By Tony Donofrio, ProWrestling.net Contributor (@TonyDonofrio)
When I purchased my tickets to AEW Dynamite in Pittsburgh back in August, I figured I’d be going to the All Out fallout show and end up griping again about how AEW insists on running the Petersen Events Center even though the arena holds over 12,000 people. While I do still have a lot more to say about that, I instead ended up attending my first ever pro wrestling tribute show. All week long leading up to the show there was a sense of dread rather than the normal excitement that I’d feel anytime that I’d prepare to go to a pro wrestling event. I’ve seen my share of pro wrestling tribute shows going all the way back to the late 1990s, but I’d never been to one in person. I can’t say that I’ve ever seen a “bad one” if you can remove the idea that they only occur under the most unfortunate of events. Having said that, I can’t imagine it’s the type of show that anyone would ever look forward to wanting to see.
The best way I can describe the experience is that it was a two-hour wake surrounded by thousands of others that you don’t know. Much like being at a wake, you make the best of the absolute worst situation. You listen to others tell stories about the one who has left us, and others try to make you feel better as you celebrate the life of the person who passed. At a wake, you typically get emotional, but there is also some smiling as stories are told and maybe even some lighthearted laughter if the story leans in that direction. Wednesday night’s Dynamite was a lot like that in person. The purpose of a wake is to try to get some closure, and that was felt throughout the evening. I can’t say that I’ve ever been to a pro wrestling show where you can feel the emotion for a solid two-plus hours the way that I did this past Wednesday night. It really was a tremendous show to attend. I also hope that I never attend another one again and that we don’t have to go through more of them. Sadly, the reality is that we will, but you can only hope that they are not frequent (certainly not twice in one month like AEW had to do in September).
In the past six years, AEW has had to run three tribute shows for people that seem to have been universally loved by anyone who ever had a relationship with them – Brodie Lee, “The Butcher” Andy Williams, and “Pac” Ben Satterley. Each man died way too young. One of the beautiful things that does come out of a tragedy is to see how much the pro wrestling community can come together and not be tribalistic when it wants to. All three of those men have been given tributes by their peers and fans of various companies. As beautiful as that is, it’s really sad that it takes a tragedy for most fans to put aside their tribalism. I suppose that’s just the reality of life. On September 12, 2001, here in the United States, I can’t remember ever feeling closer to my fellow citizens or having a feeling of togetherness like that again. The worst of times can bring out the best in people; that’s true in all facets of life, I believe. I really wish we could all remember the way we come together after tragedies and try to normalize that in our everyday lives. The subculture that is pro wrestling fandom and how it has become so tribalistic is no different.
I fully commend all those who worked the tribute show this past Wednesday night. As I said before, you could feel the emotion all night, especially from the men and women in the ring. I couldn’t imagine the strength it took to keep their emotions in check while working a match, trying to entertain fans that paid good money to see them, while also doing their best not to break down mid-match and keeping the other workers safe inside the ring. At the same time, I can’t blame any of the talent who declined to work Wednesday night. When anyone loses those close to them, there is a bereavement period for “regular jobs.” To want that in an industry where your life is in the public eye should be no different if you want that time.
Every day is a gift. I know that phrase feels like a cliché, but I fully believe in it. Not to get too personal, but when I pray, I thank the good Lord every time for each day I’m given because we never know when that time could come to an end. If this past month hasn’t reminded you of that already as a pro wrestling fan, then I hope maybe this helps. We are all on borrowed time, including those we care about. Hold them close. Never forget to tell them what they mean to you. Appreciate everything you have. In the scope of pro wrestling, treat your fellow fans like you would after these unfortunate tragedies. Anything could happen tonight. Anything could happen tomorrow, next week, etc.
If you’re reading this, it’s likely because you love pro wrestling. Treat each other with kindness and respect. When I walked out of the Petersen Events Center on Wednesday night, it felt like I was walking out with thousands of others who felt the same way that I did. We had just witnessed a tremendous show that was brought about by a tremendous tragedy. It didn’t matter whether you knew Ben Satterley as Adrian Neville or Pac. It felt that way on social media all week as well. I can only hope that we all learn lessons about how we approach life and each other from when things seem to be at their darkest.
