This was great and gave me insight into WWE, a world I knew nothing about. I loved the way you wove in the personal with the wrestling. And the philosophical––what's wrong with simple?
What a great piece of writing! On the strength of it I tuned in with my granddaughter to WWE Women’s Championship in Perth (Australia) where Rhea Ripley did her thing to keep her title - on Youtube. Granddaughter was astounded! I’ve been a big fan of women’s wrestling since living in Thailand in the 80’s when the Japanese women’s equivalent of WWE was huge. Loved the way you captured the epic intensity but was sad to hear about the plaid! Do better next time!
The idea that something has to be "real" to be enjoyable is silly. We read comic books about super heroes, we play video games about zombies, and we watch movies about vampires. Why does wrestling have to be real?
"I don’t think lying about your ethnicity is right. But if she had lived life by wrasslin’ rules, she wouldn’t have needed to lie. She wouldn’t have cared."
Au contraire - what could be more WWE than performing an ethnicity, *especially* if it's not yours? :P I say this lovingly, though. I have a friend who was a minor-league pro wrestler, and his ring persona was "super-gay." He wore a rainbow leotard and his walk-on music was "I Touch Myself." Great dude, super gregarious, not necessarily the kind of guy you associate with the WWE ethos - but I think he zeroed in on the exact intersection of camp and earnest that makes pro wrestling work.
Really enjoyed this piece. And so many bits that could also spin off into their own pieces too: the interaction with the male lit agent, Emma the liar, your mountain accident in Guatemala...
I only watched wrestling for a couple of years, but my brother and I still joke about all the memorable moments we watched during that time. My favourite was Kurt Angle, and I also had a soft spot for Booker T. Their willingness to clown themselves for entertainment was admirable.
This was great and gave me insight into WWE, a world I knew nothing about. I loved the way you wove in the personal with the wrestling. And the philosophical––what's wrong with simple?
And all of it written in a quietly beautiful way.
Looking forward to more introspective blogs about High Culture at TMR.
"Back in New York, I felt like an animal free for the first time. I wanted to see men pound each other on the aptly named Boxing Day."
A+, no notes
It's rare when I read a story and can relate to every character, even the little kid who said it was the best day of his life.
I've been that person doomscrolling alone to get a break from feelings of loneliness and heartbreak, and the boyfriend taking care of his girlfriend.
Good art makes you feel something, and this is no exception.
What a great piece of writing! On the strength of it I tuned in with my granddaughter to WWE Women’s Championship in Perth (Australia) where Rhea Ripley did her thing to keep her title - on Youtube. Granddaughter was astounded! I’ve been a big fan of women’s wrestling since living in Thailand in the 80’s when the Japanese women’s equivalent of WWE was huge. Loved the way you captured the epic intensity but was sad to hear about the plaid! Do better next time!
"the greatest cult of love is five sweaty bodies hurling themselves at each other in a ring" AMEN
the gossip! the lore! the pacing! the humor! always love reading your writing
The idea that something has to be "real" to be enjoyable is silly. We read comic books about super heroes, we play video games about zombies, and we watch movies about vampires. Why does wrestling have to be real?
Amaury Guichon’s creations bring me great joy, but yours bring me more.
My website is oliviachengtofu.com. Thanks, fam.
"I don’t think lying about your ethnicity is right. But if she had lived life by wrasslin’ rules, she wouldn’t have needed to lie. She wouldn’t have cared."
Au contraire - what could be more WWE than performing an ethnicity, *especially* if it's not yours? :P I say this lovingly, though. I have a friend who was a minor-league pro wrestler, and his ring persona was "super-gay." He wore a rainbow leotard and his walk-on music was "I Touch Myself." Great dude, super gregarious, not necessarily the kind of guy you associate with the WWE ethos - but I think he zeroed in on the exact intersection of camp and earnest that makes pro wrestling work.
Really enjoyed this piece. And so many bits that could also spin off into their own pieces too: the interaction with the male lit agent, Emma the liar, your mountain accident in Guatemala...
I only watched wrestling for a couple of years, but my brother and I still joke about all the memorable moments we watched during that time. My favourite was Kurt Angle, and I also had a soft spot for Booker T. Their willingness to clown themselves for entertainment was admirable.
Been a fan of pro wrestling off and on since my childhood. Often compared the forces at play to mythology. I loved this art. Thanks.