"The Wrestler" Is Worth The Watch

I don't know how many people still watch wrestling today. I personally watch maybe five shows all-year and at least buy the Wrestlemania because it reminds me of when I was growing up.

If you follow wrestling at all though you know about all the former wrestlers who have died before the age of 50. And most of their deaths where from heart related issues from years of steroid abuse.

The day I really quit watching wrestling was the day Chris Benoit killed his wife and son and then hung himself. That was the day I quite caring about sports entertainment. The cause of death was really to many blows to the head.

Wrestling for years has abused their wrestlers then threw them out on the streets when they became useless. The good ole' thanks-but-we-are-moving-on-old guy, throws guys into a world that they are not used to. That's why so many old wrestlers are on independent circuits wrestling on a bad knee, fake hip, poor heart, and broken down legs. They didn't know what to do once their career was over. And most of them have abused themselves so badly that you don't even recognize them if you saw them.

This brings me to the movie "The Wrestler" starring Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachael Wood.

In the movie Rourke portrays Randy "The Ram" Robinson an past-his-prime wrestler broken down from years of abusing steroids and his body. He is so broken down that his own daughter hates him, and he thinks the only people that love him are the fans.

But the movie is much more than a broken down wrestler, it exposes what wrestling does to the men. During an autograph session at a V.F.W. hall Robinson is looking around at the other wrestlers and realizes how pathetic they all are. One guy is in a wheel chair, another guy has a fake hip, and another guy has to use a colostomy bag.

The movie also shows what happens when fame goes away. A person will do anything to regain the fame and recognition. "The Ram" will even go so far as to wrestle with a bad heart. Two weeks after the "The Ram" suffered an heart attack and had to have an bypass surgery he was back in the ring. And don't think this really doesn't happen in real life.

This movie just goes to show you that wrestling is in need of some type of pension plan for wrestlers. Retired NFL players had to take their case to capital hill to receive a better pension plan. Wrestlers need the same thing for they don't have to wrestle in bingo halls in their late 50's.

I don't see anything happening in the near future and I don't think anything will happen for these guys. But I do suggest watching "The Wrestler", you will then realize how pathetic these guys are in real life.