X

2019
TV-14
Viceland

2019
TV-14
Viceland

Dark Side of the Ring

Summary The six-part documentary series narrated by Dutch Mantel explores some of the darker stories in pro-wrestling including deaths of Bruiser Brody, "Gorgeous" Gino Hernandez, and the Von Erichs; how Bret Hart lost his title; and the allegations of exploitation by other female wrestlers by The Fabulous Moolah.

Created By: Evan Husney, Jason Eisener

2019
TV-14
Viceland

2019
TV-14
Viceland

Dark Side of the Ring

5 Seasons

Season 1 Premiere: Apr 10, 2019

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 5 Critic Reviews

80

User Score Generally Favorable Based on 4 User Ratings

6.5

My Score

Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary The six-part documentary series narrated by Dutch Mantel explores some of the darker stories in pro-wrestling including deaths of Bruiser Brody, "Gorgeous" Gino Hernandez, and the Von Erichs; how Bret Hart lost his title; and the allegations of exploitation by other female wrestlers by The Fabulous Moolah.

Created By: Evan Husney, Jason Eisener

Where to Watch

All Seasons

6 Episodes • 2019

10 Episodes • 2020

14 Episodes • 2021

10 Episodes • 2023

10 Episodes • 2024

5 Seasons

Top Cast

Chris Jericho

Narrator, Chris Jericho, Self - Professional Wrestler

Steve Kasan

Savio Vega

James E. Cornette

Self - Former WWE Executive, Self - Wrestling Historian, Self

Howard Shefman

Earl

Felipe Aukai

Vince McMahon

Nicolino De Francesco

Doctor

Jim Ross

Self - Former WWE Executive, Self, Self - Former WCW Executive

Eric Bischoff

Self - Former WCW President, Self

Mick Foley

Self - Professional Wrestler, Narrator, Self

Channing Decker

Brian Pillman, Eddie Guerrero

Dave Meltzer

Self - Publisher, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Jake Roberts

Self - Professional Wrestler, Self, Self - Professional Wrestler 'Jake 'The Snake' Roberts'

Lacey Creighton

Wrestling Fan, Connie Gordy, Jeannie Clark, Lori Fullington, Marty Jannetty Pool Girlfriend, Missy Hyatt, Tammy Sytch

Daniel James Pike

Jim Cornette

Bradford Montague

Dutch Mantell

Narrator, Self - Professional Wrestler

Ben Ortmanns

Randy Bynoe

Rob Thomson

David Manning

Self - Former Referee & Wrestling Booker, Self - Former WCCW Booker, Self - Former WCCW Referee & Booker, Self - WCCW Booker, Referee

View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 5 Critic Reviews

100% Positive
5 Reviews

0% Mixed
0 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 5 Critic Reviews

100% Positive
5 Reviews

0% Mixed
0 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Apr 10, 2019

Sometimes, it genuinely feels as if the viewer is being worked, as if the industry vets featured here are doing what they can to keep the ambiguities at the heart of their livelihood as obfuscated as they once were. In that sense, it’s as thrilling as a live wrestling show, though it does lack sports entertainment’s visual fireworks. From a cinematic standpoint, Dark Side Of The Ring unfolds like nearly any Investigation Discovery mystery, with shadowy reenactments accompanying the talking heads prodding the narrative.

By Randall Colburn FULL REVIEW

The Daily Beast

Apr 10, 2019

Equal parts nostalgia trip, investigative inquiry and tabloidy exposé, it revisits stories and stars that are defined by their notoriety. In doing so, it affords a fascinating glimpse at the unique dynamics that make wresting so popular.

By Nick Schager FULL REVIEW

Apr 10, 2019

The two that are the most interesting are the first to air--“The Match Made in Heaven” and “The Montreal Screwjob.” ... The other four episodes range from good to great.

By Brian Tallerico FULL REVIEW

Apr 10, 2019

Dark Side of the Ring isn’t as tasteful as those Andre or Flair movies. It feels more like an offshoot of a show like Unsolved Mysteries, with shadowy re-creations of scenes that may or may not have happened in real life. It’s a more salacious and stylized take on the subject matter, and although that might frustrate serious wrestling fans who’ve been spoiled by 30 for 30 and HBO, that lurid appeal is an appropriate fit for both the subjects and time periods being discussed.

The Daily Beast

Mar 23, 2020

Dark Side of the Ring once again balances its wealth of great talking-head interviews and archival footage with cornier elements such as fuzzy dramatic recreations and soundbite-y transitions to commercial. Furthermore, it occasionally detours away from more interesting avenues of exploration—such as Jericho’s unelaborated-upon comment that Benoit’s scandalous crime almost destroyed wrestling—in favor of sensationalistic angles, which makes it at once immensely watchable and frustratingly shallow.

By Nick Schager FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 4 User Ratings

75% Positive
3 Ratings

0% Mixed
0 Ratings

25% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 4 User Ratings

75% Positive
3 Ratings

0% Mixed
0 Ratings

25% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

Production Company:

Vice Studio Canada

Initial Release Date: Apr 10, 2019

Number of seasons: 5 Seasons

Rating: TV-14

Genres:

Awards

The Joey Awards, Vancouver

• 1 Nomination

Young Artist Awards

• 1 Nomination

Canadian Screen Music Awards

• 1 Nomination

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