VICE TV announced today that the record-breaking docuseries Dark Side of the Ring has been renewed for a third season. The network has ordered 14 episodes, four more than the previous season, of the critically acclaimed series that lifts the veil on the most controversial stories in the world of wrestling. Earlier this year Dark Side of the Ring became the highest-rated show on VICE TV. The series will return to VICE TV and Crave in Canada in 2021.
Since VICE TV launched Dark Side of the Ring in April 2019, the series has entertained wrestling fans and newcomers to the sport with the biggest stories from the last 40 years, giving viewers unprecedented access to wrestling insiders and revealing the brutal truths and often tragic consequences of lives in the squared circle. Viewership has grown consistently throughout its first two seasons. Season 2 crushed all previous L3 viewership records for VICE TV, finishing with a growth of 73% among P18-49 viewers and 52% among P2+ viewers vs. the breakout first season.
Across the series, Dark Side of the Ring is now VICE TV’s best series overall, beating out the prior best overall series by +77% with P18-49 viewers and 108% with P2+ viewers.
“Dark Side of the Ring is a knockout show for VICE TV. The tag-team executive producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener are true heavyweight champions of the world (of TV), and we are so excited to pin down a third season of this incredible series,” said Morgan Hertzan, Executive Vice President and General Manager, VICE Television. “Seasons 1 and 2 of Dark Side of the Ring are examples of the compelling, thought-provoking, and engaging storytelling we champion here at VICE TV. We can’t wait to see what the series will throw down in the third round!”
Season 2 of Dark Side of the Ring explored these dramatic wrestling stories: the tragic tale of wrestling icon Chris Benoit; the murder of Dino Bravo; the legitimate boxing tournament that led to career-ending injuries; the controversial career of New Jack; David Schultz’s violent run-in with a 20/20 reporter; the story of Jimmy Snuka and death of his then-girlfriend Nancy Argentino; the inside story of wrestling’s ultimate tag team partnership The Road Warriors; Herb Adams’ fanatical attempt to build a wrestling empire. The season ends with the inside story of Owen Hart’s freak accident where a stunt went tragically wrong.
Dark Side of the Ring is produced by VICE Studios Canada and in partnership with Bell Media’s Crave.
