The long-awaited WWE documentary about its most loyal fan is now available to stream and it was worth the wait.
A long-awaited WWE documentary about its biggest fan quietly became available to stream over the weekend.
Superfan: The Story of Vladimir is available to watch now on Peacock and the WWE Network (international). The short film focuses on Vladimir Abouzeide, a lifelong wrestling fan with a passion like no other.
The description of the documentary reads:
“The life story of Vladimir Abouzeide, one of the most devoted and iconic fans in WWE history, who came to Manhattan from Haiti as a child and quickly discovered his passion for life through sports entertainment.”
The documentation was expected to be released in 2021. But then it was shelved before quietly making its way to WWE’s streaming networks during the last weekend of October. And while it’s a cliché to say it was worth the wait, it’s also true.
So who is Vladimir Abouzeide, or Vlad as he is affectionately known, and why is he so important?
Nowadays, modern fans know regular visitors such as: Superfan Smilezthe guy who sits front row at almost every WWE Premium Live event in his bright neon green shirt.
But long before the era of Smilez and other passionate fans, Vlad was a trailblazer. From the 1980s to the 2000s, he became a familiar face on WWE television shows and pay-per-view shows. His striking appearance, characterized by wide glasses and even broader shoulders, immediately caught the attention of the television audience. As portrayed in the film, Vlad was in remarkable physical condition and looked like he could easily pass as a wrestler.
But what really sets him apart from all other fans is his boundless enthusiasm. He was often seen on his feet enthusiastically cheering on the superstars who graced the ring.
One of his most memorable on-screen interactions occurred at Survivor Series in 1996, where he cheers for Sid just before a WWE title match, yelling at the giant, “You the man!” You the man!”
Throughout the film, WWE legends such as Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan and Jeff Jarrett share their memories of Vlad, with Michaels saying he saw Vlad as often as his own family. The documentary explores various myths about Vlad’s personality and presence before revealing the touching truth about the man behind the fan.
As passionate as Vlad is about professional wrestling, his true love is for his mother, and that love will resonate deeply with those who have a close bond with their parents. According to Vlad, she was a single mother who worked hard to support her six children after emigrating from Haiti.
Vlad took care of her, but in 2020 they both faced difficulties. Vlad injured his hip and required six months of rehabilitation. His mother suffered a fall that required rehabilitation in a nursing home. Sadly, she contracted COVID, which ultimately led to her passing days after exchanging her final “I love you.”
“That’s what I want back: my mother back. I want to wrestle again,” said an emotional Vlad. “Those are the two things that keep me going over the years.”
After his mother’s death and the global lockdown due to the pandemic, Vlad had nowhere to go as arenas were closed to fans. He admits to attempting suicide three times before seeking therapy. Later we see him receiving an encouraging message from Michaels, Hogan, Jarrett and Sgt. Slaughter, with Michaels inviting him back to the shows as soon as they opened.
As evident as Vlad’s pain is, so is his joy as he prepares to attend WrestleMania 37 with his friend Charlie Adorno, also a well-known superfan. Despite being over 60 years old and having attended over a thousand live events, according to the film, Vlad exudes a childlike enthusiasm that will likely make viewers smile like children.
In the final scenes, Vlad interacts with various stars during his Mania outing, including Kevin Owens and Damian Priest, who expressed their honor to meet him. Towards the end, Vlad receives a special honor from Triple H and his wife Stephanie McMahon: a richly framed WWE Championship faceplate with a gold inscription that reads:
Official superfan
Awarded to Vladimir Abouzeide
WrestleMania, April 2021
Superfan: The Story of Vladimir is one of WWE’s best documentaries. It celebrates fans’ shared passion and pays homage to the special bond between a son and his mother. Vlad’s story embodies the best in all of us and serves as a heartfelt exchange between fans and cast members, evoking a wide range of emotions before ending on a high note.
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