Professional Wrestling History DVDs

[FlairFan2003]

The Learning Channel periodically re runs a documentary they did circa 1997 when Monday Nitro was really hot (essentially where the documentary ends) but it shows nice detail on the early years of the business, the importance of TV in the 1950s and 60s, and the evolution into Vince McMahon Jr "Rock & Wrestling" in the 1980s. Several top stars are spotlighted including Austin, Hogan, and Flair, along with interviews from McMahon, Bischoff, and others, plus an interesting piece where they break down how an actual match is scripted and executed (using a real Flair match to illustrate).

Once it moves into the 90s it becomes less interesting but the early stuff on the evolution of the business sounds like exactly what you are looking for.

[closet_fan]

Originally Posted by FlairFan2003

The Learning Channel periodically re runs a documentary they did circa 1997 when Monday Nitro was really hot (essentially where the documentary ends) but it shows nice detail on the early years of the business, the importance of TV in the 1950s and 60s, and the evolution into Vince McMahon Jr "Rock & Wrestling" in the 1980s. Several top stars are spotlighted including Austin, Hogan, and Flair, along with interviews from McMahon, Bischoff, and others, plus an interesting piece where they break down how an actual match is scripted and executed (using a real Flair match to illustrate).

Once it moves into the 90s it becomes less interesting but the early stuff on the evolution of the business sounds like exactly what you are looking for.

I think the one your talking about is The Secret World of Professional Wrestling

This one is probably the best one as it goes through the entire history of how wrestling went from a carny sideshow to what it is (at the time it aired) today. I definitely recommend this one because it gives you a great appreciation of most of the big-named wrestlers from the past and their different styles in the ring.

Good find FF.