WWE, AEW: Amidst changes, wrestling brings the fans together

This is one of the most exciting weeks in wrestling history. The WWE is relaunching three flagship shows on USA while AEW is debuting their weekly show on TNT.

This is the biggest week of professional wrestling in over two decades. The WWE has retooled RAW (as evidenced by last night’s show), moved NXT to the USA Network on Wednesdays and sent Smackdown to Friday evenings on FOX.

Meanwhile, AEW is set to debut their signature cable Wednesday night show on TNT. There have been quite a few unnecessary shots taken back and forth on social media. Not just by each promotion’s talent, but also their loyal fan bases. What is being overshadowed in all of this is simple: wrestling brings us together.

It has always attempted to do this. No matter where your allegiances lie, we all appreciate the showmanship and glitz that pro wrestling provides us.

The ‘which promotion is better’ debate that floods the air among the minions who lurk in the weeds can make blood pressures rise. What some of those folks may fail to see is that the current day product of pro wrestling, globally, is thriving now more than at any point in pro wrestling history.

The monopoly that is WWE continues to grow a third eye each week. They have two main brands and two burgeoning federations in NXT and NXT UK which bring in plenty of excitement. New Japan Pro Wrestling has been traveling all over the world and is expanding to new markets. AEW is an infant company that has a solid financial backing to go along with an innovative approach with a touch of old school.

Add IMPACT, Ring Of Honor, AAA in Mexico and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla to the laundry list of well-known promotions. Female only brands such as STARDOM and Shimmer bring in alternatives that are very exciting to watch as well. The list grows large with many independent promotions around the World bringing together a wonderful community of folks who enjoy wrestling.

What all of these options do is create a recipe for success all across the world. There is some form of wrestling for each and every individual who enjoys this genre of entertainment. Why do we have to bash those who prefer one product to another?

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Personally, I have done a lot of traveling this year. Having attended two AEW shows and will be heading to the next NXT Takeover in November. Some of the acquaintances and friendships I have made along my travels are something I will take with me for the rest of my life.

We don’t just discuss the specific promotion we are there to see. We praise all different federations and bring a very peaceful approach to our gatherings. The vibes that were present among the many wrestling fans I met were omnipresent. Everyone was genuinely happy to meet like-minded people from all walks of life and celebrate the event we attended. As well as speak highly of the professional wrestling business as a whole.

The camaraderie among the group of people I met along the way was the highlight of my experiences at AEW Double or Nothing and All Out. I hope to have the same feelings towards the folks I will cross paths with this upcoming fall. I plan on attending the NXT Takeover event this November as well as the WWE TLC event taking place in my hometown of Minneapolis in December. If this year’s happenings are any indication, I’m sure more fantastic memories are ready and waiting for me the rest of 2019.

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There wasn’t a single person I had a conversation with who bashed someone’s else’s views on wrestling. What happens to be one person’s favorite brand may not necessarily be someone’s else flavor of choice. That is just all fine and dandy. We respect those who prefer RAW to New Japan or AEW to NXT. It’s perfectly acceptable to have your own opinion and taste. In the end, we join together in celebration of the entertainment and purest art form of pro wrestling.

Professional wrestling is slowly becoming popular once again from a mainstream perspective in the United States and across the world. Many individuals are creating podcasts in support of the business they have grown to love. It’s such an incredible sight to see so many fans give their views on a platform for all to hear. Now, with all of the commercial spots airing on national television, wrestling is once again becoming a water cooler topic at 10 a.m. among offices around the country.

2019 should be celebrated by wrestling fans worldwide. You have many options of entertainment available to you. The opportunity to see a live event is something everyone should experience. The icing on the cake is meeting some phenomenal human beings in the process. Not just in person, but those who you share this passion with online.

Lift up others. Don’t bury their opinion because it’s contrarian from yours. That’s what pro wrestling is all about. It should not be used as a platform to slander one another. It should continue to be seen and used as an opportunity to come together.