Fresh off of WWE’s biggest event of the year, Wrestlemania, I was feeling compelled to write my next blog on just what being a wrestling fan is all about, and why it’s really a lot of fun – at least for me! For starters, I cannot help but chuckle a bit as I write this, as many times in my life I have had many entertaining conversations with non-wrestling fans about how boring and fake wrestling is and how it’s a waste of time, or how silly it is to get caught-up in the storylines or characters. None of that is happening here! Let me tell you a bit about how wrestling, and in particular WWE, has been a special part of my life…
Growing up with brothers, I was exposed to the world of wrestling from an early age. I remember being as young as six or seven and playing with wrestling action figures and play-wrestling with my brother in the basement or living room; jumping off the armrest of the couch like it was the top rope or running from one wall to the other like we were running the ropes. These were all typical things brothers and sisters did while playing together, right? Well, they were in my house; but hey, it was the 90s! I always loved role playing as some of the wrestlers we were watching on TV. These wrestlers were animated characters with bold personalities and outfits, and they did some pretty cool things. What kid wouldn’t be drawn to that? Any wrestling fan can tell you, the 90s were such a ridiculously fun and gimmocky time (even more so than nowadays if you can believe it). Wrestlers had over-the-top outfits and personalities; it was easy to get caught up in the energy of The Ultimate Warrior, the flashiness of Shawn Michaels or Macho Man Randy Savage, or the exciting partnership of the Hart Foundation, while being intrigued (and a little spooked) by the eerie persona of the Undertaker. As a kid, watching wrestling was entertaining because there wasn’t anything on TV quite like it. Oh and I always loved role playing and putting on a show. Wrestling wasn’t just about the physicality and horseplay, there was always a story being told and something unique to see – it was very much about the next jaw dropping or electrifying moment. It is very exciting, and like any good television series or book, you want to see what’s going to happen next to these characters.
My appreciation for wrestling was not just about the occasional role playing in the livingroom to see who could do the best sharpshooter or stunner, my brother and I were very interested in the stories being told. When we got a little bit older, my brother and his friends created their own wrestling league where they all had their own character names, entrance songs/themes, and signature/finishing moves (including submission locks). I often helped as a referee or even announcer, as I was really the only girl (and noone was actually going to wrestle me). In addition, I got to help my brother out with brainstorming storylines and even designing belts and posters; whatever kinds of activities would still allow me to participate in the fun. We had created our own little world of wrestling, influenced by what we were watching on TV. The truth was, wrestling was a really fun pastime growing up. Whether we knew the results or matches were staged, it didn’t matter. We were entertained. Watching these characters on tv sparked our imaginations and creativity. At one point, my brother and I had even created our own magazine; writing short articles on the different wrestlers and creating ads for events or merchandise — just thinking about all of these things makes me laugh and smile! It really was a ton of fun; no different than role playing or acting out the adventures of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (or whatever other show you may have been watching growing up). Again, all typical things to do growing up, right? Bahah…
There are a few moments (like those I just described) that make me realize just how much wrestling was a valuable part of my childhood. Looking back, I can appreciate how much wrestling allowed me and my brothers to bond. I remember watching wrestling at home and having debates with my brother and Dad over some of these wrestling characters. In particular, my Dad was never a fan of Shawn Michaels or Goldust and made sure to let us hear about it every time they came on the TV. I recall getting the opportunity to watch a live show, and my oldest brother telling us about running into Sid Vicious in the bathroom or sitting ringside and going absolutely bonkers when the shattering glass hit and Stone Cold came storming down the ramp. These little moments were electrifying and all part of the bigger story of being a wrestling fan. As a fan, you live for those little moments.
When we got a little bit older, the role playing went away but the entertainment aspect of wrestling was still there. With age comes wisdom, so we began to understand more about how these storylines and characters came together. At times, the wow factor diminished, or the element of surprise wore off and we could begin predicting just what might happen at the end of the match. New personas evolved and old characters developed new attitudes. I would be lying if I said that there wasn’t a time where I lost a bit of interest in wrestling, and it wasn’t just because of the evolution of characters, there was just a little less time in my life for keeping up with the storylines.
In my twenties, my appreciation for wrestling was reborn. Like picking up an old favourite book series that continued on after you stopped reading, immersing myself in the storylines and characters that were now present in the WWE wasn’t easy. Some old favourites were still around, but there were plenty of new faces to see. In addition, the style of wrestling had evolved, and wrestlers had talent and skill unlike what had ever been seen before. Familiarizing myself with what was happening on the various programs took a bit of time, but once again, it was proving to be quite exciting! Definitely worth mentioning that there were far more women wrestlers around too; it wasn’t just about having pillow fights or pathetic gimmick matches that lasted 2 minutes! Women were becoming more visible on the roster, and not just as valets, but they were beginning to make waves and do incredible things! Chyna, Nattie, Lita, Trish Stratus and Beth Phoenix were notable women during the early stages of my wrestling fandom, but now the female locker room was filling up with remarkable talents and very noteworthy personas. As a woman, and a longtime fan of wrestling, it was a relief (and joy) to see so many women getting the television time and recognition of their male counterparts. I can’t help but wonder how my childhood experiences would have changed had I been able to grow up watching the likes of Sasha Banks, Charlotte Flair, Nia Jax and Becky Lynch.
Undoubtedly my experiences watching wrestling as a child differ from my experiences watching wrestling as an adult, but there are still some key similarities. This weekend, I found myself talking with a friend about the ridiculously long line-up that WWE had setup for Wrestlemania; with the show beginning at 5pm and set to wrap up after midnight. Who can possibly sit through over 7 hours of wrestling? Well, apart from the tens of thousands of people in the stadium, and the millions watching at home- me & my husband. Yes, it’s true, it’s damn true. As an adult, dedicating 7 hours in one day to something that isn’t related to work is not only baffling but also quite unheard of. Yet, something about wrestling continues to draw in our attention and keep us guessing, waiting, and watching in anticipation to see just what is going to happen next. That same appreciation and investment in those characters and personas I held as a child still exist because at the core of any great wrestling match is a compelling and captivating story. The same kinds of stories I loved to watch, witness, and create as a child are evolving with new main characters and personas today. Whether I’m thirteen or thirty, the stories and characters that set foot in the ring evoke emotion through engaging and entertaining events.
So, preparing for Wrestlemania weekend really got me thinking about how much I love wrestling, and how I never have been nor ever will be afraid to admit that I do. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend live events and immerse myself in the live atmosphere, surrounded by fans who get just as pumped up as I do when they hear that entrance music hit, or can’t help but jump around when that wrestler hits that finishing move. I’m thankful too for those friends in my life who get just as heated or passionate when discussing the latest storylines; and for a husband who grew up watching wrestling too! Together, we can share in the electrifying moments of glory, heartache, astonishment, and intense emotions. While I would be lying if I said that there were not many times where I was incredibly frustrated with WWE storytelling or decision making, one thing is certain – there is always something worth talking about!
Five Feet High Thoughts 