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[This documentary can be purchased and watched online for a modest $5 from EyeSoda.com]

Over the past decade in the wrestling community, we’ve heard a lot about the “wrestling culture”. “It was the wrestling culture that killed him”, “they were the victims of the wrestling culture.” Words like personal demons and tragedy have crossed just as many lips, as dropkick and armbar. Whether Vince McMahon wants to disassociate himself from the negative or not, wrestling will never escape this dark cloud. Whether it’s mainstream movies like The Wrestler bringing it to the masses, or the unheard of death of a local Indy wrestler, the fact that these men have to travel all year round, keep volatile schedules, take care of their family and deal with stardom is never going to change. It’s all here. Fame, drugs, alcohol, strippers, family problems, spousal abuse and death. The story of “Gentleman” Chris Adams is simply the wrestling culture personified.

Many of you may only know Chris Adams’ name in passing, as the trainer of modern wrestling’s biggest star, Steve Austin; however Chris Adams was a star in his own right. His journey to fame took him from humble beginnings as a Judo Champion turned wrestler in the less recognized ranks of England, to a main event player in the once world renowned World Class Championship Wrestling in Texas. That’s about as deep as this documentary will go in to his career, choosing instead to focus on the “person” Chris Adams and the downward spiral that took him from the limelight to his drug induced murder, a death that has never been examined so closely on film or in print, as it is on this DVD.

Essentially this piece uses the regular documentary convention of interview to describe Chris’ journey through the eyes of those around him. A man that was once surrounded by fame ends up surrounded by negative people and their influences, that only seem to have enabled his downfall. Vindictive has beens out for vengeance, drug supplying fame clingers, and those that turned the other cheek, coming across as completely clueless. You’ll hear from Adams’ parents as they try to recount how their son suddenly ended up in the business, a clearly mentally damaged stripper friend, wrestling legends Gary Hart and Kevin Von Erich, ex-wives, children, friends, wrestlers and adequateness. Some of those interviewed seem deranged and fame hungry, whilst others are sincere and saddened. The most shocking aspect of the film is the openness of “Booray,” a small time promoter, friend of Adams and the man that ultimately had to murder his GHB enraged buddy in self defense. He literally walks you through the last moments of Adams’ life, in a strange almost detached manner.

Ultimately this documentary, as the name suggests, is about choices, the personal choices we make in life that can make us, or send us down a dark and dismal path. Not all wrestlers succumb to the proverbial “wrestling culture” but Chris Adams and his addictive personality made the wrong choices and ended up murdered by his own friend in one of his many Jekyll and Hyde moments.

Unlike other shoot style wrestling documentaries that use poor production techniques and have very little footage, the man behind the film Mickey Grant (who was the revolutionary producer of the World Class TV show itself), includes a lot of interspersed World Class footage and utilizes a very professional transition technique between clips and interviews. There is also chilling footage of Chris Adams himself, playing with his children and encouraging people to make the right choices in life. Very hypocritical in hindsight, making his tragedy even more unfortunate.

If you are at all interested in the darker side of the sport and want to know the circumstances surrounding this former star’s death then you should definitely check out this film, however if you are looking for more of a career retrospective then there isn’t much to go on here. Either way it is a very well put together documentary and something most wrestling fans can appreciate. What’s more is you can watch it online for a modest $5 at EyseSoda.com. Just register then scroll down to see the film.