I could sit here and write my first column about UPW’s new five day rule, or about how lame Socal-Wrestling.com’s message board has become, or WWF buying WCW, but all these topics seem beat to death. As opposed to sitting here and giving some lame fucking analysis of a local indy show, or discussing how much it sucks that ECW is closing down, I’m going to talk about a topic I don’t see on too many message boards or news sites. A topic that is “uncool” and “markish” to some. A topic that may seem out of place here.
I’m gonna talk about Wrestlemania.
Yes, it’s true, in my 11 years of watching professional wrestling, there have been pay-per-view’s I’ve missed. Wrestlemania isn’t one of them. Anyone who truly loves wrestling knows the importance of this event. The biggest stars in the company putting on spectacular performances. For anyone working at Wrestlemania on Sunday, this is one of the biggest moments in their lives. A sold out Houston Astrodome, a hot, raging crowd, and the opportunity to shine in front of the entire world awaits them this Sunday. Like the Super Bowl, World Series or Stanley Cup, the world watches Wrestlemania. Wrestling and non-wrestling fans alike come together to witness athleticism at it’s highest point. I attended Wrestlemania last year, and while it was said to be a weak one, it was still an experience I’ll never forget (come to think of it, neither will my wallet).
Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon, Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant, the Hardy Boyz vs. The Dudley Boys vs. Edge and Christian, the list of classics goes on. Every Wrestlamania provides memories for one to cherish for the rest of their lives.
This year, the Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, the two biggest dogs in wrestling, will clash. Instead of booing it because it’s not Chris Benoit vs. Jushin Lyger, love it because it’s beautiful. Love it because for the last two years, you’ve known it was just a matter of time before these two behemoths were going to clash. love it because the crowd is going to go up in a frenzy as soon as they lock up.
Don’t watch Wrestlemania to criticize it. Let yourself go. Cheer, boo, jump up and down, laugh, cry, have fun. Spectators and workers, consider Wrestlemania your holiday. Sunday, April 1st, don’t log onto 1wrestling.com for the latest backstage scoop. Don’t make predictions. Don’t look for “inside” info. Don’t watch your Best of Sasuke tapes. Don’t try to analyze or interpret something that isn’t supposed to be analyzed or interpreted.
Wrestlemania is your day to vacation from the industry, and to become what you once were: a fan.