I Love Watching Wrestling—You Should Too

1999 was a big year in entertainment. Films like The Matrix and The Sixth Sense were out, and artists like Eminem and the Red Hot Chili Peppers topped the music charts. 

But another source of entertainment was blowing up at the time⁠—wrestling. I’m sure you’ve heard of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. They revolutionized the world of wrestling and paved the way for what it is today. 

My older brother, David, had the fortune of witnessing some of the greats like D-Generation X, the Undertaker and Kane. Luckily, in 2006, when I was seven years old, it was my turn. I remember watching wrestling with him in his room every Monday night. I was awed and entertained by everyone’s favorite hated hero, John Cena. 

The first memory of him that I had was of him slamming Edge through a table and the crowd erupting with elation. Since then, I’ve been watching wrestling. Yeah, I know what people say: “Hey bro you still watch that?” or “Dude that’s fake, grow out of it!” 

I can make the same argument for cartoons and anime. They’re both fake, but people still watch that. If you enjoy a show, you should be able to watch it without being judged. 

Throughout the last decade, I’ve continued watching wrestling. Not only has it grown locally, but it’s grown globally. Wrestling companies have expanded to England, Mexico, and Japan. The most popular wrestling company, World Wrestling Entertainment has skyrocketed; its hottest thing is its developmental brand. In many people’s opinions, it’s superior to the main brand. It’s called NXT. The brand debuted in 2010 and since 2014, Paul “Triple H” Levesque has been the man in charge. The first NXT show I saw was a 2016 pay-per view titled NXT Takeover: Toronto. I fell in love with the matches and the way the show itself was constructed. It is second to none.

I have never been disappointed by any NXT show/pay-per view event. It’s currently taped at Full Sail University in Orlando but starting Sept. 18, it’s going live on the USA Network. 

People should take advantage of the opportunity to see a unique fashion of wrestling. You have a variety of high-flying, hard-hitting, and technical wrestling styles. NXT has plenty to offer and its top stars include Undisputed Era—a ruthless four-person faction lead by NXT champion Adam Cole and his cronies Bobby Fish, Kyle O’Reilly, and Roderick Strong.

Other characters include the North American champion, the Velveteen Dream, Johnny Gargano, the heart and soul of the brand who wrestles in the best matches, and Tomasso Ciampa, the sadistic and dangerous villain whose mission is to regain the NXT Championship he relinquished due to injury. 

They also keep things fresh by signing new wrestlers from other brands/promotions to augment their roster. It can be a familiar face to diehard fans or an up-and-coming talent. No matter what kind of style or wrestler you’re interested in, I guarantee NXT has something for you. So if you haven’t already, give it a shot. I guarantee it will be as potent as an Adam Cole superkick.