Pro Wrestling Fans Kill Off Vince McMahon in New Documentary

Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) November 3, 2009 -- Pro wrestling fans, frustrated with what they see on TV, speak out in the new wrestling documentary, STRONGHOLD: In the Grip of Wrestling. Covering all styles of wrestling: pro, amateur, and MMA grappling, STRONGHOLD features adult males who continue to pursue their passion for the sport.

It's no secret that pro wrestling is still popular, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's good. In a segment in the STRONGHOLD film, pro wrestling enthusiasts take on Vince McMahon and how the WWE monopoly negatively influenced professional wrestling.

For many, the best years of professional wrestling, from 1950-1985, were really the good ole days. Often referred to as old-school wrestling, interviewees reminisce that "back then wrestlers spent more time in the ring, and did a much better job of selling the match." Today it is referred to as a circus where "you sit back and watch the elephants and the clowns and the ringmaster screaming his head off."

In one segment of STRONGHOLD, a two-hour WWE Monday Night Raw broadcast is broken down to see exactly how much wrestling takes place. The verdict: thirty-six minutes of commercials, one hour of talking on the mic and grandstanding, leaving just twenty-four minutes in the ring. And of that, less than five minutes of applied wrestling holds that lasted more than two seconds. In comparison, the first filmed pro wrestling match on January 30, 1920, featuring Joe Stecher and Earl Caddock, had the two men locked up for nearly the entire two-hour bout.

At the turn of the 20th century, pro wrestling was very much like the MMA-style grappling that you see today. Referred to as the catch-as-catch-can style, wrestlers would pursue just about any move to get a pin or submission. Today, there is much less contact between the wrestlers. In another segment of STRONGHOLD, an independent pro wrestler suggests that increasing touchphobia and homophobia among men in society may be the impetus behind fewer long-held holds. "When was the last time you saw a 15-minute headscissor?" another asks.

In the film, Vince McMahon and his cast of characters--toy figures to be exact--animate out the same old story lines that make old-school wrestling fans pass over WWE with the remote. With a wad of money clenched in his hand, and star wrestlers kissing his behind, McMahon eventually meets his untimely death under a car tire. Before that though, one fan exclaims "I want more wrestling and less talk!" Are you listening, Mr. McMahon?

STRONGHOLD is available for purchase and online viewing at http://www.wrestlingfilm.com. Youtube clip at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-UKjmxBxyA.

###