SummaryThe 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
Dark Side of the Ring
7 Seasons
Season 1 Premiere:
Apr 10, 2019
Metascore
Generally Favorable
80
User score
Generally Favorable
6.8
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
80
100% Positive
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Apr 10, 2019
83
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.
Apr 10, 2019
80
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.
Apr 10, 2019
80
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.
Apr 10, 2019
80
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.
Mar 23, 2020
70
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.
User score
Generally Favorable
6.8
80% Positive
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
20% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Mar 24, 2020
9
I like this series. My girlfriend could care less about pro wrestling and she even really likes this show. I don't know if it's because it's the way the show is set up, it's filmed very ID Style (Investigation Discovery). Maybe that is why it catches the non pro wrestling fans eye? But I how they put new episodes on the app the day they air even before the actual episode airs on tv. I think thats pretty cool. So if you usually find yourself liking shows on the Investigation Discovery show and you enjoy pro wrestling, then this show is tailor-made for you.
