If you want to take a closer look at one of the most popular entertainment sports in the world – World Wrestling – then watch this WWE documentary titled “Beyond The Mat”.
Directed by Barry W. Blaustein in 1999, Beyond the Mat takes a look at the real lives of the professional sports stars that make their living in the sports entertainment industry of professional wrestling. The documentary mainly centres its attention on the World Wrestling Federation (WWE) and also covers the increase in popularity in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).
The programme follows Mick Foley, Jack ‘The Snake’ Roberts and Terry Funk as it gives an insight into how these professional wrestlers juggle the rigors of their intense career with the everyday duties of family life. It is a moving and very cutting documentary that opens the doors on an industry that has remained relatively private up until now. The sacrifice made by these stars for the benefit of public consumption is heart wrenching and, in some cases, tragic. Whether you are a wrestling fan or not this documentary will change your perspective on the industry completely.
