5 Best And 5 Worst Portrayals Of Pro Wrestling In Movies And TV
1. The Best - The Wrestler (2008)
Highly acclaimed and nominated for two Academy Awards, Darren Aronofsky directed a masterful portrayal of aging wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson. Mickey Rourke stars as Robinson. His story is so close to the bone, that many thought the film was based on the real-life stories of wrestlers like Jake "The Snake" Roberts.
Like so many actual legends of the business, Robinson struggles to leave the spotlight behind. Decades past his prime, Robinson lives in a camper, has a strained relationship with his estranged daughter, and fights to keep his legend alive on the indie circuit. It's heartbreaking to watch as a once-great wrestler is delegated to "outlaw, mud show" hardcore matches while fighting a losing battle with father time.
Unlike Young Rock and Fighting With My Family, The Wrestler captures the non-glossy side of the wrestling world. It may be fun to watch the metoric rise of young talent, we rarely get to bear witness to the final act of a wrestler's career.
The kleenex-grabber is when Robinson tells his daughter, "You're my little girl. And now, I'm an old broken down piece of meat... and I'm alone. And I deserve to be all alone."