15 Things We Learned From Dark Side Of The Ring: Tony Atlas

The best 'Dark Side Of The Ring' episodes blend two things: Human tragedy and human redemption. For Tony Atlas, a man who had the world at his feet in WWE then tossed it all aside, it's the latter that sticks out. People change, and Tony has definitely come a long way since growing up in a tough neighbourhood and having to fight to survive. If he didn't, then members of his own family threatened worse.

VICE burned through a staggering amount of content in this episode, and there's an incredible amount of variety. Who else but Tony Atlas could discuss beating Hulk Hogan, making history as one of the first black champions in WWF history, largely misunderstood shoe fetishes and sleeping on a park bench in freezing temperatures in the same interview? 'Mr. USA' has lived a life, but now his chief concern is saving another and making sure his wife Monica is properly cared for.

It's been some journey, and 'Dark Side' takes you along for the ride.

This might be considered a skippable episode by some when scanning the sixth season of VICE's popular series to see names like Mick Foley or Vader stick out, but...you shouldn't. In fact, this was at once one of the most charming and crazy editions the documentary crew has ever produced. Some stories seem too far-fetched to be true, and even talking heads like Gerald Brisco and Ricky Steamboat aren't entirely sure what's fact or fiction.

What a storytelling machine Atlas is though. Here's everything learned from his penthouse to outhouse travels, and his commentary on everything from racism and suicide to love and redemption.

Tony's childhood was fraught with danger. He once saw a man slap his mother on the behind, so she turned around and socked the dude so hard he got knocked out. Then, she turned to her kids and said they should learn from that because she wouldn't always be around to protect them. That was a teachable moment to Atlas, and he told VICE it showed him how to fight back if provoked.

Then, there was his father.

Tony’s dad hustled and gambled to make money. If it looked like he might lose, he’d then goad grown men into fighting his son. This is horrific, but Tony’s own father would threaten him by saying he’d get a worse beating if he dared to lose...to grown men! That’s awful, but again - it was the way of life for Atlas and he didn't think much of it at the time. He was too busy dodging punches.

Stop to think about that for a second though. Tony's own dad was willing to watch his son get beaten up because he owed somebody money. Then, as if that wasn't enough, daddy dearest would physically abuse his boy if he didn't send the other guy packing.

These sorts of experiences hardened Tony, but they let anger fester inside him. That became problematic later on his wrestling career when he reached the WWF/WWE. No child should be exposed to those kinds of things, being honest. Seeing his mother defend herself was one thing, but his dad throwing him to the wolves? Yuck.