The Lapsed WWE Fan's Guide To Watching Wrestling Again

You stopped watching wrestling, but now it seems cool and interesting again, right? All good. Let me get you up to speed!

One of the most common refrains I hear from people when I tell them I still watch wrestling (and saying I “watch it” is understating it by a large margin, but more on that in a little bit) is “oh I used to like it, but grew out of that a long time ago. Used to love it though! Was so much fun!”

Understandable, I suppose.

We all grow out of things. We change and evolve as people, that’s only natural. Things get added, things get subtracted. It’s simply a fact of life.

But I’ve got some good news: wrestling is still fun, it’s still awesome, and as mentioned above, I never stopped watching.

Sure, the overall quality of the product has waxed and waned over the years. That’s just the nature of a business where there is no off-season and no plot devices available to reset the story or overall direction of the programming.

Unlike other scripted television series’, pro wrestling delivers a brand new episode, sometimes two or three, each and every week of the year with no re-runs.

It’s only natural that there will be some lulls therein where the creativity seems to stagnate and hit a wall.

This is to say nothing of the fact that injuries and real life issues also affect the product and stories in real time, on the fly. And once again, there’s no work around. The writing team and available talent must adapt and overcome, on live episodic television.

I wouldn’t dare say wrestling is as a good as it has ever been. That’s a lofty statement. We all fondly recall the 80s glory days of Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, The Undertaker, and many more larger than life heroes and villains.

We also all vividly remember the “Attitude Era”, where more grounded in reality stars such as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Rock, Chris Jericho, Mankind, and yes once again The Undertaker took pop culture by storm and became a worldwide phenomenon.

But there’s also no denying that wrestling is once more in a boom period. Shows are great fun to watch, the stories are as intriguing and engaging as any top Hollywood film, and the rosters are arguably as deep as they’ve ever been.

But you’re not sure where to start because you, for one reason or another, stopped watching.

But it’s all good. I have you covered!

I still watch wrestling probably five or six times a week all told. Sure, I have to PVR it and catch up when possible sometimes, but I’ve been a constant viewer and supporter of pro wrestling throughout my life (and while were talking solely about WWE today, the reality is the entire wrestling scene is really doing some fantastic things right now).

I’ve always found wrestling fun, exciting, and entertaining. It’s one of the few places left where you can go, buy into the concept, and have an unabashed great time.

And now, another benefit of my steady viewing: I can use this knowledge to get you right back into the game! Consider me your “Suplex Sherpa”, if you will!

My friends and family sometimes laughed at me for my devotion to wrestling, saying it was a waste. But look at me now, spending hours doling out this knowledge on a blog I make absolutely zero compensation for!

Anyhow, without further adieu, I present to you, the “Cold Pizza Official Guide For The Lapsed WWE Fan!”

THE BASICS:

Overall Structure: WWE operates in front of the camera largely in the same way it had the last time you watched. The feel and flow of the show hasn't much changed, and wrestling is still very much a ‘good versus evil’ story. Behind the scenes, WWE is actually no longer controlled by Vince McMahon, who sold his shares to Endeavor, the company who also owns UFC. While Vince still has a role and a say, it seems as though he is being squeezed out of his own beloved creation. HHH, who you likely remember not-so-fondly (he was a heinous villain during his in-ring days) and his friends run the creative side of things, and do so to overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Television Shows: WWE still has Monday Night RAW airing every week, however it is three hours now, running from 8-11 (and, admittedly, sometimes it feels as though it would be better served as a two hour show). SmackDown! still airs as well, going live Friday nights on FOX.

Rosters: WWE does observe a roster split, usually done once a year or so through a live televised draft. Both RAW and SmackDown! have their own separate rosters, and although it’s not exactly unheard of that stars appear on both shows from time-to-time, by and large the roster split creating two separate brands is adhered to.

Commentators/Authority Figures/Ring Announcers/Etc: Admittedly, WWE has spent the better part of the last two years continuously tinkering with its announce team, making this not exactly easy to explain. Michael Cole, who you likely remember from when you used to watch, has matured into the genuinely talented voice of this generation. Corey Graves and Wade Barrett, both former wrestlers, are excellent on colour commentary, both throwing barbs and jabs at the competitors that usually garner a laugh. Pat McAfee shows up to do some shows, and that’s always a treat. Backstage announcers and the like seem to be moving in and out frequently, although RAW ring announcer Samantha Irvin has some incredible intros and winner announcements. Former indie wrestlers Adam Pearce (RAW) and Nick Aldis(SmackDown!) run the shows as on-screen authority figures, and are both quite neutral.

