Review of Beyond the Mat (1999) by Michael K — 31 Dec 2007

Although I don't think this was anything special it did raise a lot of interesting questions about its subject. It's a documentary about pro-wrestling in America but focussed on wrestlers who were either retiring or retired and the impact it had had on them.

The documentary was interesting in that it exposed some of the problems facing these ageing wrestlers, who had put their bodies on the line for such a shamelessly deceitful sport. It's difficult to say whether I felt any sadness at the way these guys felt forced to continue plying their trade in smaller, semi-pro and amateur events when part of that is fuelled by their seemingly continuous desire to be hero-worshipped.

Even then, there's still the issue of monetary reward, however there's no real exploration of that side of the discussion as the film seems more occupied with the contribution these men have made to the wrestling business.

Come the end of the film I was left to reflect not so much on the wrestlers but the sport itself which turned out to be disturbingly violent for one targetted at young kids and, without being a prude, questioned the moral integrity of those that continue to try and pass off this sport as acceptable entertainment for kids.

Seeing a wrestler get hit over the head with a chair is one thing, seeing that wrestler with blood streaming down his face and requiring stitches after some supposedly cartoon violence, is something entirely different.