Balrog: Behind the Glory is a 2011 Fan Film by ChubbyBoyFilms based on the Street Fighter video game franchise.
The story focuses on the life and times of the infamous boxer Balrog, born Michael Torell Bison, as recounted by interviews with his father Greg, a writer making a tell-all book on Shadaloo, his personal trainer Tim Tashun, and at least one former Shadaloo grunt.
Through their stories, we learn how Balrog used to be a nice kid growing up, but his single-minded focus on boxing and power gradually revealed a darker side to his personality, especially when he began to fight dirty in the ring. Even being banned from the sport couldn't quench his thirst for power and money, and soon he became inextricably entangled with the international crime syndicate Shadaloo.
The film can be found here
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This video contains examples of:
- Adaptational Explanation:
- Balrog's zig-zagged hairline was a Traumatic Haircut given to him by bullies, which motivated him to take up boxing.
- The differing names of the Boxer, Claw and Dictator characters in the East and West are shown to be the result of gambling. Mike Bison (Boxer), Balrog (Claw) and Vega (Dictator) bet $4 Million along with their names in a card game, which the boxer won. As a result, the three switched names.
- Bathos: The film is portrayed as a serious documentary, which makes moments like Balrog's boxing moves being input commands from the games or him literally never taking his gloves off once he put them on funnier than if it were entirely silly.
- Casualty in the Ring: Balrog was banned from boxing after killing his opponent in the ring with an illegal headbutt.
- Fallen Hero: Balrog started as an ace boxer who everyone loved for his brashness and undefeated streak, until he became truly violent and killed without remorse.
- From Nobody to Nightmare: Balrog went from an easily-bullied kid to a terrifying powerhouse of a boxer who joins an international terrorism syndicate.
- Lost Him in a Card Game: Balrog got his new name when he won a card game with M. Bison and Vega and promptly swapped their names around.
- My Greatest Failure: Greg Bison clearly laments the monster his son has become and notes that he almost told him no when he asked to take up boxing, but gave in because of his obvious love of the sport.
- Punny Name: Tim Tashun's name is an obvious play on "temptation" and how working with him drove Balrog to more and more extreme behavior.
- Sketchy Successor: The ending has Balrog take over Shadaloo from M. Bison. Bison's international terrorist syndicate rapidly devolves into a petty gang last seen complaining about rigged casino tables in Las Vegas within weeks of Balrog becoming its leader.
- Used to Be a Sweet Kid: The terrifying dirty fighter Balrog started off as the sweet Mike Bison, who got bullied at school and took up boxing in self-defense.
- Use Your Head: Balrog was banned from boxing after using a headbutt on Joe "The Specter" Sullivan, which killed him.