Legends You Remember: Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio, who you likely remember, are having strong late-career runs. Brock Lesnar is here every once in a while. HHH has retired, a heart issue and corporate responsibilities making that decision for him a few years back. Undertaker has retired but isn’t against showing up from time-to-time. The Rock and John Cena are busy but come around every so often, with Cena even doing some in-ring work which is usually quite compelling. Cena, entering the end of his in-ring career, even gets the cheers and appreciation he has likely deserved since day one. The Rock showed up earlier this week, actually, and even teased a match against Roman Reigns in the not-to-distant future. Even “Stone Cold” Steve Austin headlined WrestleMania two years ago, and while he isn’t overly active on screen, he hasn’t exactly slammed the door shut on another match, either.

Celebrity Involvement: A staple of WWE programming, the current product utilizes their in-ring celebrities as good as any era before them. International music superstar Bad Bunny is a part-time wrestler, and is somehow shockingly good. Logan Paul is the current WWE United States Champion and is also somehow a better wrestler than he seemingly has any business being.

Championship Belts: Monday Night RAW has the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, which is their main belt. They also WWE Women’s World Championship, and the WWE Intercontinental Championship. SmackDown! has the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship (a mouthful, but the ultimate Championship in the entire company), the WWE United States Championship, and the WWE Women’s Championship. Both shows share the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championships (men’s) and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.

WWE Network: The best way to get back into the WWE, and the best way to consume it going forward, is indeed the WWE Network. An app to subscribe to, or even a standard television channel in Canada (it’s also available through Sportsnet Now in Canada, or Peacock in the USA). It works much like Netflix and features original documentaries and shows, as well as full access to WWE’s expansive archives of shows. While the weekly shows aren’t on there as they happen, they do upload right after they air. The standard monthly fee for the Network (between $11-14 in Canada) also includes every monthly Pay-Per-View. Speaking of which…

Pay-Per-Views: Are now called PLE’s, which stands for Premium Live Event. The change was made after the arrival of the WWE Network meant most people were watching the events with their monthly subscription, and not through a pay-per-view provider. They still happen about once a month, and the big four are still very much a thing: Royal Rumble (January), WrestleMania(April), SummerSlam(August), Survivor Series: WarGames(November). Other events include themed PLE’s such as Hell In A Cell, Money In The Bank, etc. PLE’s have also gone international, with a new strategy taking events last year to Puerto Rico, Montreal, Cardiff Wales, London England, and yes even Saudi Arabia. This upcoming year will see events take place in Australia, France, and Germany.

Current Champions:

RAW: WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Seth Rollins (pictured above)

Considered, and rightly so, as one of the best wrestlers in the world, Rollins won the Championship in a tournament in May of last year, and has been the only holder of the belt. His in-ring work has added prestige to the belt, and has given him a legitimate shout to be considered the top wrestler in all of the world for 2023.

RAW: WWE Women’s World Champion: Rhea Ripley

Ripley is a generational talent. The WWE has invested heavily into their women’s division, doing a wonderful job of rehabbing the image of women in wrestling (the image they themselves worked so hard to destroy). Rhea Ripley, who is a key part of one of the top factions in the company (The Judgment Day), has been a dominant champion. She’s got power, speed, the look, and the ability to tell a story inside the ring. Her match against Charlotte Flair at last April’s WrestleMania was my personal pick for match of the year.

RAW: WWE Intercontinental Champion: Gunther

The longest reigning IC Champion of all-time in the WWE, Gunther is a 6’4”, nearly 300 pound walking weapon. Having held the belt for 574 days and counting, the Austrian-born grappler is a throwback wrestler, performing like the top mat technicians of the past. He is the leader of a group named Imperium, and he is unquestionably one of the company’s next big stars.

SmackDown!: Undisputed WWE Universal Champion: Roman Reigns

The undisputed tog dog in the WWE, Roman Reigns has been tabbed to be a star by the company since day one. His “Bloodline” storyline, where he proclaimed himself the “Tribal Chief” and “Head Of The Table” to his group of family members who also wrestle, has been the stuff of legend. It’s gone on perhaps a touch long, but it has been the equivalent of the Avengers: Endgame story, an incredibly well told and exciting story with many thrilling and heartbreaking twists and turns. Through it all Reigns has held this belt for over 1,200 days. Three plus years and counting as the Champion of the WWE.

