Opinion | Hard times and high drama
Image generated by DALL•E; conceived by Armon Owlia
We’ve all been in that moment. That one moment where you face absolute doubt as to what you’re about to do. Something so Herculean and momentous, something that needs to be done, but you need to find the courage and the confidence to get the job done despite massive pressure. And, for all of us, these moments come in different shapes and sizes.
That moment, between the curtain and the stage of your life you’re ready to face. That moment when your heart begins to race, your pulse goes out of control. It’s the moment you’ve been preparing for, and simultaneously, are dreading. Your eyes close, your mind centers. Game face on. Your music hits in your head. Time to go to work.
You may think I’m describing the moments before, say, asking your boss for a raise or proposing to your significant other, or maybe even getting ready to give a big speech in front of thousands of people. But the excitement I'm describing isn't just found in life's big personal moments. It's also at the heart of a world I've been passionate about since my teenage years: professional wrestling.
Now, I can almost hear the skeptics among you: “Wrestling? Really? Are you going to talk about wrestling right now? It’s fake soap opera that put Trump in the White House and promotes a lot of bad behaviors! No intelligent person could ever like it! It’s just a bunch of dudes in their underwear and girls in highly suggestive clothing throwing each other around.”
If you think that’s an exaggeration, trust me, I’ve heard a lot of that from my own family…let alone friends of mine uninitiated to the worldwide spectacle. I’ve even been told by some that I should actually leave this fandom behind and grow out of it.
To that, I say they are more than entitled to their opinions. But I do understand where that criticism and image comes from, and the wrestling business itself hasn’t necessarily helped, especially when talking about wrestling’s most powerful figure, former WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon.
His impact on wrestling is undeniable, but so is the controversy that trails behind him like a shadow. On TV, we've seen him play the villain to perfection, but some of those storylines, including the ones demeaning women, including acts of sexual harassment and adultery, and using the N-word in front of Black wrestlers have aged like milk left out in the sun - sour and criticized for good reason. They reflect a culture that, at times, hasn't been kind to its stars, setting a stage where not all the drama was scripted.
Off-screen, the allegations against McMahon paint a complex picture. From the heartbreak and possible cover-up surrounding Nancy Argentino's untimely murder at the hands of Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka in 1983 to the unsettling tales from Ashley Massaro about McMahon’s sexual harassment and subsequent career sabotage after a pass, it's clear wrestling's glitzy exterior masks some real-world pain. And then there's the connection to Donald Trump, a storyline that blurs the lines between entertainment and real-world consequences more than most.
But here's the thing - wrestling fans, we're a vocal lot. We cheer, we boo, we demand better. And it's not just about the action in the ring; it's about pushing for a community that respects and uplifts everyone involved. The industry is listening, evolving. Names like Vince McMahon getting blackballed from the industry signify a shift, a chance to tackle those long-standing issues head-on.
It's easy to see the spectacle and miss the substance, to write off wrestling as mere entertainment without depth. But those of us in the know, we understand the nuances. We recognize the shadows but choose to focus on the light, the moments of triumph, resilience, and sheer joy that wrestling brings to millions.
So, when skeptics question my love for this world, I tell them about the complexity and the ongoing battles both in and out of the ring. I speak of the community's hope for a better, more inclusive space where the stories told reflect the best of us. Wrestling, like any great narrative, has its villains, but it's the heroes, often unexpected, that keep us coming back for more.
Consider the unexpected wrestling aficionados: John Oliver, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Lin-Manuel Miranda—names synonymous with intellect and cultural critique. Their fandom underscores wrestling's complex narrative appeal, which transcends mere physicality to engage with themes of justice, resilience, and the eternal struggle between underdog and tyrant. Wrestling, in this light, is not just entertainment; it's a mirror to society's triumphs and challenges, relatable to anyone who appreciates a good story well told.
Oliver, on his HBO show, “Last Week Tonight,” not only broke down the wrestling world’s major problems, but additionally broke down some of his own favorite moments in wrestling history and even flat-out stated: “I like wrestling, and you might be surprised to hear that, but I’d argue it’s objectively entertaining.”
