Dolfan in NYC Posted January 1 Posted January 1 It's 2026! I hope you have at least a theory of a vision that you are the max you can be, and you truly are h1m. (or h3r, or th3m, however you self-identify)
AxB Posted January 1 Posted January 1 As far as the Tribalism talk from December, there was a lot online for Wrestling during the Monday Night Wars. But there was also a lot pre-internet, if you were in any way a fan of Sega or Nintendo consoles (and it was either/or, you couldn't like both). Sony vs Microsoft/ PSX vs XBox was never as virulent as Sega vs Nintendo, for some reason. But at the same time, Two Tribes by Frankie Goes to Hollywood came out in 1984, and that wasn't about games consoles. It was mostly about the then-impending nuclear holocaust, but Holly Johnson said it was inspired by any kind of rivalry between groups... like he bought up Star Trek and Mad Max. 1
Log Posted January 1 Posted January 1 A lot of bad things have happened to pro wrestling in the last decade or so, but gimmick fans would have to be at or near the top of my list. 3 5
Ziggy Posted January 1 Posted January 1 As far as the discussion of Wrestlers taking dangerous neck bumps or getting dropped on their necks, on MVP's podcast he talked about how in America guys weren't really needing neck surgeries until German Suplexes were more of a thing. He wasn't the first one to say that. Atleast in Japan training the neck was always a big part of their training when breaking guys in. I don't know its that's still much of a thing in the west. I believe they need to emphasize neck training for everyone in America that's training just because of the neck bumps.
Ziggy Posted January 1 Posted January 1 18 minutes ago, Log said: A lot of bad things have happened to pro wrestling in the last decade or so, but gimmick fans would have to be at or near the top of my list. ECW had atleast 3 that come to mind in the 90s. I think the increase ticket prices will weed some out but I wouldn't be surprised if WWE sends some of these guys offers to support them so they can continue to attend so they can keep up the image. If the Flag guy and the Pink Shirt guy stop attending major PLEs that won't be a good look image wise. Thats why they are so pressed to show any celebrities in the audience
Log Posted January 1 Posted January 1 I don’t know who either of those people are and I’m thankful for that. I think it’s the combo of social media and these gimmick fans that make it insufferable. Like maybe hat guy was actually annoying in ECW, but we didn’t have to see fucking “news items” about him from worthless twitter accounts or whatever.
Casey Posted January 1 Posted January 1 9 hours ago, Dolfan in NYC said: It's 2026! I hope you have at least a theory of a vision that you are the max you can be, and you truly are h1m. (or h3r, or th3m, however you self-identify) Fun fact, there's a World champion in this picture and it's not Austin Theory or Carmelo Hayes. 3 4
Technico Support Posted January 1 Posted January 1 (edited) 2 hours ago, Ziggy said: Atleast in Japan training the neck was always a big part of their training when breaking guys in. And yet the absolute worst neck-related injury in wrestling history, Misawa’s death by internal capitation for fuck’s sake, happened in Japan. I think extensive neck training just makes wrestlers think they can take more dumb head drops. 1 hour ago, Log said: I don’t know who either of those people are and I’m thankful for that. I think it’s the combo of social media and these gimmick fans that make it insufferable. Like maybe hat guy was actually annoying in ECW, but we didn’t have to see fucking “news items” about him from worthless twitter accounts or whatever. I remember watching AEW a while back and there was a guy at ringside with a massive amount of signs, and he kept his eyes glued to the big screen all night just so he knew exactly when to hold up a sign. It was sad because the guy paid good money for front row seats to great wrestling, but all he cared about was getting his signs on TV. I’m no doctor but there’s clearly a mental health issue with gimmick fans. Edited January 1 by Technico Support 3
Niners Fan in CT Posted January 1 Posted January 1 A lot of things you see on the internet or in public (to be consumed on the internet) are for clout. This travels across everything from wrestling events and wrestling fans to people live reacting to TV shows like the 'Stranger Things' finale and on down the line. Fame is a drug for people. Social media made it 100x worse. 6
Nice Guy Eddie Posted January 1 Posted January 1 1 hour ago, Technico Support said: And yet the absolute worst neck-related injury in wrestling history, Misawa’s death by internal capitation for fuck’s sake, happened in Japan. I think extensive neck training just makes wrestlers think they can take more dumb head drops. I remember watching AEW a while back and there was a guy at ringside with a massive amount of signs, and he kept his eyes glued to the big screen all night just so he knew exactly when to hold up a sign. It was sad because the guy paid good money for front row seats to great wrestling, but all he cared about was getting his signs on TV. I’m no doctor but there’s clearly a mental health issue with gimmick fans. A narcissist is someone with an excessive focus on themselves, characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for constant admiration, and a profound lack of empathy for others, often masking deep-seated insecurities and reacting poorly to criticism. This self-centered pattern, known clinically as Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), involves traits like arrogance, entitlement, manipulation, and exploitative behavior in all areas of life, stemming from complex factors like upbringing and environment, and requiring professional therapy (like CBT/DBT) for management, though change is difficult. 2
