Welcome, again, to the Love In! I’m your host and resident Jeff Bridges look-alike, Cody Brooks and this is 5 Reasons to Love Wrestling.
Now, if you read the High 5 this week we talked about music in wrestling. Music is my second love outside of men in tights beating each other senseless. Think about how much music effects us all. From when we hit adolescence we nearly define who we are by the music we listen to. The clothes we wear, the people we hang out with etc… all based on the music scene we choose when we’re younger.
Think also about descriptions of sub-cultures. Punk kids, scene kids, goths, psychobilly cats, and too many more too name all defined by a musical genre. Ever since our ancestors beat on animal skins, the rhythm has moved us onward, inspired us, made us feel, and has been so important to our lives. Just like the artist who create masterpieces on a song sheet so too do sports entertainers create in the ring.
In fact, wrestling has been there even longer than my own musical choices. Wrestling has been with most of us when we were still listening too whatever our parents made us listen too. With my dad it was Steely Dan and SRV and me ma was all about Salt-N-Pepa. I still know way too many words to Whatta Man.
Like music, wrestling will never leave you or be to busy for you. Wrestling, as a form of narrative, can be like a good song in that it teaches us about life and ourselves a little. Therefore, if music is SO important and wrestling has been there for us even longer, let’s take a moment to celebrate beats and rhythms of the mat and what makes us love wrestling this week.
5. With Love From Paris
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The European Tour has wrapped up and it looks like the WWE superstars have enjoyed themselves. For those of you in Europe you must understand how enamored some of us in the States are with you. I spent a summer in London and you marvel at everything you see. As an American in the UK, you walk outside and realize the building you’re staring at is older than your country. During this tour, the WWE superstars have clogged their Instagram feeds with pictures in front of old building and monuments; the architecture of which we don’t have back home. Like Eddie Izzard said, we tear our history down and put a parking lot over it.
The men and women of the WWE are living a dream just by being WWE superstars, but it also affords them the achievement of other dreams like seeing the world. We all want to travel. I’ve been saving to return to Scotland ever since I visited ten years ago. They fry everything and serve Scotch everywhere. They get me. So, seeing the WWE superstars enjoy themselves in Paris is a beautiful sight to behold.
Not only is the City of Lights beautiful, so is seeing the people who break themselves daily enjoy this world and all its wonders. I’m just sorry they had to deal with Parisians.
4. Monster and Demons
I know I gush every week about Braun, but I make no apologies over it. If you haven’t gathered by now, I love all things spooky. The Undertaker has been my jam since I was six years old and would try to tombstone my little sister. She was one at the time. I don’t recommend it; she walks in circles now.
Braun’s association with Bray has put me on the Monster Bandwagon since day one. Also, the Demon King and Aleister Black give me hope for the future. So, suffice it to say I love me some Finn Bálor and Braun Strowman. However, seeing the two duke it out was a dicey proposition. After, Finn was fed to Kane in an attempt to build Kane up quickly, his push has cooled somewhat. Finn has suffered from the inconsistent booking, to say the least. Writing for Finn has been so bad I think Stephanie Meyer must be on the creative team. Can’t wait for sparkly demon paint.
Many of us were right to fear what may happen to Finn in a match against Braun, it was ripe for a squash. However, Braun proved again this week he’s growing as an in-ring performer and can have a credible match with even a smaller opponent. As Josh “Hey, Macarena” Howey said, “Braun has seemingly taken it upon himself to fight former WWE Universal Champions with the sole purpose of reminding us why they were champion… before Power-Slamming them because it’s Braun’s turn now.”
This was the baby bear of matches: done just right. Braun got the majority of the offense in, but Finn was made to look strong. You believed Finn could win the match, which is what you’d expect of a former Universal Champion. On any given night the outcome could have been different. They didn’t tell us that through lazy 50/50 booking, but by Bálor’s valiant struggle against the monster.
Edit: Repeating this match the following week made me face palm. After giving this match a glowing review, they were gonna screw it up by doing it again, and I didn’t Finn needed another loss at this point. Oh, how wrong I was. They kept Braun strong with the DQ-finish, but now we have the seed of doubt… could Finn have won that match?
Now, give me the Demon King vs the Monster Among Men for a major title, please. Or bring back Halloween Havok and the main event will be Braun, Bray, Demon Balor, and Aleister Black. All competing for a bigger title than a championship: heir to the Undertaker’s undead throne.
