10 Things You Didn't Know About Beyond The Mat

2. WCW Was Supposed To Be Involved

Things could've been very different had Ted Turner signed off on WCW involvement.

Blaustein wanted to put Turner's company in the thick of it and split attention three ways between the WWF, WCW and the independent scene. He told Indie Wire in mid-2000 (a particularly pleasing interview 'cause it came hot on the heels of the film's release) that Ted turned down the invite.

When 'Beyond The Mat' came out, someone at WCW watched it and thought, 'Aw sh*t'. It didn't take long for Barry to get a phone call from one of Turner's lieutenants, and they told him that the promotion regretted declining the deal. They adored the realism and reality TV-style stories Blaustein's work contained.

It's actually slightly surprising that WCW didn't hear of McMahon's bid for control and counter it. They were seeking anything that'd trump Vince's WWF at the time, and giving fans unparalleled access behind the curtain would've been a neat idea.

Or not. WCW was a total mess by early-1999.