Exposed! Pro Wrestling's Greatest Secrets

Not quite sure if the goal was to celebrate pro wrestling for the art form that it is, or discredit it. If the latter, it failed since Pro Wrestling still thrives.

I think the producers were getting tired of the whole exposing Magic's Big Secrets and were looking for something else fun to spoil.

As a former pro wrestler myself, I can say a few things inconsistent with the documentary. First, the ring. Under the canvas it is indeed padded, but no more than maybe 2 inches of padding. The documentary makes it look like your jumping around on a sleep-number mattress. The padding helps, but it is still wood and steel underneath. Does it hurt? Not really. But landing wrong can knock the wind out of ya.

Second is the mic under the ring. This may be a technique done in large scale arenas by WWE, and at the time WCW. But on an indy circuit, as a fan, a member of the ring crew, and as a performer myself, I never noticed any microphone.

I didn't also care for the negative words like con, scam, etc. Pro Wrestling is just like going to see a magic show. You suspend disbelief and allow yourself to get caught up in the moment.

If you are a genuine fan of sports entertainment and are looking to see exactly how they do what they do, or are an aspiring wrestler who is looking to find out how they perform what they do safely, then this film is for you. While they do not cover every move performed, they do cover a lot of the most common moves, from simple punches to pile drivers.

If you're one of those who have it set in their mind wrestling is real and none of it is fake, do not watch this. It will only crush your dreams and burst your bubble. If you're one of those who think it is completely fake. Again, don't watch, because this film will burst your bubble also.

After watching this film you will truly appreciate these entertainers to a whole new level. I gave it a 7 out of 10 because it is outdated. While it is outdated, the premise is basically the same. Now I just wish they would make a documentary on what it's actually like to be a wrestler.

Whenever I watch I cringe because they treat wrestling fans like children as if they thought everything was completely real

In the 1990s rather you say it or not, you watched Pro Wrestling rather it was the WWF, The WCW or The ECW you knew Wrestling was every where. Wrestling Documentary videos were everywhere

Exposed! Pro Wrestling's Greatest Secrets is a old video that try to "Exposed" all of the secrets behind Pro Wrestling.

Now just for the record most fans know the history of the stunts these Wrestlers do every time they step into the ring we all not fools but some of this program did insult some of our intelligence.

And using the word 'Fake' always get fans in a riot mood also this video try lost some of interest when some things fans know are far from beyond the truth.

Yes we know how wrestling works so don't make us feel like we don't know what's going on.

The special has eight masked real Pro Wrestlers exposing the secrets of wrestling.

It's actually interesting to see how they pull off these moves and tricks though there are some things you might find highly unlikely that it works like that

But still this show really is interesting enough but lack on some of the truth about wrestling it takes fans of the sport to understand it and fans of wrestling follow it like crazy

It also interesting to note how they were able to disguise the wrestlers and referee in the special to protect their true Identities.This is just one of those wrestling films you have to watch to understand more of it and only wrestling fans would get what they were talking about just keep in mind

Yea it was release in 1998 but it is still something to consider looking into if you like wrestling or just curious about the film

I give Exposed! Pro Wrestling's Greatest Secrets an 7 out of 10

This review consists of not only my thoughts but also some responses to criticisms I've heard about it. It's a 45 minute program about the "secrets" of pro wrestling, featuring real wrestlers whose identities have been hidden, and plenty of demonstrations of how they do their stunts in the ring.

I first learned about this video from the internet, about a decade after it had originally aired (and later got my hands on an actual tape).

Apparently this program has been the subject of of mockery from fans of Pro Wrestling. When it came out in 1998 it was somewhat dated and sensationalist, but I feel that a lot of the criticisms were sour grapes. A lot of fans claimed they always knew wrestling was fake. The fact is that people have been SAYING that for years, but how many people actually discussed how it was done, in a public forum in the 90's? I saw one other program like this made earlier, with older production values, but it didn't go as deeply into depth.

Is wrestling "fake"? This short documentary clarifies that indeed saying "pro wrestling is fake" is too simplistic of a statement. There are parts that are real and parts that acting. A lot of it is stunts and exaggeration. Pro Wrestling creates the illusion of an athletic competition, when in reality it is theater. Apart from the (many) times when accidents occur, these guys do get manhandled in the ring, and over time it takes its toll just like any career football player or (in some cases, professional boxers).

Pro Wrestling you see on TV or see "live" is over-acted, so that the people in the back can see, just like if you were seeing a play. You're watching a live action version of comic book villains and heroes slugging it out. There's also plenty of spectacle, and people watch it for the same reason they watch boxing or other sports, to cheer their favorites and boo the other guys. Knowing that the violence isn't what it appears to be may even soften the guilty feeling some fans may experience from watching what seems to be a bunch of guys mangling each other for sport.

The biggest dangers faced by pro wrestlers in the real world, that is, outside "kayfabe" (the lingo and culture of the illusion, the secrets) are drugs (steroids and recreational drugs, the latter being the temptation of all celebrities).

No doubt these guys are in great shape, and could likely "take you down in a back alley brawl" if the situation arose. But that's not the point.

People complain about the "bad acting" and theatrics in this video, but let's face it, that is EXACTLY the kind of thing that all pro wrestling on PPV or DVD is, especially the WWE. Heavy use of melodrama, stereotypes, and plots seemingly ripped straight from soap operas & "reality" TV are the meat and potatoes of wrestling. Is it any wonder nowadays that wrestling video games focus on playing up the promos, introductions and "what goes on backstage" as much as the action in the ring itself?

The video does what it does well, in showing the basics of how many of the popular moves are done, and some things not all wrestling fans might have known (taking chair shots or smashing through tables without injury). It doesn't get into how they "cut" each other with barbed wire or put out flames as in some of the more "hardcore" stuff (but they do cover basic "juicing" which is how most wrestlers bleed in a match), but it isn't hard to figure out, once you realize the culture of illusion we're dealing with.

Another complaint I often hear is that the masked wrestlers in the movie "were losers" or "needed the money." This seems like a very ignorant argument, considering that the "losing" in matches is as fake as the victories. The wrestlers don't determine who wins or loses, it's merely their job to play the part. Sure, they play to the crowd, but barring an injury, the outcome is going to be the same. Plus, do you think every wrestler gets paid the same? They are independent contractors, and especially with all the steroid use, many of them burn out or die before their time. The work they did in this video is no less "dignified" than what these guys and their peers do on Pay Per View. It's educational.

My impression after watching this program was that I found I had gained great RESPECT for the guys who came up with these tricks, the psychology that gets the crowd worked up with the show, the writers who come up with memorable characters and gimmicks and most of all the wrestlers who go through all the physical conditioning, showmanship, and even punishment in order to entertain you. If anything, a video like this made me give them more credit, not less, though others felt that it was mocking fans for getting caught up in the action.

People will point out that this video's material is "dated" but turn on TNA or just about any other promotion and you'll see many of the same tricks are still there or ones like them. I have a feeling if a non-kayfabe video was put out by the WWE it wouldn't create controversy.

Certainly more documentaries could be made that are more "respectful" or included more of the modern tricks (like the hardcore stuff) but the groundwork has been laid.

So while not a perfect show, it's good introduction, especially to young fans. You can still enjoy wrestling, even if you "know the secrets."