Midnight Express" and Yokozuna.
  
  
• Todd Grisham Swinging Away - Another useless chapter stop.
  
  
• the Art Of Cheating - Bobby "the Brain" Heenan and Theodore Long talk about the various ways a manager could help their wrestler - if they were so inclined.
  
  
• Paul Heyman - In addition to being a manager, Paul E. Dangerously is probably better known as the owner of ECW. He has a fluid delivery and he's a pretty strong manager. However, Paul is also a great booker and promoter.
  
  
• Captain Lou Albano - Captain Lou is the manager i'm most familiar with, since he was one of the most recognizable during the WWE's heyday in the 80's. Of course, the rubber bands he sported and his gruff look probably had something to do with it too.
  
  
• Managers In Matches - Bobby Heenan's two weasel matches (the first is on the disc), Jim Cornette's "Scaffold" match and Bruno Lauer's "Women's Championship" match are discussed. The less said about the last, the better.
  
  
• Miss Elizabeth - Probably the most famous of all female managers is discussed. She had grace and style, the complete opposite of the sort of female valet/manager that Sunny helped usher in. She was involved in the wrestling business until 2000 and she later passed away in 2003.
  
  
• Bobby Heenan - After beginning with "Classy" Freddie Blassie, we end the disc with another one of the best managers to ever grace a WWE ring - Bobby "the Brain" Heenan. In addition to being a great manager, he was one half of one of the greatest announce teams the WWE ever had. Truly funny stuff.
  
  

In addition to the documentary, we're also treated to these extras:

• Capt. Lou Albano vs. Arnold Skaaland [MSG 12/19/77] [6:31]
  
  
• Bobby Heenan vs. Greg Gagne [Weasel Suit Match, AWA 8/17/80] [13:10] Joined in progress
  
  
• Jim Cornette vs. Paul E. Dangerously [Tuxedo Match, the Great American Bash 1989] [6:36]
  
  
• Interviews, Vignettes, Music Videos
  
  
  • Vince McMahon interviews Freddie Blassie & Nikolai Volkoff [5:01]
    
  
  
  • Tony Schiavone interviews Jim Cornette [NWA World Championship Wrestling 6/29/85] [2:09]
    
  
  
  • "Fuji Vice" [Tuesday Night Titans 5/7/86] [8:01] - A parody of "Miami Vice" staring Mr. Fuji and Don Muraco. Yes, it's as bad as you think it is.
    
  
  
  • Vince McMahon interviews the Grand Wizard & Bob Duncum [All-Star Wrestling 4/2/75] [4:57]
    
  
  
  • Mean Gene Okerlund visits the Hart Foundation [14:25]
    
  
  
  • Bobby Heenan wins the 1976 Manager of the Year Award [AWA All-Star Wrestling 12/25/76] [4:03]
    
  
  
  • Capt. Lou Albano wins the 1985 Manager of the Year Award [Tuesday Night Titans 9/27/85] [4:35]
    
  
  
  • Larry Nelson interviews Paul E. Dangerously [AWA Championship Wrestling 9/30/87] [1:55]
    
  
  
  • "Together" - Randy Savage & Miss Elizabeth's Wedding Video [SummerSlam 8/26/91] [3:30]
    
  
  
  • Sensational Sherri visits the Funeral Parlor 2/1/92 [3:58]
    
  
  
  • Bruno Sammartino interviews Arnold Skaaland [Championship Wrestling 5/27/80] [1:28]
    
  
  
  • Sunny sings "Happy Birthday" [Raw 2/19/96] [:31]

Video: The World's Greatest Wrestling Managers' picture was, for the most part, sharp and blemish-free and presented in the WWE's standard full frame 1.33:1 ratio.

Audio: As with most WWE discs, the Dolby Digital 5.1 track was crystal clear and enveloped my living room while I was watching it. Then again, a documentary of this sort doesn't require a spectacular aural experience.

Conclusion: If you buy this disc expecting in-depth segments on each manager, you'll be disappointed. While they do cover some of the manager's history and main achievements, it's very brief. Heck, Blassie deserves his own disc. That said, this disc does give the viewer enough to whet their appetites and give them a cliff note synopsis of managers, past and present. And I enjoyed most of the extras that were included (I feel secure in stating that I got misty eyed watching Savage & Miss Elizabeth's wedding video). In that aspect, this disc succeeds and is a Recommended disc. It's a shame they didn't add more extras. Lord knows they have a wealth of material to choose from.