WHAT IS WRESTLING?! | The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy #138

The speaker discusses recent events, such as attending the Crow World premiere and the whirlwind of activities in the past weeks.

Sharing thoughts on attending the premiere of 'The Crow' remake, comparing it to the original, and giving it a rating of three and a half stars out of five.

Discussion on Brian Danielson's potential to win the AEW World title and the stipulation of retirement if he doesn't, with insights on his importance in AEW.

Upcoming events like the evening with the Hardies in Arkansas, participation in live shows and concerts, and potential matches with Nick Gage.

Reflecting on AEW's tag team division, upcoming match between FTR and The Bucks, and opinions on the current state of tag team wrestling in mainstream companies.

The joy of attending live events, creating memories, and a promotion of Game Time's convenient ticket purchasing with all-in pricing and ticket coverage benefits.

Discussion about the perception of wrestling and its attraction, particularly focusing on the entertainment aspect of superheroes and larger-than-life characters in the 80s.

Exploration of the changes in wrestling over the years, from the 80s with a focus on characters to the early 2000s with an emphasis on work rate and match quality.

Transition from surface-level enjoyment to a deep appreciation for work rate and match quality, influenced by events like the Montreal Screwjob and ECW.

Discussion on significant matches like Misawa vs. Kada and how they shaped the focus on work rate in wrestling, especially through promotions like ECW and WCW.

Recognition of Dave Meltzer's influence in promoting the importance of match quality and work rate in wrestling.

Discussion on the impact of Japanese wrestling style in influencing the emphasis on work rate and match quality in American wrestling, including the influence of wrestlers like Eddie Guerrero and Owen Hart.

Exploration of how promotions like ECW and WCW Cruiserweights contributed to the focus on work rate and high-quality matches in wrestling.

Transition of work rate discussion from niche to mainstream, highlighting the influence of events like the Montreal Screwjob in changing perceptions.

Discussion on how the Montreal Screwjob shifted fan and industry focus towards the importance of work rate and match quality in wrestling.

Debate on the significance of storytelling versus work rate in wrestling matches and their impact on engaging fans.

Exploration of wrestling as a form of athletic storytelling and how it conveys emotions and narratives through in-ring performances.

The speaker talks about a memorable encounter with a fan in their hometown who expressed gratitude and admiration for their wrestling matches, highlighting the influence the speaker and their partner had on the fan's life.

Reflecting on the impact of their matches on people's childhood and the emotional connection with fans, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and emotional engagement in professional wrestling.

Discussing the motivation behind creating cinematic matches and the evolution of the 'broken universe' concept, emphasizing the use of new and inventive storytelling methods in wrestling.

Exploring the influence of thinking outside the box in wrestling creativity, mentioning the advice received from a mentor to have an open mind and embrace creative challenges in the industry.

Highlighting pro wrestlers as creators who craft characters, stories, and arcs, emphasizing the importance of staying innovative and relevant in the ever-evolving wrestling industry.

Encouraging fans to embrace the diverse styles and storytelling approaches in professional wrestling, promoting open-mindedness and enjoyment of the variety of content available.

Advocating for holding professional wrestling to the same storytelling standards as other forms of media, emphasizing the importance of continuity and investment in storytelling quality.