Title: Slowburn Shoot
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Adam J Wilde
Starring: N/A
Runtime: 1 hr 22 mins
What It Is: A documentary about the highs and lows of indie wrestling company Absolute Intense Wrestling. We follow various wrestlers’ personal journeys as well as the history of AIW.
What We Think: Anyone who knows me personally knows I genuinely adore wrestling. As far back as I can remember, wrestling has been a part of my life and personal journey. There was even a brief period where I worked out intensely to try to become an amateur wrestler (a period cut short by a neck and shoulder injury). I collect old PPVs on DVD and old WCW figures and have probably watched endless hours of content on channels like Wrestlelamia. I preface with all of this so you can know that I know my shit.
This documentary is really fucking good.
I (admittedly surprisingly) actually didn’t know about AIW but learning its a stomping ground that has graced us with wrestling talent like Britt Baker, Eddie Kingston and Hornswoggle is really quite beautiful. AIW is nowhere near the level of AEW or TNA Impact, but the legacy is gold. It is a company created by wrestling fans for wrestling fans and that can’t be any clearer than what is shown on display in this documentary.
This is a prime example of how you do a documentary kiddies.
It has heart, makes you feel things, and is highly informative. Everything a great documentary needs. I dare say if I saw this during that brief period I was trying to be a wrestler, I may have stopped trying well before my injuries. Wrestling is an extremely unforgiving profession. The amount an average wrestler goes through is painful with very little reward, but the ones that stay in truly do it out of a genuine love for the profession. Hats off to all the wrestlers in this documentary and wrestlers in general that put their bodies on the line for the purposes of entertainment.
As a true wrestling fan I don’t think you could ask for a more comprehensive look into the lives surrounding an indie wrestling ring company. One of the most well done documentaries I’ve seen in awhile.
Our Grade: A, If you truly love wrestling and love learning about behind the scenes of the business, you will enjoy this documentary.