Vice has set the premiere date for the second season of its wrestling docuseries “Dark Side of the Ring,” which will be a special two-hour episode that tells the story of wrestling icon Chris Benoit, the cable channel announced Tuesday.
According to Vice, “The two-part premiere special episode delves into the tragic story of wrestling superstar Chris Benoit. In 2007, Benoit, one of the biggest names in the sport, killed his wife, Nancy and seven year old son Daniel before hanging himself in a crime that shocked the world and sparked a conversation about mental health in sports that continues today. The documentary offers unprecedented access to Benoit’s inner circle of family and friends, who reveal their complicated feelings about the tragedy 13 years later including his son, David: ‘That definitely was not him. He’s still my hero,’ and Sandra Toffoloni, Nancy Benoit’s sister: ‘I think I do, someday want to forgive him… it’s not today.’”
Watch the trailer for the Benoit episode above.
Subsequent Season 2 episodes will focus on the murder of Dino Bravo, the controversial “Brawl for All” tournament that led to career-ending injuries, the feared career of New Jack, David Schultz’s violent run-in with a 20/20 reporter, the death of Nancy Argentino, Jimmy Snuka’s girlfriend, the inside story of wrestling’s ultimate tag team partnership Hawk and Animal, Herb Abrams’ fanatical attempt to build a wrestling empire, and the devastating story of Owen Hart’s stunt that went tragically wrong, according to Vice.
The cable channel also revealed that WWE superstar and current AEW wrestler Chris Jericho has been set as the narrator for Season 2 and that comedian Chris Gethard will host a new weekly after-show for the series, featuring a “panel of guests from the worlds of wrestling and entertainment who will dissect the episodes.”
The Season 2 premiere of “Dark Side of the Ring” will air Tuesday, March 24 at 9/8c. The show will then shift back an hour to the 10 p.m. slot for the remainder of its second season and be followed by Gethard’s after-show at 11, a program which will offer fans “dynamic conversations with insiders and experts, exclusive unseen clips and behind-the-scenes moments.”
“Dark Side of the Ring,” which was renewed for a supersized Season 2 in July, was the most-watched show in Vice Television history.
“The first season of ‘Dark Side of the Ring’ was a massive hit. These powerful stories transcend wrestling fandom and resonate with both fans of the sport and newcomers who were captivated by this incredible storytelling,” Vice Television executive vice president and general manager Morgan Hertzan said in a statement. “We rise to the challenge and do not shy away from the truth. I am proud and excited to continue telling these courageous stories in season two.”
Executive producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener added: “As lifelong fans, we have always been fascinated by the behind-the-scenes, human stories of the world of professional wrestling. For our second season we’re going even deeper into its secretive past. Many wrestlers and family members we interviewed have never spoken out before. Our series seeks to help bring closure to their stories.”