Review of Beyond the Mat (1999) by Terri H — 04 Oct 2008
There was a time when in this order I used to worship/love:
1) WWF (now WWE).
2) Michael Jackson.
3) My Family.
That was a very long time, I am talking around the early 90's when Raw first aired on tv and when characters were interesting. When competition was healthy and made it all that much better to watch. It was a time I used to spend every Friday 2 hours before the show starts getting my snacks ready and the VHS ready to record.
This documentary showed me a side of wrestling that I never knew about but only read. In the recent events of the death of Benoit, the wrestling world have never been looked at the same again. This is not an entertainment business anymore but one that could also destroy a human being.
We all know that this is all set up. All the matches are set up and choreographed before it starts. They already know who will win and how and when. It is not fake however if someone gets injured because it has happened a few times and we learn about an injury that ended ones career let alone leaving him on a wheel chair possibly for life in this documentary.
It concentrates mostly on 3 wrestlers. Mick Foley, Terry Funk and Jake Roberts. Three very interesting characters in the business and outside. Each one different but at the same time very alike. Jake 'The Snake' Roberts segment was one of the hardest to watch. It was like a real life version of Nic Cage drinking himself to death. Here we have a man who has so many dark secrets that not many people know about to this day. Mick Foley is a man who seems like one of the nicest you could ever meet. He loves his family, he respects all the wrestlers even if you were unknown he would still make 2 second of his time to say hello. He struggles with keeping his family's support after they witness one of his matches where he nearly gets killed. Terry Funk is someone who finds it hard to retire but at the same time faces disability.
This is a great documentary whether you love or hate wrestling. A must see for everyone.
This review of Beyond the Mat (1999) was written by Terri H on 04 Oct 2008.
Beyond the Mat has generally received very positive reviews.
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