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  • Viceland
  • Feb 3, 2019
  • Viceland
  • Feb 3, 2019
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

  • Viceland
  • Feb 3, 2019
  • Viceland
  • Feb 3, 2019
Dark Side of the Ring
Season 1
5 Seasons
Season Premiere: Feb 3, 2019
Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 4 Critic Reviews
80
User Score Available after 4 ratings
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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

Season Episodes

View All Seasons
Episode 1 • Apr 10, 2019 • 44 m
The Match Made in Heaven
Art collides with real life when the mythical love story between wrestling icons Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth explodes beyond the ring with tragic consequences.
Episode 2 • Apr 17, 2019 • 44 m
The Montreal Screwjob
In one of wrestling's most infamous off-script moments, wrestler Bret Hart is stripped of his championship title through a backstage plot of betrayal that forever changes the sport.
Episode 3 • Feb 3, 2019 • 44 m
The Killing of Bruiser Brody
Wrestlers relive the tragic evening in 1988 when they witnessed a locker room confrontation that resulted in the death of legendary wrestler Bruiser Brody.
Episode 4 • May 1, 2019 • 44 m
The Last of the Von Erichs
The last surviving brother of the legendary Von Erich wrestling dynasty revisits the tragedy that plagued his once iconic family.
Episode 5 • May 8, 2019 • 44 m
The Mysterious Death of Gorgeous Gino
For 30 years, the family of wrestling star Gino Hernandez believed his tragic death was a drug-related murder. Startling new revelations are revealed to his still grieving mother.
Episode 6 • May 15, 2019 • 44 m
The Fabulous Moolah
The legacy of wrestling's biggest female star, The Fabulous Moolah, is re-examined after controversial allegations surface following her 2007 death.
5 Seasons

Top Cast

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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

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 4 Critic Reviews
80
100% Positive
4 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 4 Critic Reviews
80
100% Positive
4 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
83
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
80
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
80
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
80
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.
FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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