Update on Netflix Reality Series ‘The Wrestlers’: No Season 2 in Sight After Critical Acclaim
In the ever-evolving landscape of Netflix’s unscripted content, the 2023 documentary series The Wrestlers—a gripping behind-the-scenes look at the struggling Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) promotion—has left fans wondering about its future. Directed by Greg Whiteley (known for Last Chance U and Cheer), the seven-episode series premiered on September 13, 2023, and earned widespread praise for its raw portrayal of the indie wrestling world, including financial woes, personal dramas, and the passion of performers like Al Snow, HollyHood Haley J, and Jessie Godderz. As of September 2, 2025, however, Netflix has officially passed on a second season, marking the end of the road for this underdog story that revitalized OVW’s visibility but couldn’t secure renewal amid shifting priorities in Netflix’s sports entertainment lineup. While the series remains streamable and beloved by wrestling enthusiasts, its cancellation opens the door to new WWE-focused reality projects on the platform, reflecting Netflix’s deepening ties with the wrestling giant.
The decision, first reported in March 2025, comes despite the show’s strong reception and its role in boosting OVW’s attendance and profile. For viewers who discovered the gritty realities of regional wrestling through The Wrestlers, this update means no further episodes exploring Al Snow’s efforts to save the promotion or the wrestlers’ personal journeys. Instead, Netflix is pivoting toward high-profile WWE content, capitalizing on its blockbuster $5 billion, 10-year deal that began in January 2025, bringing live events like Raw, SmackDown, and WrestleMania exclusively to the streamer.
Background: The Rise and Impact of The Wrestlers
The Wrestlers follows Al Snow, a WWE Hall of Famer and OVW CEO, as he battles to keep the Louisville, Kentucky-based promotion afloat amid mounting debt and new ownership pressures. Once a feeder system for WWE stars like John Cena, Brock Lesnar, and Randy Orton, OVW had fallen on hard times by the early 2020s, prompting Snow to sell a majority stake to local investors, including radio personality Matt Jones and Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. The series captures the chaos: Wrestlers juggling day jobs with ring dreams, intense training, and off-ring feuds, all while Snow navigates financial cliffs and creative decisions.
Produced by BBC Studios Los Angeles, the docuseries blends intimate interviews, match footage, and raw emotion, earning a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics who lauded its “unvarnished glimpse” into wrestling’s underbelly. Viewers on IMDb rated it 8.0/10, with fans calling it a “love letter to the passion and struggles” of indie wrestling. Snow himself credited the show with sold-out events and increased talent opportunities, noting in a 2024 interview that it “primed OVW to capitalize on exposure.” The series’ success even sparked discussions about a live OVW event on Netflix to test the platform’s live-streaming capabilities, but those plans fizzled.
Key highlights from Season 1:
- Episode Focus: From storyline brainstorming and financial crises to intense matches like the Poke Sallet Festival tour and a mother-daughter feud between HollyHood Haley J and Amazing Maria.
- Cast Impact: Wrestlers like Ca$h Flo, Mr. PEC-tacular (Jessie Godderz), and Mahabali Shera gained mainstream recognition, with some advancing to larger promotions.
- Cultural Resonance: It humanized the “fake” sport, showing the real sacrifices—physical tolls, family strains, and entrepreneurial grit—echoing themes in Netflix’s sports docs.
| Episode | Title | Key Plot Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Fight of Our Lives | Al Snow’s vision for OVW revival; intro to wrestlers’ backstories. |
| 2 | The Big Show | Prep for a major PPV; financial pressures mount. |
| 3 | Poke Sallet Festival | Road trip to Harlan County; ownership rifts emerge. |
| 4 | The Summer Tour | Matt Jones’ leadership causes tension; Mahabali’s big matchup. |
| 5 | Bloodbath | Haley and Maria’s feud escalates; personal amends. |
| 6 | The Angle | New storylines and external gig temptations. |
| 7 | Finale | Culminating event; uncertain future for OVW. |
This table recaps the season’s arc, emphasizing the blend of in-ring action and off-ring drama.
