Life Imitating Art or Art Imitating Life

We all have our television guilty pleasure. For some it’s the soaps, or perhaps the latest reality TV show – Average Joe 2 (big ups to UGA Law’s own JMar for his stunning performance on the show). For me, it’s WWE Monday Night Raw – good ole American Professional Wrestling! I guess my fascination with wrestling began when I was 9 or 10 years old, and I’d watch old school NWA wrestling on the Superstation TBS with my great grandfather. Do you remember Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen, how about the “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes and the Road Warriors – Hawk and Animal? Those were the days. I can remember my great grandfather getting me all excited and tossing me on the bed like the wrestlers did – boy did I think it was real…I miss you big daddy.

Although professional wrestling has changed considerably since the “glory days”, it’s still pretty much the same – larger than life guys with hyper masculine personas beating up on each other. The modern age of wrestling has improved the sports genre by including women, weapons, and music – making it a complete fusion of entertainment and sports.

If you haven’t gone to a live wrestling event, then you have to go. I’ve gone about seven times, 3 WCW events (no longer in business) and 5 WWE events. I’ve enjoyed myself tremendously 7 out of the 8 times. Once you go once, you’ll realize that wrestling is only partially fake. Although, the outcome of the match is predetermined, there are tons of things that aren’t fake, such as, the 245 pound man being thrown into the steel steps, or 125 pound woman being dropped on her head, or the 300 pound man doing a back flip off the top rope. These people are truly athletic and should be respected. Additionally, you’ll never see a more peaceful rowdier crowd anywhere – unless you’re at Auburn Hills watching a Pistons game or at Veterans Stadium watching the Eagles play – the crowds in these respective arenas like to fight (and people say wrestling fans are ignorant).

Lastly, big ups to the WWE for bringing back Matt Hardy – I guess the angle between he and Edge and Lita will truly be art imitating life.

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