Ian Hodgkinson, a.k.a. pro-wrestling’s Vampiro, is still undead — try as he, his opponents and the industry might.
In feature-length documentary “Nail in the Coffin: The Rise and Fall of Vampiro,” the semi-retired Lucha Libre legend “reveals the harsh realities behind the glamour of being in the world of wrestling.” That’s according to the doc’s logline, having seen the film, but we can attest to the harshness of Hodgkinson’s wrestling style — and his lifestyle.
You’ll still have to wait a few days to watch the movie, but readers will immediately see what we mean via the video above. In TheWrap’s exclusive sneak peek, his doctor wonders “How are you even f—ing walking?”
When a medical doctor adopts the “F” word as part of his bedside manner, you know your body is f—ed up. Vamp’s “25 concussions,” 16 broken noses and four broken eye sockets will do that to a practicing physician, we suppose.
Below is the remainder of the documentary’s official description:
Hodgkinson tells the astonishing story about his meteoric rise to fame in the 90’s and how it almost killed him. Yet none of that was as back-breaking as his current life – working behind-the-scenes as the Director of Talent for Lucha Libre AAA in Mexico City and Lucha Underground in Los Angeles, while simultaneously raising his teenage daughter Dasha in remote Northern Canada as a single parent.
Unlike many professional wrestling documentaries before, director Michael Paszt has constructed a fascinating and heartfelt look at a wrestler who has overcome and continues to battle with physical injuries, sexual abuse, and drug addiction. Not to mention the wild stories of working for Milli Vanilli, and wrestling alongside the punk rock band The Misfits – Vampiro’s stories are multi-faceted and completely enthralling.
Told through an engrossing collection of home videos and personal interviews with his closest friends and family, “Nail in the Coffin” is an intimate and genuine look into a single father grappling with fame, the pressures of professional and personal responsibilities, and his own mortality.
“Nail in the Coffin” is directed by Michael Paszt, who produces alongside Pasha Patriki and Paszt. Maye Ornelas is associate producer.
The documentary is executive produced by Hodgkinson, Gregor Habsburg, Jacquelyn Frisco, Marisela Peña, Dorain Roldån, James Fler and Andrew Thomas Hunt.
The 88-minute-long “Nail in the Coffin” gets a limited theatrical release on Friday, Sept. 4. It will be made available on VOD/digital on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
“Nail in the Coffin: The Rise and Fall of Vampiro” made its world premiere at Fantastic Fest 2019.
Every WWE Champion Ever, Ranked by Number of Reigns (Photos)
Pro-wrestling championship belts change hands like grapplers change ring gear these days, though it wasn't always that way. Big E is the current WWE Champion after cashing in his "Money in the Bank" contract on "Raw," ripping the belt off Bobby Lashley's impossibly small waist (given the size of the rest of his upper body).
This is Big E's first-ever stint as WWE Champion, those he's had plenty of other titles in WWE -- mostly as part of tag-team faction The New Day.
Scroll through our gallery to see every WWE Champion ever, ranked by their number(s) of title wins. Remember: this is a list of those who won the WWWF Championship, the WWF Championship or the WWE Championship. So don't come after us, Universal Champions, et al.
WWE
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Kofi Kingston # of Reigns: 1
The power of positivity.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Jeff Hardy # of Reigns: 1
The un-"Broken" half of the Hardy Boyz has had the more storied singles career.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Bray Wyatt # of Reigns: 1
The Fiend used to go by "Husky Harris" -- we'd say this run is working out better for him.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Sgt. Slaughter # of Reigns: 1
Camel Clutch, Cobra Clutch -- whatever "C"-animal it was, it hurt.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Dean Ambrose # of Reigns: 1
And "The Lunatic Fringe" pulled this off while wearing jeans.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Chris Jericho # of Reigns: 1
You're a "stupid idiot" if you didn't know this guy made "The List."
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Eddie Guerrero # of Reigns: 1
Generally considered one of the best ever to have done it held the big-boy belt for 133 days.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Jinder Mahal # of Reigns: 1
The "Modern-Day Maharaja" dropped the title to A.J. Styles.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: John "Bradshaw" Layfield # of Reigns: 1
JBL has taken his heel persona from the ring to the announce table. Never without a cowboy hat, Layfield thankfully leaves his lariat clothesline at home.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: The Ultimate Warrior # of Reigns: 1
The muscle-bound maniac who handed Hulk Hogan his first-ever "WrestleMania" loss died after suffering a heart attack three days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: "Superstar" Billy Graham # of Reigns: 1
"Superstar" Billy Graham was a bodybuilder and buddy of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Yeah, blame Graham's body for Jinder Mahal's run.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Kevin Nash # of Reigns: 1
You mean Tarzan from "Magic Mike"?!?!? Yes, yes we do.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Pedro Morales # of Reigns: 1
History lesson: Back in the WWWF days, Morales became the first guy in wrestling history to win all three of the major men's titles -- the WWF Championship, the Intercontinental Championship and the WWF Tag Team Championship -- in the company.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: André the Giant # of Reigns: 1
The tales about André the Giant sometimes feel as tall as he was.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: The Iron Sheik # of Reigns: 1
This guy is as big a hit on Twitter as he was in the ring.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Kane # of Reigns: 1
You wouldn't know it by looking at him, but Kane, now mayor of Knox County in Tennessee, is one of the smartest Superstars in WWE history.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Rey Mysterio # of Reigns: 1
We're not going to talk about how ridiculous the setup to his finishing move, "The 6-1-9," became. This is a happy list.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Stan Stasiak # of Reigns: 1
Unfortunately Stasiak only held the belt for nine days.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Rob Van Dam # of Reigns: 1
One of the most popular ECW wrestlers of all-time, RVD has brought his three initials to seemingly every pro-wrestling promotion with three initials.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Ivan Koloff # of Reigns: 1
The "Russian Bear" was actually Canadian.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Buddy Rogers # of Reigns: 1
Rogers was kinda-sorta the first champion in the company. It's complicated -- ask Killer Kowalski and Bruno Sammartino.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Vince McMahon # of Reigns: 1
Hell, Mr. McMahon runs the damn company -- of course he made this list.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Bobby Lashley # of Reigns: 1
Lashley just looks like the guy who should be champion.
