20 Greatest Wrestling Documentaries Ever
WWE did the original ECW justice when charting the promotion's 'Rise & Fall'...
Unbelievably harrowing, endlessly informative and - perhaps most importantly - a great source for juicy gossip and finding out who hated who backstage. The pro wrestling documentary can be many things, but it's uncommon to find those that can't be accurately classed as compelling.
WWE naturally take centre stage when examining the world of wrestling documentaries, but they're not the only company fans want to know about. Given that they own the tape libraries for promotions like ECW, WCW, the AWA and many others however, it'd be a true tragedy if WWE hadn't released some of the best wrestling retrospectives on the market.
Joining releases given the go ahead by the McMahon family, independent film-makers have been documenting the history of wrestling for years too. The result is a mish-mash of excellent films that simply have to be seen by those who closely follow the industry and want to know more about it.
From official WWE releases that were surprisingly detailed, to independent stories with less production value but just as much insight, here are 20 of the greatest wrestling documentaries ever...
20. The Sheik (2014)
The Iron Sheik has evolved over the years into one of pro wrestling's most truly comedic figures. Those closest to the man behind the character have said he definitely plays up to the persona, knowing it causes people to laugh and creates interest. Aside from the giggles, Sheik has had one hell of a fascinating journey.
Released independently away from WWE control, The Sheik is a film that instantly puts across the fact that the man is a passionate individual. Those who have watched the many shoot interview clips on YouTube with him will already know this, but he's a remarkable person even when he's not shooting from the hip about wrestlers he dislikes or wants to 'humble'.
There's no denying that The Iron Sheik has become a caricature of himself in recent times, but the story of what led him to fall into the glitzy world of pro wrestling is a gripping one.
Often misunderstood, Sheik is someone more likely to provoke laughter than a serious assessment of his life and career. For the most part, this documentary changes that formula up and it's a great watch.