Plot Synopsis

DARK SIDE OF THE RING is a documentary series that examines the collision of fantasy and reality in the singular universe of professional wrestling -- the only sport whose stars' larger-than-life characters exist in and often out of the ring, telling some of the dark and untold stories around some of the sport's all-time greats -- stories that obsess hardcore wrestling fans and will compel new viewers alike. From backstage controversies to mysterious deaths and unsolved homicides, this series explores the darkest stories from the golden age of professional wrestling - with each episode centered on a professional wrestling icon.

Season 1, narrated by wrestling expert Dutch Mantell, features the tragic love story of Randy "Macho Man" Savage and Miss Elizabeth, the infamous "Montreal Screwjob" which stripped Bret Hart of his title, the locker room altercation that led to the death of Bruiser Brody, as well as the dark history of the Von Erich wrestling dynasty, the controversial death of "Gorgeous" Gino Hernandez and a look at the intense allegations against legendary female star The Fabulous Moolah. Mantell is a a leading authority on the sport and a retired manager, booker and wrestler with over 40 years in the game. DARK SIDE OF THE RING, directed by Jason Eisener, also features interviews with Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Jim Cornette, Scott Hall, Bruce Prichard (aka Brother Love) Tony Atlas and more.

Narrated by former WWE star Chris Jericho, Season 2 of DARK SIDE OF THE RING premiered on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 from 9-11pm ET/PT on VICE. The two-hour season opener, "Benoit," focuses on wrestling superstar Chris Benoit, who murdered his wife and 7-year-old son in 2007, and then ended his own life. Those closest to the tragedy -- including his son, David, and Sandra Toffoloni, Nancy Benoit's sister -- never spoke openly until now. Subsequent episodes highlight: the life and crimes of New Jack; The Brawl for All, a legitimate boxing tournament that led to career-ending injuries; the murder of Dino Bravo; the death of Nancy Argentino; David Schultz encounter with a "20/20" reporter; Owen Hart's stunt that went tragically wrong; the tag team partnership Hawk and Animal; and Herb Adams' attempt to build a wrestling empire.

Chris Jericho returned to narrate Season 3 of DARK SIDE OF THE RING, which premiered on Thursday, May 6, 2021 from 9-11pm ET/PT on VICE. Subjects for the new season include Brian Pillman, The Ultimate Warrior, Dynamite Kid, Grizzly Smith, the company FM, and the steroids trials of the early '90s ("Plane Ride From Hell"). On Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 9pm ET/PT, VICE premiered "The Plane Ride From Hell," the Season 3 mid-season debut of DARK SIDE OF THE RING. In this episode, a private 757 flight descends into a nightmare as intoxicated wrestlers clash with their flight crew, erupting into one of wrestling's most infamous scandals. One week earlier, VICE premiered "Confidential Sneak Peek," a one-hour special that features series creators Evan Husney and Jason Eisener sitting with wrestling icon Chris Jericho to break down the first half of Season 3, as well as providing an inside look at the episodes to come.

Season 4, narrated again by Chris Jericho, debuted on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 10pm ET/PT on VICE. The new season explores stories like the emotional rollercoaster of one of wrestling's most captivating and controversial couples, Chris Candido and Tammy "Sunny" Sytch, the car accident that derailed the career of future World Champion Magnum T.A., wrestling's most unhinged monster, Abdullah the Butcher, a focused look on the troubled life of Marty Jannetty, Shawn Michaels' former tag team partner, and much more. In the season opener, "Chris and Tammy," the teenage romance of wrestling prodigy Chris Candido and Tammy Sunny Sytch, his love-to-hate manager, gets torn apart by infidelity, addiction and mutual self-destruction.

The fifth season of DARK SIDE OF THE RING debuted on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 10pm ET/PT on VICE. Narrated again by Chris Jericho, the new season features episodes about: John Tenta (Mar 5); Buff Bagwell (Mar 12); Terry Gordy (Mar 19); and more, including Chris Adams, Sensational Sherri, Black Saturday, Chris Colt, The Sandman, Harley Race and Brutus Beefcake. In the season opener, "The Ballad of 'Earthquake' John Tenta," John Tenta couldn't be further from the monstrous Earthquake character WWF fans loved to hate; as his career faded, a health battle threatened to take him from the family he loved.
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On Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 10pm ET/PT, VICE premiered "Black Saturday: The Rise of Vince," the Season 5 finale of DARK SIDE OF THE RING. The day that has gone down in infamy as the launch of Vince McMahon's absolute takeover of the professional wrestling industry, Black Saturday, changed wrestling forever.