It's Alright To Cry............While Watching Wrestling.

In the famous words of NFL legend Rosey Grier. "It's Alright To Cry". There was a time where anger was the only emotion a fan would show while watching wrestling. Ask the wrestlers of the 70's when the territories were in full motion. They can tell you about being spit on, stabbed, kicked, punched and yelled at by fans who love wrestling. These days because of social media we get to see firsthand the wide range of emotions on full display by todays fans. Anger seems to be an emotion of the past as it's been replaced by tears of joy. Kids, adults, men and women can be seen crying on tv as well on their own social media videos.. It seems that everyone is experiencing the water works pour down their faces. Sometimes it could be a long awaited return to the squared circle. Maybe a championship was won or maybe the storyline moves you in a way you tear up. It does seem strange when you say the words " I cry while watching wrestling". But people cry while watching all forms of entertainment. Movies, tv shows, sports. In sports you might see tears of disappointment while in movies and tv shows tears of joy and sadness. Wrestling these days seems to do all that. Even when we know about a rumored return, as soon as it happens we get emotional. It's a combination of the writers writing great storylines and the wrestlers really selling the emotions that make us feel a certain way. 

When a wrestler retires and we have been watching them since our childhood and they have their last match, it's more than just a last match. A lifetime of great memories are tied into that. For some of us wrestling is more than wrestling moves, crowd chants and championship titles. We are emotionally invested in our favorite wrestlers and we follow them no matter what promotion they go to. Their journey as a wrestler is a shared journey with the fans. Through injuries and returns. Good times and bad we stay emotionally invested. Todays wrestling is more relatable then ever as the over the top characters of wrestling are pretty much gone and have been replaced with real personalities. We have all seen wrestlers themselves cry on tv and get choked up because the storyline is not far from the truth. How can you not feel the emotions with them as a fan. I've said it before and I will continue to say it. Wrestling is unlike any other form of entertainment. So, next time you are watching wrestling and you tear up for any reason. It's ok. You are not alone. Shadow La Fuente Signing Off. 

 

WWE And AEW Are Not The Only BBQ In Town.

Social media has had and will continue to have an ongoing conversation about WWE and AEW. With rumors of WWE purposely having their PLE's on the same date of AEW programming and AEW purposely doing similar in ring spots days after WWE, it's pretty obvious there is some sort of back and forth with both promotions. Tribalism between the fans of both is at an all time high. Those who appreciate both wrestling promotions regardless of the three letters are usually older and remember when wrestling was once a week. Now, in saying all that. In the famous words of The Road Dogg Jesse James, "Oh, You Didn't Know". You didn't know that WWE and AEW is not the only BBQ in town?

With the popularity of those 2 promotions and all the tv time they have, Professional Wrestling itself has become extremely popular in 2025. What does this mean for the wrestling fans around the world? Well, it means just about every state in America and every country around the world has an Independent Wrestling organization in their area. People love to compare WWE to AEW so let's compare those two to Independent Professional Wrestling. Indie wrestling has wayyyyyyy cheaper tickets. Which means you can afford the price of admission as well as food and merch. For a fan who works a part time job you might have to break the bank at a AEW and WWE event if you want a ticket, food and merch. At an indie show you have about a 100% chance of meeting and taking pics with the wrestlers. You can find some of them selling their merch and hanging around after the show to meet the fans. at WWE and AEW, you won't find any wrestler selling their merch and once the show is over if you hang around in the parking lot there is a real small chance you will see a wrestler. It has happened though. Mostly in the past because these days they keep to themselves at their shows. Now this last comparison is the most important of them all. The personal experience. With indie wrestling mostly being held in small venues, there is never a bad seat to watch the action. Different than WWE and AEW is the interactions between the wrestlers and fans during the matches. This is a constant. Yes, it happens in the "Big Two" but in the indies it happens more often. If you yell at a wrestler or tell them they suck, chances are you will get a reply. The crowd interaction between wrestlers and fans is a big part of the indies and part of the fun time you will have at a show. The personal experience doesn't stop there. At an indie show you will hear every chop, body slam, drop kick and all the action that happens on that wrestling mat. When the wrestlers leave the ring to continue the fight, keep your eyes open. They have been known to grab the chair your sitting in or your food or drink just to throw it in the face of their opponent. Some indie shows have lots and lots of fan involvement compared to WWE and AEW. You will definitely leave that show with a favorite you will want to follow on social media. There is nothing on earth like the entertainment of Independent Professional Wrestling.

So, if you missed the big show at your local arena or can't afford the hefty prices of AEW and WWE don't forget there is most likely an Independent Wrestling show in your area. Do the research and find these events because they are happening. Well, that is all for now. I hope you find that indie show and get the opportunity to attend. I promise you, you will never forget it. Shadow La Fuente Signing Off.