There is always a comeback inside the squared circle. Ringside, issue 11, begins to set up comebacks for Dan, Reynolds, Regan, and Hank Grisson, as they all have made mistakes in the professional wrestling industry. These comebacks won’t be without sacrifice, as each of these men will have to give something up in order to have the opportunity at Glory once again.
The Good:
The issue begins to set up how Dan, Reynolds, and Regan will make their comebacks in the wrestling industry. For Dan, this opportunity comes through a phone call by Hank, a former promoter. Hank is calling as he wants to expand his wrestling territory and he needs Dan (The Minotaur) as it will shake up the wrestling world and drive business to the promotion. This is an opportunity for Dan as it opens the door for him to return to the wrestling industry and make a lot of money. He knows his current job is only temporary until Teddy’s debt is paid back. This provides Dan with the opportunity to return to the wrestling industry and have his opportunity at redeeming himself and repairing several of the bridges he has burned in the past. As this is occurring, Reynolds is preparing to make his comeback into wrestling after he destroyed his chance of being part of the popular group the Acolytes. Rather than complain about the loss of opportunity he begins to sit down and write new ideas for a gimmick that can be presented to a wrestling promotion. This shows that he is moving on and preparing for his future with another wrestling company when he gets the chance. The comic is hinting that Reynolds will be picked up by Hank as he is going to need wrestlers to do more shows and events as his promotion expands. Finally, the comic explores Regan’s comeback as he has left the wrestling industry to pitch a TV series. While his pitch has gone well, the producers at the station want to modernize it, much to his dismay. Dissatisfied with how his TV show is being treated, this grants him the opportunity to make his return into wrestling to work for a new promotion that will treat his work with respect. Dan, Reynolds, and Regan all are in a situation where Hank’s promotion can grant them a comeback into the wrestling world while Hank needs all three of them to make a comeback himself. With all four of these men teaming up they can achieve the success that they are striving for within the squared circle.
The Bad:
The comic’s deficit is that it divides the time between the start of Dan, Reynolds, and Regan’s comeback. As a result, we have only get a glimpse of each character and their reasoning for wanting to make a comeback into the sport of professional wrestling. Having this glimpse makes it very hard to develop an emotional bond with these characters due to the fact that you are not getting enough of them to become invested in their story.
The Verdict:
Ringside is all about the hard bumps and knocks wrestlers take outside of the ring as we are following the story of Dan, Reynolds, and various people throughout the industry. The 11th issue in the comic begins to set a new stage as we witness Dan, Reynolds, Regan, and Hank make the decision to mount a comeback in the professional wrestling industry. While the issue has a rocky start, it does stay true to what several wrestlers go through during retirement, injury, or after taking a break and wanting to return. For that reason, Ringside gives an accurate tale of what the wrestling industry looks like from beyond the Gorilla position.
