10 Stages Of Life As A Wrestling Fan
3. Exploration
Once back into the fold, or absolutely sick of the awful DX reunion at the forefront of it, we finally decide to check out the Japanese and Independent promotions tucked away at the bottom of the Wrestling Observer, with their daunting mash-up of asterisks and unpronounceable names.
Some people seem to hate Dave Meltzer, but the man has enriched the fandom of so many other people. It was through his venerable publication, and the mad YouTube treasure hunt that followed, that many western eyes were opened to the incredible, G.O.A.T-level exploits of Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi, and their seminal rivalry of physical passion versus cerebral calm; their career-long song of ice and fire. We learned too of the comparative brilliance of All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling, and of the current Golden Era propelling New Japan Pro Wrestling from east to west on an inexorable expansion course.
It was also through the Observer that we learned of the best emerging talent in North America, hoping beyond hope that we may one day see them on the more accessible WWE stage. And then now happened…
Like marks to a flame, we are always drawn back to Titan Towers, sometimes against our better judgement...