The Killing of Bruiser Brody

When Hulk Hogan was the spearhead of WWF wrestling in the late 80s and early 90s. He would talk how Vince McMahon wanted to capitalise on athletic wrestlers, sports entertainment instead of blood and gore.

Bruiser Brody was the blood and guts type of wrestler. He and Abdullah the Butcher proudly displayed their scars.

This documentary is presented by Mick Foley, no stranger to scars himself. Bruiser Brody was found stabbed in the dressing room in 1988. He died and his attacker José González was arrested but was found not guilty of the crime.

I knew little about Brody but his antics in the ring were wild. A real barbarian who frightened the crowd and attracted cult status in Japan.

The dispute arose as both men had a stake in the wrestling promotion in Puerto Rico.

The show had accounts from several people, Tony Atlas who went to hospital with the dying Brody. González declined to take part.

Atlas is clear as to what he saw that evening. It seems some others saw things differently. The show does not cast much light into the saga but does indicate that something stank into high heaven regarding the investigation and the court case. I like to think the program might be the first step to bring real justice for Brody's family.

Hard to believe the saga of Bruiser Brody's death is already three decades gone by now. Brody, real name Frank Goodish, was a real life Jekyll and Hyde in an entertainment sport that blended fantasy with reality. In this documentary, his wife Barbara (portrayed by Rebecca Grenier) states how she witnessed the transformation every time she dropped him off at the airport and he walked through the doors of the terminal. He changed from a loving family man into the barbarian who's ring persona turned him into one of the most brutal men who ever entered the squared circle.

During some time in 1988, Brody apparently bought into a small ownership position in the Puerto Rican World Wrestling Council (WWC), whose president was wrestler and promoter Carlos Colón. The wrestling scene on the island was noted for it's over the top mayhem and free flowing gore that were trademarks of the stars who topped the wrestling cards. They included men like Abdullah the Butcher, Tony Atlas, Jose Huertas Gonzalez and the Iron Sheik, along with Colón and Brody himself. Gonzalez was the number two man in the WWC, and had a personal animosity with Brody that extended outside the ring. With Brody's part ownership in the promotion, his intent to generate changes in the organization and it's story lines apparently was the impetus that led to his eventual demise.

The primary on screen contributors to this story are Abdullah the Butcher, Atlas, and wrestler Dutch Mantell. Atlas states undeniably that he witnessed Jose Gonzalez stab Brody with a knife in a dressing room prior to an upcoming match. The wounds proved fatal, and Brody was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after having arrived there. Remaining by Brody's side from the dressing room onto the ambulance and to the hospital, Atlas was determined to speak out about how Brody died. However word came back to Atlas that it wouldn't be safe for him to return to the arena, and he spent the night sequestered on a local beach until the following day.

The upshot of the investigation into Brody's death was that witness statements by friends and associates of Gonzalez contradicted Atlas, and a jury trial found Gonzalez not guilty in Brody's death. No murder weapon was ever discovered while Gonzalez affirmed his innocence. The whitewash that was maintained by the principals of WWC backed up Gonzalez's claim, and if the statements offered by Tony Atlas are to be believed, it appears that Jose Gonzales got away with murder.

I almost always hate biopics, but this guy's life is begging to be made into a film starring Jason Momoa.

This episode from season one of "Vice's" "Dark Side of the Ring" called "The Killing of Bruiser Brody" which first aired on Feb. 3, 2019 was one revealing and interesting drama filled one, yet tragic as it leaves all wrestling fans wanting answers after the sad and unexpected dirty death of Brody. I remember as a kid watching "AWA" and "World Class Championship Wrestling" and seeing this giant big wild man with long hair and a beard as one Bruiser Brody was scary and one tough wrestler that fans and other foes feared. Thru footage and with interviews it was revealed about what an international draw that Bruiser was in "Japan" and even "Puerto Rico" and he was said to be very smart and well liked by family and interviews with friends and fellow wrestlers like Abdullah the Butcher, Dutch Mantel, and Tony Atlas told in depth details about how Bruiser impacted the sport as even he influenced Mick Foley to be the grappler he became. Thru all of the blood, gore, and foreign objects, and wild ring fights with fans even Brody was a business man and his venture into the World Wrestling Council a Puerto Rican league caused change and it seemed to lead to Brody's untimely and quick death. As told upon a trip to a show in 1988 after a fight and locker room disagreement with a fellow wrestler and promoter Brody was stabbed and would later die. You as a viewer and fan are asking for answers as it was hush hush a dirty inside job? Overall touching and revealing episode one that seeks answers as it seeks justice and it was a tribute to the super great wild tough legend in one legend of Bruiser Brody.