The Wrestler ( Film ) The Wrestler is a film directed by Darren Aronofsky , written by Robert D . Siegel , and starring Mickey Rourke , Marisa Tomei , Evan Rachel Wood , and Ernest Miller . Production began in January 2008 , and the film premiered at the 2008 65th Venice Film Festival in August , winning the Golden Lion Award . Fox Searchlight 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 . " The Wrestler " 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 . Plot summary . Randy " The Ram " Robinson ( Mickey Rourke ) , is a professional wrestler who was a celebrity in the 1980s . He is now past his prime and wrestling on the weekends for various independent promotions in the Elizabeth , New Jersey area . After a show , a promoter proposes a 20th anniversary rematch with his most notable opponent , the Ayatollah ( Ernest Miller ) , who now owns a used car dealership in Arizona . Their first match together sold out Madison Square Garden , and Randy agrees to the rematch , hoping this high - profile match will increase his reputation . Randy goes home and is locked out of his trailer for not paying the rent . He takes pain medication and falls asleep in the back of his Dodge Ram van . The next day , he goes to work , loading boxes at a supermarket where his boss , Wayne ( Todd Barry ) , does not hold him in high esteem . At night he visits a strip club where he has befriended a faded stripper named Pam , stage - named Cassidy ( Marisa Tomei ) . He continues the training rituals for his wrestling appearance , including steroid use and self - tanning . At his next show , Randy wrestles a brutal hardcore match , in which he and his opponent , Necro Butcher ( Dylan Summers ) , attack each other with thumbtacks , staple guns , barbed wire and glass . Post - match , Randy is treated for his wounds backstage , but he suffers a heart attack soon after and collapses . Randy ultimately receives a coronary artery bypass and he is warned by the doctor that his weakened heart cannot stand the stresses of steroids or wrestling . Randy cancels his upcoming matches and begins working as a deli counter operator at the supermarket . Faced with his mortality , he tells Cassidy about his heart attack and tries to woo her while out for a drink . She warms to him at first and tells him about her son , but when Randy gets too close she reverts to her rule of not dating customers , leaving him alone in the bar . At Cassidy ' s suggestion , Randy visits his estranged daughter , Stephanie ( Evan Rachel Wood ) , whom he had left years before . She curses him and tells him to leave her alone . Randy returns later with a thoughtful gift suggested to him by Cassidy , and apologizes for being a bad father . The two bond over a visit to an abandoned beachfront boardwalk , and they agree to meet for dinner on that coming Saturday . Randy goes to Cassidy ' s strip club and presents her with a thank you card for her help in repairing his relationship with his daughter . He tries to woo her again , but Cassidy once more rejects his overtures . Dejected , Randy attends a wrestling match as a spectator and receives the attention he was seeking from Cassidy from his fans and fellow wrestlers . After watching the match , Randy gets drunk with his friends , snorts cocaine , and has sex with a woman he meets at a bar , sleeping the entire next day and missing his dinner date with Stephanie . He goes to her house in the middle of the night where she angrily tells him she can ' t risk getting hurt anymore by someone who is " just a fuck up " , and that she never wants to see or hear from him again . Devastated , Randy honors her wishes and leaves . Randy goes to work at the supermarket deli counter , where a fan recognizes him . Embarrassed by his job , Randy cuts himself in the deli meat slicer , screams at his boss , and quits . Randy calls the promoter to reschedule the previously canceled Ayatollah match and sets out for the venue , despite his doctor ' s warnings . Before the match , Cassidy unexpectedly arrives and apologizes , urging him not to wrestle for the sake of his health . Randy explains that the real world is where he gets hurt , and the only place he belongs is in the ring . Randy enters the ring and gives an emotional speech to the crowd before the fight begins . During the physical exertion of the match , Randy begins to feel angina , but continues despite the Ayatollah ' s pleas for Randy to pin him . Randy pushes through the pain and climbs to the top turnbuckle . As he does so , he notices that Cassidy is not there . Randy prepares to dive off and deliver his signature finishing move , a diving headbutt called the " Ram Jam . " Brought to tears , he salutes the cheering crowd and leaps from the ropes as the screen cuts to black , leaving the outcome of the match uncertain . Cast . Also appearing in the film are actual professional wrestlers : Robbie E , Necro Butcher , Nick Berk , The Blue Meanie , Sabian , Nate Hatred , R - Truth , L . A . Smooth , Jay Lethal , Jim Powers , Antonio Cesaro , Larry Sweeney , Romeo Roselli , John Zandig , Chuck Taylor , Nigel McGuinness , Pappadon , Jay Santana , Kevin Matthews , Johnny Valiant , Ref Hanson , Tommy Rotten , Andrew Anderson , Brolly , Danny Inferno , Mike " RAGE " Miller , Paul E . Normous , DJ Hyde , Havoc , Johnny Mangus , Billy Dream , Eric Cobian , Sugga , Whacks , Devon Moore , The Funky Samoans , Kid USA ( as Randy ' s stunt double ) , and Ron Killings .