Stewart not only publicly feuded with wrestler Seth Rollins, he also got physically involved in a match with Rollins facing off against John Cena, even citing his admiration for wrestling legend, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair.
And even Lin-Manuel Miranda, one of the great geniuses of Broadway and often regarded as a true intellectual and orator who even performed at the White House, has been open about his love for he medium. “I’ve been a fan of WWE since WrestleMania III, [Hulk] Hogan slams André the Giant, and the world is never the same,” Miranda said in a WWE.com interview in 2017.
Professional wrestling's broad cultural influence was evident at the Primetime Emmys in February. Actor Paul Walter Hauser, acclaimed for his performance in “Blackbird,” embraced his moment in the spotlight with a tribute to the wrestling universe. He fondly referenced the "nWO Wolfpac," an iconic faction from former major promotion, WCW, blending this homage with a spiritual greeting.
Hauser’s speech continued in the playful and confrontational style of a wrestling promo, humorously calling out wrestler Matt Cardona and extending a friendly invitation to Kota Ibushi, a star in Japanese wrestling, for yoga and sushi. Hauser's comments concluded with a homage to The Dudley Boyz with their iconic catchphrase, "get the tables."
His blend of gratitude and wrestling lore highlights the enduring appeal and crossover of wrestling culture into everyday moments of celebration.
Even those outside of the wrestling business now, some of the most charismatic and gifted entertainers who we cannot get enough of came from the wrestling business, including notable names such as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, John Cena, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Dave Bautista, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, the list goes on and on.
So, yes. Wrestling has a bit more cachet in the world than most people want to give it credit for, and clearly, it is not limited to just people who like to wear red hats. But why exactly does it appeal so much? It’s fake, it’s a scripted, predetermined outcome, with crazy and whacky storylines. It’s absolutely unbelievable.
Or is it? Remember, when we started, I described the quote-unquote Herculean moment. This is a real life thing we experience. When you read it, you felt it, deep in your chest. It hit home because we all have had that feeling of having our backs against the wall. Believe it or not, the greatest wrestling storylines ever done? They all, at their core, have that exact same premise, something that ties into something we all must face at some point.
Take the legendary bout between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant, or “Stone Cold” Steve Austin's rebellion against Vince McMahon—these aren't just matches but epic tales of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. They echo the classic narratives seen in literature and film, where heroes face giants, literal or metaphorical, and stand up against corruption. Such stories captivate us, not because of the outcome, but for the journey and the fight, mirroring our own struggles and victories in life.
Consider a recent clash where ultimate underdog Sami Zayn challenged the seemingly unbeatable Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship. This story is not just about a wrestling match; it's about every person who's ever faced a challenge deemed impossible. Gunther, before the match, had held the title for a record 666 consecutive days, with Zayn openly admitting he didn't believe he could win…and Gunther mocking Zayn for Zayn's size. It's a narrative of perseverance and belief in oneself that resonates far beyond the wrestling ring, reminding us that with determination, even the most daunting obstacles can be overcome.
We’ve all been there, like I said before. We all have felt hopeless, felt like there was a force pushing against us that stopped us from where we wanted to go. But in the end, we pushed through and found hope and that extra bit of strength. And that’s what it’s about.
You know that when the Spider-Man film starts, it’s not real. It’s scripted entertainment, but when he beats The Green Goblin, you cheer, holler, and scream because you get so involved in the characters. Even though you may know about the issues within Hollywood or the comic industry, you get involved because, in the end, it doesn’t get in the way of your love and entertainment.
And yet, no one judges you for it.
So, one of these days, just for fun, go to your local wrestling show. Buy a ticket, go watch, lose yourself in the fun. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find me not just writing about the action from ringside but also stepping into a whole new ring of storytelling myself. After all, every story has more than one way to be told.
Take fights. Take quotes. Take notice.
Just take it a bit more seriously.
