I just finished binging this and I am very impressed. Professional wrestling is something I enjoyed for a time before the dark side started coming to light so my knowledge and feelings on the sport are mixed. I do classify it as a sport because of the athleticism of and physical demands on the participants. CM Punk is someone I became a fan of through his appearances on Talking Dead, but I've since come to know and respect his story as a wrestler. His participation in this is evident not only in his role of Ricky Rabies, but also in the rather notorious incident that really happened to CM in a match and is depicted as happening to Wild Bill in episode 8. No spoilers. If you know, you KNOW. I put this up top of my review because CM was an absolute highlight for me and I was tickled whenever I got a reference related to his real life despite my not really being into wrestling during his career.
That said, let's talk Heels! This show focuses on a small, independent regional promotion of wrestling instead of the big circus of WWE, so we see a lot more of the passion and heart than the darkness of the industry. While racism, sexism, drug abuse, the physical and mental toll and the literal cost versus the financial benefit of wrestling are all touched on, those bigger issues don't weigh down the story and may well be missed by a casual viewer. The manipulated drama of kayfabe as it is on display to the fans and playing out behind the scenes is well done to make a viewer understand it and sympathize with the performers. The push by bigger promotions to obliterate small, independent ones is real and well portrayed. The characters and stories have heart and the wrestling action is well done. There should be more of the wrestling action in a drama like this, but I like the focus on building the ensemble this first season. Stephen Amell and Chris Bauer did so well with their roles. This was my introduction to Kelli Berglund and I loved her as Crystal. I also really enjoyed Trey Tucker as Bobby Pin. The characters of Diego and Apocalypse needed a little more building, for me, but they were definitely likable. Alexander Ludwig did a great job as Ace, but he just isn't the kind of character that I'm drawn to.
I'll close by saying that this show was an excellent surprise, but it shouldn't have been because the Starz network just keeps putting out stuff I love to watch. I highly recommend you give this a try and I hope there will be more seasons to come.
That said, let's talk Heels! This show focuses on a small, independent regional promotion of wrestling instead of the big circus of WWE, so we see a lot more of the passion and heart than the darkness of the industry. While racism, sexism, drug abuse, the physical and mental toll and the literal cost versus the financial benefit of wrestling are all touched on, those bigger issues don't weigh down the story and may well be missed by a casual viewer. The manipulated drama of kayfabe as it is on display to the fans and playing out behind the scenes is well done to make a viewer understand it and sympathize with the performers. The push by bigger promotions to obliterate small, independent ones is real and well portrayed. The characters and stories have heart and the wrestling action is well done. There should be more of the wrestling action in a drama like this, but I like the focus on building the ensemble this first season. Stephen Amell and Chris Bauer did so well with their roles. This was my introduction to Kelli Berglund and I loved her as Crystal. I also really enjoyed Trey Tucker as Bobby Pin. The characters of Diego and Apocalypse needed a little more building, for me, but they were definitely likable. Alexander Ludwig did a great job as Ace, but he just isn't the kind of character that I'm drawn to.
I'll close by saying that this show was an excellent surprise, but it shouldn't have been because the Starz network just keeps putting out stuff I love to watch. I highly recommend you give this a try and I hope there will be more seasons to come.
