Here's Why Heels Is Worth Watching, Even If You're Not a Wrestling Fan
Despite being axed, Heels still offers a compelling narrative.
The end of September was a significant disappointment for all wrestling fans. Starz canceled Heels after its second season due to 'low ratings.' Granted, the audience for this wrestling drama doesn't compare to that of an ultra-popular show like Outlander, but the series still succeeded in cultivating a fiercely loyal fanbase, which was so furious when it got pulled the plug on that it launched the #CancelStarz online campaign.
The cancellation of Heels is indeed a tremendous loss for pop culture. The show not only offers an excellent portrayal of the behind-the-scenes world of professional wrestling but is a well-written drama about family, friendship, and coping with the loss of loved ones. But can Heels appeal to viewers uninterested in wrestling? We firmly believe it certainly can!
No Need To Be A Wrestling Fan To Enjoy The Show
Despite the title, the setting, and the extensive use of jargon, wrestling merely serves as a plot device in the show. True, professional wrestling is the narrative's main driving force and the motivation for character development, but the plot primarily focuses on the characters themselves and their experiences. It's a drama about two brothers, their family, and friends managing a passion project together, known as The Duffy Wrestling League.
There Is No Shortage Of Personal Psychological Drama
As previously mentioned, Heels primarily revolves around the characters' lives. The plot dedicates significant time to depicting how they navigate their personal lives, the traumas and losses they experience, and how working in professional wrestling influences their emotional states and relationships with others.
Still, It Does Provide An Inside Look At The Business
However, if you're expecting not only an in-depth character study but also want to see some wrestling, the show has plenty to offer. It presents wrestling as both a theatrical performance and an industry. After watching the show, you'll not only understand how the business functions, but also begin to comprehend when a wrestler, for example, 'turns heel.'
Including Its Problematic Sides
For instance, considerable attention is given to Crystal, an aspiring wrestler grappling with what it means to be a woman in a male-dominated industry. Throughout the series, she defies all odds to prove that she can be more than just a pretty 'valet,' a wrestler's assistant, but also a fully-fledged competitor capable of holding her own against strong men.
Despite the cancellation, the producers and cast are standing with the fans and hoping that another studio will pick up Heels. Who knows, perhaps we will see the continuation of such a high-octane wrestling story.