The Wrestler Reviews

This obscurity from the 1970s deserves to find a new audience now that pro wrestling has once again gripped the nation in a stranglehold. All the theatrical elements of the drop-kicking, full-nelsoning monsters of the mats are displayed here in a simple story pitting the honest wrestlers managed by Asner against a criminal faction who want a piece of the action--and the profits. Gagne appropriately plays an aging champ (his real-life role) as well as serving as the film's executive producer. Also in the cast is announcer Sam Menecker as one of the mobsters plus the granddaddies of wrestling--Dick the Bruiser and the Crusher.