10 Things Only '90s Wrestling Fans Will Understand

9. Just How Easy It Actually Was To Be Entertained

Stone Cold Steve Austin Mankind
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Contrary to the intro, people do romanticise the era of pro wrestling they watched in their youth.

That era is linked to something more powerful than most anything present-day fiction can weave: nostalgia, and a sense of ownership and how it relates to one's identity. It feels, simply, like it's yours, and often, better times are conflated with better content.

As a riposte to wrestling being better the way you remember it, thirtysomethings remember getting absolutely jazzed over the South Park wrestlers made on Kenny's Krib. Hell, the sight of Eric Cartman dressed up as Wolfpac Sting, even now, elicits something of a glow within. It sparks a memory of you, singlehandedly destroying the cinematic myth that teenagers are forever cool, going apesh*t when there was no ink in the printer that would allow you to show off a picture of Ministry Undertaker but drawn as if appearing in South Park.

What 'South Park wrestlers' was, and you can probably tell from the image, was looking at two things you like, only, at the same time.

That's it.

Wrestling wasn't better the way you remember it.

You were an easily pleased dork.

But is it just romance, or is it perspective?

Contributor
Contributor

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!