Wrestlers

I know nobody follows my reviews, but if you did, you'd know that I'm a fan of Professional Wrestling. I had put off watching this series for a while though, as I thought that it might have to be too basic, in order to appeal to an audience that doesn't follow wrestling. There is an element to which that is the case, but still I was dragged in by the backstage narrative.

Ohio Valley Wrestling, formally a feeding ground for the WWE, now operates as an independent company, producing a weekly TV show but struggling financially. New owners Matt Jones and Craig Greenburg are debating whether it's viable to keep the company operating and plan a summer tour of the Kentucky area, ending with a big show. OVW's creative director is Al Snow, former WWE Superstar, and his desire to run traditional story driven shows is at odds with Jones, who's looking to cut costs or increase attendance.

As with a lot of documentaries actual wrestling is only part of the shows appeal. It does give you a background of how Wrestling works, how they arrive at the angles and how easily it can all be undone by an injury or by someone getting a better offer. Much more the series is about the people involved in the show. Snow is quieter and more contemplative than I thought anyone who performed in the attitude era would be and he comes across really well. Several of the staff and Wrestlers get aspects of their stories show, but the most attention goes to Haley James, a twenty-year-old daughter of another wrestler, whose natural charisma, which could take her all the way, is in danger of being entirely undermined by her damaged upbringing and poor life choices. The nearest the show has to a villain is her misogynistic and bitter boyfriend, who is nearly 15 years older than her and entirely unaware that he's not going to make it.

The documentary is given a lot of access, with many of them so comfortable with the blurred lines of reality that Wrestling already has, they are prepared to have personal conversations in front of the documentary cameras. I'm surprised that Netflix hasn't decided to pick up the OVW show, certainly for international distribution. I like this series and watched it in a couple of sessions. I'd certainly watch another run too, if they went back.

So surprised how good this was. Absolutely floored by how lucid and calculated al snow is along with caring and extremely genuine. I grew up as a kid in the 80s and 90s watching wrestling until in 96 they put this ppv on from Denver called UFC. And wrestling never did it for me after seeing real fighting... but this show brings back all the good, and reminds you how hard some of these people are trying to entertain you. A story about the struggle to achieve success and the american dream. Well developed and rich in character content (not just the schtick, but the real people you see) Fantastic! Hoping this has a season 2 in the works.

Oh this is a great series. A struggling C class wrestling organization, a couple of investors shaking things up, unique stories of wrestlers lives, will they make it? Let's find out.

Pro wrestling is all about narrative and entertainment, which is exactly what this series is. You don't have to be a wrestling fan to see what makes these people tick. It makes sense, it's fun, it's theater. These people are thespians, but where they lack in acting skills they make up for in physical imagination.

The docu-series is 7 episodes that is a countdown to their version of "Wrestlemania" called "The Big One," and the point is to get the organization to be profitable or at least break even, if not the investors will pull out.

These people live in their own worlds and it's fun to visit for a little while. A series well worth watching.

This show was awesome. I consumed the whole thing in one sitting and now I'm sad that's it's over. Pro wrestling fans will really like this without a doubt. If you're not into pro wrestling it's hard to say. I'm not a huge wrestling fan as in I don't go to events, buy merch or anything but I do keep up with the results of the weekly shows even though a lot of the main companies are not putting out very good content right now.

It's a great show about people blindly following their passion, refusing to give up on their dreams and the struggles to juggle all of that with earning a living and providing for a family. Wrestling fan or not, just give one episode a go.

I loved Last Chance U because it delved into the players' personal struggles and family stories, and it made me root so hard for them individually. I feel the same way about Wrestlers. You can't help but root for HollyHood Haley with her backstory and CashFlo's relentless pursuit of the grind is so inspiring, as are his family's sacrifices. Shera is a beautiful soul and seeing him take such pride in something that most of us take for granted (his pristine Nissan Maxima) was so lovely and humbling. Al Snow is a gruff and stern former wrestler but also seems to be a huge teddy bear and I loved watching him mentor these wrestling hopefuls and being tough but firm. Being from KY I'm heartened to see an honest and not at all demeaning portrayal of the state and its rural communities. The series gets better with each episode and I am honestly kind of sad I'm finished.