10 Wrestling Documentaries That Accidentally Uncovered Major Scoops

5. Rob Van Dam: Headstrong Takes A Dark Turn

Rob Van Dam ECW
WWE.com

The upcoming Rob Van Dam: Headstrong documentary from Reelz was initially imagined as vehicle to chronicle Rob Van Dam's stand-up comedy venture. Given his recreational passion, you'd expect it to mirror - and better, since it is bobbins - the recent MSK skits on NXT 2.0.

Per the early press surrounding the doc, the tone shifts when Van Dam suffers the self-diagnosed effects of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and details how the problems connected with repeated concussions have affected both his mental health and, in the case of a Battleground Championship Wrestling match alongside Bully Ray versus Marq Quen and Matt Hardy, his ability to memorise spots in a match.

Of course, a living person cannot diagnose CTE, irrespective of whether they are qualified to do so or not. It can only be diagnosed in the deceased. This is ultimately a suspicion on RVD's part, but it's a sobering one: Van Dam in part revolutionised the high-impact ring style that remains incredibly popular. The DNA of his ECW series with Jerry Lynn can be found in every other North American pro wrestling match. Van Dam's story is sad.

His legacy may well be even more depressing.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!