The thing that immediately strikes you is just how slick this show is. I had zero expectations going in, thinking this would just be your average reality show like Pawn Stars or whatever, but this is clearly on another level. From the camera work to the sound to the editing, you can obviously tell that they took their time to get this right. This show is so polished, it's downright meticulous. Game of Arms manages to hit notes that are normally reserved for HBO Sports documentaries.
Of course, it's not all about the great production design, there's also the "pullers" themselves. Thankfully, they happen to be a more diverse and interesting group of people than one would probably guess. They come from all walks of life and are really quite likable. It's easy to root for any of them. If they were all just a bunch of one-dimensional Jersey Shore rejects then trust me, I wouldn't even bother writing this. No, these are regular guys who just happen to share the same incredibly intense hobby - or "lifestyle" as one puts it. Their life stories are compelling and they seem fun to be around in general. That's more than I can say for most people on television.
The matches themselves are riveting. Sure, the refs could be better and the prize amounts are too small, but whatever. The way the show leads up to the matches, and the way the matches themselves are presented more than makes up for those minor, easily addressable concerns. Instead of the predictable, clinical environment of a UFC cage or a boxing ring, they stage these fights within intimate, real world locations with fellow teammates and family members within arm's reach. Everything's shot on hand-held from within the crowd, including a slew of remarkably well-framed slow motion footage. As a result, the fight scenes are as good as they can possibly be - I really mean that. If Over the Top was the Rocky IV of arm wrestling, then Game of Arms is its Raging Bull.
This show is surprisingly good.