10 Greatest Wrestling TV Exhibits

Wrestlemania season is probably the most great time of the yr for wrestling followers, notably those who observe WWE. Spanning from New 12 months’s Eve to round Easter Sunday, World Wrestling Leisure will culminate their largest storylines of the yr and pay them off on The Grandest Stage of Them All. Although many will have a look at the Showcase of Immortals because the “season finale” of the long-running wrestling promotion’s programming for that yr, skilled wrestling would not have an low season. The truth is, relying on which streaming providers you subscribe to, you’ll find your self watching in-ring motion from a distinct promotion each single day of the week.

Commercial

Nonetheless, what if wrestling followers wish to take a break from the squared circle in favor of extra conventional exhibits? Clearly, there’s a plethora of exhibits and genres to select from, however perhaps they do not wish to stray too removed from the world of “The Man” Becky Lynch, Roman Reigns’ Bloodline, or “The Final Actual Champion” John Cena. Fortunately, mainstream leisure has begun to embrace the tales that may be instructed by way of the lens of professional wrestling. With that newfound acknowledgement comes a wave of exhibits that includes the artwork type.

Now, we’re not speaking about “WWE Uncooked,” “AEW Dynamite,” “TNA Impression,” or any of the exhibits that predominantly ship their narratives within the ring. There are sitcoms, dramas, actuality exhibits, and docuseries that use skilled wrestling as a backdrop. If you wish to try among the greatest choices that match this description, then look no additional than our checklist of the most effective wrestling exhibits on TV.

Commercial

Earlier than Netflix grew to become the house of WWE’s flagship sequence “Uncooked” (in addition to the remainder of the corporate’s programming for worldwide audiences), the streaming big collaborated with the promotion to create authentic initiatives that includes WWE Superstars. This consists of the family-friendly sports activities comedy “The Foremost Occasion,” which stars Tichina Arnold, Ken Marino and Adam Pally, and the interactive “Escape the Undertaker,” the place the viewer accompanies The New Day as they come nose to nose with the supernatural WWE Corridor of Famer The Undertaker. However the first product of this partnership was a sitcom titled “The Massive Present Present.”

Commercial

Created by Josh Bycel and Jason Berger of “Comfortable Endings” and “Psych” fame, this basic multi-cam comedy follows a fictionalized model of the titular WWE legend Paul “Massive Present” Wight as he navigates his life along with his household following his retirement from wrestling. Though, he is thrown for a loop when his teenage daughter from his first marriage strikes in along with his second spouse and their two youthful daughters.

Talking by way of professional wrestling, “The Massive Present Present” is a strong mid-card performer of a present. This particularly applies if you happen to’re a fan of old skool household sitcoms like “The George Lopez Present,” “Step By Step,” or virtually something that was as soon as featured on ABC’s TGIF line-up within the Nineties. The truth is, the solid options “Household Issues” star Jaleel White as Present’s greatest buddy Terry. Wight, White, and the remainder of the solid take us by way of many acquainted sitcom tropes like class president elections, assembly new boyfriends, and attempting out new jobs. However the nine-episode sequence actually shines when Present is joined by fellow WWE legends Mark Henry, Mick Foley, and Rikishi as he is attempting to plan a romantic getaway along with his spouse (performed by Allison Munn).

Commercial

Not like “The Massive Present Present,” the subsequent sitcom on our checklist that contains a WWE Famous person is predicated on a real story. However this is not simply the story of any common jabroni that laced up a pair of wrestling boots then light into obscurity. NBC’s “Younger Rock” presents the lifetime of the Most Electrifying Man in All of Leisure, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Commercial

For this endeavor, The Folks’s Champ teamed up “Contemporary Off The Boat” execs Jeff Chiang and Nahnatchka Khan to chronicle three very distinct and formative intervals in his life: his childhood in Hawaii, his highschool years in Pennsylvania, and the transition from College of Miami soccer participant to skilled wrestler. Along with portraying himself sooner or later throughout a fictional presidential race, Johnson can be performed by Adrian Groulx, Bradley Fixed, and Uli Latukefu.

