Behind the Microphone: Pro Wrestlers in Real Life
Pro wrestlers often have a reputation for being larger-than-life characters, but what about their real lives? Contrary to popular belief, many of them are not just muscular and athletic, but also highly intelligent individuals with diverse interests and skills outside the ring. This article explores the real-life personas of pro wrestlers, debunking stereotypes and revealing the multifaceted personalities of theseIcons of the wrestling world.
Nerds, Athletes, and Gamers: Pro Wrestlers' Diverse Hobbies
Most professional wrestlers today are actually quite down-to-earth and well-rounded individuals. In fact, many of them are what we might call 'gigantic tremendous nerds.' While this may seem contrary to their more athletic public personas, these 'nerdy' interests often fuel their passion for fitness and professional wrestling.
Many current professional wrestlers grew up admiring the smaller, more skilled wrestlers from the 90s, such as Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. These wrestlers are celebrated for their technical skills, strategy, and engaging matches, setting a different standard from the larger, more muscle-bound wrestlers of the 80s. For instance, AJ Styles and I were members of a pro wrestling game development forum years ago, connecting with other wrestlers through this shared interest in gaming.
The Gaming Community Among Wrestlers
The world of professional wrestling intersects with the gaming world in fascinating ways. Many wrestlers have their own video game channels where they engage in game play with fellow wrestlers. Xavier Woods, for example, has his own YouTube channel dedicated to playing video games, and he even interacts with other WWE wrestlers in these sessions. This shows that many wrestlers are active participants in the gaming community, demonstrating that they are not just about physical prowess but also enjoy technological and digital entertainment.
Similarly, Asuka, a celebrated wrestler, runs her own YouTube channel where she engages with her audience through various content, resembling her vibrant and lovable personality outside the ring. This stark contrast between her in-ring persona and her real-life demeanor highlights the multifaceted nature of pro wrestlers.
Passion and Control: A Drive for Real Wrestling
Passion for the craft and desire for creative control are key drivers for many professional wrestlers. This is evident in the stories of wrestlers like Luke Harper and Matt Hardy, who left WWE when they felt they had no creative content to pursue. Both of them turned down significant sums of money to maintain control over their career paths, ensuring that they could step back into the ring and become the masters of their own characters.
Jon Moxley, another wrestler, did the same last year, choosing to leave WWE for the same reason. He was driven to wrestle matches and have his character reflect his true self rather than embodying Vince McMahon's interpretation of him. Even when offered a contract, Moxley didn’t read it, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to wrestling over financial gain.
These wrestlers, despite their success and fame, still yearn to perform and create content that resonates with them. A prime example is Luke Harper, who was typecast as a 'big ol' Southern Redneck' despite his Rochester, New York roots. Vince McMahon, it seems, had a preconceived idea of who Harper should be and insisted on it, making Rogers the main character speak in a southern accent while certainly being unsatisfied with the character's performance.
A similar issue arose with Matt Hardy, who was originally supposed to play the character of Dean Ambrose. Vince McMahon had a very different idea of what Dean Ambrose should be like, viewing him as a complete and total idiot. Despite denying this, McMahon kept making Dean Ambrose look like an inept goober. It was not until Dean Ambrose became Jon Moxley that he truly matched the character WWE had always been trying to build him as.
These anecdotes reveal the contrasting universe of professional wrestlers when they are on the outside compared to their in-ring personas. They show that beneath the muscle and the stardom, many of these individuals are thoughtful, creative, and driven by a genuine passion for the sport.
Conclusion
In conclusion, professional wrestlers are multifaceted individuals with diverse interests and a deep love for their craft. From gaming and nerd culture to the desire for creative control, they are more than just the characters they portray onscreen. This article aims to challenge stereotypes and provide a glimpse into the real lives and personalities of pro wrestlers, showcasing their complexity and humanity.