Thursday, March 28, 2024
EditorialDiaries of a Teenage Fan

Diaries of a Teenage Fan

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Royal Rumble 2000.

I was only 4 years old when this pay-per-view first aired live. My Dad would have it on in the background and tell me that tomato ketchup was plastered over the face of Cactus Jack whilst he landed on ‘stickers’ pointing out of his back. I would (badly) dance along with Too Cool in the Rumble match and shout ‘IF YA SMEELLLL’ when The Rock entered the ring.

I was instantly hooked…..at 4 years old. 

I still class the 2000 Royal Rumble as my favourite PPV of all time, probably because of the nostalgia that comes with it, and ever since watching I’ve seen tons of storylines, characters and events from the eyes of a young fan. 

Despite watching from a really young age, I saw the sport in a completely different way to my friends, who also adored WWE. My Dad also loved it, and would tell me all these incredibly backstage stories that would blow my mind, so I myself would research them. Anyway, in no time I was the one explaining the moves and feuds to him, describing my predictions and thoughts, boring him and my peers senseless in the process. 

I simply didn’t care. I absolutely LOVED wrestling. I would sit for hours watching old pay per views, old montages on YouTube. I’d stay up every Monday night till 1am (I’m from the UK) and watch Raw. I’d order every PPV and idolise the wrestlers and characters. From the incredible Attitude Era to the Ruthless Aggression Era to even the Reality Era, every aspect of the sport inspired me. 

One of the hardest things to experience as a young wrestling fan however is the abuse. ‘Wrestling’s gay’  or ‘It’s fake’ would ring through my head every time I would dare to mention it in school or even now in college. Since when was wrestling seen as a stigma? Old girlfriends would be put off with my collection of DVDs and cringe at the fact that a teenage boy could enjoy watching, whilst other boys would stop watching, scared at the abuse they might receive. I think this is why perhaps I feel so passionately about the topic. Every true fan knows that it’s scripted. Just like every soap opera or film, so why be so ignorant! 

I remember being in school, with people around me whilst I surveyed websites such as this one, trying to find spoilers or backstage breaking news, and being completely ridiculed. Without thought, I loaded up YouTube and showed my classmates some classic moments. The spine-tingling chairshot that bloodied Eddie Guerrero at Judgement Day 2004. The moment time stood still as Mick Foley flew through the air from the Hell in a Cell. The adrenaline rushing through Stone Cold Steve Austin as he attacked Mike Tyson. All of these incredible moments that I would continue to search and load onto my screen as people would watch in awe and shock. 

It’s so easy for people to look at wrestling and see a man in a Bunny costume, or a backstage segment with a leprechaun. Do people simply choose to ignore some of the most amazing scenes in wrestling history? Hogan slamming Andre, Edge cashing in, Brock ending the streak. It’s these moments that make me proud to be a wrestling fan. These moments when I jump out of my seat with a massive grin on my face, or sitting in shock not being able to believe what I had seen. The thrill is what makes me watch. I enjoy these mark out moments. I enjoy goosebumps. I enjoy crazy bumps, returns and surprises.

Who cares if nowadays they don’t allow blood, or swearing. It’s a new generation, and this article is to try to explain that your typical ‘wrestling junkie’ isn’t always a middle aged man complaining about the olden days. I am proud to be a young wrestling fan, I enjoy watching Raw, I enjoy the PPV’s and I am embarrassed to see things like ‘Cancel WWE Network’ trending on social media.

What? Cancel the source to watching every single great moment in wrestling history? 

I love wrestling, and am just glad I could voice my story, and just explain how much I appreciate the sport, and also the awesome fact that people do feel so strongly and passionately about it. It shows we truly love something, and let’s all continue to show this. 

I am in no way trying to insult anyone or make anyone angry with this post. This is simply me expressing my view to anyone who may or may not be interested.

Cheers everyone.

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