This past weekend, I got to see my social media feed be filled with highlights of All Elite Wrestling’s annual paper-view event “All In”. My attention was immediately grabbed from so many different things; however, the one moment that made me remember why I love professional wrestling so much was Will Ospreay winning the All Elite Wrestling World Championship in his home territory. From the anticipation in his entrance, to the moves being performed alongside his opponent, Kenny Omega, everything felt personal. And one thing I know after watching professional wrestling for most of my life, is that just like a movie, there needs to be a good story.
As a kid, of course I believed that all the wrestlers I saw on my television were real life superheroes. I rooted for the good guy and booed for the bad guy. But, one thing I have grown to learn is that the wrestlers aren’t just athletes; they are storytellers engaging with the fans through promos and matches. One person who always had a storyline I was invested in from start to finish was John Cena. From when I first started watching him to his retirement tour in 2025, he never failed to disappoint with giving the fans a good story in and out of the ring. A storyline of his that I will forever love and remember every emotion for was Team Cena versus Team Authority at Survivor Series 2014. Everything leading up to it was done properly, and that action throughout the storyline was phenomenal. For me, it was basically The Avengers fighting off bad guys, but professional wrestling, and I still rewatch the match because the story was just that good. It’s moments like that, as well as the people involved, that make the entirety of the match meaningful and something unforgettable.
Another storyline that will always be a favorite of mine is the complexity of The SHIELD. The team of Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Roman Reigns was unstoppable, and the fans loved them. Out of nowhere, the plot twist that changed a lot of what wrestling would be for the next few years. June 2, 2014: “Plan B”, Seth Rollins turned on his “brothers”. For years to come, all three members would fight either alongside one another, or against one another, in matches and promos that not only brought in money, but got the fans heavily invested and wanting more. I remember the sheer joy I felt when they finally reunited in 2017, and I remember the sadness I felt when they officially ended in 2019. Now, all three members are former World Champions, faces of their respective brands, and still telling countless stories for fans to enjoy.
Of course, as time went on, I began to watch new performers and focus on new storylines. This leads me to 2020. While being stuck on lockdown, I came across a Youtube channel called “Being The Elite”… I watched one video and the next thing I know I’m growing into a fan of All Elite Wrestling, but more importantly, The Young Bucks. I got to learn more about them as time went on, but I immediately fell in love with their group “The Elite” portrayed on television including the likes of Kenny Omega and “Hangman” Adam Page. To make things even cooler, they added a storyline of “The Elite” splitting up, the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega not trusting Adam Page, and many other plots that came along with it. The heroes were now scattered, and I was invested. During my beginning time as a fan of All Elite Wrestling, the Young Bucks had their own storyline of wanting to win the tag-team championships; they wanted to prove that all they had worked so hard for was worth paying attention to, and that even though they’re EVPS, they shouldn’t be underestimated. Many emotions were felt as I watched Matt and Nick Jackson prove everyone wrong by winning the gold, and I couldn’t help but picture myself in their shoes trying to prove myself in the sports or activities that I love. Pushing through obstacles and finally winning the gold meant more to me in that moment because it was a reminder that anyone watching could do what they do, whether it actually be in the ring or not.
Professional wrestling is not just something scripted or performed. It evolves over time and builds up characters, plots, and messages that remain important for a long time. Storytelling in professional wrestling remains special to those who keep the stories active and relevant. As Michael Cole famously said when Cody Rhodes pinned Roman Reigns: “Finish. The. Story”, this goes for anyone who needs a reminder: your story isn’t over yet.