10 Awful Things Wrestling Needs To LEAVE In 2023
6. The Transparent Act Of Trying Too Hard
Even before the star rating system was popularised by Dave Meltzer, the touring NWA World champions of yore frequently wrestled for an hour in order to give the paying fans the absolute maximum for their money. The belt was positioned as the premier, nigh-on unwinnable achievement. Going 60 minutes was necessary to that end. The idea was to depict the champion as the man who boasted the most accomplished - and compelling - technique.
Working a great match has been the goal for a long, long time, well before critical acclaim became a marketing tool (Best Bout Machine) in wrestling or an overt selling point of it ('The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever)'.
Now that acclaim is the new currency - in the era of five stars and bangers and the like - too many pro wrestlers are transparently desperate to have a great match. The homogenised, grabby tropes are growing exceptionally tiresome. The constant double downs that exist purely to generate a "This is awesome!" chant. The echo of an echo of strong style psychology with no soul.
Some wrestlers even took to summoning a standing ovation mid-match because they were consumed by the idea of people thinking they were great.
The pursuit of greatness can be great, but so many wrestling matches in 2023 were self-conscious and off-putting - and when Kenny Omega exists, a lot of other wrestlers pale in comparison.
In general, less reliance on the 12-15 minute back-and-forth would help this self-indulgence.
Let's get some sprints going.