Beyond The Mat - What Happened Next?

10. Roland Alexander

Though Alexander was unknown at the time of filming, he became infamous after the film debuted. A wrestling promoter who'd founded All Pro Wrestling in 1991, Alexander features heavily in the movie's first half. After the 'glitz and glamour' of the WWE, the viewer comes crashing down to earth to Hayward, California where we meet an independent promotion at the opposite end of the scale to the titans of Stamford, Connecticut.

With Blaustein's help, Alexander secures a tryout for two of his guys with the WWE and we quickly learn that he hopes to receive a 20% cut of their contract if successful. Ultimately this never happens and at the end of the film, we're told that though he was still running his wrestling school in California, the monthly shows had been closed down due to building violations.

Tragedy would strike the APW on 28 May 2001 when trainee Brian Ong was killed while practicing with fellow pupil Dalip Singh (later known as 'The Great Khali'). His family sued and the APW was forced to pay out $1.3 million. Though an incredible blow to the promotion, Roland Alexander would continue with the APW promotion right up to his death on 5 November 2013 due to heart and diabetes issues. The company continues under head booker Markus Mac.