Being 500: A Professional Wrestling Documentary (2024)

Beyond the Mat

A heartfelt documentary focusing on the day-to-day lives of professional wrestlers, some on the rise, some on the wane, and others fighting for their lives.

The Sheik

When Khosrow Vaziri became the World Wrestling Federations Iron Sheik and camel-clutched his way to fame in the 1980s, he achieved the American Dream by personifying a foreign villain. Losing his world championship belt to Hulk Hogan became a defining moment in professional wrestling. These days, the Sheiks smackdowns are on Twitter, where hes gained a new following. Once an Olympic hopeful, bodyguard to Irans Shah and pop culture icon, we witness Vaziri struggling with addiction and despair as a family man. But with the help of Torontos Magen brothers, the Sheik begins a road to redemption and renewed status as a public figure. Showcasing his powerful past and at times painful present, this is an insightful look at one of wrestlings biggest stars, but also a powerful story of personal sacrifice that, in the Sheiks own words, will make you humble.

The Backyard

Lightbulbs, fire, barbed wire, mousetraps, staple guns, thumbtacks and glass are weapons of choice in The Backyard. This undercover documentary takes you deep into the controversial arena of backyard wrestling where the limits are constantly being tested...and broken. The Backyard follows several backyard wrestlers in different countries as they pursue their dream to become professional wrestlers.

Everything at Once (Paco & Manolo's Gaze)

Paco and Manolo are two Catalan photographers from the outskirts of Barcelona who have been working together for thirty years as if they were a single person, capturing their images in Kink magazine, a very personal photography fanzine with a homoerotic aesthetic of Mediterranean essence.

En el valle de la luna

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Nail in the Coffin: The Fall and Rise of Vampiro

A rare glimpse into the legendary career of wrestling icon, Vampiro, as he grapples with his demons and life after fame. Straight from one of wrestling's most outspoken characters, this is a candid look beyond the ring.

Sisters of Wrestling

Sisters of Wrestling paints an intimate portrait of Azaelle, LuFisto and Loue O'Farrell, three ring warriors for whom wrestling is both a passionate love and an outlet from everyday life.

MessiCirque

We will see the formative moments, the creative and artistic development, Messi´s participation with the project, training, rehearsals and the "Messi10 Challenge LaLiga". This is the interactive experience that lets you "be Messi for a day", ending with the long-awaited premiere of Messi10 in Barcelona. We will accompany the creators, artists and Messi on a trip from Montreal to Barcelona and discover a story about dreams that come true. MessiCirque combines Cirque du Soleil´s vision to tell, for the first time, the story of a living sports legend with a child´s ambition to play football.

Tough Guys

10 years before the debut of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In 1979, Bill Viola and Frank Caliguri dreamed up a contest pitting barroom bigmouths against wrestlers, martial artists, boxers, bouncers and brawlers, billed as no-holds-barred new type of competitive fighting. When the fights succeeded beyond their wildest expectations, they were swept up in a chain of events that ended in the first mixed-martial arts ban in the nation. “Tough Guys” chronicles the inception of Caliguri and Viola’s first bouts and the colorful, crazy cast of fighters who made them a hit as well as the politicians who brought it all crashing down. The film brings to life a moment when the national martial arts craze was building to a crescendo as the economies of Pennsylvania steel towns were plummeting to levels of unemployment never seen, breeding desperate men looking for a chance to prove their worth and make some money in the ring.

I Am Ali

Unprecedented access to Muhammad Ali's personal archive of "audio journals" as well as interviews and testimonials from his inner circle of family and friends are used to tell the legend's life story.

WWF: Hardy Boyz - Leap of Faith

Hard-hitting, high fliers of the WWE, The the Hardy Boyz have changed the face of sports entertainment with their superior athleticism and awesome aerial assault. Bursting onto the scene in 1999, real-life brothers Matt and Jeff have captured the imaginations of wrestling fans around the globe. Featuring six complete matches, this documentary profile showcases the "Boyz" at the top of their game, sacrificing their bodies, and pushing the sport to the extreme.

The Jersey Devil's Reject

A look into the mind and life of Zac Amico! Learn about the early years of the Real Ass Psycho, his work with Lloyd Kaufman and TROMA films, his Deathmatch with Jeff Cannonball, how he met Luis J. Gomez and more!

Los Exóticos

The documentary portrays the life and history of Mexican wrestlers who for various reasons have decided to participate in this contact sport characterizing exotic characters. The exotic refers to the strange, the mysterious, the weird, the unusual. Particularly in wrestling exotic style refers to refined athletes in their clothing, well groomed, with a very special walk, occasionally thin effeminate. Not rude, not technical, but not rare height or size, these mannered gladiators have represented a third option within the Mexican rings, some shamelessly displaying their sexual preference and thereby defying the homophobic, or secretly homophily, mood of the wrestling fans.

