Professional wrestling has been around for hundreds of years. President Abraham Lincoln even wrestled. But World Wrestling Entertainment, also known as WWE,  is one of the main reasons why pro wrestling became popular, not just nationally, but globally as well.

With its characters, storylines, moves and matches, it offers an escape from reality to relax and enjoy pro wrestling.

That is exactly what it does for 21-year-old Brandon Weber.

“It provides an escape from reality on Mondays and Fridays,” Weber said. “For four and a half hours a week, I can forget about what’s going on in my life and watch wrestling.”

When asked his favorite part about WWE, Weber said he enjoys the entrances and characters.
 

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“I really like how the entrances of the wrestlers can tell the story of each person,” Weber said. “You can tell if they are a good guy or a bad guy, serious or funny, and so much about the character based on their gear, song, and entrance.”

Weber enjoys WWE, but WWE is not the only pro wrestling company in the U.S.

While WWE has been the main professional wrestling company in the U.S. since its inception in 1952, All Elite Wrestling has become competition for WWE since it started in 2018.

21-year-old Shane Fowler was a fan of WWE growing up, but later became an AEW fan.

“AEW has a variety of wrestling styles,” said Fowler. “Whether it be lucha libre, technical wrestling or shoot wrestling, it has something for every kind of wrestling fan.”

Another reason why Fowler is an AEW fan is because of their TV matches.

“I remember watching Kenny Omega vs Bryan Danielson on Dynamite and going insane over it. It was a banger,” said /Fowler. “You’re not getting those kinds of matches on free TV in WWE.”
 

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Omega and Danielson are two of the most decorated wrestlers of this generation, and the fact that AEW puts these types of matches on free TV is a reason why Fowler is a fan of AEW.

Weber agrees with Fowler that the TV matches, and match quality in general, in WWE are not on the same level as AEW.

“WWE focuses on storylines more so than the actual wrestling,” Weber said. “I do think AEW is the better actual in-ring wrestling company when it comes to match quality. AEW is more wrestling-driven, and WWE is more storyline-driven.”

While fans may have different viewpoints on each company, professional wrestling can bring people together and can provide an escape from reality for a few hours a week. 

In the end, every wrestling company has its own unique way of going about its shows. Whether it is more storyline-driven or match-driven, professional wrestling can provide an escape from reality and bring people together.