In 2020, I wrote blog where I praised wrestling for keeping me distracted in what can only be described as a tumultuous year. I praised the wrestlers and companies for putting their lives on the line so that regular fans, like me can have some kind escape from what 2020 dumped on all of us. Now, it's 2024 and my view of wrestling has flipped. It is a bane to me now, something I mute, block and turn off at every chance it is put in front of me. And somehow, I can't escape it.
I know I sound hyperbole but I'm just expressing how hurt I am. I keep trying to figure out who to blame for my newly strong disliking of wrestling. I look at AEW and WWE, the companies I've sworn off. Between 2020 to today, the companies have become mirror opposites as AEW has become directionless and WWE has become a powerhouse. Their owners, a fanboy with money who may be in over his head and a smug former wrestler who openly admits to how many backs he's stabbed to get where he is (yes, I know Triple H isn't technically the owner, but he seems in charge). I've even found myself blaming Phil Brooks, a highly popular but volatile wrestler who made waves, positive or negative. wherever he went.
I look at the IWC (Internet Wrestling community) who may be the closest to who I DO want to lay all the blame on. Everyone has said the IWC is a niche group and while that is true, they are loud and if anything negative is thrown up in my face regarding wrestling, it's from them. In the past four years, the fanbase has gone from regular(?) to rabid. The constant bickering between WWE and AEW fans was distracting to anyone who just enjoy wrestling. It was draining and it took the fun out of it. People, bigger than me, have said the words "Like what you like, just don't be dick" and nowadays, it all falls on deaf ears.
I look at myself, not being able to separate from it all. I admit, I've caught myself getting into IWC drama. Arguing with strangers, friends over an wrestling organization I know I'll never be a part of. As mentioned before, wrestling was there for me when I was at my lowest, more than actual friends, family and to see it come to this, in what feels like a mushroom cloud of nothing (in my eyes) but negativity of ratings, backstage scandals and just bullshit just hurts me deep.
Maybe I wrote this wanting understanding, for someone to tell me to keep my head. Maybe I wrote this just because these feelings have been building up for a while, but I know getting this off my chest doesn't make it better, it just makes my pain more visible.
It just sucks because I've been a fan of wrestling since 1985 and I never thought I'd walk away from it.
fuck
my first post, "Last night a joshi saved my life" can be found here:
Diaries of a Super Duper Senior: Struggle Summer 3: Last night a joshi saved my life
