I Miss the Way Wrestling Used to Be

“I MISS THE WAY WRESTLING USED TO BE” The Only Constant in Wrestling is Change

Spend any time around wrestlers and wrestling fans and you’re sure to hear a common lament: “Wrestling sure ain’t like it used to be.” Events like the Cauliflower Alley reunion allow us to tip our hat to the bygone days of professional wrestling and salute the efforts of the men and women who gave of themselves so unselfishly in an industry that seems to have had an imbalance of the risk vs. reward.

Many factors have contributed to the changes that we each see in professional wrestling, and not all of them are for the worse. In fact, in some cases, when we look back to the “good ole days” we recognize a lot of hardship that we wouldn’t choose to endure again. Surely, wrestling has evolved.

The photo above features a 1923 match between Paul Martinson (left) and Jack Taylor and in itself says a thousand words. Look at the composition of the crowd, it’s primarily men in the seats. In fact, only one woman can be seen present in the balcony. As wrestlers that rely on their charm to sell photos and t-shirts at the merch tables to carry them through when the houses are a little light, we can recognize the importance of women and children at wrestling shows and their influence to help snap up those 8x10’s and other memorabilia.

These loose ropes certainly did not afford the dynamic action that we have come to appreciate over the past two generations. I think we’d also identify that by and large the use of the ring ropes has been a positive change for the presentation of wrestling. We might also forget that in this early era, the proper care of the ring canvases themselves was not common, Ed “Strangler” Lewis suffered significant loss of his eyesight in later years of his life stemming from bacteria picked up on wrestling mats in his battles across the country.

Take a look around at this year’s reunion and take note of the number of emerging wrestlers and currently active independent wrestlers that comprise the Club membership. Here is a cohort of talent that is growing up in the business long after the death of the territories where regional opportunities to make a living were more plentiful.

Still, despite the economic changes, the lack of television exposure, tighter border restrictions, the modern era of political correctness which frowns on many of the cornerstones that hot angles were built upon back in the day, these young men and women soldier on - hopeful to see that next positive wave in the ebbs and flows of wrestling’s popularity and to realize their dreams of wrestling stardom. They’re also self-aware to recognize they have more to learn - so they’re here at CAC to meet and learn from you.

Take time to share an encouraging word and share the timeless wisdom from your careers - that might help them to set themselves apart and propel them to success. Who knows, we might see some of that old magic make a comeback.