One of professional wrestling’s most infamous events came surprisingly close to receiving the Dark Side of the Ring treatment.
However, despite significant progress behind the scenes, the project never made it to the finish line.
The revelation came ahead of the documentary series’ seventh season. Co-creator and executive producer Evan Husney confirmed that an episode centered on the notorious 1999 Heroes of Wrestling pay-per-view was seriously considered before plans changed.
Sometimes the darkest stories don’t quite make it to the entrance ramp.
Heroes of Wrestling episode reached planning stage before being shelved
Speaking to Fightful, Husney revealed that Heroes of Wrestling was nearly selected as the focus of a Dark Side of the Ring episode.
According to the report, the production team had already moved beyond the initial concept stage. They had begun contacting people connected to the event and planned interviews before ultimately putting the project on hold.
The 1999 pay-per-view has long been regarded as one of the industry’s most disastrous shows. It featured a main event of Jim Neidhart and King Kong Bundy against Jake Roberts and Yokozuna. Other WWE Hall of Famers, including Greg Valentine, Bob Orton Sr., Tully Blanchard, and Abdullah the Butcher, also appeared on the card.
The planned documentary reportedly would have drawn from firsthand accounts of several people associated with the event. Potential interview subjects included Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Dutch Mantell, Bob Orton Jr., Marty Jannetty, 2 Cold Scorpio, and One Man Gang, among others.
Although the episode remains on the back burner, Husney’s comments suggest the concept was much further along than many fans may have realized. That leaves the door open for the topic to resurface in a future season if circumstances align.
For now, Dark Side of the Ring is moving ahead with its seventh season, which premieres on July 7. The opening night will feature parts one and two of a three-part story focusing on Jeff Jarrett and TNA Wrestling. The concluding chapter airs on July 14. As wrestling history has proven time and again, some stories get counted out — but not necessarily for the three-count.
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