'WWE Behind the Curtain': TV Schedule and ESPN Documentary Preview

With WWE: Behind The Curtain, ESPN is set to welcome us inside the inner workings of the machine that is the sports entertainment giant.

A long closed-off industry has begun to let its fans see more and more of the behind-the-scenes elements of the pro wrestling spectacle. Nothing speaks to that shift to transparency like WWE allowing ESPN's cameras in as it looks to build the stars of tomorrow.

An hour-long E:60 special will air on Tuesday, May 5 at 8 p.m. ET. A replay is set to hit the airwaves at the same time on May 12.

The documentary follows three wrestlers' journeys through WWE's developmental system. It's an unprecedented peek at character creation, how a wrestler makes it to the big time and at NXT, the revamped minor leagues where WWE is building its next generation of talent. 

Interviews with WWE CEO Vince McMahon, Steve Austin, Triple H, The Rock and Hulk Hogan add star power to the film. NXT fans will spot a number of familiar faces throughout, including Corey Graves and Tyler Breeze. 

E:60 producer Ben Houser talked to Mike Mooneyham of The Post and Courier about getting access beyond what has been done in the past. NXT's head man and WWE executive vice president Triple H opened previously unopened doors, and the NXT prospects even shot handheld footage.

Houser says of the project, "Our goal was to tell a story that hadn't been told about the WWE and their talent development system, NXT. Who are the real-life people behind the characters? How does the WWE create characters? Evaluate performances?"

This film is something that wouldn't have existed years ago. Wrestling refused to show its hand in the past. 

With the knowledge of the industry's scripted nature now commonplace and with WWE embracing its entertainment side, the curtains are now pulled open.

That view will allow fans and nonfans alike to see the struggles that occur offscreen. There will be pain and frustration, creativity and charisma on display.

Among the featured subjects is Adam Rose, the party-happy comedy wrestler who once wrestled under a darker persona. As Leo Kruger, a snarling hunter in camo pants, he had been unable to break through to the main roster after years of hard work.

Strangely enough, morphing into a more effeminate, goofy character who crowd-surfs around the ring changed things around for him.

Rose joked on Twitter about WWE: Behind The Curtain providing a glimpse at his previous alter ego:

In addition to prospects like Rose and the big stars showing up as talking heads, there's a slight possibility that Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross makes an appearance or two. Ross wrote on his blog, "I was interviewed at length in Bristol, Ct about this project months and months ago but now that I'm no longer with WWE I doubt that my comments will make air."

Whether or not Ross' clips make the cut, this film promises to be a compelling one.

PWInsider's Mike Johnson got an early look at it in New York. He calls it "an excellent documentary." The trailers certainly seem to back up that statement.

WWE is about to open itself up to the world, revealing much of its cogs and gears to sports fans. ESPN will be who shines the light on those internal parts while the audience plays the beneficiary of increased access.