What “is” professional wrestling?

Is it a sport? An art form? Is it theatre, or does it belong in the Olympics? We all have our opinions. Nevertheless, we all want to define what wrestling “is.” The problem with our need to define professional wrestling, however, is that nobody can agree on what it “is.” With unparalleled access to information at our fingertips, discourse reigns supreme on social networks. Everyone seems to know what’s best for the industry and, what’s more, has the unique ability to resurrect the “dying” wrestling business.

Some people even earn their entire livings telling other people what wrestling “is.” Some other people are even willing to pay good money to be told what wrestling “is” so that they can, in turn, tell other people what wrestling “is.” Answering the question “What is professional wrestling?” is a need that burns so greatly inside the human spirit that it has spawned an entire economy!

You’ve heard it before. Deathmatches are “garbage wrestling.” Lucha libre is gymnastics. Technicians have no charisma. Comedy acts can’t work.

In reality, there is only one thing about wrestling that matters:

Wrestling is nothing.

Professional wrestling is entirely subjective. It can never truly be defined because it means something different to every single person. Pro wrestling is not a noun. Pro wrestling is a verb. “Pro wrestling” is the emotional connection formed between performer and audience member that creates a mutual piece of existence – wrestling is those moments in time.

Movies are static storytelling devices. If you yell at the Superhero on the screen, it won’t change the outcome of the movie. Pro wrestling is different. You can yell something at a live show, and it will not only influence how the performer behave but might even determine the show’s outcome. The wrestlers don’t know how the audience will react. The experienced ones can guess. Fans don’t know what will happen in the ring before it happens. The experienced ones might have an idea. You can’t guess what moves will occur spot-by-spot. If you yell “chop” at a paperback novel, the protagonist doesn’t stop what they’re doing to slap their opponent in the chest and yell “WOO!”

Pro wrestling occurs at the intersection of the physical perceptions experienced by two or more individuals – performer and viewer. Without the viewer, pro wrestling ceases to exist and becomes something else entirely. It is the audience that gives professional wrestling its unique brand of storytelling. Note to wrestlers: without the audience, you have nothing. Appreciate this fact.

Wrestling “is” nothing – it is not a static term. Wrestling is entirely subjective and means something different to each individual person, and it is physically impossible to truly know any other person’s version of it. Each person has their very own “pro wrestling.” and experiences professional wrestling through a unique lens crafted by their own collections of life’s perceptions and experiences. 

Wrestling is such a unique emotional experience, a peak experience – a moment where we are entirely alive and focused on the present moment – fans tend to attach a good chunk of their identities to professional wrestling. When a babyface firing up makes us feel good, we get upset when someone else tells us it was bad – they are telling us we shouldn’t feel good! This invalidates our feelings and our very existence, and the human robot is programmed to push back against that with sometimes lethal levels of force.

In the same way, you cannot tell people what they ‘should’ or ‘should not’ feel, as feelings are not logical, you do not choose to feel a feeling, it is a chemical reaction in your brain, you cannot tell another person what “is” or “isn’t” wrestling. They can only feel what “is” or “isn’t” wrestling to them. You can only tell them about your own version of wrestling. 

If it’s safe and it makes money, what’s the difference? There are very few things that haven’t been done in pro wrestling at this point – and the business is arguably doing better than ever. If we all had a nickel every time someone said the business was dead, we’d all be able to start our own companies with full pyro budgets!

Wrestling is action. Wrestling is drama. Wrestling is comedy. Wrestling is a three-ring circus: if you don’t like the acrobats, you can go laugh at the clowns. Wrestling is honour. Wrestling is tradition. Wrestling is an industry. Wrestling is a business. Wrestling is progress. Wrestling is despair. Wrestling is pain. Wrestling is memory. Wrestling is life. 

Wrestling is everything.

And therefore, Wrestling is Nothing.

On its own, professional wrestling doesn’t exist.

Now that it doesn’t exist, that really takes the pressure off, doesn’t it?

So maybe it’s time we take wrestling a little less seriously. Maybe it’s time we be a little more open to other versions of wrestling. Maybe it’s time to have a little more fun and consume what we enjoy instead of wasting time hate watching things we dislike. Life is short. Time is money. 

If you do not like a particular brand of professional wrestling, you do not have to consume the product.

Such products are not an attack on your existence or identity. They can exist. There is room. You can ignore them!

If it’s safe, and it makes money, who cares? 

Wrestling is not a finite resource.

There is enough wrestling for everyone.

Your wrestling might not be my wrestling.

My wrestling might not be your wrestling!

And that’s okay.

Because at the end of the day, we will still both get what we want.

More wrestling!

I’m super excited to kick this new project off with the 1st installment of “Get To Know” with none other than “The Thickness” Reid Matthews out of Calgary, Alberta. I first discovered Reid Matthews during a Love Pro Wrestling show – our home promotion here at Love Wrestling. I was immediately drawn to his in-ring abilities. From then on I was hooked and said to myself, “I have to get to know more about him.” So I hit him up and we chatted about everything from his start in the business, which match he was most proud of and so much more. Enjoy getting to know The Thickness himself Reid Matthews….

At what moment did you realize you wanted to be in the wrestling business?

I started watching wrestling in 2013, but it wasn’t till 2014 [that] I decided I wanted to wrestle.

How did you get started in wrestling?

For watching wrestling, it was The Rock documentary on Netflix – which led me to other documentaries – and then to watching WWE for the first time: Raw before the Bryan vs Cena SummerSlam. For training, my father learned of Lance’s school through a friend of his.

You mentioned your dad helping you find Lance Storm’s training school. What was his reaction when you said you wanted to become a wrestler?

Once they knew I was determined to pursue it, they supported me completely, from buying tickets to shows to helping me buy my first set of merch.

Training at Lance Storm’s school had to be an awesome experience. What was the best piece of advice you got from Lance?

Take your time. We can easily get caught up in the moment and move too quick. Take your time and really let the moment sit.

Who would you say is your biggest influence in wrestling?

Move-wise, I’d say Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. For starting to wrestle, I’d give it to The Rock, for his documentary started it all. 

It’s hard to just have one favorite wrestler. Who is on your Mount Rushmore of Wrestling?

Shawn Michaels, Stone cold, Seth Rollins, and John Cena. 

Who is currently your favorite wrestler?

My favorites currently are Sami, Roman, Seth, MJF, and Gunther. 

Who would you want to face in your dream match?

This may surprise some people, but Brock Lesnar. When I was first thinking about getting into it, I always envisioned surpassing all the odds to beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.

What one match of yours are you most proud of?

I have a couple. My last match with Taryn From Accounting I’m super proud of, and the four-match feud I had with Marz The Specialist I’m also proud of.

Who’s that up and coming wrestler no one is talking about but should be?

If I had to choose one, I’d say Marz The Specialist, but pretty much the whole LPW roster should be talked about.

What advice do you have for anyone thinking about getting into wrestling?

Be willing to learn, because no one knows everything about wrestling. And of course, have fun, because wrestling is an experience all its own.

Obviously I’m a fan of beards. Who’s got the best beard in the wrestling business not named Reid Matthews?

When it comes to beards, I really like Bray Wyatt’s and Roman Reign’s beard.

Favorite venue you have performed in?

This one’s hard. I’ve wrestled in the Saddledome, which is wild to think about, and I really like Nait and the Rec Room for their atmosphere too.

What’s your pre-match routine or superstitions?

Stretches, quick pump, gum, and a couple of leg and chest slaps before the curtain. In the ring before the bell, it’s stretching the shoulders and cracking my back.

I’m sure the car rides are long, so what’s on your playlist?

My playlist varies a lot. I have metal, rap, pop, jazz, Bollywood, musicals, parodies, etc. Mainly whatever I’m feeling in the moment.

What food spot are you hitting up while on the road? What are you ordering?

Subway. I’ve been a Subway where lately and my order is a footlong oven-roasted chicken on Italian herb and cheese, toasted, with Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, cucumber, green peppers, spinach, ranch, and garlic aioli.

What do you say to the people who say wrestling is fake?

My two broken hands and broken nose say otherwise. I’ve also wanted to chop someone to show how “fake” it is.

What is the one thing you would change about the wrestling business?

Other than the obvious, like getting rid of all the moral wrongdoings that happen, I’d say removing the mindset of not changing.

If you weren’t in the wrestling business what would you be in?

Architect Technologist. 

What are your goals for 2023?

Wrestle in more companies in Canada and the US.

When it’s time to hang them up, what do you hope people will say about your wrestling career?

That it inspired them to do what they love.

Where can the fans see you perform next?

LPWxCWS, March 30, and LPW March 31

What can the fans expect when they come out and see you live in person?

Expect Thick and to be surprised by what I can do. Also violence, violence, and violence. 

Where can fans go to follow you on Social Media?

@thethickness7 on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. 

A huge thank you to Reid Matthews for all of his time. Make sure you go follow him on all social media and check out his upcoming matches at LPW events! Also, keep it here for your latest “Get To Know” covering all of your favorite up-and-coming independent wrestling talent all over the world.

When the lights are the brightest, the brightest rise.

