Wrestlers, the seven-part docuseries, is more than Netflix-and-chill-worthy. In fact, it’s one of the best things I’ve seen on the streamer. Director Greg Whiteley killed it with his awesome Last Chance U series, and he surpasses it with Wrestlers.
As the title suggests, Whiteley chronicles the knock-around, erratic lives of professional wrestlers. In Wrestlers, the independent wrestling promotion Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVM), located in the Louisville area, is the focus. It’s a no-frills, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants operation, a world away from the glamour of the WWE and the AEW.
It’s a great night for OVW if the turnbuckles work, and the wrestlers get gas money. They do it for the love of the sport, and the squared circle is the one place where they feel like they’re seen. Plus, if the performers crush it at OVW, there’s a chance they can make it to the big time. John Cena and Dave Bautista are OVW alums.
As far as pro wrestling, it has all been documented before in one form or another, but not like this – with the Whiteley touch. Whiteley is a gifted recanteur with a wonderful nose for nuance. He gets the wrestlers to open up and go to some dark places on camera while being respectful, no easy feat.
Greg Whiteley (photo courtesy The Hollywood Reporter)
When the wrestlers do grapple, it means so much, much more than a predetermined match. And Whiteley’s expert camera crew makes the action look cinematic. Lastly, there are some wonderful montages set to music. Styx’s Come Sail Away has never sounded so good, and it’s ditto for Bowie’s Major Tom.
Unlike other indie promotions, OVW produces a weekly television show, which, not surprisingly, is quite costly. Indeed, at the start of Wrestlers, the television show is on the cusp of shutting down. As a Hail Mary, partners with means have been brought in to save the ship. The most outspoken partner is Matt Jones, a popular sports radio talk show host. Jones means well, but he rubs some of the wrestlers, including OVW’s leader, Al Snow, the wrong way with his aggressive demeanor.
Snow is a very familiar name to wrestling diehards. In his heyday, Snow was known for his schizophrenic wrestling persona, who communicated with a plastic mannequin head. Snow and Jones have their share of disagreements. Snow wants poignant storylines. Jones’ priority is getting a larger audience. Amid all this, Jones is dealing with a serious health issue. Meanwhile, Snow must discipline OVW’s colorful crew of grapplers.
Hollywood Haley J and her mother, The Amazing Maria James, are two of the most compelling wrestlers featured. They’ve had their issues. Haley spent much of her youth couch surfing because her mother was incarcerated. Now, she has an immense chip on her shoulder and a mission to make the WWE. When these two face off against each other in the ring, it’s art imitating life – or vice versa. Either way, it’s powerful stuff.
I won’t give away how it all ends. However, Whiteley brings Wrestlers to a satisfying end, while still leaving viewers wanting more, much more. Unfortunately, Netflix isn’t bringing back Wrestlers for Season 2. They seem more interested in higher-level wrestling outfits.
However, Snow is reportedly trying to make a Season 2. Stay tuned!
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Photo courtesy Fernsehserien.
Jon Hart is the author of Unfortunately, I was available.