This single-camera sequence lasted for 3 seasons from 2021 to 2023, and all through the run, the present delivered an endearing and relatable have a look at Johnson’s life and the world {of professional} wrestling that he grew up in. It notably shined when storylines touched on the difficulties of getting a wrestler as a father or the hardships of protecting the household enterprise afloat, particularly when Johnson’s grandmother is attempting to make it in an particularly male-dominated period of professional wrestling. Within the later seasons, the viewers even will get the behind-the-scenes tea on a few of Rock’s most heated in-ring rivalries that spilled into locker room drama. In fact, the comedy comes first in “Younger Rock,” however a few of these episodes are particularly juicy for wrestling followers who could or could not have heard some model of those tales through the years.

Commercial

Popular culture is tradition. That is why the Smithsonian and different museums around the globe do their greatest to protect vital movies and TV exhibits for future generations to get pleasure from. Nonetheless, simply as these establishments current the items of artwork themselves, it is simply as necessary to gather, restore, and show artifacts that symbolize these intervals to allow them to assist in telling our tales. WWE’s model of this can be a actuality present on A&E known as “Most Wished Treasures.”

Commercial

Just like “Prop Tradition” on Disney+, WWE’s Chief Content material Officer Triple H and the WWE Archive ship numerous wrestling personalities on a seek for gadgets that inform the story of their sport. From championship titles to wrestling boots to entrance gear, this sequence tracks down iconic items of professional wrestling historical past related to legends like “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Mae Younger, and Andre the Large.

Whereas it might appear to be WWE is simply attempting to get as many gadgets for his or her archive (or a long-rumored bodily corridor of fame) as attainable, this sequence actually dives into how necessary these items are to the followers and the wrestlers alike. A cowboy hat, sun shades, or a jacket could also be atypical gadgets to some individuals, however we’re speaking about Kurt Angle’s cowboy hat from his musical promo with Steve Austin, The Miz’s Wrestlemania 34 sun shades, and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper’s leather-based jacket — and people are only a few of the treasures which might be highlighted on this actuality sequence. 

Commercial

Plus, not solely is there an academic or narrative aspect to this present, however there are additionally shades of “Pawn Stars,” because the hosts typically should wheel and deal to get the homeowners to half with these valuable items of their assortment. However irrespective of which bit attracts you in probably the most, “WWE’s Most Wished Treasures” is only a enjoyable watch.

Ladies are constantly combating for his or her spot in skilled wrestling. A part of that combat was not too long ago chronicled within the Mildred Burke biopic “Queen of the Ring,” which noticed feminine rivals coping with shady promoters, segregation, sexism, and lots extra points. However every period of wrestling got here with its personal set of troubles that plagued the ladies’s locker rooms throughout many promotions. In the course of the Angle Period of the 90s to early 2000s, the WWE’s Divas Division was relegated to brief matches or segments that centered on intercourse enchantment fairly than wrestling ability. However as time went on, the women started to indicate that they have been simply as gifted within the ring as their male counterparts. And one factor that basically pushed audiences to see that’s the E! Community actuality present “Complete Divas.”

Commercial

Following within the footsteps of in style actuality exhibits like “Protecting Up With The Kardashians,” “The Ladies Subsequent Door,” and “The Anna Nicole Present,” WWE and E! launched their robust and attractive feminine superstars to a complete new viewers, a lot of whom did not observe wrestling. So as a substitute of showcasing them within the ring, the fact present adopted the likes of the Bella Twins, Natalya, Paige (who has a complete film about her with “Preventing with My Household”), Naomi, and even Ronda Rousey as they juggled their glamorous private lives and hectic wrestling schedules.

Finally, the viewers clamored to see extra of those girls within the ring. #GiveDivasAChance was the battle cry throughout social media as followers needed to see the ladies get extra substantial time on WWE programming. Although issues aren’t precisely equal but, 9 seasons and two spinoffs of “Complete Divas” was actually instrumental in ushering in a brand new period for the ladies of WWE.

Commercial

Earlier than changing into a WWE Famous person, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin was greatest identified for his time on MTV’s “Actual World.” As a multi-time champion and a tenured member of the WWE roster, Miz may even be probably the most profitable alumni from the pioneering actuality sequence. However after getting concerned with “Complete Divas” when his spouse and fellow WWE Famous person Maryse was added to the solid in 2016, he had totally returned to the medium that first put him on the map. And as soon as The It Couple cut up off onto their very own sequence, they modified issues up by transferring the style into an attention-grabbing route: A household sitcom. 

