FanPost

The Bloodline Story and Wrestling Culture

Peacock

In regards to wrestling, there’s been several moments that have had a profound impact on me. Sure I’ve popped many, many times. This is different. I’m talking about moments that hit another level, and either helped create my fandom, reignited that fandom, or just reminded me -- emphatically -- why I love this culture of ours. To use a Geno phrase, your mileage may vary, and I’m probably missing a couple.

Hogan beating Yokozuna in the impromptu title match at the Ceasars 'Mania. After Fuji cheated Brett out of his title. Admittedly, I was a Hogan fanatic back then, and I remember jumping in my bed as a young child in jubilation.That started my journey.

Miss Elizabeth running out of the crowd to save the Macho King from Sheri Martell after losing to Warrior. Them embracing, and him holding her on his shoulders. The story, build, and finish that reunited those two and turned Macho face. I cut onions. Randy was incredible.

I took a hiatus in the early 90s, but my fandom returned the moment I saw Goldberg destroy the entire Raven’s Flock. It was randomly on TV, and I was in AWE. Who is this guy? He’s a monster! This moment sparked something, and I was back. This is an odd one, in that it’s not an iconic moment remembered by many. But for me at the time, it was profound. It brought me back.

Strangely, even though I watched religiously, the WCW/Attitude Era WWE is where my memory fades for some reason. Mankind winning the belt would fit in this category of moments, but I don’t remember watching that in real-time. So I have nothing. No specific moment I can pinpoint that applies to this list. However, I did watch religiously and loved this era.

During another hiatus, I missed the rise of Cena, the reign of Punk, the good parts of TNA (meaning getting a chance to experience prime AJ Styles and Samoa Joe). But another reinvigoration came when I started hearing about Daniel Bryan’s YES movement. I watched an episode for the first time in years and it was the Bray and a brainwashed DB in a steel cage. Bryan turning on Wyatt, wrecking him, sitting on the top of the cage doing the "YES!" chant with the crowd as they were absolutely losing their minds. That was it. I was back in.

Obviously the Seth chair shot to turn on The Shield. That’s an easy one. No further context needed.

I watched wrestling here and there from point. I hadn’t stopped, but it this hasn't been another "I can’t miss this" era for my fandom. I watched a little of everything. I stayed on top of everything reading Cageside. There were things I loved and hated about all the promotions -- which remains true presently.

I actually spent more time the last 6-7 years going to indies. Living in Chicago I can see AAW and Freelance monthly. Caught some Evolve when they had local shows, the first NXT event here when they started going on the road, and the ROH/NJPW Global Wars show at the Odeum. I had never been to a live show before I started going to these, and I remember the first time I walked into the venue and heard/felt the sound of a bump being taken on the mat. This was a magic moment for me. Holy shit! I can’t explain that feeling. I feel like just that experience should be on this list.

Now I’m here present day. I still stay on top of everything reading here, catching a show once and awhile. My sister is diehard so we catch all the WWE and AEW PPVs together. She loves Impact and NJPW so we catch those PPVs sporadically. I like all of them. I love seeing all the wrestlers I watched at local indies who are now on these big shows, across varying promotions. It’s very cool.

But this Bloodline story, specifically once Sami Zayn got involved? This has been special. Every single aspect.

There’s so many layers. The history of El Generico and Kevin Steen from ROH to the present day. Watching Kevin Owens match with Roman Reigns unfold Saturday night, I was fully captivated. A 43 year old man jumping around, excited, nervous, confused too.

I absolutely hated the Usos for years. They bored me. But my God, Jey Uso. His slow turn from despising Sami to accepting him, then saving him Monday and calling him his brother. I was confused as to what I wanted. How could Sami let this massacre happen to KO, but also how could he betray his new brother Jey? I was so torn.

But when that chairshot hit Roman and the stadium popped, I literally jumped around like a maniac (I was standing/pacing by that point). And then Jey…. Poor Jey. The betrayal. Him sitting on the turnbuckle, then rolling out and walking away. That was the icing. I looked at my sister and I said, "This is perfect. This is why I love wrestling".

Then we stayed up and rewatched some of the moments I mentioned earlier. Because I had this special feeling of love for a culture I’m fortunate to be a part of, and I didn’t want that feeling to go away.

I slept on it now. I rewatched the ending again, and decided to write this entirely way too long FanPost, because I NEEDED to share these thoughts. I love wrestling.

I know there’s a divide currently amongst wrestling fans and their loyalty to brands. I understand it. I wish it wasn’t so rabid at times because it debases the spirit of our culture. I use that term "culture" because that’s what it is. A collection of people who share a love and appreciation for an art, events, experiences, customs, traditions and language that is specific to us. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes bad. But ultimately it’s shared and found in every promotion in some way.

It’s subjective. What one person likes another may not. That’s the beauty of this. There’s something for everyone to enjoy and experience. In the end though there’s one common shared truth that is infallible.

We love wrestling, and this is ours.

I’ve again been reminded of why I love this. The main event of Royal Rumble was a special moment. I’m incredibly excited to see where this goes from here.

This IS awesome.

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Cageside Seats readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cageside Seats editors or staff.