Dark Side of the Ring Season 3 Episode 18 Blood & Wire: Onita's FMW

Blood & Wire: Onita's FMW is the 18th episode of the third season of the critically acclaimed documentary series, Dark Side of the Ring. As with previous episodes, the focus of this installment is on a wrestling promotion that experienced controversy and tragedy behind the scenes.

FMW, or Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling, was a Japanese professional wrestling promotion that was founded in 1989 by Atsushi Onita. The promotion quickly gained notoriety for its use of barbed wire, explosions, and other hardcore wrestling techniques that were unusual for the time. Onita himself gained a reputation as a bloodthirsty performer, willing to put himself through intense pain for the sake of a good show.

The episode begins by exploring Onita's background, including his early years in wrestling and his initial attempt at starting a promotion. Onita's big break came in 1989, when he faced off against Terry Funk in a match that featured barbed wire and C4 explosives. The match was a hit with fans and helped establish FMW as a major player in the Japanese wrestling scene.

From there, the episode delves into the behind-the-scenes workings of FMW. Onita was the driving force behind the promotion, and his unique vision for the product often clashed with the desires of his colleagues and business partners. For example, Onita had a tendency to favor his own matches over those of other wrestlers, which led to resentment among the locker room.

Despite these issues, FMW continued to grow in popularity throughout the early 1990s. Onita's willingness to take extreme bumps and use dangerous weapons helped attract a dedicated fan base. The promotion even spawned imitators in other countries, such as ECW in the United States.

However, the episode also explores the dark side of FMW's hardcore style. Several wrestlers were seriously injured during matches, including broken bones and severe burns from the barbed wire and explosions. One infamous incident involved a wrestler named Koji Nakagawa, who suffered a punctured lung and other injuries after being thrown into a pyramid of light tubes.

The episode also touches on the drug and alcohol abuse that plagued many Japanese wrestlers during that era, including several members of the FMW roster. Onita himself was known to indulge in heavy drinking and smoking, and this lifestyle took a toll on his health over time.

Throughout the episode, we hear from several key figures in the FMW story, including former wrestlers, insiders, and commentators. These interviews offer a firsthand glimpse into the unique culture of Japanese wrestling and the challenges that came with promoting a hardcore product.

Ultimately, Blood & Wire: Onita's FMW is a fascinating look at a pivotal moment in the history of Japanese wrestling. The episode doesn't shy away from the controversy, tragedy, and behind-the-scenes drama that defined FMW's rise and fall. But it also celebrates the passion, creativity, and dedication of the wrestlers and promoters who pushed the boundaries of what was possible in the ring.