Hello. I have a confession...I am a WWE fan.
There's an interesting amount of stigma associated with a phrase like that. Even from students I teach. I mentioned going to a RAW taping as a Senior trip and get the following: "Miss, you know that's fake?" or "God Miss only losers like that stuff." And I watch from the corner of the room as a couple of kids shift uncomfortably in thier seats. I know that looks. They want to defend not me but the sport they love. But how to do it without losing coolness?
Simple. Point out that wrestling is actually kind of cool. I admit I was a die hard Castle - watching fangirl on a Monday night. And don't get me wrong I still love Castle, but it's not my go to for Monday night any more.
It started when I was a kid. My Dad would take us to house shows at local colleges. Though I wouldn't admit it at the time (I was a teenage girl...who totally saw several areas of this as appealing, but not if asked) they were awesome. There's something about the energy of a live show that can't be beat.
But admitting it sometimes, especially as a female, nets you some backlash, backhanded remarks, and backsides as people turn and walk away. It just wasn't "cool." And yes, love for wrestling waxes and wanes with age, time, and storylines, but the true fans--the ones who have a soft spot for the sport--keep coming back.
Because there are moments. Like this one. See if you can spot the instant I fell back in love with WWE and more importantly Dean Ambrose. (Trust me there will be much more on my favorite Lunatic in later posts.)
For me that was my moment. It reminded me how fun, physical, and downright compelling wrestling could be. I was hooked again and I haven't looked back. I used CM Punk's grammar guides in my classroom. I used Ambrose gifs on my bell ringers. And don't get me stated on backgrounds on my phone or gallery. I wasn't that kid afraid to show my Fandom anymore. I even had lunch with other teachers who shared my problem of switching between ABC and USA on a Monday night.
And slowly students took notice. They approached like deer freezing if a car or group of peers passed to close, until they felt safe enough to ask. "Are you a fan?"
So I stand tall and say "Yes. I am a fan. I mark out when I should. I buy the merch. I follow the storylines. And I love every minute of it. So should you."
Now they meet Tuesday mornings outside our homerooms, drawing larger crowds. Unafraid and unabashed they speculate, they rehash, they enjoy. And I hope they never lose that.
