Backdrop fallback

Beyond the Mat

Beyond the Mat

Share

Beyond the Mat

"The Movie Vince McMahon Doesn't Want You to See."

1999

1h 42m

7.3(93 votes)

Documentary

Overview

A heartfelt documentary focusing on the day-to-day lives of professional wrestlers, some on the rise, some on the wane, and others fighting for their lives.

Links & Resources

Social & External

Production Companies

Lionsgate

Universal Pictures

Imagine Entertainment

Imagine Documentaries

The people behind it

Cast & crew

10 featured cast members

Starring

Mick Foley

Mick Foley

Self - Mankind

Terry Funk

Terry Funk

Self

Vince McMahon

Vince McMahon

Self

Aurelian Smith Jr.

Aurelian Smith Jr.

Self - Jake "The Snake" Roberts

Jesse Ventura

Jesse Ventura

Self

Noelle Foley

Noelle Foley

Self (uncredited)

Barry W. Blaustein

Barry W. Blaustein

Narrator

Michael Manna

Michael Manna

Stevie Richards

Scott Levy

Scott Levy

Raven

Mark Calaway

Mark Calaway

Self - The Undertaker

Creative team

Directed by: Barry W. Blaustein
Written by: Barry W. Blaustein
Produced by: Ron Howard
Barry W. Blaustein

Similar Movies

The Collective

The Collective

Adventuring to undiscovered peaks together, plotting midnight-raids on inner-city handrails, lapping your home run until that last ray of sunshine disappears behind a distant ridge - Skiing is Collective. Some call it a tribe mentality, others call it a shared sense of purpose. This film is our definition, written by a diverse team, each with their own ideas, their own forms of expression. "The Collective" is more than a sum of its parts. No matter who you are or where you come from - it feels good to be part of something special.

Neverland

Neverland

Neverland is a state of mind, a mountain pushed up from the ground by imagination. Anyone can go but most people have trouble with the simple directions: Follow your dreams. This winter Absinthe dropped down the rabbit hole to explore this elusive place and brought back some mind bending tales and a pocketful of surprises.

The Community Project

The Community Project

Indie film studio Silver Platter serves up yet another exhilarating ride through exotic and extreme snowboarding terrain with this documentary that's part travelogue and part sports spectacle. Watch Andy Finch, Travis Rice, Colin Langlois, Kyle Clancy and Shaun White take on the wildest of slopes in such places as New Zealand, Norway, British Columbia and Japan, all for the love of snowboarding.

The Debut

The Debut

The Debut brings together a collective of riders with passion, creativity and relentless drive to make what they do their own every time they take to the water. Andy Kolb and Unit Parktech’s first film boasts jaw dragging action from some of the most influential riders of our time captured against breathtaking backdrops with the most advanced film production available. Shot across five continents and covering every aspect of cable and System 2.0 every rider has been pushed to their limits in order to showcase the sport at it’s most progressive and creative. As the riders push themselves and their riding, across the world, The Debut gives us a unique insight into their journey and who they really are!

IN DEEP: The Skiing Experience

IN DEEP: The Skiing Experience

For 2009, MSP Films takes an original look at the sport of skiing. All of the skiers in the film—park rat or big mountain charger—share a common bond: the overwhelming desires to ski. Each person finds stoke in his own unique way, whether it be a double cork 1260, a deep turn on a storm day or ripping a giant AK line. Skiing is an incredibly diverse sport that offers it all. With the progressive skiing and award-winning cinematography that has made MSP famous, MSP Films takes you along for the ride deep into the experience as we share the love for the greatest sport in the world.

Absolute Chile

Absolute Chile

In this follow-up to Absolute Mexico, director Joshua Pomer explores the northern coast of Chile. There we find an all-star crew heading south for some big wave tow surfing. Interviews and great surfing from the cast. Joel Parkinson steals the show with his standup no grab backside tubes. Taylor Knox puts on a display of raw power through his use of rail turns. Cory Lopez shines in the ease of backdooring the wave. Absolute Chile brings us the unique perspective of the surfers featured. Cory Lopez, Bobby Martinez and Pancho Sullivan explain the razor sharp reef and the history of surfing in Chile. Then the all-star crew heads to a wave know as The Fish Factory, where the wave doubles up and spits. Some fantastic rides and even more spectacular wipeouts. In part two of the film we travel to Southern Chile for a big wave riding experience with the likes of Shane Dorian, Greg Long and Chile legend Ramon Navaro.