sabremike Posted January 1 Posted January 1 Here is a full list of celebrity fans who are awesome: Vladimir. That's it, that's the list. 5
The Green Meanie Posted January 1 Posted January 1 8 hours ago, AxB said: But at the same time, Two Tribes by Frankie Goes to Hollywood came out in 1984, and that wasn't about games consoles. It was mostly about the then-impending nuclear holocaust, but Holly Johnson said it was inspired by any kind of rivalry between groups... like he bought up Star Trek and Mad Max. Never thought I'd hear a FGTH reference regarding wrestling here in 2026. Kudos! 1
Eivion Posted January 1 Posted January 1 2 hours ago, Technico Support said: And yet the absolute worst neck-related injury in wrestling history, Misawa’s death by internal capitation for fuck’s sake, happened in Japan. I think extensive neck training just makes wrestlers think they can take more dumb head drops. Misawa was told to retire years earlier by his doctors due to how bad his neck was. He originally wanted to transition to old comedy guy during NOAH's early years if I recall correctly. It didn't happen because other execs in NOAH felt they absolutely needed him in a higher position to keep NOAH successful. If Misawa hadn't felt that massive burden he likely would still be alive. He didn't think he was invincible or anything. He was just desperate to provide for his newer promotion. 1
Cobra Commander Posted January 1 Posted January 1 to be honest, I didn't know what Brock Lesnar Guy looked like, so when I saw that headline, I thought it was the black guy who was reacting to the end of the Streak in 2014 4 1
Web Conn Posted January 1 Posted January 1 So why is Brock Lesnar guy “retiring” from shows? And also why do I care he’s not going to shows anymore? 2 2
Niners Fan in CT Posted January 1 Posted January 1 36 minutes ago, Web Conn said: So why is Brock Lesnar guy “retiring” from shows? And also why do I care he’s not going to shows anymore? I've heard that some of these "super fans" get preferential treatment for seating so my guess is maybe those perks were stripped away? Yes, he could be retiring for other reasons but for someone who loves being "known" I'm going to guess it's over something stupid like that.
odessasteps Posted January 1 Posted January 1 I heard someone ask Nick Khan or Hunter about those super fans and one of them has some sort of business connection involving hospitality so that helps a little. remember when Vladimir was one of the only super fans? Those were the days.
zendragon Posted January 1 Posted January 1 6 hours ago, Log said: I don’t know who either of those people are and I’m thankful for that. I think it’s the combo of social media and these gimmick fans that make it insufferable. Like maybe hat guy was actually annoying in ECW, but we didn’t have to see fucking “news items” about him from worthless twitter accounts or whatever. I feel like ECW Hat Guy just showed up and wore a hat, ECW Sign did do the "Cane Dewey" sign which did in fact lead to an all time great Foley promo
odessasteps Posted January 1 Posted January 1 Would the Front Row, Section D guys be considered super fans or gimmick fans? Same with the Atlanta Boys (Hudson, Prazak, Horton). 1
Ziggy Posted January 1 Posted January 1 6 hours ago, Log said: I don’t know who either of those people are and I’m thankful for that. I think it’s the combo of social media and these gimmick fans that make it insufferable. Like maybe hat guy was actually annoying in ECW, but we didn’t have to see fucking “news items” about him from worthless twitter accounts or whatever. WWE is the biggest culprit for it happing because they acknowledge alot of these guys. In the 90's WWE or even ECW wouldn't acknowledge these guys on TV. If I was a wrestling content creator, I'd try to get my face shown on TV too if I believe it was a possibility. That's another reason tribalism is so much worse now because alot of these people will get rewarded for their fandom. The Brock Lesnar fan seemed like a fan of Wrestling overall, not just WWE. He could be seen at AEW and indy shows. He didn't come across like he was on WWE's payroll
zendragon Posted January 1 Posted January 1 19 minutes ago, odessasteps said: Would the Front Row, Section D guys be considered super fans or gimmick fans? Same with the Atlanta Boys (Hudson, Prazak, Horton). there's a fine line between being part of the show (we all love a wrestling show with a hot crowd) and trying to BE the show 2
Cobra Commander Posted January 1 Posted January 1 I think those ringside fans from the Carolinas/Georgia are close to pre-MST3K sort of crowds who have some sort of grievance with the promotion that they keep spending their money on.. like the wrestling version of bleacher creatures
Stefanie Sparkleface Posted January 1 Posted January 1 (edited) In case anyone needs more evidence that confirms my "wrestling is better when it's geared towards getting kids to shout things at a mean heel", here you go. EDIT TO ADD: I will also accept getting a grandma to swing at a mean heel. Same thing, really. Edited January 1 by Stefanie Sparkleface 5
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