A new documentary highlighting Cleveland's independent wrestling industry demonstrates how private entrepreneurship has built a thriving entertainment business from the ground up, premiering April 13 at the Cleveland International Film Festival. "Slowburn Shoot: An Indie Wrestling Story" chronicles Absolute Intense Wrestling, a Cleveland-based company that has operated for 21 years without government subsidy or corporate backing.
The film is directed by Adam Wilde, president of TRG Multimedia, and examines the independent wrestling industry through the lives of wrestlers who have performed in Absolute Intense Wrestling, or AIW. Wilde said, "We're taking you behind the spectacle and showing you the passion, the heart, the community that they've built," and added, "I think it really transcends into a human story more than just a wrestling story."
Building a Business Without Handouts
Absolute Intense Wrestling was founded by John Thorne in 2005 and has since hosted more than 300 events throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and beyond. The company has served as a stomping ground for wrestlers including Kevin Owens, Britt Baker and Cleveland native Johnny Gargano, all of whom have gone on to larger promotions. This track record demonstrates how small businesses can serve as talent incubators and economic engines in their communities.
Wilde's first exposure to AIW came 10 years ago when he attended Gargano's final match before signing with WWE. Wilde said, "I've never seen so much emotion," and, "He did an hourlong match and it was amazing. I was just in awe of that." Wilde worked with Thorne to secure interviews with Gargano, Baker and others for the documentary.
Private Sector Film Infrastructure
Wilde produced "Slowburn Shoot" through TRG, which has a 160,000-square-foot production studio in Brooklyn that can accommodate Hollywood-level productions. The facility represents significant private investment in Northeast Ohio's creative economy. Tyler Davidson, the producer of "Buddy," said, "A studio like TRG was the missing piece for filmmakers in Northeast Ohio," and, "Now we can host big studio films that would have otherwise been shot on stages in places like Atlanta or the U.K."
The studio's existence fills a market gap that previously sent production dollars to other states and countries, keeping economic activity and jobs in the region through private enterprise rather than government incentives.
Wilde said the premiere of "Slowburn Shoot" is a big moment for both TRG and AIW, saying, "There couldn't be a better place for this film to land than the Cleveland International Film Festival."
Why This Matters:
This documentary showcases how independent businesses can thrive and create opportunities without government intervention. Absolute Intense Wrestling's 21-year track record of hosting over 300 events and developing nationally recognized talent demonstrates the power of entrepreneurship and market-driven entertainment. TRG Multimedia's investment in a 160,000-square-foot production facility addresses a market need that previously sent film production to other regions, proving that private capital allocation can solve economic development challenges more efficiently than tax incentives or subsidies. The story illustrates how individual initiative and business acumen build sustainable communities and career pathways in entertainment industries.