<P> The Wrestler is a 2008 American sports drama film co-produced and directed by Darren Aronofsky, written by Robert D. Siegel, and starring Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, and Evan Rachel Wood . Production began in January 2008 and Fox Searchlight Pictures acquired rights to distribute the film in the U.S.; it was released in a limited capacity on December 17, 2008, and was released nationwide on January 23, 2009 . It was released on DVD and Blu - ray Disc on April 21, 2009, in the United States . It was released in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2009 . </P> <P> Rourke plays an aging professional wrestler who, despite his failing health and waning fame, continues to wrestle in an attempt to cling to the success of his 1980s heyday . He also tries to mend his relationship with his estranged daughter and to find romance with a woman who works as a stripper . </P> <P> The film received universal critical acclaim and won the Golden Lion Award at the 65th Venice International Film Festival, where it premiered . Film critic Roger Ebert called it one of the year's best films, while Rotten Tomatoes reported that 98% of critics gave the film positive reviews . The success of the film revitalized the career of Mickey Rourke, who went on to receive a BAFTA award, a Golden Globe award, an Independent Spirit Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor . Tomei also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress . </P> <P> Robin Ramzinski, better known by his ring name Randy "The Ram" Robinson, is a professional wrestler who became a celebrity in the 1980s . Now past his prime, Randy wrestles on weekends for independent promotions in New Jersey while working part - time at a supermarket under Wayne, a demeaning manager who mocks Randy's wrestling background . A regular at a strip club, Randy befriends a stripper, Cassidy, who, like Randy, is too old for her job . After winning a local match, Randy agrees to a proposed 20th - anniversary rematch with his most notable opponent, "The Ayatollah", which could bring him back to stardom . </P>

Who is the movie the wrestler based on