10 Things We Learned From Dark Side Of The Ring: Billy Jack Haynes
7. Billy Jack Contacted Dark Side’s Producers
This week's 'Dark Side' came to a surprise screeching halt with one pop-up message.
A mere six months after being arrested for second degree murder of his wife, Billy Jack Haynes reached out to VICE’s production team and offered to sit down with them for an interview. No-one watching the episode could've predicted that, because those familiar with VICE's series have grown accustomed to subjects either being unavailable due to death or for legal reasons.
It's certainly something that a guy currently awaiting trial for murder was willing to give his side of the story. Haynes opened by saying there’s a lot about his life that people don’t know, but also offered: “Believe half of what you hear and nothing of what you see”. That was more than a bit cryptic, but Billy Jack often talks like he’s cutting a wrestling promo. That's why he became such a lightning rod on the infamous shoot interview scene for decades.
There were several interesting exchanges between Haynes and his attorney during the episode. Fans could hear VICE's interviewers asking Billy Jack a question, then clips of Haynes turning to his lawyer to outright ask if he was 'allowed to talk about that' were aired. You don't get to see this sort of gritty, up to the minute reality too often, even on 'Dark Side Of The Ring'.
Haynes agreeing to sit down and chat elevated the documentary. It was one thing to hear from talking heads like Jim Cornette, Ken Patera or Dave Meltzer. It's another entirely to hear direct from Billy Jack himself.