It's Official: The Modern Era Of Pro Wrestling Is DEAD

CM Punk, AEW
AEW / Scott Lesh

Is any promotion operating at the absolute peak of their powers? CMLL is on fire, but that's about it, isn't it? Is any promotion not named WWE capturing its base like it did at various points over the last five years?

If you're reading this and you still love your favourite promotion, good. Genuinely. But is New Japan really as good as it was between 2012 and 2019? Is AEW hitting those magnetic highs of February 2020 or the summer of 2021?

Is this poop as fun as it was a few years ago, when wrestling was brimming with possibility?

That might be the thing - the thing that is preventing the non-WWE fan, the fan with vaguely discerning tastes who isn't devoted to a set of company initials, from feeling like they once did. The match quality is still outrageously great once a month, but the feeling?

The feeling surrounding All In, when wrestling might actually change?

Dead.

The feeling that New Japan's epic main event might one day get even better?

Dead.

The sense of anticipation that maybe CM Punk could one day return?

Dead.

The idea that something new might sprout and lead to a new revolution, or even something on a smaller scale, like a new style or a hybrid of two existing styles?

Dead. Michinoku Pro can't exist now, in a post-hybrid, post-everything world.

The modern wrestling resurgence felt from the west coast to the far east, the scene that made fans believe in pro wrestling when it was thought dead, forever, as a major arena concern?

Dead.

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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!