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The mecca of world wrestling, the WWE has enjoyed huge popularity for decades. The storylines, athleticism, technical ability, and characters on display have ensured that the WWE has become a hugely popular form of entertainment not just across many states in the US, but also around the world.
However, while this stateside and global popularity remains to this day, there is one state where pro wrestling, even before the WWE existed, is more probably popular than just about anywhere else. In Florida, and particularly the city of Tampa Bay, professional wrestling runs through the veins of so many people.
WWE is also among the most popular forms of entertainment, with millions that watch or place bets via Florida sports betting sites displayed on this website. So, just how did the sport become so popular, especially in places like Florida? Well, there are a few reasons, and to begin with, we need to look at the origins of wrestling, which many believe started in Tampa Bay.
Pro Wrestling Has Origins in Tampa Bay
One reason the enormous popularity of WWE continues to this day in Florida is that professional wrestling in the Sunshine State predates that of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). In fact, the state had Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF) that ran between 1961 and 1987. A professional wrestling promotion that operated under the NWA governing body, it produced household names such as Dusty Rhodes, Andre the Giant, Johnny Valentine, and Cactus Jack.
The CWF, like many other NWA governed pro wrestling promotions, such as the WCW, eventually closed down under competition from the WWF (now the WWE). However, pro wrestling was now entwined in the DNA of Floridians, particularly those from Tampa Bay where the CWF was held and filmed. The WWF/WWE then became the biggest show in town and many fans followed. To this day, fans still get excited whenever the latest WrestleMania dates are set.
Tampa Bay was Used as a Development Territory
In 2007, the WWE restarted the professional wrestling operation in Tampa Bay, but this time under the name Florida Wrestling Championship (FCW). The WWE used it as a development territory to develop and train wrestlers. The aim was to get them ready in terms of technical ability and working in front of the cameras. This ensured that wrestling in the area was still a potential dream for many young athletes that idolised wrestling when growing up.
Eventually, the WWE changed the promotion's name to NXT, a name still used today, in 2012, before finally shutting down operations in the state and moving to Orlando. By this time, however, a big percentage of the next generation of WWE wrestlers was making its way through the system. Many of them come via systems in place in Florida to identify and bring new wrestlers onto the pro circuit.
Wrestlers from Tampa Bay Dominate the WWE
Not only is it clear that many kids from Tampa Bay grow up wanting to become professional wrestlers, but facts also show that many do, and in fact go on to become some of the very best. Because Tampa Bay was a development territory for the WWE, many of the best young wrestlers coming through were from the area.
In 2021, it was revealed that of the 37 WrestleMania events so far, a Tampa Bay local has competed for one of the heavyweight titles in 28 of them. Much of that is thanks to the history of wrestling in Florida and its popularity. That list includes the likes of WWE superstars such as John Cena, Dave Bautista, Roman Reigns, Randy Savage, Chris Jericho, The Undertaker, and Drew McIntyre.
Tampa is Such a Nice Place to Live
Many of the current crops of wrestlers actually live in Tampa Bay too, or at least in Florida. The Sunshine State did not get that nickname for no reason. The climate and way of life in the state is the perfect location for successful professional wrestlers that have earned fame and money and it's difficult to see why it wouldn't.
Of course, this is great news for the people of Florida that already have such a deep love for professional wrestling. It just ensures that a new generation of fans is likely to come through and become the next in line to wait eagerly for the latest WWE tip sheets, major events, and tours.
That popularity should also ensure that another batch of those kids harnesses dreams of becoming professional wrestlers and carrying on that fantastic statistic mentioned earlier!
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