About Us

Professional Wrestling Television Pioneer

Dan Bynum is a highly influential figure in professional wrestling television production, known for his innovative work in directing some of the most important wrestling TV shows in history. His contributions have shaped the way wrestling is presented to audiences, blending cinematic storytelling with the fast-paced action of the ring.

Bynum made his mark in the 1980s as the television director for World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), a Texas-based promotion that revolutionized the look and feel of wrestling broadcasts. Under his direction, WCCW developed a dynamic and polished visual style that stood apart from other promotions of the time.

• Innovative Camera Work: Unlike other promotions that used static shots, Bynum implemented creative camera angles, close-ups, and dramatic cuts that heightened the emotional impact of matches.
• Lighting and Presentation: He used unique lighting techniques, such as spotlighting the ring while keeping the audience dimly lit, creating an intimate and theatrical atmosphere.
• Slow Motion Replays: WCCW was one of the first promotions to incorporate slow-motion replays to highlight key moments in matches, something that became a staple in wrestling broadcasts.

His direction helped make WCCW one of the most visually compelling wrestling shows of the 1980s, that consequently was syndicated around the world,  influencing all  subsequent productions in the industry.

After his time with WCCW, Bynum went on to work for World Championship Wrestling (WCW), directing WCW Saturday Night on TBS. WCW Saturday Night was the flagship program of the company before Monday Nitro debuted.

• He maintained a strong focus on storytelling through production, ensuring that the in-ring action and backstage segments flowed seamlessly.
• He helped refine the look of WCW programming, paving the way for the high-production values the company would adopt in the 1990s.

Bynum played a crucial role in shaping the television presence of Ring of Honor (ROH), a promotion known for its pure wrestling and athleticism.

• As the Director of Production for ROH, he helped the company transition from an independent promotion to a respected wrestling brand with a professional TV presentation.
• His experience in storytelling and technical production helped elevate ROH’s television show, giving it a polished look that stood out from other independent promotions.

In recent years, Bynum has continued his work in professional wrestling television by directing Major League Wrestling (MLW).

• His experience has contributed to MLW’s modern aesthetic, which blends old-school wrestling values with contemporary production techniques.

Dan Bynum's directing style brought a cinematic and high-energy approach to wrestling television, influencing generations of producers and directors. His work in WCCW, WCW, ROH, and MLW set new standards for how wrestling is presented on television, emphasizing storytelling, dramatic visuals, and engaging camera work.Dan Bynum is a highly influential figure in professional wrestling television production, known for his innovative work in directing some of the most important wrestling TV shows in history. His contributions have shaped the way wrestling is presented to audiences, blending cinematic storytelling with the fast-paced action of the ring.

Instead of relying on a single hard camera shot (which was common in early wrestling broadcasts), Bynum incorporated multiple cameras to capture different perspectives of the action.

• Hard Camera (Traditional Wide Shot): This was used for an overall view of the match, ensuring the audience could always see the in-ring action.
• Ringside Handheld Cameras: These cameras captured close-ups of wrestlers' expressions, big moves, and action outside the ring.
• Overhead and Corner Cameras: Occasionally, he used overhead angles or strategically placed cameras on the ring posts for unique perspectives.
• Backstage and Entrance Cameras: Bynum emphasized storytelling beyond the ring by covering entrances and backstage segments with a cinematic touch.

This multi-camera approach created a more engaging experience for the viewer, making wrestling feel more like a movie or live drama rather than a straightforward sports broadcast.

One of Bynum’s most notable innovations was his use of handheld cameras at ringside, which created a more intimate and immersive experience.

• These cameras followed the wrestlers closely, capturing the raw emotion on their faces.
• They moved with the action, making the viewer feel as if they were part of the ringside experience.
• The shaky, in-motion feel of handheld cameras added to the realism and intensity of the matches.
• This technique later influenced WWE and other promotions, which adopted ringside handheld shots as a standard practice.

To enhance the auditory experience of wrestling, Bynum used microphones placed under the ring and on the turnbuckle pads to capture:

• The sound of impacts—when a wrestler slammed into the mat, the mic placement ensured the audience felt the impact.
• Chatter between wrestlers—while much of the in-ring communication between wrestlers was meant to be hidden, Bynum’s placement of mics sometimes picked up heated moments, adding to the drama.
• The crowd’s energy—ambient mics helped capture the roar of the audience, making the show feel more electric.

This use of sound design helped create an immersive environment, making wrestling matches feel more intense and engaging for television audiences.

Bynum’s directing style included tight close-up shots and a quick-cutting editing style, which kept the energy high during live broadcasts.

• Close-ups on facial expressions: He used close shots to capture wrestlers selling pain, anger, or triumph, making the storytelling more emotional.
• Rapid camera cuts: He increased the pacing of the show by switching between different angles quickly, keeping the audience engaged and preventing any lull in the action.
• Reaction shots: He often cut to the audience’s reactions, making fans feel like part of the event.

This approach was far ahead of its time, as modern wrestling promotions (especially WWE) now rely heavily on fast cuts and close-ups to tell their stories.

One of Bynum’s most influential contributions to wrestling television was his use of cinematic vignettes to build characters.

• Instead of just relying on in-ring promos, he produced highly stylized, pre-taped vignettes that introduced new wrestlers or advanced storylines.
• These segments felt like mini-movies, using dramatic lighting, camera angles, and even scripted dialogue.
• A great example is the way WCCW presented The Fabulous Freebirds—Bynum helped craft vignettes that established them as rockstar-like outlaws.

This storytelling method helped make wrestling characters feel larger than life, an approach that WWE later perfected with their video packages.

Bynum was an early proponent of using licensed popular music as entrance themes, which was a game-changer for professional wrestling.

• Instead of generic in-house music, WCCW allowed wrestlers to enter to mainstream rock and pop songs.
• The Fabulous Freebirds famously used "Badstreet U.S.A."—a song they recorded themselves, creating a memorable and marketable brand.
• This technique made wrestlers feel more like mainstream stars, giving them an immediate identity when they walked to the ring.
• WWE later adopted this strategy in the 1980s and 1990s, using popular music to enhance their product (e.g., Hulk Hogan with "Real American", The Undertaker using "Rollin’" by Limp Bizkit, etc.).

Bynum directed the music video for "Badstreet U.S.A.", the theme song for Michael Hayes and The Fabulous Freebirds.

• This was one of the first music videos produced for professional wrestling, setting the stage for later wrestling music videos in promotions like WWE.
• It featured high-energy edits, rockstar imagery, and a rebellious attitude that fit the Freebirds’ gimmick.
• The success of this video reinforced the idea that wrestling and rock music could go hand in hand, a concept WWE would later run with in the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling era.

Dan Bynum’s impact on professional wrestling television cannot be overstated. His cinematic vision, use of handheld cameras, immersive audio, fast-paced directing, and character-driven storytelling set a new standard that promotions still follow today.

• WWE, WCW, ECW, and modern-day AEW and MLW all use techniques that Bynum pioneered in the 1980s.
• His ability to blend wrestling action with rock ‘n’ roll energy, dramatic storytelling, and innovative productionhelped wrestling transition from a niche sport to a mainstream entertainment product.