Commercial

“Miz & Mrs.” was undoubtedly a conventional E! actuality present within the sense that it confirmed off the lavish way of life of those glamorous wrestling stars and their rising household. However as soon as their mother and father obtained concerned, it was extra like “Full Home” or the basic “The Dick Van Dyke Present” than the rest. Particularly, hilarity was certain to ensue at any time when Maryse’s mother Marjo or Mike’s dad George confirmed up. The quantity of bodily humor and petty pranks on the present made it a lot enjoyable to look at. Simply because the titular ostentatious duo advertises at any time when they’ve a microphone, “Miz & Mrs.” is must-see.

Anime was at all times in style in sure circles, however the animation type has taken the world by storm lately. Common Studios Hollywood is even bringing in style exhibits “One Piece” and “Jujutsu Kaisen” to life as a part of their upcoming Fan Fest Nights. However professional wrestling has been on the anime bandwagon for fairly a while. Within the late Sixties, Toei Animation (who’s accountable for “Sailor Moon,” “Dragon Ball,” Digimon,” and plenty of different fan-favorite animes) tailored a manga known as “Tiger Masks.” This comedian sequence follows the legendary masked Japanese wrestler who fights towards the nefarious group Tiger’s Den, who solely search greed and energy as a substitute of honor. After the franchise dominated movie and tv all through the 70s and 80s, and spawned a live-action adaptation in 2013, the studio revived the anime in 2016 with a sequel titled “Tiger Masks W.”

Commercial

This new chapter of the story follows a brand new hero named Naoto Azuma, who has taken on the mantle of Tiger Masks to combat towards the evil International Wrestling Monopoly. However along with going through authentic characters within the ring, the present additionally options fashionable stars from New Japan Professional Wrestling like Kenny Omega, Kazuchika Okada, and Kota Ibushi. The road between the anime and the actual world was blurred even additional when NJPW hosted matches at numerous occasions that includes characters from the present, comparable to Crimson Loss of life Masks, Tiger the Darkish, and Tiger Masks W himself. Since professional wrestling has at all times felt like a superhero cartoon come to life, it is solely pure that the tales work once they’re translated the opposite method round as nicely.

Commercial

It’s well-documented that “Arrow” star Stephen Amell is a big wrestling fan. He has even stepped into the ring for full-blown matches in WWE and AEW. So when DC Leisure’s Arrowverse got here to an finish on The CW after a few years, it was no shock that Amell joined a undertaking that married his love of appearing and wrestling. And along with his involvement, “Heels” was off to the races.

Commercial

Created by frequent Marvel Studios collaborator Michael Waldron, “Heels” focuses on a small Georgia city’s impartial wrestling promotion known as the Duffy Wrestling League, which is run by the Spade household. Contained in the ring, Amell’s Jack and Alexander Ludwig’s Ace work arduous to maintain the lights on of their regional promotion whereas placing butts in seats and competing with rival organizations just like the ultra-violent Florida Wrestling Dystopia. However of their private lives, they every have to determine learn how to carry the burden of their late father’s legacy together with their very own hopes, desires, and aspirations. 

Along with the Spades, the ensemble additionally options “Queen of the Ring” star Kelli Berglund as aspiring wrestler Crystal Tyler, “The Wire” and “True Blood” alum Chris Bauer as former wrestling celebrity Wild Invoice Hancock, and WWE Famous person CM Punk as journeyman wrestler Ricky Rabies shines in partaking storylines which have ramifications inside and out of doors of the ring.

Commercial

Whereas “Heels” solely aired on Starz for 2 seasons, the artistic forces behind the present are hoping that it could actually discover new life on Netflix. If that occurs, the sequence can doubtlessly get a 3rd season to complete their story, a la Cody Rhodes at Wrestlemania 40. If not, this present follows within the footsteps of Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler,” which leaves Randy The Ram in a mysterious shroud of heartbreak and uncertainty.

The true crime style has turn into more and more in style lately. It at all times looks like individuals are speaking concerning the newest documentary or podcasts about some tragedy or serial killer each few weeks. However skilled wrestling followers have their very own model of this too. It occurs at any time when a brand new season of “Darkish Facet of the Ring” drops.

