There is probably about one time a year that professional wrestling begins to enter mainstream conversation, and that week is upon us with WrestleMania XL taking place Saturday and Sunday.
This column is a bit of a left turn, I know. What you’re probably thinking is Wrestling, really? It’s fake! And yes, I am fully aware. It’s scripted, rehearsed action that is purely made for our entertainment. The wrestlers may not be actually trying to knock each other’s teeth out with their punches, but that doesn’t mean nobody gets injured. Taking bumps, or the action of falling to the ground after receiving another wrestler’s offense, is taxing, and injuries happen way more frequently than you can imagine.
Although the performers play it straight in front of the camera in hopes of providing realism, it’s no secret what the business is. Nobody’s trying to fool you – they know what they’re doing. If you have that mindset about it, then it’s a whole lot easier to take it seriously. However, I’m not in the business of trying to convert anyone into becoming a professional wrestling fan. I doubt I’d be a fan either if it weren’t for my dad beginning to watch it with me in February 2013 ahead of John Cena and The Rock’s rematch at WrestleMania 29. Speaking of The Rock…
After earning the honor of being the highest paid actor in Hollywood for a long stretch of time, Dwayne Johnson has returned to his roots. Johnson was named to the board of directors at TKO, the parent company of the WWE and UFC. Johnson rose to prominence in the WWE as The Rock, showcasing his immense charisma against the likes of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple H and Hulk Hogan between 1998 and 2002 before going part time until his full departure to filmmaking.
Now that he’s back in action, The Rock is teaming up with cousin Roman Reigns, the current WWE champion and titleholder of 1,311 days as of Thursday. The two members of the Samoan wrestling dynasty take on World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes, who you might know as the son of “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes of 1980s wrestling fame. The Rock has brought a new edge to the WWE television product, which fans have desired since “The Attitude Era,” or the heyday of Austin and The Rock.
There’s been blood, swearing and a new attitude showcased on Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smackdown, and fan excitement has never been higher. No, seriously. Since Triple H, former top wrestler turned creative force, took over the cultivation of storylines after Vince McMahon’s ouster, more and more fans have been watching both on TV and in the arena. At Monday’s Raw in Brooklyn, N.Y., it was reported to be the highest gate in the show’s 31-year history.
Celebrities such as Lil Wayne and Meek Mill have already been confirmed to be at the event in Philadelphia, Pa., and Logan Paul, known from YouTube and boxing, is the current United States champion, defending his title against Kevin Owens and Randy Orton, who the unfamiliar might know from the viral “RKO Outta Nowhere” memes based on his finishing maneuver.
Some of the matches I’m most excited about include the aforementioned tag match, Night 2’s main event between Rhodes and Reigns for the top title, IYO SKY vs. Bayley for the SmackDown Women’s Championship and Sami Zayn vs. Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship. If you want to see carnage with weapons and ladders, check out the six-team ladder match for the tag team titles.
I’m not going to make it a habit to write about wrestling regularly because I know the interest level in it pales in comparison to most sports, but this will be the weekend to watch it if there was ever one. I know I will. The wrestlers are away from home 300 or more days a year putting their bodies on the line for our enjoyment — what’s the point of complaining? This is their Super Bowl.
