10 Greatest Wrestling Documentaries

10. The Last of McGuinness (2013)

To be upfront, Nigel McGuinness’ filmmaking skills are a bit suspect. The audio and video equipment he used on his autobiographical film The Last of McGuinness (which was funded through Kickstarter) are about what you'd see in the average entry at a local film festival. The film can also be a bit melodramatic at points. But what helps overcome those faults is that his message and life story are largely compelling.

Nigel had made a name for himself producing brilliant work on the independent scene for years. He was considered one of the best wrestlers in the world but never got his big opportunity in the major leagues. Finally, he had it. WWE hired him and he achieved his dreams...but he didn’t pass their physical and was let go. A cruel twist of fate. He then joined TNA and enjoyed one of the best debuts the company has ever delivered, but again, the good times did not last long.

Nigel was looked over in the Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff era, and ended up not making that much money. The abuse his body had taken no longer made it worth it to pursue his goal of WWE. He decided to hang it up and film his final run. In his documentary, he goes on a retirement tour and competes in front of dozens of fans while his contemporary in Daniel Bryan became the talk of the wrestling world.

In some heartbreaking footage, Nigel breaks down in understandable frustration with how life has seemingly screwed him over. In one sense, yes, he made it as a wrestler, but not at the level he envisioned. That theme of what success truly is drives the narrative.

So while The Last of McGuinness may not be the prettiest wrestling film out there, it’s certainly one of the most honest, and strangely, uplifting.