Commercial

Created by Evan Husney and Jason Eisener for Vice TV, this docuseries concerning the tragic and little-known elements of wrestling historical past premiered in 2019 with six episodes. Earlier than “The Iron Claw” instructed the world concerning the tragedy of the Von Erichs, “Darkish Facet of the Ring” dove into the completely heartbreaking story. That preliminary season additionally pulled the curtain again on the actual lives of icons comparable to Bruiser Brody, The Fabulous Moolah, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and Miss Elizabeth earlier than venturing into the tales of Chris Benoit, Owen Hart, The Highway Warriors, the unique Doink the Clown, and plenty of extra. Whereas most followers are accustomed to these marquee names, this present goes into the nitty gritty items of historical past that main promotions like WWE or WCW virtually by no means contact on.

Commercial

Regardless of the subject material, “Darkish Facet of the Ring” makes wrestling extraordinarily accessible to outsiders and informal followers, virtually in a similar way as “Complete Divas.” However on the finish of the day, the individuals behind this sequence actually know learn how to do their analysis and educate their viewers, even those who already know what’s up.

As beforehand said, girls have needed to combat like hell to be part of the skilled wrestling trade on all ranges. Whereas distinguished promoters like Christine Jarrett and Lia Maivia and fearless wrestlers comparable to June Byers, Babs Wingo, and Clara Mortenson are revered as pioneers in wrestling, girls didn’t have the identical illustration within the artwork type as their male counterparts. However that lastly began to alter within the late Eighties when the Attractive Girls of Wrestling started showing on tv. Although GLOW would solely be round for 4 seasons (and revivals in 2003 and 2012), the promotion’s legacy would proceed on in different feminine promotions like WOW: Ladies of Wrestling and SHIMMER. Though, GLOW would tackle a complete new life in 2017 when Netflix launched a scripted dramedy impressed by the trail-blazing firm.

Commercial

Starring Alison Brie, Betty Gilpin, Chris Lowell, and Marc Maron, Netflix’s “GLOW” follows a gaggle of Hollywood outcasts seeking to be taken significantly as performers. With the assistance of an formidable producer, a cynical director, and some seasoned wrestlers, this ragtag group manages to get their acts collectively and turn into one of many hottest tickets on the town. The present options a wonderful ensemble and interesting storylines that steadiness the campiness of the time with genuine drama. 

Sadly, because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the sequence’ fourth and ultimate season was cancelled in 2020. However regardless of the story being incomplete, the primary three seasons of “GLOW” are nonetheless a present and undoubtedly value a rewatch.

Commercial

This can be bending the foundations a bit, however “Lucha Underground” belongs on this checklist. Although it does function a great deal of in-ring motion that drives the narrative like WWE and AEW, this wrestling present from award-winning producer Mark Burnett and prolific filmmaker Robert Rodriguez is introduced extra like a conventional tv present with clearly outlined seasons and a way more cinematic presentation. Using the celebrities of legendary Mexican promotion AAA and impartial wrestlers from across the globe, the four-season El Rey Community sequence created a complete new wrestling universe that merely stood aside from its competitors.

Commercial

Skilled wrestling has by no means shied away from sci-fi, horror, fantasy, and thriller. Though, “Lucha Underground” takes it to a complete new stage. Initially launched as a option to pay homage to the lucha libre traditions, the viewers rapidly learns that Dario Cueto, the proprietor of the Lucha Temple, has ulterior motives for beginning his wrestling promotion. Quickly, his area is crammed with descendants of historical Aztec deities, undercover cops, demons, murderers, and a literal dragon. However irrespective of your group affiliation, gender, or species, the one factor that finally mattered to Cueto is that the mightiest warriors have been doing battle in his ring. 

And he actually delivered on that entrance as they introduced among the greatest matches of the fashionable period. Among the largest stars in wrestling as we speak like Penta, Swerve Strickland, Chelsea Inexperienced, Ricochet, and IYO SKY all reduce their enamel within the LU Temple, a lot of them being uncovered to the American viewers for the primary time by way of this present. However now that WWE has acquired AAA, perhaps we may see some a revival within the close to future.

Commercial