Ep 14. In the Shadow of Grizzly Smith

In the Shadow of Grizzly Smith is the fourteenth episode of the third season of the acclaimed docuseries, Dark Side of the Ring. This episode focuses on the dark and sinister story of Grizzly Smith, a former professional wrestler and the father of wrestling legends Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Sam Houston.

The episode explores the allegations of sexual abuse made against Grizzly Smith by his own daughter, Robin. Robin opens up about the traumatic experiences she faced at the hands of her father, which included being raped by him multiple times when she was just a child. She also talks about how her father forced her to have sex with wrestlers who stayed at their house, including Jake Roberts, when she was just a teenager.

The episode also delves into the psychological impact the abuse had on Robin and her siblings, who were also subjected to their father's violent and abusive behavior. Her brothers, Jake and Sam, talk about how their father was an absentee parent and how he abandoned them when they needed him the most.

The episode sheds light on the culture of professional wrestling during the '70s and '80s, where abuse and exploitation of performers, especially women, were rampant. It also highlights the complicity of the wrestling industry in covering up such cases of abuse, with many people choosing to look the other way and protect the guilty.

In the Shadow of Grizzly Smith is a gut-wrenching episode that exposes the dark underbelly of professional wrestling and the far-reaching impact of sexual abuse on survivors and their families. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the grim reality of the wrestling industry and the need for accountability and justice for abuse survivors.