A few years ago, I was very excited to watch Mickey Rourke's film "The Wrestler". However, upon viewing the film, I was left feeling disappointed with the project but couldn't quite put my finger on why. After watching "Beyond The Mat", I now fully realize what that feature film was missing: it the case of professional wrestling, the truth is undoubtedly stranger (and more compelling) than fiction.
For a basic summary of this documentary, it focuses on four primary areas:
1. The "independent" or "minor league" pro wrestling circuit conducted in gyms and town VFW's across the nation.
2. Jake "The Snake" Roberts, former WWE superstar, who now battles fierce demons (smoking, the bottle, crack, family troubles) just to stay alive.
3. Mick "Mankind" Foley, a man with an unnerving pain threshold that, while making it big, worries about the effects his punishment may have on his children.
4. Terry Funk, a wrestling lifer who reflects upon his career in an insane business...the ECW.
As a fan of professional wrestling (WWE in particular), this documentary really pulled at the heartstrings. Whereas the glitz, glamour, and pageantry all look great on screen, the horrors and tribulations that often result from such antics gives one serious pause. Each one of those four stories showcases a different type of battle that professional wrestlers face, and they are all very interesting.
The Jake Roberts story is especially intriguing, as it portrays a man so deeply conflicted about his past, present, and future, that one wonders how a person could get so screwed up.
Overall, this is an incredible documentary that is well worth a watch if you have an interest in professional wrestling whatsoever. If you watched Rourke's "The Wrestler" and came away wanting something more, this little film will likely satisfy you.
For a basic summary of this documentary, it focuses on four primary areas:
1. The "independent" or "minor league" pro wrestling circuit conducted in gyms and town VFW's across the nation.
2. Jake "The Snake" Roberts, former WWE superstar, who now battles fierce demons (smoking, the bottle, crack, family troubles) just to stay alive.
3. Mick "Mankind" Foley, a man with an unnerving pain threshold that, while making it big, worries about the effects his punishment may have on his children.
4. Terry Funk, a wrestling lifer who reflects upon his career in an insane business...the ECW.
As a fan of professional wrestling (WWE in particular), this documentary really pulled at the heartstrings. Whereas the glitz, glamour, and pageantry all look great on screen, the horrors and tribulations that often result from such antics gives one serious pause. Each one of those four stories showcases a different type of battle that professional wrestlers face, and they are all very interesting.
The Jake Roberts story is especially intriguing, as it portrays a man so deeply conflicted about his past, present, and future, that one wonders how a person could get so screwed up.
Overall, this is an incredible documentary that is well worth a watch if you have an interest in professional wrestling whatsoever. If you watched Rourke's "The Wrestler" and came away wanting something more, this little film will likely satisfy you.