He’s one of the all-time best wrestlers ever and a sweet man until this wild but true tale of murder.
This Dark Side of the Ring documentary will likely rank in the top 3 of “Best Wrestling Documentaries” when I finish that article. I also want to include it in a list of docs on CTE (concussions) I need to write. Important subject.
I notice the 2-part documentary is now available to watch for free on Daily Motion here:
Watch “Dark Side of the Ring: Chris Benoit” (Part 1)
Watch “Dark Side of the Ring: Chris Benoit” (Part 2)
Hulu also has it at https://www.hulu.com/series/dark-side-of-the-ring-8698a733-10aa-4768-857c-7575514b773f but
You can find the latest streaming options for Dark Side of the Ring at https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/dark-side-of-the-ring
Ratings:
- My Rating: 96/100
- IMDB Rating: 8.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: na
Release Date: March 24, 2020 (Part 1) and March 31, 2020 (Part 2)
My Review of “Dark Side of the Ring: Chris Benoit”
The Setup
“Dark Side of the Ring: Chris Benoit” is a two-part episode of the Vice TV series directed by Jason Eisener (also known for “Dark Side of Comedy”, “Dark Side of the 2000’s” and “Tales from the Territories”.
Running a total of 84 minutes, this documentary explores the shocking and tragic story of WWE wrestler Chris Benoit.
Known as one of the most skilled technical wrestlers in the sport, his career ended in horror when, over one weekend in June 2007, he killed his wife Nancy, his 7-year-old son Daniel, and himself.
This doc covers WWE’s role, Benoit’s mental health, and the damage caused by head trauma in wrestling.
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- Steroid Use: Nancy reportedly urged Chris to stop using steroids, but his autopsy revealed testosterone levels 10 times higher than normal—an indicator of abuse.
- WWE Tribute Misstep: Hours before learning all the facts, WWE aired a 3-hour tribute show honoring Benoit. They canceled it after discovering he likely murdered his wife and son.
- The Crippler Crossface: This was Benoit’s signature wrestling move, which some say eerily resembled how Nancy was killed—with a cord around her neck.
- Details of the Crime: Benoit duct-taped Nancy’s wrists and feet, wrapped a cord around her neck, and strangled her. He later drugged Daniel and smothered him. Finally, Benoit hanged himself by using his weightlifting machine to break his neck.
- CTE Diagnosis: On July 13, 2007, a detailed brain analysis revealed Benoit had severe Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), likely caused by repeated concussions. This explained his emotional instability, depression, and violent outbursts.
More Highlights from the Doc
- The Impact of Eddie Guerrero’s Death: Chris Benoit’s mental health took a steep decline after his best friend Eddie Guerrero’s sudden death in 2005. Benoit would cry for hours at a shrine he built for Eddie in his home.
- Nancy’s Life: Nancy Benoit, also known as “Woman” in wrestling, was a trailblazer. She managed stars like Kevin Sullivan (her first husband) and later Chris. Despite her professional success, she suffered domestic abuse in her marriage to Chris.
- WWE’s Response to the Family: Nancy’s sister, Sandra Toffoloni, stated the WWE provided no meaningful support to the Benoit family after the tragedy.
- Steroid Scandal and WWE: The case reignited debates about the dangers of steroids in wrestling. WWE publicly defended its wellness policy but came under heavy criticism for promoting a culture of overwork and unsafe practices.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- Text Messages: On the day of the murders, Benoit sent chilling text messages to friends detailing his home address and the location of the family’s dogs, as if anticipating his actions would soon be discovered.
- Daniel’s Health Issues: Daniel reportedly had Fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition linked to intellectual disabilities, which added strain to the family dynamic.
- Unseen Home Videos: The documentary includes rare footage of Chris, Nancy, and Daniel, showing their life outside the ring—making the tragedy feel even more personal.
Wrap Up
This two-part documentary is the most haunting episode of “Dark Side of the Ring.”
It’s a tough but important watch, especially for fans of wrestling or those interested in the consequences of head trauma in contact sports.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc