Work continues on the next album. I think I might be done writing, and I may have 14 songs. We’ll see.
I want to discuss something I don’t talk about much within these pages. I’m a wrestling fan, specifically, a WWE fan. I started watching sometime around late 1986 or early 1987, stopped in 1993, started again in 1996, and stopped again in 2000. I didn’t start again until 2012, and I’ve been watching pretty consistently since. Last Saturday, I went to my first live event since 1998.
I had a blast. It was almost like I was a teenager again.
It was what’s known as a house show, meaning none of the matches were on live TV or PPV, nor were they recorded for the purpose of showing them on any TV show. The matches didn’t really mean anything, in terms of title changes or progressing feuds, but the performers were more free to interact with the crowd. They didn’t have to worry about commercials, going too long, or not long enough. Nearly every performer I saw was very good at what they do, though the ones who have been around for years, either on the independent scene or in the WWE, are a cut above. Only a couple who are relatively new stuck out as not quite average, and that’s fine.
Wrestling has cultish fans, and one of the advantages of attending a house show is that the wrestlers are more likely to sign autographs and take selfies with those sitting along the guard railing. Becky Lynch, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods all spent at least 20 minutes each doing so. Lots of people were thrilled. Me? Nah. I’m 49, and I don’t care much about autographs or selfies. I did take a lot of pictures during entrances and exits; a link to the photo album is at the end of this post.
I won’t go on much longer about it; this isn’t really the place. I’ll finish by saying yes, I know the outcomes are predetermined. I don’t like the word “fake” as it relates to wrestling. Injuries occur regularly, and people have died in the ring. It’s a risky occupation, and to call it “fake” demeans it. TV shows, movies, and plays all forms of entertainment other than sports - have predetermined outcomes, but people usually don’t call them “fake.” Is wrestling always good? No. Nothing is. But, at its best, I find it as emotionally moving as any great piece of art. I’ve cried a few times during matches, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.
Ok, that’s it. Next week, I’ll go back to talking more about music and related plans. Here’s a link to the pictures I took and saved:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/w2pUcLBWC3Mfxq2h6