Rank: 31 (tie) Wrestler: Big E # of Reigns: 1
Big E has had a big career -- both as a singles performer and a member of The New Day.
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: The Miz # of Reigns: 2
The kid from "The Real World" made good on his over-the-top MTV promos. One of the best on the mic, Miz has been holding down the Intercontinental Championship more than any other Superstar of the past few years.
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: Drew McIntyre # of Reigns: 2
Scottish Psychopath joined the WWE Champions' and two-timers club all in 2020.
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: Batista # of Reigns: 2
Guardian of the Galaxy, defender of WWE Championship.
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: The Big Show # of Reigns: 2
You can't miss this two-time champ -- not even in a mega-arena.
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: A.J. Styles # of Reigns: 2
"The Phenomenal One" held the belt for 371-straight days, which is a record for a "SmackDown" wrestler.
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: Alberto Del Rio # of Reigns: 2
Si! Si! Si! Si! Si! Si! Si!
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: Sycho Sid # of Reigns: 2
It was a long way down from Shawn Michaels' former bodyguard's power-bomb.
If you haven't watched ESPN's "30 for 30: Nature Boy," do that. Oh, and look up Flair's ridiculous NWA runs too.
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: Sheamus # of Reigns: 2
Master of the Brogue Kick, Rocksteady in the "Ninja Turtles" movies -- which is the greater accomplishment?
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: Seth Rollins # of Reigns: 2
He's BURN(ed) IT DOWN more than once.
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: Yokozuna # of Reigns: 2
That belt needed a few extenders to fit around the sumo.
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: CM Punk # of Reigns: 2
Let's just say he was a little less successful in the UFC -- but maybe an AEW run?
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: Randy "Macho Man" Savage # of Reigns: 2
Before he snapped into Slim Jims, the "Macho Man" was snapping dudes in half.
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: Bob Backlund # of Reigns: 2
Backlund couldn't "Make Darren Young Great Again" -- or even keep the guy employed -- but the master of the cross-face chicken wing had a pretty incredible career of his own.
Rank: 16 (tie) Wrestler: Bruno Sammartino # of Reigns: 2
Google him, kids.
Rank: 13 (tie) Wrestler: Mankind # of Reigns: 3
Mick Foley nearly killed himself to raise these titles.
Rank: 13 (tie) Wrestler: Roman Reigns # of Reigns: 3
The Head of the Table may make the top of this list when all is said and done.
Rank: 13 (tie) Wrestler: Shawn Michaels # of Reigns: 3
Before he found God, the "Heartbreak Kid" found jaws with his foot, popularizing the Superkick.
Rank: 9 (tie) Wrestler: Daniel Bryan # of Reigns: 4
Fellow fan-favorite Superstar is now in AEW with CM Punk.
Rank: 9 (tie) Wrestler: Edge # of Reigns: 4
On this day, you can see clearly... that Edge is one of the best to ever lace up.
Rank: 9 (tie) Wrestler: The Undertaker # of Reigns: 4
The Dead Man is truly a living legend.
Rank: 9 (tie) Wrestler: Kurt Angle # of Reigns: 4
Top 10, it's true -- it's damn true.
Rank: 7 (tie) Wrestler: Brock Lesnar # of Reigns: 5
The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
Rank: 5 (tie) Wrestler: Hulk Hogan # of Reigns: 6
Hulkamania was real. Then again, so was Gawker at one point.
Rank: 5 (tie) Wrestler: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin # of Reigns: 6
On the Mt. Rushmore of all-time greats, and that's the bottom line.
Rank: 3 (tie) Wrestler: The Rock # of Reigns: 8
He may be Dwayne Johnson now, but he'll always be "The Rock" to us.
Rank: 3 (tie) Wrestler: Triple H # of Reigns: 8
Boss of The Authority and former DX member has two words for the other guys on this list. We can't reprint them.
Rank: 2 Wrestler: Randy Orton # of Reigns: 10
The Viper has RKO'd a lot of dudes outta nowhere.
Rank: 1 Wrestler: John Cena # of Reigns: 13
U Can't See Him.
1 of 55
From Buddy Rogers to Big E, here are all the guys from the old WWWF and WWF days — and beyond
Pro-wrestling championship belts change hands like grapplers change ring gear these days, though it wasn't always that way. Big E is the current WWE Champion after cashing in his "Money in the Bank" contract on "Raw," ripping the belt off Bobby Lashley's impossibly small waist (given the size of the rest of his upper body).
This is Big E's first-ever stint as WWE Champion, those he's had plenty of other titles in WWE -- mostly as part of tag-team faction The New Day.
Scroll through our gallery to see every WWE Champion ever, ranked by their number(s) of title wins. Remember: this is a list of those who won the WWWF Championship, the WWF Championship or the WWE Championship. So don't come after us, Universal Champions, et al.