Cody Rhodes has demonstrated throughout his entire career that he is undeniably deserving of all he is currently achieving. His story is one so many can relate to in such a remarkably tangible way. When he walks down the ramp, through a thunderstorm of pyro and flashes that one-of-a-kind smile, you feel it deep inside. That ability alone – to touch people with passion – is such a gift.

I cannot imagine a more perfect climax to his journey than the one we are about to witness on Sunday evening. We all know the story, so there is no need to go into detail, but the path he has taken isn’t one any other wrestler has ever chosen to take. One on the fringes could have argued he had it all when he walked away from WWE. You wouldn’t necessarily be wrong.

It’s all a matter of perception. Cody knew his worth. He knew what he was capable of. The vision he had for not just his career, but the business as a whole, could not be achieved by simply running it back night after night. Like the greats before him, he understood that to ascend to the heights he knew in his heart he deserved, he had to evolve.

The gravity of that decision is still being felt across the wrestling business. Because of the courage and grit he pulled from within his soul, it always will be felt. I’m not sure we can even fully grasp what he did by walking away from a dream.

He altered the course of this thing of ours to such a degree that it is viscerally different than it was just a handful of years ago. He didn’t do it alone, but he provided the spark and so much more.

When I think a little deeper, I’m not sure he ever did walk away from the dream. Not completely. He made a decision, yes. But he never gave up the ultimate goal. Cody Rhodes took the only path he could to keep that dream alive. In doing so, he provided an avenue for new dreams to come true for others like him – in more ways than one.

I don’t know how prominent this vision was during the years he was away. Perhaps it was always at the forefront. Maybe he kept it close, safe and sound in his soul. It doesn’t matter though. What matters is he is here, and in a week’s time he could be standing triumphantly in the middle of the largest stage in professional wrestling holding the title he deserves. I cannot escape that image in my mind. A rabid audience, a rainbow of magical pyro, the shimmer of gold, and that trademark Cody Rhodes smile.

That is a true WrestleMania moment. One for the ages.

Even if he fails Sunday, he’ll have won. Perhaps the goal isn’t the gold itself. Maybe the story is meant to finish with the moment.

And moments are what we make them. Everyone wants to be a world champion, that much is simple. As much of an undisputable honor as it is to hold that gold, something in the business is even more rare. The Mania main event.

It’s one match. Once a year. The performers chosen carry the weight of not just the company but the entire professional wrestling business on their backs. The lights are brightest. The pressure is heaviest. The reward? Extraordinary.

By walking through those hallowed ropes on Sunday, Cody will be joining the most elite club in wrestling. It’s one all aspire to be members of but only few can claim. As wonderful an ending to his story gold would be, can we appreciate the preamble for a moment?

After the intro pyro, and the majesty on the long walk to the ring, do me a favor, would you? As he enters the ring, when the camera zooms in close, take a few seconds. Look into Cody’s eyes. Understand the journey, the impossible decisions, the history, and more. Feel the passion and emotion. I promise you; it will be something you remember for a lifetime.

It’s what the business is all about. Those moments, the ones that we carry with us, it’s why I watch. I’ve been a fan for almost 25 years. That’s why.

I’m going to cry on Sunday night. That in and of itself isn’t special because wrestling as an artform moves me to a degree I cannot rightfully explain to you. I cry often. Sunday will be a little different though. It’s not just any title bout. It’s not just any WrestleMania main event. What we get to bear witness to under the brightest of lights is the culmination of a journey. A career. A lifetime. A family.

Now, the story isn’t ending, right? In a way, it’s only just beginning.

The Cody Rhodes we see when Sunday turns to Monday will be the same Cody Rhodes we’ve known and grown to adore. Gold or not, nothing outwardly changes. But within? One cannot dispute what this moment will mean to him and the Rhodes family as a whole. His soul. His heart. I hope it’s everything he always hoped it would be and even more. For the work he’s put in, the environment in wrestling he’s helped to create, and for the human being he is; he deserves this.

You can’t deny the greatness of Cody Rhodes. People try and always will, I imagine. It goes with the territory. It’s not for me to say who is greater than someone else. I’m just a girl who loves this thing of ours with her whole heart. I cheer everyone because I see them all for what they are – people chasing their dreams.

There is no one like Cody Rhodes. I believe in my soul that he lives and breathes professional wrestling. There may those who love it just as much, but no one loves it more. It pulsates through his veins and lives within his mind day and night.

He had a dream and held onto it. On Sunday, he finishes the story.

Shoot for the sky, Cody. We’re all with you.

Read more from Molly Belle on Love Wrestling!