SmackDown! WWE Women’s Champion: Iyo Sky

Iyo Sky is good. Like, really really good. The self-proclaimed “genius of the sky”, the Japanese-born star won the Championship last August and has vanquished all competitors since. Like most of the people in the company right now, she’s a key part of a faction (Damage CTRL, with four other female competitors), and has come into her won since winning the title at SummerSlam.

SmackDown! WWE United States Champion: Logan Paul

Yep, THAT Logan Paul. Listen, I don’t exactly like the Paul brothers. It’s simply not for me. However, Logan has come to the WWE with an absolute dedication and buy-in to make himself a viable star for the company. Of course, they love the social media numbers he can help them get, but more than that, Paul is actually quite athletic and smooth inside the ring. He also gets severe heat with the crowd for being obnoxious and full of himself, making his matches somewhat must-see. This highlight against Ricochet in the Royal Rumble last year was perhaps the highlight of the night.

WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions: Finn Balor and Damian Priest

Balor and Priest, key cogs in the “Judgment Day” stable (more on that later) are the current Champions, and the group in general has controlled the main event scene of the RAW television show for quite some time now. They’re a dominant team and faction when on their game. However, for the last half year or so, cracks in the foundation of this team, and group in general, have been teased.

WWE women’s Tag Team Champions: Katana Chance and Kayden Carter

Standouts in NXT, WWE’s developmental brand, this tag-team is full of energy and high-flying tag team moves. The Women’s Tag Team Championships are a great concept and much deserved, however injuries to the last four or five holders of the belts have derailed momentum. Hopefully this young team, who promise to be fighting champions, can add the stability and excitement necessary to establish the belts.

PEOPLE YOU NEED TO KNOW:

FACES (the good ones!)

Cody Rhodes(pictured above): You might remember Rhodes from his last run in WWE, which admittedly left a lot to be desired. Since then, he departed the company and made a name for himself as one of the top wrestlers in the world. The son of the legendary Dusty Rhodes, Cody tells stories like almost nobody else (I’ve talked about this in depth before), and has put on spectacular matches since his return to World Wrestling Entertainment, spinning the overarching tale of coming back to “finish the story” and win the WWE Championship. He has yet to achieve that. However, it still feels very much like a possibility as we enter 2024.

Seth Rollins: One of the most popular wrestlers in the world right now, and someone with a legitimate claim to call himself the absolute best wrestler in the world, Rollins has entered a high watermark in his career. With a song that is easy to sing along to, and clothing choices that are equally entertaining and bizarre, Rollins has established himself as a fan favourite and fighting champion. He was a part of several of WWE’s top matches in 2023, and that doesn’t look like it’s going to change any as we hit a new calendar year.

CM Punk: Yep. That guy. CM Punk stunned the wrestling world by returning to the WWE for the first time in a decade or so at this past November’s Survivor Series: WarGames. WWE is making fans wait for his in-ring return (save for some non-televised shows) and the anticipation and excitement is sky high. He has appeared on some television shows, ruffling feathers on the microphone as only he can. He may be a little older, and some fans may be souring on his perceived real-life attitude issues, but Punk is still a compelling figure that commands attention and delivers great in-ring work when he does drop the mic and use his fists. A potential feud with Seth Rollins leading into this year’s WrestleMania could be a license to print money for the company.

Becky Lynch: “The Man”, as she has dubbed herself, Becky Lynch has held every title possible in her career, and has been a trendsetter since her arrival on the main roster. She’s won the women’s Royal Rumble, she’s become the first female to main event WrestleMania, and she consistently turns in grand efforts while setting the bar for the rest of the females. Her 2023 was another banner year, featuring but not limited to, an epic steel cage match against the legendary Trish Stratus.

Jey Uso: “Main Event” Jey Uso has absolutely taken the last year to turn himself into a top star and stop babyface for the company. Starting the year as a heel (bad guy) as a member of Roman Reigns’ Bloodline stable, Jey eventually broke free from his domineering cousin and his conflicted twin brother (they of the Usos, one of the top tag-teams in the entire industry when they’re together). Since freeing himself of The Bloodline, Jey Uso has been involved in the main event scene of Monday Night Raw, has found himself incredibly popular with the crowds, and although likely not the favourite, makes a great candidate to win the Royal Rumble given his ties to both Rollins and Reigns, current holders of the top championships.

