When filmmaker Jason Eisener was just 10 years old, he had a terrifying encounter at a World Wrestling Federation show in Halifax that would change his life forever. As the wrestler Skinner made his way to the ring, Eisener and his cousin taunted him by chanting “You suck” repeatedly. Skinner, billed as an alligator hunter from the Florida Everglades, took notice of the boys and grabbed them by their shirt collars, threatening to “skin” them. This moment left a lasting impact on young Eisener, instilling a sense of fear and awe that would shape his future.
While Eisener was left shaken by the encounter, his godfather, who had taken the boys to the show, found the situation amusing, laughing at their fear. This stark contrast in reactions highlighted the power and intensity of the wrestling world, particularly for a young fan like Eisener.
Years later, Eisener would channel his childhood fascination with wrestling into the creation of the hit television series Dark Side of the Ring. Collaborating with co-creator Evan Husney, Eisener delved into the world of professional wrestling, uncovering both well-known and lesser-known stories that often featured elements of tragedy, crime, substance abuse, and personal struggles.
Through interviews with key figures in the wrestling world, Dark Side of the Ring shines a light on the darker side of the industry, offering viewers a glimpse into the real lives and challenges faced by professional wrestlers. The show’s name, a homage to its subject matter, is reflected in its unique storytelling style, often using silhouetted figures and backlit shots to convey the somber themes explored in each episode.
See also Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s tough Bronx persona is under fresh scrutiny with a resurfaced childhood nickname from her suburban upstate New York upbringing casting doubt on that publicly portrayed image. The progressive champion’s latest spat with President Donald Trump over the Iran strikes again called into question her true upbringing when she declared on X she was a “Bronx girl" to make her a point against the president. The 35-year-old congresswoman wrote in part on X: "I’m a Bronx girl. You should know that we can eat Queens boys for breakfast. Respectfully," she said, referring to the president’s upbringing in Queens as she called for his impeachment over his decision to bypass Congress in authorizing U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Ocasio-Cortez was born in the Bronx but moved to Yorktown – which is nearly an hour outside New York City -- when she was 5 years old and went on to attend Yorktown High School where she graduated in 2007. She was considered an accomplished student there and well thought of by teacher Michael Blueglass, according to a 2018 report by local media outlet Halston Media News. “There, known by students and staff as ‘Sandy,’ she was a member of the Science Research Program taught by Michael Blueglass," the report states. “She was amazing," Blueglass said, per the report. “Aside from her winning one of the top spots and going to the [Intel International Science and Engineering Fair], she was just one of the most amazing presenters in all of the years I've been at Yorktown. Her ability to take complex information and explain it to all different levels of people was fantastic." After high school, Ocasio-Cortez attended Boston University, where she majored in economics and international relations, per the report. Ocasio-Cortez’s “Sandy" nickname — which carries a more suburban and preppy tone — appears to undercut her politically crafted image as a tough, inner-city fighter, one she has portrayed since her famous 2018 congressional campaign where she eventually ousted former 10-terms Congressman Joe Crowley. New York GOP Assemblyman Matt Slater, who now represents Yorktown, added to the scrutiny of Ocasio-Cortez’s persona in the wake of her brash with Trump and released images of Ocasio-Cortez from his high school yearbook. He claimed he and the rising Democratic star attended Yorktown High School at the same time when she was a freshman and he was a senior. "I saw the attacks on the president and her [Ocasio-Cortez] claims that she's a big, tough Bronx girl," said Slater. "To sit there and say that she’s a Bronx girl is just patently ridiculous." "Everybody in our community knows this is just a bold-face lie," said Slater on "Fox & Friends First" last week. "She grew up in Yorktown, she was on my track team." "She's lying about her background, she's lying about her upbringing," Slater claimed. Slater’s post sent social media ablaze and prompted Ocasio-Cortez to respond after an image if her family’s home was posted online. “I’m proud of how I grew up and talk about it all the time," Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X Friday responding to the post. “My mom cleaned houses and I helped. We cleaned tutors’ homes in exchange for SAT prep." “Growing up between the Bronx and Yorktown deeply shaped my views of inequality & it’s a big reason I believe the things I do today!"
Despite the show’s sometimes dark and controversial content, Eisener remains committed to sharing these stories with audiences, even in the face of death threats and identity theft. The families of the wrestlers featured on the show have been instrumental in providing insight into the tragedies and triumphs of their loved ones, offering a unique perspective on the world of wrestling.
For wrestler Maddison Miles, watching Dark Side of the Ring for the first time was a revelation. As a professional wrestler herself, she appreciated the show’s honest portrayal of the industry and its performers, highlighting the human side of these larger-than-life characters.
As Dark Side of the Ring enters its sixth season, Eisener and Husney show no signs of running out of compelling stories to tell. The show continues to captivate audiences, wrestling fans and non-fans alike, with its raw and unflinching look at the highs and lows of the wrestling world.
In a strange twist of fate, Skinner, the wrestler who had once terrified a young Jason Eisener, was interviewed for an episode of Dark Side of the Ring. Reminiscing about the encounter in Halifax, Skinner had a message for Eisener, promising to “skin” him once again. This unexpected reunion serves as a reminder of the enduring impact that wrestling can have on both fans and participants alike.
