Beyond the Mat

Screenwriter Barry Blaustein directs this wry, well-observed documentary on professional wrestling. Interviewing both WWF superstars and their scrappier counterparts such as the All-Pro Wrestling group, the film creates a complex portrait of America’s favorite pseudo-sport. Highlights include an interview with former NFL player Darren “Puke” Drozdov, who can vomit at will; Mick “Mankind” Foley, who is as violent in the ring as he is gentle out of it; and Jake “The Snake” Roberts, who let the pro-wrestling high-life slip through his crack-addled fingers., Barry W. Blaustein wrote, directed and serves as interviewer in this slam-bang documentary, which gets the lowdown on professional wrestling. The film focuses on aging grappler Terry Funk, one-time top draw Jake “The Snake” Roberts, top-liner Mick “Mankind” Foley and Darren Drozdov, a former NFL player. Blaustein also talks with World Wrestling Federation bigwig Vince McMahon.