Dark Side of the Ring Season 3 Episode 17 The Double Life of Chris Kanyon

The Double Life of Chris Kanyon is the seventeenth episode of the third season of the documentary series Dark Side of the Ring. This episode tells the story of wrestler Chris Kanyon, who secretly hid his homosexuality from the professional wrestling community while he was at the height of his career.

The episode describes Kanyon's rise in the late 1990s as one of the most exciting and acrobatic wrestlers in the sport. However, as he struggled with his private life, he also faced discrimination from within the professional wrestling industry. Kanyon was pressured to maintain a macho persona that would appeal to the sport's predominantly male and heterosexual fanbase.

The episode traces Kanyon's journey from his early days in wrestling to his time in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and his eventual transition to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Kanyon's closeted homosexuality is shown through archival footage and interviews with colleagues and friends who witnessed his struggles firsthand.

The Double Life of Chris Kanyon also explores the darker side of professional wrestling, including drug abuse, mental health issues and the toxicity of the locker room. The episode discusses how Kanyon's career and personal life were impacted by his struggles with depression, anxiety and addiction.

Kanyon's suicide in 2010 shocked the wrestling world, and the episode addresses the mental health issues that he suffered from. Interviews with Kanyon's close friends and family reveal the pain and frustration he felt living a double life, and how it ultimately led him to take his own life.

The episode also explores the larger cultural context of Kanyon's story, including society's changing attitudes towards homosexuality and the impact of the media on the lives of celebrities. Kanyon was one of the first professional wrestlers to come out as openly gay, and his legacy has inspired a new generation of wrestlers to embrace their individuality and authenticity.

Overall, The Double Life of Chris Kanyon is a powerful and emotional episode that sheds light on the struggles faced by gay athletes in a hypermasculine industry. Through Kanyon's story, the episode raises important questions about the role of masculinity and sexuality in professional sports, and the toll that living a double life can take on one's mental health.