“According to Nielsen Live+3 data for both seasons of the show, the series as a whole has averaged 423,000 viewers per episode with 242,000 in the adults 18-49 demographic, marking the highest marks in both measures for an original series since Vice TV launched in 2016,” reads a Variety report concerning season 2 of Dark Side of the Ring, which focuses on tragic professional wrestling stories involving famed wrestlers in the United States.
Season 2 of the series saw the following episodes. Viewers are listed in millions.
Benoit Part One (.320)
Benoit Part Two (.320)
The Life and Crimes of New Jack (.229)
The Brawl For All (.226)
Jimmy Snuck and The Death of Nancy Argentino (.209)
The Assassination of Dino Bravo (.221)
David Schultz & The Slap Heard Round the World (.255)
Cocaine & Cowboy Boots: The Her Abrams Story (.246)
The Last Ride of The Road Warriors (.264)
The Final Days of Owen Hart (.349)
“Audiences respond to our courageous compelling storytelling, and this series has proven to be heavyweight in the television landscape. I am very proud to partner with the incredible creatives at Vice Studios, and tag team executive producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener who have so skillfully crafted this show,” said Morgan Hertzan, executive vice president and general manager of Vice Television to Variety.
A third season of Dark Side of the Ring has yet to receive a green light, but it seems likely to happen at this point and time. As far as programming, there are fortunately a slew of dark stories to focus on in the next season, even if the focus remains solely on professional wrestling in the United States.
An episode covering the fall of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) with wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, who has been absent from the series, would make an interesting episode. Focusing on the career and racial scandals involving Hulk Hogan would likely receive huge ratings, as would an episode on World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Vince McMahon.