The Big Boys' Playground

The Big Boys' Playground

Stéphane and Alizée, two rock-climbers looking for a breakthrough, spend their winter in Catalonia—the perfect place for climbing hard. Their projects lie in the sector called “El Pati” (the playground). Success, more than a physical achievement, seems to be a state of mind.

Hoops, Hopes & Dreams

Hoops, Hopes & Dreams

The untold story about how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and an all-star team of civil rights activists took to basketball courts to rally young voters while winning hearts of communities, and how their strategy has echoed in contemporary politics.

The Keepers of the Streak

The Keepers of the Streak

The NFL has staged 48 Super Bowls. Four photographers have taken pictures at every one of them. In KEEPERS OF THE STREAK, director Neil Leifer tells the story of this exclusive club, made up of John Biever, Walter Iooss, Mickey Palmer and Tony Tomsic. With their cameras, they have captured football's biggest game of the year for almost five decades.

More than a Game

More than a Game

This documentary follows NBA superstar LeBron James and four of his talented teammates through the trials and tribulations of high school basketball in Ohio and James' journey to fame.

Men Boxing

Men Boxing

Experimental film fragment made with the Edison-Dickson-Heise experimental horizontal-feed kinetograph camera and viewer, using 3/4-inch wide film.

144

144

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 WNBA season pivoted into a bubble site in Bradenton, Florida – where 144 players across 12 teams convened to face the rigors of an unrelenting schedule and finish their battle for a championship; all while just as dedicated to amplify social activism in response to the injustices that gripped that same summer. A documentary from ESPN Films.

Satellites

Satellites

SATELLITES is a documentary about the passion for soccer told through the points-of-view of characters who were following somehow the final match of the Brazilian Soccer Cup. The film moves the focus from the game to the field's margins, to the fans, to outside the stadium. The movie intends to capture the tension, atmosphere and charm of a final match. SATELLITES translates, based on images captured during that game, the sensation of being at the stadium watching the game with no images of the game itself.

WWE: The Rise + Fall of ECW

WWE: The Rise + Fall of ECW

The Rise + Fall of ECW is a 2004 direct-to-video documentary produced by World Wrestling Entertainment. It chronicles the history of Philadelphia-based professional wrestling promotion Extreme Championship Wrestling.

WWE: Rey Mysterio - 619

WWE: Rey Mysterio - 619

"619" isn't just San Diego's area code, it's WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio's signature move, recalling his hometown. Join Rey for this special journey from his humble "619" beginnings...to his days in WCW...to his high-flyin' WWE career. Rey takes us to Mexico, where he first began training. Get Rey's unique perspectives on his fiercest rivals in the business. For the first time anywhere, Rey's family members and WWE Superstars help profile the most acrobatic and unique performer in WWE today.

Una Famiglia | Team Europe's Story

Una Famiglia | Team Europe's Story

Team Europe's story of the 2023 Ryder Cup. Una Famiglia gives unprecedented access to Team Europe, going behind-the-scenes to follow Luke and his team on the journey to Rome, as well unpacking everything from that special week in a series of exclusive interviews. It features the likes of Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Ludvig Åberg, as well as past winning Captains José María Olazábal and Paul McGinley, as they open up on what makes the bond between European players so special.

Pre Pop

Pre Pop combines motion graphics with digital video to create a unique look at the sports of wakeboarding and wakeskating.

WWE - John Morrison - Rock Star

WWE - John Morrison - Rock Star

He’s the Shaman of Sexy, the Friday Night Delight. John Morrison is one of WWE’s best and brightest rising stars, having held numerous tag team championships, first as part of MNM and then with The Miz. He’s also had great solo success, earning the ECW and Intercontinental championships. The DVD is packed with a revealing 1-hour documentary, as well as bonus matches, interviews, Dirt Sheet segment

Los Exóticos

Los Exóticos

The documentary portrays the life and history of Mexican wrestlers who for various reasons have decided to participate in this contact sport characterizing exotic characters. The exotic refers to the strange, the mysterious, the weird, the unusual. Particularly in wrestling exotic style refers to refined athletes in their clothing, well groomed, with a very special walk, occasionally thin effeminate. Not rude, not technical, but not rare height or size, these mannered gladiators have represented a third option within the Mexican rings, some shamelessly displaying their sexual preference and thereby defying the homophobic, or secretly homophily, mood of the wrestling fans.

