Wrestling IS Performance Art: Deal With It

by Michael Sidgwick
MJF Fyter Fest
All Elite Wrestling

This is written from the perspective of somebody who prefers pro wrestling as an emulation of sport in presentation and athleticism. The G1 Climax was that. But other sh*t, and some of it really is sh*t, can exist.

The other side of things is that people don’t seem to give a sh*t about anything anymore. The same cultural mindset that drove riots and stabbings no longer exists. In a way, Orange Cassidy is as perfect a wrestler for the desensitised meme generation as Hulk Hogan was for the aspirational 1980s.

At AEW Fyter Fest, MJF cut one of the best heel promos in years: a vicious assault aimed at the obese geeks tied to their mothers’ apron strings, when he cackled at the virgins in attendance, the camera captured a man drained of blood where that blood used to boil. The very best heel in pro wrestling might suck the soul out of a gamer, but he’s not going to start a riot. But they can, if they’re great enough, inspire a fervent reaction.

Jay White doesn’t steer into the debate on Twitter, telling everybody how to do their job. He’s too busy showing how good he is at his own.

If only people paid attention.

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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 surefire Undisputed WWE Universal 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!