I grew up watching wrestling during the 80s/90s and I'm fascinated by stories of what happened behind the scenes. I've been watching interviews of wrestlers on YouTube for years so when I seen this advertised I was really excited. I've watched the first 4 eps and they've all been brilliant, especially the one about Bruiser Brody which was unbelievable. Hopefully they do more and more of these stories because they are really interesting to watch. 10/10 from me.
33 Reviews
info for wrestling fans
thrashergene6 May 2019
I have been watching and attending pro wrestling shows for over 50 years and this is the first thing I have seen that matches the power of the Von Erich documentary called "Faded Glory" Dark Side of the Ring shoud be viewed by any fan. the best thing done on this subject in many many years.
A must for any wrestling fan
malcolmjohnston24 May 2020
Nothing really new here that you can't find on many many YouTube channel but the production quality and interviews are of a much high standard
If you grew up watching wrestling anytime in the late 70's through to the early 90's this series is absolutely gold
A few weaker episodes but the really big stories make up for those as a whole The bruiser brody episode is a high light.
A few weaker episodes but the really big stories make up for those as a whole The bruiser brody episode is a high light.
Truly a must watch for wrestling fans and people going through the rough game of life
natepritchard7823 July 2019
All 6 episodes are very well done and honest. It was renewed for a 10 episode 2nd season. Im hoping we get stories on Beniot, Warrior, Eddie, Snuka, Hogan and many more.
Seriously this could run for at least 10 more seasons with 10 episodes each. Wrestling has had more tragic incidents and darkness attached to it than most people realize.
As long as they keep it classy this will be great for a long time.
If you ever watched wrestling you should watch
KOOLAIDBRO9 September 2020
I got into wrestling in the late 80s when I was a kid and stopped watching not long after and then was back in to it in the late 90s which was also short-lived so I don't know that much about it. That being said. This is a hardcore no BS documentary. This is the way docs should be done. Chris Jericho narrates season 2 which is when it really shines. The Benoit was heart wrenching as was the Owen Hart which I was in attendance with my cousin at Kemper Arena in Kansas City so I saw that one in person and I still didn't know the full story until now. If you like good docs that don't pull any punches? Check this out.
Pretty damn good!
HonestIndyReviewer15 April 2019
Original, honest, raw and well done
petercoleman5554 January 2020
Wow....
If you grew up in the golden age of wrestling and always thought about what ever happened to....
Or what goes on with....
This is confronting and brutality honest!
Well done 👍
Hope to see more of this great series return
Old school fans will love it.
paudieconnolly30 July 2020
Wow! Incredible
mikeiskorn12 June 2021
This is by far one of the best documentary series ever created. I was a young fan in the attitude era and as I grew up I grew out of wrestling. I didn't know anything of the history before. Watching this and finding out these stories has been breathtaking and I don't want it to end. How can there be so much tragedy in wrestling!?! My younger self can't comprehend it and my adult self is so intrigued. This is a must watch or fans or NOT fans of wrestling.
If this is fake, I don't want to know what's real
anthonyjames184 May 2020
The wrestling world is truly a conundrum of what seems like an absolute dream job performing in front of 10's of thousands of fans and millions worldwide. But scratch the service and you will see more disturbing tales and tragedies than Hollywood could ever of mustered up. Dark side of the ring is incredibly well made with thorough investigation and researche into the most shocking and disturbing stories of wrestling. Depending which way you look at it, there are plenty of incidences that will definitely provide material for a few series at least. Even for a neutral you will be entertained with great drama of larger than life characters and stories of sex, drugs and murders will leave you thinking "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON". If you are a fan you will instantly fall in love with this series, with every storied legend having it's own episode. I would just sit back and really enjoy a fantastic series that will just get better as it goes on.
A must see and watch for any old wrestling fan of the golden age, as it shows the ups and downs in and out of the ring.
blanbrn1 June 2023
Now for four season's "Vice" channel has one gem show that I love and enjoy viewing that being "Dark Side of the Ring" which is a tribute to any wrestling fan of the golden age as it's informative and revealing about the life and times of past grapplers in and out of the ring! As I was a big fan of many wrestling leagues from the early 80's till the mid 90's of such wrestling organizations as the "WWF", "NWA", "AWA", and "World Class". So this series is relatable because it features highlights and clips and historical stories from those days and interviews are given with each episode about many tragic and deadly ends of many wrestlers as they find wicked fates by bad choices of addiction and bad luck. And I always enjoy the interviews and takes and insights from wrestling legends like broadcaster/promoter/manager in both Jim Ross and Jim Cornette as they are a world of knowledge as they know the history of pro wrestling all way around in and out of the ring as they are historians. This series is one backstage pass for any wrestling buff who enjoyed and remembered the golden age as it reveals things many fans like me didn't know, in the meantime showing how sad and tragic that the life of many wrestlers turned out. Still highly interesting, informative, and revealing series to watch for any old wrestling fan and history buff like me.
Excellent for what it is.
overfiend197627 April 2023
Its nice to see a documentary series dealing with a topic such as this without devling at all into sensationalism, but actually trying to suss out the stories from multiple angles from fellow performers, family, & friends.
The filming and narration are easily a 10.
Editing is also superb.
Lower marks (but just a bit) for the music, as at times it doesn't quite seem to fit the tone of a particular segment.