Sami Zayn: Another wrestler who used The Bloodline story to make himself something greater, Zayn always had the talent and was always loved and respected by the fans. However, it seemed as though management legitimately didn’t see the value. Zayn spent the year forcing their eyes open, becoming an undeniable top star in the company, who had the fans behind him every step of the way as he attempted to dethrone Roman Reigns at the head of the table. Zayn main evented a February PLE in his hometown of Montreal, Quebec, and although he came short of beating Reigns for the belt, it established him as a viable top star. He would finish night one of WrestleMania, the company’s biggest show, holding the tag titles high above his head with his real life best friend, fellow Canadian Kevin Owens, after one of the best matches of the year.

Kevin Owens: Owens spent the better part of 2023 embroiled in a feud with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline alongside his best friend Sami Zayn and the fellow good guy wrestlers on the WWE roster. For some reason Owens was somewhat inexplicably moved to SmackDown! toward the end of the year, and he has struggled a touch to find his footing. Still, Owens is incredibly popular and talented, and despite not having perhaps the prototypical look of a top star, he can go with the absolute best. The fact that WWE tasked him with being the one to fight “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in his first WWE match in nearly two decades shows exactly how much value and faith they have in the Canadian born brawler.

Bianca Belair: One of, if not the, most talented women on the entire roster, Bianca Belair oozes charisma and charm, and combines it with incredible athleticism and strength making her one of the top stars in the entire company, regardless of gender. Belair can fly through the air or throw down with her hands. Her accomplishments include multiple Women’s Championship runs, a Royal Rumble win, and multiple WrestleMania main events, including when she and Sasha Banks became the first two black women to headline the big show, in a match that stole the show and a moment that was genuine and real.

Charlotte Flair: The idea that someone was destined to be something can be a bit overused at times, But never is it more applicable than here, with the daughter of the legendary Ric Flair. Charlotte has double digit Women’s Championship reigns, she has won a Royal Rumble, and has headlined multiple WrestleMania events. She has also been a part of the first female Hell In A Cell match, and her match with Rhea Ripley last year at WrestleMania was a genuine match of the night and an often cited match of the year candidate. She’s got size, genuine athleticism, and charisma that leaps off the screen. Like her father before her, Charlotte carries herself in a way that you simply know she’s a star the minute she enters your screen. A recent knee injury will unfortunately sideline her for most of 2024, but we expect her to be better than ever once she returns.

LA Knight: Talk about lightning in a bottle. LA Knight was a journeyman wrestler with some decent accolades on his resume. His WWE work was passable but largely forgettable. Then, all of the sudden a catchphrase and a change in attitude has catapulted Knight into the stratosphere as arguably WWE’s top superstar. A mixture of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s attitude and The Rock’s personality, Knight is receiving some of the loudest reactions in the entire company.

HEELS (the bad ones!)

Roman Reigns/The Bloodline: For better or worse, Roman Reigns is THE guy in the WWE. Having been the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion for nearly three and a half years, he has been working a gimmick wherein he is the “Tribal Chief” or “Head Of The Table” to great effect. His group, called “The Bloodline” includes his actual real-life family members Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa, have been at the top of the WWE mountain since their inception, and many of the company’s top stars have tried and failed to dethrone Reigns and end his legendary and record-setting run as Champion. The storyline may be taking too long for some, but it features all the hallmark plot devices of a Marvel or Godfather-esque arc, and whoever finally does end Reigns’ run at the top will immediately be a made-man.

The Judgment Day: Spoken about a little bit earlier, the Judgment Day appears to be Monday Night RAW’s answer to The Bloodline. Featuring Finn Balor (a man who could legitimately stake a claim to being the best wrestler in the entire world), Damian Priest (WWE’s next big superstar waiting in the wings), the dominant Rhea Ripley, JD McDonagh, and “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio (Yes, son of Rey Mysterio), the Judgment Day has a lot of Championships, and a claim to being MVP of the red brand in the year 2023. Balor and Priest are great together as a unit and when teasing friction within the group, Ripley is as good a women’s champion as the company has ever had, and Dominik Mysterio might be the low-key MVP candidate of the entire company, generating serious boos each and every time he’s on screen, while also making everyone he gets inside the squared circle with look fantastic every night.

Logan Paul: Logan Paul isn’t for everybody. Hell, I’m not even sure he’s for me. But he has shown a tremendous knack for quickly obtaining the skills necessary to succeed in this business. While he is a part-time performer, all of the matches on his resume thus far have earned a passing grade, and he recently started leaning into the idea that the fans hate the spoiled social star, running with it perfectly, turning himself into one of the more hated wrestlers whenever he is in front of the camera.