The Cancellation: Why No Season 2 and What Happened Next
In March 2025, reports from Fightful Select confirmed Netflix would not renew The Wrestlers, despite holding right of first refusal for OVW content. Sources indicated exploratory talks for ideas, including a live event, but Netflix ultimately passed, shifting focus to its lucrative WWE partnership. The streamer, which began airing Raw live in January 2025, has since prioritized WWE-related programming, including the new reality series WWE: Unreal (premiered July 29, 2025), which dives into the writers’ room and backstage drama. Narrated by Triple H (Paul Levesque), WWE: Unreal explores storyline creation and Superstar preparations for events like WrestleMania 41, earning buzz for its “calculated chaos” peek.
OVW’s Al Snow expressed disappointment but optimism in interviews, noting the show’s boost to attendance and talent pipelines. As of September 2025, OVW continues operations, with sold-out tapings and wrestler signings to larger leagues like AEW and WWE, but no new Netflix deal. The promotion remains a WWE developmental affiliate, though less prominently than in its heyday.
Expert Opinions and Fan Reactions
Critics and insiders view the cancellation as a missed opportunity. Variety’s Allison Herman called Season 1 a “body slam dunk” for emotional investment, suggesting a Season 2 could have tracked OVW’s post-show trajectory. Forbes’ Alfred Konuwa praised its authentic capture of wrestling’s finances and personal lives, lamenting the end: “A perfect snapshot of the indie grind.” Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer noted in a 2025 podcast that Netflix’s WWE focus “makes business sense,” but OVW’s exposure via the series has already paid dividends.
Fans on Reddit’s r/SquaredCircle (from 2024 discussions, still relevant) expressed disappointment, with threads like “WWE reality shows planned, but what about OVW’s Wrestlers?” garnering 325 upvotes and calls for a revival. X posts from March 2025 show mixed sentiment: 60% bummed about no Season 2, but excited for WWE: Unreal (e.g., “From OVW underdogs to WWE writers’ room—Netflix owning wrestling docs!”). IMDb reviews remain glowing (8.0/10), with users binge-watching and hoping for OVW’s indie success. No recent polls, but Tudum articles confirm the series’ enduring popularity among sports doc fans.
Implications for Netflix’s Wrestling Content and Wrestling Fans
For Netflix subscribers, The Wrestlers remains a binge-worthy one-and-done, available globally, highlighting the indie side of wrestling in contrast to the polished WWE spectacle. Economically, the cancellation reflects Netflix’s strategy to consolidate under the WWE umbrella, with the $5B deal driving subscriber growth through live events and docs like WWE: Unreal. For wrestling fans, it underscores OVW’s resilience—Snow’s leadership has led to talent like HollyHood Haley J signing with AEW—while paving the way for more mainstream content.
Lifestyle-wise, the series inspired viewers to appreciate wrestling’s human element, much like Drive to Survive did for F1. Politically, it touches on labor issues in entertainment, with wrestlers as independent contractors facing financial instability. Technologically, Netflix’s push into live WWE streaming (e.g., Raw at 8 p.m. ET Mondays) enhances accessibility. In sports and entertainment, it bridges indie and major leagues, boosting crossovers like wrestler cameos in shows.
Risks for OVW include fading visibility without Netflix; benefits: The series’ legacy as a “love letter to the grind.”
Conclusion: A One-Season Wonder with Lasting Impact
As of September 2, 2025, The Wrestlers stands as a critically acclaimed but single-season Netflix Original, with no renewal forthcoming after its 2023 debut and positive reception. While fans mourn the lack of a Season 2—despite talks of live events—the series’ cancellation aligns with Netflix’s WWE pivot, including the ongoing WWE: Unreal (Season 1 streaming since July 2025). OVW thrives post-show, thanks to the exposure, but The Wrestlers remains a testament to indie wrestling’s heart and hustle.
Looking ahead, expect more WWE reality fare, but revisit The Wrestlers for that authentic OVW vibe. Binge it on Netflix and weigh in: Deserved a Season 2? Share your thoughts below!