The Fit Finlays

Documentary featuring Ireland’s most famous wrestling family The Fit Finlays. The Finlays from Carrickfergus have kept traditional wrestling in Ireland alive for three generations. They have been central to both the olympic and professional wrestling scenes. This is true wrestling documentary about real wrestlers. Also features legends such as Rasputin the Mad Monk, the Amazing Kung Fu and the sadly missed Orig Williams. Get ready to rumble!!!!

The Secret World of Professional Wrestling

Documentary covering both the major players in American pro wrestling (WWF and WCW) as well as independent leagues and wrestlers.

Exposed!: Pro Wrestling's Greatest Secrets

Go behind the scenes into the strange world of pro wrestling. Find out why these men are more than athletes, and more like actors. Revealed are the tricks of the trade and the secrets to putting on a good show.

¡Qué suerte hemos tenido!

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Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows

This documentary follows superstar Bret Hart during his last year in the WWF. The film documents the tensions that resulted in The Montreal Screwjob, one of the most controversial events in the history of professional wrestling, in which Vince McMahon, Shawn Micheals, and others, legitimately conspired behind the scenes to go against the script and remove Bret Hart as champion.

WWE: The Shawn Michaels Story - Heartbreak & Triumph

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The Self Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior

The strange career of one of the wrestling world's most controversial figures is explored in this WWE Home Video release focusing on eccentric brawler The Ultimate Warrior.

WWE: The Rise + Fall of ECW

The Rise + Fall of ECW is a 2004 direct-to-video documentary produced by World Wrestling Entertainment. It chronicles the history of Philadelphia-based professional wrestling promotion Extreme Championship Wrestling.

Regina – Queen of the Ring

Regina is a young feminist wrestler who fights men to become an international star. However, the true battle in wrestling takes place outside the ring – in the story team meetings.

Go Figure

Two-time Olympian and World Champion, the legendary Randy Gardner, explores his true identity through figure skating and his one man show. With his skating partner of over fifty years, Tai Babilonia, the pair experienced the heights of worldwide glory and devastating personal tragedy. Now that the intense glare of the public spotlight softens, he is free to finally reveal his untold magical and meaningful journey... on and off the ice.

The Price of Fame

Ted DiBiase Jr. takes a journey through pro-wrestlings past to tell the faith-based story of his father's rise, fall and redemption.

History & Tradition: The Story of The National Wrestling Alliance

The National Wrestling Alliance is the oldest sanctioning and governing body in professional wrestling. The NWA World Title has the most storied history in the sport dating back to the 1900's. follow the history and Tradition of the most prestigious world title in wrestling from it's creation to the modern era of the NWA today. Learn of the great athletes who held the title, also the ones many say should never have held it, to the ones fighting to keep the heritage alive. The NWA World Title has had it's highs and lows but it's importance has never been tarnishied. Too many the NWA World Title represents a legacy that will never die. Does it still mean anything? Find out in History & Tradition: The Story of the National Wrestling Alliance.

WWE: The History Of The World Heavyweight Championship

It’s one of the most distinctive and storied championships in the world of sports entertainment and its titleholders are industry standard bearers. Now, for the first time ever, fans can own the definitive DVD set devoted entirely and exclusively to the World Heavyweight Championship.

The Authentic Untold Story of ECW

Go beyond extreme and join the unrivaled Paul Heyman for a unique look at ECW, featuring Tommy Dreamer, The Dudley Boyz, and Tazz!

Wrestling's Last Rebel

"Wrestling's Last Rebel" is the definitive look at the life and career of Bruiser Brody told by the people who knew him best. Bruiser Brody was the most unpredictable and charismatic wrestler of all time. Independent, blood, guts, and box office, no one matched Bruiser Brody. Many have tried but there will never be another like him. From becoming a star in the United States to an international mega-star in Japan, Bruiser Brody marched to the beat of his own drum and did things his way. With a rebellious spirit running through his veins, Brody carved out a niche as an independent wrestler before the indies ever existed.

The Bloodline: The Complete Story

Watch the entire saga of The Bloodline, featuring moments and matches from Roman Reigns, The Usos, Solo Sikoa and even Sami Zayn that made The Bloodline the most dominant group in WWE.

Zion

A portrait of Zion Clark, a young wrestler who was born without legs and grew up in foster care.

Chris Danger: Creating a Superstar

In 2014, YouTuber DenkOps (Chris Denker) created a fictional version of himself inside of a pro wrestling video game. 8 years and 1.5 million fans later, it's time to turn fiction into reality. This documentary follows Chris's odyssey into the very real world of professional wrestling, with every bump, botch, & breakdown that occurs along the way. Can he make it through training and prove he has what it takes to do this for real? Or will he find himself... in danger? It’s definitely not a game anymore.

Memphis Heat: The True Story of Memphis Wrasslin'

Memphis Heat: The True Story of Memphis Wrasslin' is the definitive documentary about the history of Memphis wrestling from the 1950's with legendary battles between Sputnik Monroe and Billy Wicks, the 1960's with strutting Jackie Fargo, & the glory days of the '70s with Jerry "the King" Lawler, Tojo Yamamoto, "Superstar" Bill Dundee, & Jimmy Hart.