Drew McIntyre: You might remember this name. McIntyre was touted as the next big thing about two decades ago. But his run in the WWE that time around never really got off the ground. Like a few others mentioned here, McIntyre left the company, choosing to bet on himself and rebuild his image. That bet paid off handsomely, as he returned to the company in phenomenal shape, and containing a resume littered with big match experiences and championship accolades from across the globe. He sometimes plays a good guy, sometimes plays a bad guy. Either way, the character is some sort of Scottish ass-kicker with various shades of grey as it relates to his morality. McIntyre has held WWE Universal Championship gold, has headlined a WrestleMania, and has staked his claim to more than a few match of the year candidates since his return to the company.

Shinsuke Nakamura: Life in World Wrestling Entertainment hasn’t always been easy for Shinsuke Namakura (pronounced Shin-skay). He was highly rated upon arrival, and rightfully so. Nakamura was coming off a fantastic run in his native Japan that had placed him in the conversation of best wrestler in the entire world. And he was initially treated that way on the WWE roster. However, he has been lost in the shuffle within the company over his years here. A recent revamp of his character to a more evil, dangerous warrior wiling to do whatever it takes to win has breathed new life into his career with the company. Feuds with Seth Rollins and now Cody Rhodes are showing everybody exactly what he can bring to the table. His mannerisms are a bit weird, making him not exactly for everybody. But Nakamura is a dangerous wrestler whose style looks mean and real. He backs up his words with offence that makes it easily believable that he could accomplish exactly what he says he will do.

Damage CTRL: Led by Bayley, Damage CTRL has taken control of the SmackDown! women’s division over the last calendar year and hasn't looked back. Consisting of international female stars Asuka, Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane, and Dakota Kai, the group runs the blue brand with their unique offence, high flying ability, and their strength in numbers. While they’re all decorated stars with many accolades and have accomplished a lot together, recent developments in the story have shown cracks in the foundation of the group.

AJ Styles: Once considered the best wrestler in the world for an extended period of time, AJ Styles may be a little older, and a recent rash of injuries have slowed him down. However, there is no denying that “The Phenomenal One” is still capable of putting on top performances on a nightly basis. Incredibly smooth and innovative, Styles reminds a lot of people of past stars like Bret “Hitman” Hart and Shawn Michaels.

Austin Theory/Grayson Waller: These guys are annoying! But that’s okay. I mean, that’s sort of the point, right? Austin Theory and Grayson Waller are young, brash, and arrogant stars slowly working their way up the WWE ladder. Both play characters who are full of themselves, and were despicable enough on their own. Recent developments have seen them combine their powers, leading to one of the WWE’s most hated alliances. Both have shared the ring with WWE legends Edge, Rey Mysterio, and John Cena, with Theory actually scoring a career-defining clean victory over Cena at the most recent WrestleMania.

Santos Escobar: WWE is always on the lookout for their next big international star, and they may have found another one in Santos Escobar. Coming up through their developmental system, Escobar has great technical ability mixed with just the right dash of lucha libre high flying ability. He was aligned with the legendary Rey Mysterio, but a recent shift in attitude has seen him betray his hero, embrace his bad side, and show off more of a Tony Montana inspired character.

Brock Lesnar: Quite frankly, I’m not even sure Brock Lesnar belongs on the heels side of this thing. But I'm not sure he belongs on the faces side, either. Brock Lesnar simply is who he is. He is an ass-kicking machine who is hell bent on destroying anything and anyone who gets in his path, regardless of where their allegiances lie. Lesnar isn’t around all the time, working a very part-time schedule. However, whenever he does show up, it is an event to behold.

What’s Next:

WWE is on the “Road To WrestleMania”, making this the absolute best time to get back into wrestling and back into their programming. January to April features the culmination of the biggest and best stories the company has to offer, with WrestleMania serving as the biggest night of the year for the company, the proverbial Super Bowl of pro wrestling. It’s essentially the season finale for the year, wrapping up the company’s most important storylines and highlighting its biggest stars.

The road to that event, and the stories that will be told there, starts actually right about now! In just three weeks, WWE presents the Royal Rumble, one of their most popular Premium Live Events. The night features two 30-person over the top rope matches (one for the men, and one for the women), and the winners will get a Championship match in the main event of WrestleMania (which is two nights now, by the way!).

The Royal Rumble is live from Florida Saturday, January 27th from the Tropicana Field, home of the MLB’s Tampa Rays.