For over a month, I was able to come in contact with some marvelous people including documentary film director, STEPHEN GILLIS.  Stephen recently has a film called This Wrestling Life.  As a fan of the independent scene, I became interested in this film because of tweets from  female wrestler, Nicole Matthews. It made me think of the training and progress of my best friend and fellow staff member, Marc.  I was able to watch the film  before it was shown on Canadian television. Before I continue with the review of the film, for more information on the film click the facebook page link ,@twlthemovie, or http://www.thiswrestlinglife.com/.

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This Wrestling Life is a documentary film that portrays the independent scene of professional wrestling.  The film depicts the year of struggles in the lives of four individuals. Travis and Natalie are two new wrestlers to the wrestling business. Bill is training to become a referee. These three individuals have had rough lives and are trying to live out their dreams as part of the wrestling business. These three students have come through adversary in their lives to accomplish their dreams. Travis has come from a broken home. Natalie has come from male dominant household that shunned her dreams. Bill is an openly homosexual forty plus year old man. These students are led by the head trainer of ECCW (Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling), Scotty Mac. In the course of the film, he has been mentoring his protégés and also trying to fulfill his dream of becoming a wrestler in World Wrestling Entertainment.

The documentary film focused on the triumphs and the let downs within the process of making it in the wrestling industry. The students Travis, Natalie, and Bill learned about the technical aspects and the social aspects of wrestling. Most notably, Bill received hazing and ribbing because of his “newbie” status coupled with his sexuality.  Throughout the experience, Bill stated that he would not let it get to him so he could prove himself to everyone.

Natalie proved to be a tough cookie from the start. She would come late to practice and talk out of line. The no nonsense holds no prisoners’ attitude of Natalie proved to be an issue throughout the film.   It led her into trouble many times with Scotty Mac. Scotty Mac mentioned that he felt that he was easy on her because she reminded him of himself.  He questioned whether Natalie really wanted to become a wrestler and even be there.

Travis, however, did not allow for the let downs in his life to affect his triumphs. He worked consistently throughout the movie to hone his craft and make something out of himself. He wanted to prove to his parents and everyone else that he could make it as a wrestler.  It allowed for him to motivate himself to achieve.

This Wrestling Life chronicled the graduation of many of its students including Bill and Travis. In the graduating class, Natalie was not included. She did not graduate. However, that motivated her to continue and to prove to everyone that she wanted to be there.

The documentary film showed how rough the training process is for wrestlers. The training process is not for everyone and it quickly weeds out those people.  This Wrestling Life allowed the viewers into the hearts and minds of four individuals. It encompassed the whole spectrum of wrestling—trainer/booker, male trainee wrestler, female trainee wrestler, and male trainee referee. The main drawback is the time constraints.  Not every moment can be depicted. Also, the film focused on the Travis’ story, which was epitome of success. The documentary allowed for the inside view into the lives of the participants and wrestling.  The beginning of the journey to superstardom is rarely chronicled and the people who helped along the way are not given proper praise. Scotty Mac brought out the talent that was inside of Billy, Travis, and Natalie. He shared with them all the fun, heart breaking, frustrating, happy moments along with the blood, sweat, and tears that makes up a life in the wrestling business.

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Where are they now?

• Natalie, or KC Spinelli, is currently a female wrestler in ECCW and for other companies. She has been in matches against Malia Hosaka, Sunni Daze, Nicole Matthews, among others.  KC Spinelli is part of the team, Tits & Abs with Alex Plexis in ECCW.
• Travis, or  “The Popstar” Travis Sparx,  is currently in the group called Pop Culture.  His team mates are Ice, Bishop, & Veronika Vice. He currently competes for ECCW and other companies.
• Bill Taylor is a referee in ECCW and he’s not afraid to show people who’s the boss!
• Scotty Mac is still going strong as the go to guy in ECCW. He is a trainer, booker, and occasional wrestler.  He’s happy with his role, but still hopes to be WWE.
• They all have their dreams in wrestling and are still trying to make it a reality!