Queen of the Sea

A short documentary exploring how the ocean is an empowering space for women to connect. Told through the personal story of Deguene, a 17 year old surfer, from Dakar, Senegal. She leads us on a journey through the waves of her familial past which is deeply connected to the spirit of the ocean. This powerful story explores the symbiotic relationship between women, the ocean, community and sport.

Recommended Movies

You Cannot Kill David Arquette

You Cannot Kill David Arquette

Following his infamous championship as part of a marketing stunt for the film Ready to Rumble, David Arquette is widely known as the most hated man in pro-wrestling worldwide. Nearly 20 years after he "won" the initial title, through ups and downs in his career, with his family, and with his struggles with addiction, David Arquette seeks redemption by returning to the ring...for real this time.

Facing Ali

Facing Ali

Ten of Muhammad Ali's former rivals pay tribute to the three-time world heavyweight champion.

The Crash

The Crash

A teen slams her car into a building, killing her boyfriend and his friend. What seems like a tragic accident becomes a murder case.

Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story

Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story

Unravel the case of Utah therapist Jodi Hildebrandt, whose child abuse arrest with parenting YouTuber Ruby Franke exposed a twisted tale of manipulation.

Unknown Number: The High School Catfish

Unknown Number: The High School Catfish

Vulgar, taunting texts blow up the phones of a teen and her boyfriend. Who's sending them — and why? This twisty documentary reveals the shocking answer.

Counterpunch

Counterpunch

As boxing's popularity wanes, three fighters at different stages of their career make sacrifices to pursue their dreams of becoming champions.

Wick Is Pain

Wick Is Pain

Witness the never-before-seen footage and true story behind the John Wick phenomenon – from independent film to billion-dollar franchise.

The Menendez Brothers

The Menendez Brothers

Serving life in prison for murdering their parents, Lyle and Erik Menendez speak out in this documentary explaining the shocking crime and ensuing trials.

Orgasm Inc: The Story of OneTaste

Orgasm Inc: The Story of OneTaste

A sexual wellness company gains fame and followers, then members come forward with shocking allegations.

Trainwreck: The Real Project X

Trainwreck: The Real Project X

A night of drunken chaos rocks a quiet Dutch town in this shocking documentary about a teen's birthday invite that accidentally went viral on Facebook.

The Walking Dead: The Return

The Walking Dead: The Return

Stars of "The Walking Dead," Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira, walk down memory lane and visit iconic locations where pivotal moments between their characters, Rick and Michonne, were filmed.

Beastie Boys Story

Beastie Boys Story

Here's a little story they're about to tell... Mike Diamond and Adam Horovitz share the story of their band and 40 years of friendship in a live documentary experience directed by friend, collaborator, and their former grandfather, Spike Jonze.

Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me

Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me

After years in the limelight, Selena Gomez achieves unimaginable stardom. But just as she reaches a new peak, an unexpected turn pulls her into darkness. This uniquely raw and intimate documentary spans her six-year journey into a new light.

The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground

Experience the iconic rock band's legacy in the first major documentary to tell their story. Directed with the era’s avant-garde spirit by Todd Haynes, this kaleidoscopic oral history combines exclusive interviews with dazzling archival footage.

Welcome to Chechnya

Welcome to Chechnya

This searing investigative work shadows a group of activists risking unimaginable peril to confront the ongoing anti-LGBTQ program raging in the repressive and closed Russian republic. Unfettered access and a remarkable approach to protecting anonymity exposes this under-reported atrocity–and an extraordinary group of people confronting evil.

Maternal Instinct

Maternal Instinct

Police pull over a woman who claims she just gave birth. But the baby — and the blood — aren't hers. Twisted lies unravel in this true-crime documentary.

Gilbert

Gilbert

The life and career of one of comedy's most inimitable modern voices, Mr. Gilbert Gottfried.

Hot Girls Wanted

Hot Girls Wanted

A first-ever look at the realities of the professional “amateur” porn world and the steady stream of 18-to-19-year old girls entering into it.

Halftime

Halftime

Global superstar Jennifer Lopez reflects on her multifaceted career and the pressure of life in the spotlight in this intimate documentary.

Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me

Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me

From the heights of her modeling fame to her tragic death, this documentary reveals Anna Nicole Smith through the eyes of the people closest to her.