5 Best And 5 Worst Portrayals Of Pro Wrestling In Movies And TV
2. The Worst - The Wrestler (1974)
This 1974 Ed Asner movie bears almost no resemblance to the 2008 film of the same name. One watch, and you'll know why nobody would remake this. The biggest redeeming quality the film has is its many cameos by classic wrestling legends like Danny Hodge, Dusty Rhodes and Verne Gagne. Gagne, who produced the film, so was able to easily cast talent from his promotion. While Verne was able to make sure the fiimmakers got the wrestling right, he didn't do much for the rest of it.
The plot revolves around wrestling promoter Frank Bass (Asner), an idealist who makes a stand against the mobsters, gamblers, scoundrels and ne'er-do-wells that threaten to corrupt the industry he loves. Once you get past that unlikely scenario, things creep downhill at a glacial pace. Being that the movie was made in 1974 by a wrestling promoter, kayfabe was still very much intact.
Kudos to Ed Asner for delivering his lines with some gravitas, despite the content. He delivers a great speech to two snobby, stuffed suits about the "fringe benefits" of wrestling and the toll it takes on those in the ring.