I am rather looking forward to the upcoming fourth season of this. And I am pleased that they were able to make it narrative that is palpable to all levels of fans, as well as to those that have never watched a speck of wrestling.
The filming and narration are easily a 10.
Editing is also superb.
Lower marks (but just a bit) for the music, as at times it doesn't quite seem to fit the tone of a particular segment.
I am rather looking forward to the upcoming fourth season of this. And I am pleased that they were able to make it narrative that is palpable to all levels of fans, as well as to those that have never watched a speck of wrestling.
Outstanding
brett-7626025 January 2022
I grew up in Dallas watching the Von Erichs... I'm what you call an old school wrestling fan. I've been a fan since early 80's. Man this show brings back so many memories and so worth watching. It's very well made and very informative. Bottom line is if you love wrestling and the history behind it all, this is a serious not to be missed. Jericho does a great job narrating the series and gotta love Jim corenettes involvement. Hope the show keeps going on and more seasons are made. Give it a go cause it's binge worthy.
Wrestling fans. Must watch.
Mashmarriner12 September 2021
Extremely well done
MJDMLQ20 August 2021
This is a wonderful series, even for the non-wrestling fan. Does well exploring the darker aspects of the pro wrestling world. Chris Jericho is the perfect narrator. Don't really want to ruin anything by stating too much, but I was actually wanting more. Feels like these 44 minute episodes could easily be 2 hour episodes and still be just as intriguing. Well done!
A must watch for any wrestling fan.
Mashmarriner29 March 2020
Mind blowing
Anik9917 April 2020
I was familiar with most of of the stories, thanks to youtube channel Wrestlelamia, but the in depth analysis and investigative journalism of this series were really intriguing. If you are true fan of wrestling, meaning not only just watch wrestling on tv or internet but also try to know about what's going on in the business, this series is for you.
Nothing new
natepritchard7828 October 2021
All the popular episodes just repeat info thats been told to us 1000 times already. The less popular episodes are well done and informative. I guess its for a casual fan.
Season 3 they unfortunately started going in with one sided stories and almost like set out to make the WWE look bad. They need no help in that department I just find it disgusting that this show would stoop to that level. By seasons emd their subliminal advertising the "new" wrestling promotion. Cant make this crap up. So wrong on every level. Tony Kahn got to thd producers. I know it sounds nuts but this is the same guy who is actively shutting down content creators who dare disparage his promotion amd been caught paying dirt sheet writers.
Season 3 they unfortunately started going in with one sided stories and almost like set out to make the WWE look bad. They need no help in that department I just find it disgusting that this show would stoop to that level. By seasons emd their subliminal advertising the "new" wrestling promotion. Cant make this crap up. So wrong on every level. Tony Kahn got to thd producers. I know it sounds nuts but this is the same guy who is actively shutting down content creators who dare disparage his promotion amd been caught paying dirt sheet writers.
not a wrestling fan
mildlymorbidx30 May 2021
Ive never watched a match or seen an episode of most of these shows (except Glow) and I found myself intrigued. I heard someone talking about how good it was so I thought Id check out an episode to see what its about. Rough raw and brutal. Good stuff.. very interesting even if you dont watch wrestling. So much tragedy.
Wow - so much fun
iamjamalwhite22 May 2020
I had no idea -- great look into the grind of professional wrestling. Some fun origin stories and a nice look at how misfits find their place in the ring. This was made for anyone who remembers the Rick Flair, Rickey Steamboat, Sgt Slaughter, Hacksaw, the Hart Brothers, Hulk Hogan, the Destroyers, the 4 Horsemen, the road warriors. It is a good time!
Good story's but bad accompany music
scharlesterrien16 July 2019
I find the stories told to be engrossing. My biggest problem with this series is the background music is to often so loud that the dialog is drowned out. So I give this only 5*'s......just poor production. This could have been rated much higher.
My god I never knew about these dark stories
stevenoname21 November 2020
As a huge wrestling fan I'm surprised about the Benoit story and the sad Owen Hart's death.
This show tells a good documentary about most dark stories.
My favorite is the new jack documentary, a crazy psychopath that is still allowed to wrestle. Seriously this man is messed up. Also I had fun and laughed a lot about the Schultz slap of the noisy reporter and the reporters last word in the that doc really cracked me up.
This doc show has a lot of sorrow but a lot interesting Info, probably info that we don't want you to see.
This show tells a good documentary about most dark stories.
My favorite is the new jack documentary, a crazy psychopath that is still allowed to wrestle. Seriously this man is messed up. Also I had fun and laughed a lot about the Schultz slap of the noisy reporter and the reporters last word in the that doc really cracked me up.
This doc show has a lot of sorrow but a lot interesting Info, probably info that we don't want you to see.
A must for old school fans
queenkulick8 October 2021
If you're a fan of wrestling history, this is definitely worth watching. Well presented - and the amount of talent that has appeared on the show to talk is impressive.
Big downfall in season 3 is Tommy Dreamer comparing sexual assault to his ugly ass haircut. Please don't have him back on the show.
And the more Jim Cornette and JR, the better! Be great if they would get Tony Schiavone on there too.
Big downfall in season 3 is Tommy Dreamer comparing sexual assault to his ugly ass haircut. Please don't have him back on the show.
And the more Jim Cornette and JR, the better! Be great if they would get Tony Schiavone on there too.
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