There has been a lot of chatter lately regarding Vice TV’s critically acclaimed Dark Side of the Ring series, which takes fans behind the scenes of some of wrestling’s most talked-about stories, characters, and urban legends. While no official announcement has been made regarding the future of DSOR, reports have come out recently suggesting the series will be shelved for the time being, following a controversial episode (The Plane Ride from Hell) where several wrestlers felt misrepresented. However, while DSOR’s future is up in the air, that hasn’t stopped Vice from showing interest in other wrestling projects, most notably one with WWE.
SEScoops first reported the partnership between Vice and WWE on June 8th, noting that DSOR was on hold while co-creators Evan Husney and Jason Eisener began work on a new project, with a “much softer, ‘sanitized’ tone.'” Most notably, this project, which is being likened to “campfire talks about the old days of wrestling” by a source close to it, will feature full support from WWE, which looks to have a strong hand in the production.
According to sources, WWE has provided full access to their video libraries and personalities such as WWE Legends and currently contracted talent, for filming. Recently, Stone Cold Steve Austin was reported to have filmed for the project with other legends expected to film in the coming weeks and months. SEScoops is reporting a mid-September premiere date for the new show, which is still untitled at this point.
This show will definitely not be for everyone. Expected to be presented much differently than DSOR, which had little to no direct tie-in with WWE, this show seems likely to focus on the lighter side of wrestling. It seems much more in line with WWE Biographies, which airs on Vice’s parent network, A&E.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on the WWE Network and Peacock.
