The Doctor's Late Wrestling DVD Recap & Review: "Card Subject to Change"

Last night while browsing Netflix I stumbled across a movie I had been waiting to see since I heard it was released, so I watched it right away. I was so taken by this movie that I felt like writing a review in hopes that more people will check this film out.

The documentary Card Subject to Change takes a hard look at the world of independent wrestling. It is a cold and bitter reminder of just what this business can do to someone when they do not keep their focus.

The film does not attempt to admonish or glorify wrestling, but rather show what the underbelly of the business is like. And it certainly does that well.

It was produced over several years, which allowed them to be able to see just how some of those involved had progressed.

The film chronicles several independent stars who are both unknown and all too familiar. Legends like Kamala, Paul Bearer and Sensational Sherri are featured in interviews and match clips while indy stars like Trent Acid show what it is like to never have made it.

This film is also somewhat of a swan song for a few of those involved. Sherri passed away in 2007 from an accidental overdose of prescription medication, Kamala has lost one of his feet to diabetes and Trent Acid died of an overdose in 2010.

I only wish the film had been produced through Acid-Fest so they could have documented that night. Trent Acid is shown in this film as being someone who should have made it, but for one reason or another never got the call.

He is talked about by Johnny Falco, promoter for a New Jersey based promotion, as being somewhat of a hothead, but overall one of the best hands in the independent circuit. Some of his matches are shown to highlight the skill he possessed.

He is put up against Billy Kidman at one point and the two of them planning out the match is shown ahead of time. It is a nice behind the scenes look at a one time up and comer and someone who had been to the major leagues of wrestling.

At one point the film puts up a title card saying they lost contact with Trent Acid, but later it is revealed they tracked him down, and things had changed severely.

A man who was shown as being a vet on the indy scene was now out of jail, in rehab and on house arrest. He had fallen into the life of drugs, as so many others have.

His comeback to the business is shown and what looks like a real inspirational story is cut short by the harsh reality that Trent died after overdosing shortly after the film was completed.

One of the people shown who seems more stable and at peace with his position is Kevin Sullivan. A man who once main evented with Hulk Hogan was now in a gym wrestling in front of a few hundred people, and that's on a good night.

He is retired now, but at the time he was shown as being able to live comfortably and still wrestle a few times per year when the time and money was right.

Kamala is also highlighted as one of the former greats who had been pushed back down to the indys and was fine with it. He is also a truck driver so it is not as if he lives off of his wrestling paychecks.

Long after the film was out Kamala revealed that he had lost a foot to diabetes, but was in good spirits in the video he posted to YouTube.

The last interview filmed with Sensational Sherri is shown and it just reminds me how sad I was to hear she had passed. When I found out my first thought was "She was too young and too memorable to have died already."

Another indy star who is shown prominently is Necro Butcher, one of the more brutal and violent wrestlers on the independent circuit.

The man who is behind the gimmick seems like he is a calm and intelligent person, but when he is shown in the ring he is insane and bleeding all over the place.

His various injuries are shown, including one clip where a giant chunk is ripped from his arm and he is bleeding profusely while others yell for an ambulance. It is a very graphic scene and should be watched with caution by anyone who is squeamish, actually that applies to the whole film.

Despite Butcher claiming to be happy with how he lives his life, this can't help but make me think that some of the types of hardcore matches shown should be illegal to perform by law.

Willfully entangling yourself in barbed wire is not something fans should be cheering you for, I don't care what happened in the business prior, it is just too dangerous and makes the rest of the business look bad by being associated with it.

Butcher seemed like a good guy in reality which is why it is a shame he has to go to such lengths to be considered successful. I hope he is able to retire on his own terms, but that may be hoping for too much.

Another man highlighted is billed as Sgt. Jimmy Storm, a first time wrestler who has none of the aesthetic qualities to make it in the business. He is short, pudgy, gap toothed and already over 30.

His first match is shown and it is clear that he is the greenest thing since grass, but he says it has been his dream and you have to admire someone who was probably told multiple times he would not make it for trying anyways.

He is a ref later in the film, having gained some weight, but he says he hopes to wrestle again. It looks like he is not being unrealistic about his chances at a WWE contract, but not everyone wants to be a WWE superstars, some just want to wrestle.

Legend Superstar Billy Graham is also interviewed where he talks about feeling responsible for bringing steroids to the forefront of wrestling. He really does not seem sorry about it either.

The film also shows quite a bit of the backstage dealings of an indy promotion by following Johnny Falco as he puts some shows together.

He is shown hanging up the flyers, cutting the tickets by hand and setting up before the show. For the most part this is a one man operation, like most indy promotions.

It is funny to think that had Vince McMahon not bought out his father all those years ago that this might be a very different film.

Overall I would say this is just as good as Beyond the Mat, maybe better. It really goes in depth as to how the indys can lead to success, or despair.

The sad end to the stories of Sherri and Trent Acid should serve as a warning to anyone looking to be a wrestler, you will not be a success right away, and you might never make it.

It also shows the hope that the young guys in the business have. If people do not keep trying to get ahead on the indy circuit then there won't be a WWE in the future.

Despite Vince wanting to own the world of wrestling, he understands that without the indy promotions to groom these new guys he will have no talent to work for him.

I highly recommend this film for anyone who has not seen it. It will not leave you feeling happy, but if will leave you with a greater understanding and appreciation for what these men and women go through.

The film is very well produced, beautifully edited and takes a completely neutral approach to a subject which would be very easy to make look terrible.

The film was featured at numerous festivals and has even won some awards. It is available through Amazon or Netflix. Please take two hours and watch this film. It only runs 90 minutes but you'll need another 30 to process what you saw. 

Have you seen it? If so what did you think? If not do you plan on seeing it?