WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Unstoppable.

The 2024 sports biopic Unstoppable chronicles the remarkable true story of Anthony Robles, who faced obstacles and challenges both on and off the wrestling mat, becoming the 2011 NCAA wrestling champion. Directed by Oscar-winning editor William Goldenberg in his feature film directorial debut, Unstoppable is based on Robles’ 2012 book Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion.

Emmy winner Jharrel Jerome leads an outstanding Unstoppable cast including Jennifer Lopez, Michael Peña, Don Cheadle, and Bobby Cannavale. Unstoppable has received mostly positive reviews, earning a Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 74%. Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and the real-life Anthony Robles produced the film. Robles also appears in the film as his own double in certain scenes. Unstoppable became available to stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on January 16, 2025.

As demonstrated at the end of Unstoppable, Robles remains the only NCAA wrestler with one leg to win a national championship and the first athlete to be signed by Nike after retiring from a sport. Because Robles was a direct part of the film’s creation and production, Unstoppable accurately depicts his inspiring true story. There are a few minor changes, however, such as his abusive stepfather’s name and Robles’ fictional appearance in the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championship.

Anthony Robles Attended Arizona State Over Drexel University

Robles was surprised that none of his top colleges recruited him

After going 96-0 in his junior and senior years at Mesa High School in Mesa, Arizona, Anthony Robles was surprised that none of his top colleges recruited him. These included Iowa, Oklahoma State, and Columbia. After turning down a full scholarship to wrestle at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – which would have been in the NCAA Division I Coastal Athletic ᴀssociation – Robles redshirted as a freshman and started competing for ASU in 2007-2008 with a record of 25-11. Robles went on to improve to 29-8 in his sophomore year. He was named an All-American, won the Pac-10 Championship, and finished 4th at the NCAA Championship in the 125-pound division.

Anthony Robles Won The 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championship With An Undefeated 36-0 Record

Robles cemented himself among the greatest ASU wrestlers of all time

Robles’ historic 2010-2011 season was his last year of eligibility at Arizona State. As portrayed in Unstoppable, Robles went a perfect 36-0 to become the 2011 NCAA National Wrestling Champion. Additionally, Robles made several other achievements at Arizona State, including four Pac-10 Championship appearances and three consecutive wins in the 125-pound division. He totaled 122 career wins at ASU, the eighth most in the school’s history, and set single-season records for bonus-point wins (31) and technical falls (24). Robles cemented himself among the greatest Arizona State wrestlers of all time, which also includes Dan St. John, Zahid Valencia, and Markus Mollica, all 2-time NCAA champions.

2-Time NCAA Champion Matt McDonough Did Not Defeat Anthony Robles In 2010

McDonough defeated Andrew Long of Iowa State & Robles finished 7th that year

Robles won the 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championship in the 125-pound division against Matt McDonough of the University of Iowa, who won the NCAA тιтle in 2010 and 2012. The film states that McDonough defeated Robles in the 2010 National Championship but this is inaccurate. McDonough defeated freshman Andrew Long from Iowa State that year. The film also states that McDonough won two consecutive national championships, which is false. However, he did win two NCAA тιтles in 2010 and 2012 and lost to Robles in 2011. In 2010, Robles was named an All-American after going 32-4. He ultimately finished seventh in the NCAA 125-pound weight class after winning the Pac-10 championship.

Anthony Robles Had An Abusive Stepfather Named Ron, Not Rich, Robles

Ron Robles’ dislike of Anthony was more racially charged than Unstoppable suggests

Robles’ biggest off-the-mat conflict in Unstoppable and in reality was his abusive stepfather. Named Ron, not Rich, in real life, Robles’ stepfather was verbally abusive to Robles and physically abusive to his mother Judy. Ron eventually left Judy for another woman, as the movie depicts. According to ᴅᴇᴀᴅspin, “Ron criticized his step-son mercilessly, and sometimes physically abused Judy in his presence.” Ron’s real-life animosity towards Anthony was more racially charged than Unstoppable suggests. “Judy said Ron couldn’t forgive her son the color of his skin—Anthony’s biological father is black—or forgive her the love she feels for Anthony.“

Coaches Bobby Williams & Shawn Charles Are Huge Real-Life Supporters

Robles is still in contact with them to this day

Both Anthony Robles’ high school coach Bobby Williams (Michael Peña) and Shawn Charles (Don Cheadle) remain huge supporters. In an interview with TODAY, Robles revealed “Bobby Williams, he’s always been like a father figure to me. Walking into the wrestling room for the first time, he treated me like I was a national champion already.” Robles credits Williams for helping him find his unique wrestling style that helped make him a national champion. As for Coach Shawn Charles, Robles appreciates his constant source of motivation. “He forced me outside of my comfort zone on a regular basis. Just challenged me to think at a different level and improve myself.”

Judy Robles Is Truly Fiercely Protective Of Her Son & Family

The scene where she tells off Anthony’s hecklers is based on real events

Judy Robles is a victim of domestic abuse who goes to great lengths to maintain balance and a sense of peace and normalcy in her destructive home. She goes so far as to over-donate blood to put food on the table for her kids, supporting Anthony’s wrestling pursuits every step of the way. The scene at the beginning of Unstoppable where she tells off Anthony’s hecklers is based on real events and perfectly exemplifies her fierce loyalty to her son and family. Jennifer Lopez, who plays Judy in the film, invited the real-life Judy and Anthony Robles to her home to learn more about her story in 2021 (via ESPN).

Fan Mail From Children Gave Anthony Robles Motivation After 2010 Quarterfinals Loss

He was inspired by overwhelming support and went undefeated the next season

While Robles didn’t actually compete and lose the 2010 NCAA Championship Final in his weight class, he was discouraged after losing in the quarterfinals, falling from a 4th place finish in 2009 to a 7th place standing. Robles received a heap of fan mail from children following a heartbreaking loss that inspired him to not only win for himself but to inspire those children to follow their dreams as well. According to USA Today, the fan mail which he keeps in a trophy case to this day “completely just changed the trajectory of my life.” Robles revealed that becoming a national champion “didn’t matter to me. Really, what mattered to me now is I wanted to show these kids that anything’s possible.”

The Arizona State Wrestling Team Was Cut In 2008 But Reinstated By Private Donors

The timeline of the program cut is slightly off in Unstoppable

As Unstoppable depicts, Arizona State University intended to cut its NCAA Division I wrestling program, as well as swimming and tennis for financial reasons (via The Daily). This occurred in 2008 and only lasted a little more than a week after a slate of private donors made it possible for ASU to continue with all three programs. In Unstoppable, it appears that the cut and reinstatement of the ASU wrestling program occurred just before Robles’s junior year, which means it would have happened ahead of his 2009-2010 season. Unstoppable slightly alters the timeline of the ASU wrestling program cut for dramatic effect.

Sources: ᴅᴇᴀᴅspin, TODAY, ESPN, USA Today, The Daily