Salt Lake City, UT – If you’re like me, getting anybody to come and see the appeal of professional wrestling live can be a challenge. I’m my case, the challenge always runs the gamut of the following statements:
“It’s scripted.”
“I prefer real sports.”
“You know pro wrestling is fake, right?”
That last one I typically reply with, “Yes, but then again, so is your marriage/relationship and you buy into that BS!” That usually happens around February or anytime I’m in Provo, UT after a few shots of mezcal flood my medulla oblongata.
But I digress.
This last Friday, I had a conversation with my friend and life coach (read: bartender), Cami. She called me up out of the blue and wanted to know about any local wrestling shows coming up. The last time we did that, we went as part of our support group, dubbed “Team No Kids,” and went to see the local independent, Devotion Championship Wrestling.
I let her know that there were shows at a couple of promotions coming up in December, but then realized I had an extra ticket as WWE provided for me to cover SMACKDOWN that evening at the Delta Center (formerly the Vivint Arena) in downtown Salt Lake City. I asked if she was down to see a big event like that and to my surprise she said, “Yes.”
At this time, allow me to speak to the men: I know getting women involved in pro wrestling is equally challenging, like wrangling cats, or even watching the musical, CATS. Lord knows my batting average in that area is somewhere in the single digits. Thankfully, the few women who have deigned to hang out with me in such pro wrestling events are usually adventurous, open-minded, and the right amount of screwball that makes for a pleasant affair. Melissa Merlot and I are just such an example.
If you find any of the fairer sex like that, keep ‘em in your orbit or wife ‘em up.
Oh, and most importantly, always ask for consent. Especially if you tell them they’re going to a pro wrestling show.
Back to the subject at hand. Cami and I met up at the local bar near the Delta Center for some deserved pre-gaming. I thought this would be best since seeing WWE is a whole different ballpark than going to the local indy show.
As we entered, the show was getting underway, and while some of you know what happened last night (thanks to Slam! writer Shelby-Liza Ndumbi’s impeccable coverage), I mostly observed Cami’s response. Knowing she prefers UFC to WWE as she delved into MMA for a portion of her life, this would be a hard sell. During the first two hours, she said to me after a handful of matches with a smile, “This is bulls***. Why don’t they submit them right then and there?”
I thought of trying to explain the psychology of a well-done match and how a quick finish versus drawing out the match with a submission can make the difference, but I thought better of it since that would come dangerously close to mansplaining. I’ve seen male customers try to cross her when she was bartending and I saw firsthand how those fools were crippled emotionally and mentally by Cami, so I let be and gave a shrug.
During a pin attempt by LA Knight versus Santos Escobar, Cami wondered, “Why do they always hook the leg when they pin, Tommy? Is that so they can’t escape?” I acknowledged that was the case as it could be part of the whole psychology of the match. Again, she replied, “Then why not submit them?”
She did make a point. I mean, WWE and UFC are part of TKO, as I mentioned to her during our pregame session, so maybe that might happen down the road.
But that is a ramble for another time.
Other thoughts myself and Cami noticed, as I jotted them down were:
- Hearing the pop as Paul Heyman came out was equally matched as CM Punk came out for the save. Again, The Delta Center is among the noisiest venues in America, which once reached 110 decibels during the 1997 NBA Finals with the Utah Jazz. There is a reason this place had been once nicknamed the “Decibel Center.”
CM Punk takes in the cheers at The Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT on 11/23/2024. Photo by Tommy “Milagro” Martinez
- Nakamura’s music had a cool death metal vibe, and I pointed out he was becoming more goth in his transformation.
- I pointed to a sign that said, “Salt YEET City” during the Jey Uso vs Jacob Fatu match, which led to Cami asking, “Why is YEET a thing?” Even I had trouble explaining that.
A Fan’s sign acknowledging to “Main Event” Jey Uso that this is “Salt YEET City.” at The Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT. Photo by Tommy “Milagro” Martinez
- Cody Rhodes coming out to his entrance music and hearing fans sing along to The American Nightmare’s “Kingdom” was particularly funny.
- This was a four-hour show since they were also taping in anticipation of the holidays (which you can check out here). While I thought WWE kept things moving along, I could see in Cami’s face the wear of being at such a show, especially if you’re going for the first time.
There were others, but I’m doing my best not to get myself and she canceled at this stage in the game.
After we were leaving the Delta Center, I asked Cami, “So, what did you think of your first WWE event?”
“It was fun,” she replied with a smile, “but it’s still not real to me.”
Oh, well. Can’t win them all, but I attempted.
Top Photo: The outside of The Delta Center in downtown Salt Lake City as it hosted WWE Smackdown on Friday, 11/23/2024. Photo by Tommy “Milagro” Martinez