10 Things That Made Us Proud To Be Wrestling Fans In 2018
Negativity dominates wrestling fandom, but 2018 delivered loads of feel-good moments.
The negativity bandwagon that comes with professional wrestling fandom is powerful, and understandably so.
WWE regularly slap their paying fans in the face with drudgery like Bobby Lashley vs. Sami Zayn, Drake Maverick: Purveyor of Fine Urine, and the exploitative Natalya vs. Riott Squad programme. Repugnant individuals like self-admitted racist Hulk Hogan are welcomed back into the business with open arms. Asuka and other organic heroes towards whom the fanbase have gravitated are shot down by hacks like James Ellsworth, rendering years of investment pointless. Stephanie McMahon is still considered a viable on-screen character. The list goes on.
The above (and more) often make it difficult to feel good about the sport, but just like consuming the inconsistent WWE product itself, wrestling fandom is a balancing act. You have to learn how to take the good with the bad. Fail to do so any you'll never escape the bandwagon, particularly in the modern era, where Twitter, Reddit, and other platforms amplify every drop of negativity exponentially.
While 2018 wasn't short of galling moments, those within had us remembering why we follow this goofy little sport in the first place. Joyous, euphoric, and bursting with feel-good vibes, they made everything else worthwhile...
10. PAC Breaks Free
1365843Spending much of the past year on WWE's bench can't have been easy for PAC, but the former Neville shot himself back to prominence in 2018's fourth and final quarter, returning to Dragon Gate with aplomb.
PAC has since revived his old Japanese home's ailing fortunes. With business down and creativity stifled followed CIMA's departure, the promotion needed a shot in the arm, and they got it in the shape of an ex-WWE hostage, who aligned with DG's top heel faction, R.E.D., on night one. He has since rediscovered his footing between the ropes, debuted the new 'Bastard PAC,' character, and captured the company's top belt - the Open the Dream Gate Championship - in a blistering Korakuen Hall encounter with Masato Yoshino, one of Japan's biggest non-NJPW stars. He's 'The Guy,' and a far cry from where he was a few months ago.
Standing up for yourself is never easy in a company like WWE (more on that later), but good on PAC for valuing himself higher than the neglected Cruiserweight division. It took a long time, but he's finally back doing the thing he loves, in a promotion that loves him. Wrestling doesn't get much better than that.