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Lots of AEW vs. WWE chatter today. I want to say this.
In 2001, I witnessed a lot of people, including friends lose their jobs. Some lost homes. I know two who had put down a deposit on their dream home in the Poconos and lost it all. Some I knew had cars repossessed. Some never had a full-time job again in pro wrestling. Think about the cavalcade of names who worked for WCW and ECW that you've rarely heard of or seen since January 2001. They all saw their jobs and (and their dreams) disappear and had to move on. Some made their way elsewhere. Some did not.
In 2019, there will be more wrestling on TV and more wrestlers making a legitimate living than there has been in years. The same for those who work behind the scenes. All of that is awesome. I am excited to see it happening.
More talents signed means more making real money. It's been a long time since this many pro wrestlers have contracts and are making their living and supporting their family based on their work inside the ring. More goals achieved. This also means new new talents will rise on the independent scene to replace those now contracted. All of this is great. New forests rising from the scorched Earth of 2001. More potential unleashed.
Will every pro wrestler and pro wrestling promotion hit a grand slam every week? Will every week make you, personally, happy? Of course not. That's impossible. Nothing will ever be perfect.
But, we have more pro wrestling, more choices in the pro wrestling we want to watch, more debate about the talent and matches and company, more potential than we have had in years on a major scale. It feels, to me, like there is more excitement than I can remember since 1998. All of these things make me happy.
I am thankful for AEW and for NXT. I remain thankful for ROH, Impact, New Japan, MLW, the independents and the WWE main roster. I am thankful for anyone who cares about pro wrestling.
No matter who or what you care about, the fans already won this "war" because compared to what we had coming out of 2001 and compared to times where pro wrestling felt so stagnant...we are already incredibly enriched and that will continue. Say what you want about different takes and cultures and styles that are out there in professional wrestling right now, but none of it feels stagnant. Not all of it will sing to you, but you have a choice in what to watch - and that's a big choice that many haven't had a true chance to make in a long time.
No matter who has the better ratings, matches or shows, choice is a great thing. You have it. Appreciate it.
In 2001, a lot of people went through hell. A lot of fans gave up hope. It sucked. I hated what it did to those involved and what it did to pro wrestling.
I hope in 2019 and beyond, we all get to appreciate the opposite.
We will see what happens, but I personally hope for the best.
Mike Johnson can be reached at MikeJohnsonPWInsider@gmail.com.
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