3. Indies in the WWE
Like Pennywize said, time marches on, and so too does the nature of the WWE change. Decades ago the WWE laid to rest the NWA and the territory days of wrestling. However, it seems as thought the WWE is poised to bring those days back in a manner of speaking. With new Indy promotions potentially making their way to the WWE Network, is there a chance the WWE is becoming the new NWA?
ICW and Progress Wrestling are close to a deal with the WWE that will see their programming featured on the network. I don’t have to tell you how more wrestling is good for all of us? More competition in the market forces the big uys (WWE) to produce a better product, and God knows we all want that.
Now, WWE poor booking by pushing Roman could be the one of the causes of the rise in Indy wrestling. Therefore, perhaps, four years of suffering through Reigns is going to pay off. All In sold out in moments, the Bullet Club is selling merch like they stole it, and Cody Rhodes is more popular than he ever was in the WWE. While the WWE gives us 50/50 booking, the indies are producing a much better product.
That being said, the WWE has never been one to lag behind for long. The people running it are not out of touch business men like Jim Herd. Triple H is a wrestlers wrestler, in that he eats, breathes, and sleeps sports entertainment. The WWE is evolving and it’s been amazing to watch. The tournaments each year that showcase indy wrestlers keep getting better and help to strengthen the bond between the WWE and smaller promotions.
Pete Dunne’s WWE UK Championship being defended in other organizations is a perfect example of the sort of cross promotion the WWE has shied away from for years. This is an exciting time as a fan as the world gets smaller and indy promotions are starting to ban together to compete for viewership. Hopefully, this trend will continue and we’ll get some epic DC vs Marvel cross-over with the WWE and NJPW or ROH.
2. Ronda Doin’ it Right
This is something I don’t usually bring up because it sounds douchey, but I’ve done martial arts most of my life, and I’ve been around fighters. While I have a black belt, I wouldn’t call myself a fighter, as I’ve only competed in local tournaments and never modern MMA. That being said there’s something about the fight culture that demands a certain personality.
It’s an odd mix as a modern warrior you must live. From the beginning you’re taught discipline and respect. Always be humble because there’s always someone badder than you. I’ve watched Master Pat Burleson, Father of American Karate pull an Iron Sheikh and make people humble who thought they were bad men. Seriously, the man is an ancient oak: old, gnarled, and tougher than anyone has a right to be.
Occasionally, you get people who seem full of themselves (Brock Lesner) and you pray for the day they get their ass kicked. Now, we have another MMA superstar in the WWE and the verdict was out on the attitude she’d bring with her. Ronda Rousey is a mega-star in the sports world, and it could be argued that Holly Holm gave Ronda her humbling moment, but there was still a danger of celebrity ego.
However, it looks like all’s quite on the Western Front. Ronda is reportedly bringing with her a positive, humble, and repectful attitude. Despite being put in a championship match tto early, Rousey seems committed to doing this the right way and not stepping on any toes. The fact that she’s trying so hard to respect the women in the locker room and become an eclipsing presence speaks volumes of her character.
Ronda is doing it right, and honestly, I’m a little proud as a martial artist to see this attitude from her. We’re not all Affliction wearing tools. Some of us are kind thoughtful warriors who just love the thrill of competition. Keep that ego in check, Ronda, and you’ve made a new fan.
1. You Dunne Good, My Son.
We made a big deal about the New Day breaking records with the WWE Tag Team championships, but another milestone has gone somewhat unnoticed. I’m talking, of course, about the one year reign of Pete Dunne. The Bruiserweight captured all of our heart’s since he was the breakout star of the first WWE UK Tournament. Though Tyler Bate won the title, Dunne would soon rectify this and begin championship run that’s lasted over a year.
Pete Dunne is phenomenal in the ring and he’s one of the best heels working. He must have gone to the William Regal School Sneers, because that look of disdain he has for his opponents is perfect. Outside of the ring, Dunne is a vegan because of animal rights beliefes, yet somehow maintains the persona of one of the most vile in-ring performers. This without a lot of mic time in the WWE. Dunne’s wicked persona is all conveyed in his facial features and body language inside the ring.
Dunne could be the next Triple H given the right push and it’s great he’s been able to hold the WWE UK Title this long. Here’s hoping for a fruitful main roster run.
That’s it for this week. Follow me on Twitter HERE, or on Instagram HERE. Let us know why you love wrestling on Twitter HERE or in the comments below.
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