For more than half a century, professional wrestling has been a part of popular culture. Wrestling businesses have given birth to some of the biggest stars in the entertainment industry. Dwayne Johnson, Dave Bautista, and John Cena were previously prominent WWE players. Children from a young age have grown up watching these superstars and have been inspired by their athleticism, heroism, and charismatic personality. Pro wrestling has seen a sharp decline in viewership in the last 10-15 years, perhaps since people realized It’s all pre-written.
Suppose you have a passion for wrestling and want to get back to watching it. In that case, you might want to consider these unmissable professional shows. There’s nothing like visiting a live show and watching these larger-than-life characters leave it in the ring every night. With crowds slowly returning to stadiums, be sure to catch these shows on TV or, better yet, in person!
Here are five pro-wrestling shows you should not miss.
Contents
WWE: Raw, Smackdown, NXT, and PPV events
Perhaps the most famous name in pro wrestling entertainment, WWE paved the way for most other companies to enter the market. Some of the most recognized names, such as Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock, and The Undertaker, come from the WWE. You can see why they generated the audiences that they did over the years.
You may want to tune into some of their timelessly classic shows, such as Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smackdown. Take out the time to catch the superstars in action whom we know and love.
With crowds coming back to the arena’s make sure you try and catch them live. GoodDeedSeats is a great place to book your tickets. You may want to jump at the opportunity while you can, as you never know how things will pan out with COVID 19.
New Japan Pro Wrestling
NJPW is nearly 50 years old now but still delivers the same quality that they have been known for decades. NJPW has a reputation for having some of the best wrestlers globally, putting them on par with some of the best WWE superstars.
Some of the biggest names in wrestling also played a part in NJPW in their developmental years. Dusty Rhodes, Andre the Giant, and Hulk Hogan had short stints in the Japan-based wrestling company. And, most recently, Shinsuke Nakamura, who is now back in the WWE.
You may not be able to book a ticket to Japan, so you might want to contact your local cable provider to find out what channels NJPW airs on. Don’t miss a chance to catch these superstars in action. They truly put their lives on the line every night for their fans, and it’s certainly a spectacle to watch.
Impact Wrestling
What was once TNA Wrestling has now become Impact. With some of the greatest in the business setting the pace for TNA, Impact only takes it forward from there. They have been in the industry for decades now, and you might want to check out what they have to offer as a pro wrestling fan.
They may not have been as popular as TNA once was, but every company takes a hit for a short time. It’s only a matter of time before Impact reclaims the stature they’ve always had and reclaims the viewership they once had.
In its prime, it had some of the most hardcore matches pro-wrestling has ever seen. Stay tuned and keep your eyes on Impact Wrestling. They might be the next big thing in a few years.
Lucha Libre
The Mexican wrestling company gave rise to a sub-genre of style, technique, and general wrestling culture. Lucha has traditionally been synonymous with Mexican culture. Hence, it’s pretty common in Southern border states. Lucha Wrestling has been a hit and a miss with most people, but if you are a true wrestling fan, you may want to check it out for yourself.
Attending a live show is an experience in itself. High flying action and some of the best technical choreography you have ever seen. It may not run on TV anymore, but you can undoubtedly find seasons of AAA or Lucha Underground online
Rey Mysterio, Chavo, and the late great Eddie Guerrero started in Mexican wrestling and became icons in their field before moving to the WWE.
Traditional wrestling has a charm of its own. Smaller sponsors, smaller events, and generally smaller crowds mean that these events have a comfortable charm of their own. Rest assured, they are some of the best technical wrestlers in the business and can go toe-to-toe with the best of them.
All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
Pakistani event promoter and businessman Tony Khan and AEW are giving WWE a run for their money this year. They have slowly been rising through the ranks to take their place in the sports entertainment industry and are now second only to Vince McMahon and WWE. With the WWE letting go of many superstars claiming ‘budget cuts,’ Khan has actively poached the displaced talent.
The Big Show, Sting, Daniel Bryan, and many more are not active parts of the AEW roster. They also have fantastic talent that stands out amongst the best of them.
You want to give AEW a chance as they are proving themselves week after week. The ratings are up, the match cards are great, and the story writing is also phenomenal. They may not have pockets like Vince McMahon, but they certainly know how to keep an audience entertained and give them their money’s worth.
Conclusion
After learning that sports entertainment is contrived, a lot of individuals started to shun it. Honestly, it should make a difference because the superstars are just as talented as other sports athletes. They are physically on par with the best. It takes a certain skill level to manage the technical wrestling aspect, choreography, and mic skills that the job requires.
It’s time we stopped ridiculing wrestling and started appreciating the sheer entertainment week after week with no time off. This article has looked at some of the best shows out there to make the search easier for you. Stay tuned to the wrestling industry. Things are only going to get better from here on out.
