Ep 12. Collision in Korea

In the season 3 finale of DARK SIDE OF THE RING, titled "Collision in Korea," viewers are taken back to the year 1995 when two wrestling organizations, World Championship Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling, teamed up to hold a historic event in North Korea. The event attracted over 150,000 fans and was attended by high-ranking government officials, including North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il.

The episode explores the controversial decision by WCW's executive vice president, Eric Bischoff, to collaborate with North Korea and hold a wrestling event in a country that was known for its human rights violations and hostility towards the United States. Bischoff, who had a background in martial arts and was fascinated with Korean culture, saw this as an opportunity to introduce professional wrestling to a new audience and make history in the process.

Despite facing numerous obstacles, including communication barriers, logistical challenges, and cultural differences, Bischoff and his team managed to put together an impressive show that included American and Japanese wrestlers. However, as the episode reveals, not everything went as planned.

Several wrestlers, including WCW's Chris Benoit and Scott Norton, and New Japan's Johnny Ace and Scott Norton, share their experiences of what it was like to perform in front of a North Korean audience. They describe the surreal experience of being cheered on by thousands of fans who were seeing wrestling for the first time and who had no context for the storylines and characters. They also talk about the intense security measures that were in place and the strict rules that they had to abide by, including a ban on alcohol and pornography.

The episode also touches on the political aspect of the event, with interviews with journalists who covered the event and political analysts who provide their insights into North Korea's motivations for hosting the wrestling show. Despite initial hopes that this event could help bridge the divide between North Korea and the rest of the world, the reality was far from that. As the episode reveals, the North Korean government used this event as propaganda to promote its regime, and the international media coverage of the event only helped legitimize the oppressive regime's rule.

In addition, the episode addresses the controversy surrounding the financial compensation that the wrestlers received for performing in North Korea. While Bischoff promised the wrestlers that they would be paid handsomely for their participation, many of them were disappointed with the amount that they received. This issue is explored through interviews with wrestlers and insiders, who discuss the negotiations that took place and the disputes that arose afterwards.

Overall, "Collision in Korea" is a fascinating and insightful look into a unique event in professional wrestling history that is often overlooked. In addition to providing a glimpse into the political and cultural context of North Korea in the mid-1990s, the episode sheds light on the challenges that arise when people from different cultures and backgrounds come together to collaborate on a project. It also raises important questions about the role of sports and entertainment in diplomacy and international relations.