Associated Press file
John Cena celebrates his win during Wrestlemania XXX in New Orleans on April 6, 2014.
World Wrestling Entertainment, or WWE, has been the dominant force in pro wrestling for four decades now. Ask someone to name a pro wrestler, and there’s a 99% chance they’ll name someone associated with WWE: Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, John Cena.
In the minds of most folks, WWE is pro wrestling. Save for a very brief period in the mid-’90s, WWE has been the No. 1 wrestling company in the world. The fact is, though, that wrestling is far broader and more stylistically diverse than what WWE offers. Thanks to a post-pandemic surge in wrestling popularity, audiences can take their pick of wrestling from around the world.
Formed in 2019, All Elite Wrestling, or AEW, has had a major impact on the world of wrestling and continues to push the art form. With two weekly television series airing on TNT and TBS and streaming on HBO Max, the company boasts a huge roster of talent from around the world. Their flagship pay-per-view, “All In,” has sold out Wembley Stadium in recent years. Most recently, AEW surpassed World Championship Wrestling’s weekly show “Monday Nitro” in number of episodes produced.
Complaints about AEW are largely centered on its uneven storytelling, but what it can lack in narrative, it makes up for with its diverse roster, interesting matchups, and top quality in-ring action. It’s completely normal to see a 160-pound luchador (Mexican professional wrestler) take on a 240-pound heavyweight and for the match to be both believable and thrilling. AEW’s programming feels less guided by the desire to tightly craft a brand, than to craft a brand that is simply about the best wrestling has to offer.
Total Nonstop Action, TNA, was formed in the vacuum left by WWE purchasing its biggest competitor, World Championship Wrestling, in 2002. Known for a time for its use of an octagonal ring like in mixed martial arts competitions, TNA is back to the traditional square ring, but still going strong with regular pay-per-views and its weekly show, “TNA Impact!” Most recently, TNA partnered with WWE to share both performers and programming. TNA wrestlers regularly show up on WWE’s “NXT” show, and current TNA champion Joe Hendry was featured as an opponent for legendary WWE veteran Randy Orton at this year’s WrestleMania.
Before cable television paved the way for a national wrestling takeover by WWE (then known as the World Wrestling Federation, or WWF), pro wrestling operated regionally. The Pacific Northwest sports multiple wrestling promotions. DEFY, based in Seattle, not only hosts world class wrestling talent on a regular basis, it’s helped jump-start the careers of some big names at AEW: former world champion Swerve Strickland, former tag team champion and all-around daredevil Darby Allin and current (and youngest) Ring of Honor champion, Nick Wayne.
Live wrestling is also going strong in Portland, thanks to Prestige Wrestling, and Tri-Cities, Wash., has Reactivate Pro Wrestling. Spokane is home to Relentless Wrestling, which hosts monthly shows, including some larger events at Northern Quest Casino, where the likes of AEW’s Max Caster has appeared in the ring, as well as a recent appearance by Olympic gold medalist and pro-wrestling legend Kurt Angle.
And there’s still more, in addition to the mountain of wrestling already mentioned. If you’re in the mood for a good YouTube rabbit hole, look up pro wrestling in Japan, Mexico, Canada or the U.K. Above all, though, try to experience it in person.
Thompson, VHS.D, holds a doctorate of cult media in pop culture from University of Maine at Castle Rock. He delivers lectures on movies and other pop culture topics under the moniker Professor VHS. Find him on Instagram as @professorvhs.
Where to watch
- “WWE RAW,” Netflix: 5 p.m. Mondays.
- “WWE Smackdown,” USA Network: 8 p.m. Fridays.
- “AEW Dynamite,” TBS: 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Streaming live at 5 p.m. on HBO Max.
- "AEW Collision,” TNT: 8 p.m. Saturdays. Streaming live at 5 p.m. on HBO Max.
- “TNA Impact!,” USA and AXS TV: 8 p.m. Thursdays. Also available via TNA+ subscription.
- Relentless Wrestling content is available on its YouTube channel. Monthly live show information is at relentlesswrestling.com.
- Reactivate Pro Wrestling content is available on its YouTube channel. Live show information is at reactivatewrestling.com.
- DEFY and Prestige content is available via Triller at trillertv.com.
