Introduction to Pro Wrestling
It’s one thing to watch a sport on TV or from your phone. It’s another to see the sport live. In my case, over the past two years, I’ve attended pro wrestling shows such as NXT, WWE’s development brand, AEW’s All Out 2024 pay-per-view, 4th Rope’s Heels Have Eyes, Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), and New Japan’s Pro-Wrestling’s “Windy City Riot.”
The Experience of Live Pro Wrestling
Defender Sports Columnist Evan F. Moore attended Game Changer Wrestling’s Chicago event in March 2025 (Photo Credit: Evan F. Moore).
The chants are hilarious and, at times, brutally honest. Being in Chicago, a longtime wrestling hub, Chicago has access to all types of wrestling promotions that have set up shop here, such as Chicago Style Wrestling and Freelance Wrestling.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s “Windy City Riot” (Photo Credit: Evan Moore).
Variety in Pro Wrestling Promotions
Every promotion offers something different. In one instance, during the GCW show, as I sat in the front row, a wrestler landed on my lap. And in another, a Japanese wrestling icon performed stateside for the last time. Meanwhile, as a measure of caution, I’ve largely stayed away from the tribalism aspect within wrestling’s Internet Wrestling Community (IWC) filled with trolls who disparage wrestlers and claim whatever promotion they favor is superior to others (it might be true, but I don’t care).
Upcoming Events and Independent Promotions
This weekend, Wrestlemania 41 takes place in Las Vegas. If you’re lucky to be in the area, lots of independent promotions are taking advantage of being in close proximity to the sport’s most recognizable event. Some of them are curating spaces surrounding Wrestlemania weekend.
Griselda rapper Westside Gunn’s Fourth Rope promotion is hosting an event featuring many wrestlers known to their fan base who’ve wrestled for the aforementioned organizations.
Asé Wrestling, a Black-owned Charlotte, North Carolina-based promotion, also hosted a Thursday card featuring Black wrestlers ahead of Wrestlemania.
For me, every Thursday night, Asé tugs on the heartstrings — and, perhaps most importantly, they were raised right. One of the wrestlers has the theme to the 1985 film “The Last Dragon” as their entrance theme, while another enters the ring to Kriss Kross’s “Jump.”
Their programming during Black History Month was highly exceptional in giving flowers to past and present Black wrestlers from multiple promotions. Admittedly, I was a bit embarrassed not knowing some of the names they mentioned. Also, they threw in renditions of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Now I know.
Conclusion
Whether it’s with family, friends, or fellow wrestling fans, go see a wrestling show. Trust me. It’s fun.
FAQs
Who is Evan Moore?
Evan F. Moore is a South Side Chicago-based writer. He’s the co-author of the critically-acclaimed book, “Game Misconduct: Hockey’s Toxic Culture and How to Fix It.” His writing, which has garnered several awards, was featured in the 2019 edition of The Best American Sports Writing book series. Evan is an adjunct community journalism professor at DePaul University.
What is the Internet Wrestling Community (IWC)?
The Internet Wrestling Community (IWC) refers to the online community of wrestling fans who discuss and engage with professional wrestling on the internet.
What is Asé Wrestling?
Asé Wrestling is a Black-owned Charlotte, North Carolina-based promotion that hosts wrestling events and features Black wrestlers.
