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Parents' Guide to

Wrestling with Death

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Pro wrestler mortician fam has heart; disturbing imagery.

TV WGN Reality TV 2015
Wrestling with Death Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

WRESTLING WITH DEATH is a reality show about a family of Osceola, Arkansas, morticians who also happen to be professional wrestlers. Funeral director LeFonce Latham owns and operates the Wilson Funeral Home with the help of his wife, Ms. Sandra; son-in-law Jerry; adult son, Bubby; daughter Tonya; and his new son-in-law Derrick. Tagging along is his grandson, Max. While he helps folks get through their saddest moments during the day, on Friday nights he entertains them by running the Mid-Southern Championship Wrestling League. LaFonce, along with Ms. Sandra, Jerry, Derrick, and extended family members, train hard and face off with professional wrestlers, but it doesn't stop them from being the best and most caring morticians they can be.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Starring undertakers by day, wrestlers by night, this unscripted series attempts to contrast the family's two worlds by mixing scenes of their gentle professionalism as morticians with the rough-and-tumble events inside the ring. However, the attempts to connect the two worlds by connecting the lessons learned from each of the deceased to their everyday lives is a little clunky.

It's not the most sophisticated of shows, but wrestling fans will appreciate the matches as well as the behind-the-scenes training. But even seasoned fighters may be taken aback by the mortuary footage, which includes images of cadaver preparation and funerals. But behind all the toughness, this show surprisingly has a lot of heart. And in the end, it's all about family.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the mortuary business. Why is this work often considered taboo? How does the family deal with running a business that makes many uncomfortable?

  • Why is wrestling a popular sport? (Is it even a sport?) What kinds of stories do wrestling matches tell? Why?

TV Details

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