10 Mistakes All Wrestling Fans Make

8. Over-Use Of The "This Is Awesome!" Chant

Roman Reigns
WWE.com

There are matches which absolutely do warrant the chant.

The DIY Vs. Revival match at NXT TakeOver: Toronto was an absolute masterclass of storytelling and audience manipulation. Interest was sustained throughout the lengthy contest because the dramatic heft escalated slowly, the psychology was subverted to render the outcome in severe doubt, and the (intra-match) selling of Gargano in particular was absolutely first rate. It was, to use just one word, awesome. It earned the chant.

Elsewhere, too often RAW matches are received with the chant when they barely approach very good. The chant, when deployed arbitrarily, just enables routine storytelling. The audience have been conditioned and encouraged to shout those three words at the onset of a rest spot following what has become a typical back and forth match - which in turn compels talents to stick rigidly to this new formula. They can get over by following the pattern - so why wouldn't they continue to do so?

If fans were slightly more discerning, RAW and SmackDown wouldn't be as homogenised as they are.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!