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Are Wrestling Shoes Good For Weight Lifting?


Wrestling shoes are very versatile and can be expensive depending on how much you want to spend. However, many people wonder if they are good for weight lifting, as weight lifting and wrestling often combine.

Are Wrestling Shoes Good for Weight Lifting?

Wrestling shoes are good for weight lifting for several reasons. Wrestling shoes help with grip, offer support, don’t weigh you down, and protect your ankles. All of these characteristics make wrestling shoes great for both wrestling and weight lifting.

Let’s talk a little more about what makes wrestling shoes a good fit for weight lifting.

Benefits of Wrestling Shoes In Weight Lifting

Wrestling Shoes Help Your Grip

Wrestling shoes have strong grips that help you maintain your footing in any direction. Wrestlers need this to properly compete because their sport requires them to move in many different directions. The grips on wrestling shoes will help you keep your feet firmly in place while lifting. 

Wrestling Shoes Give Provide Necessary Support

Wrestling shoes add a layer of support for lifters that is vital in foot health. As long as wrestling shoes fit properly, they offer plenty of support needed for foot health. The tight fit holds your foot in the proper position to ensure that you stay balanced and flat-footed when necessary. 

Wrestling Shoes Have a Light-Weight Fit 

Wrestlers need to be quick on their feet, and their shoes are designed to help with this by being lightweight. This can also help weightlifters get the most out of their lifts.

Heavy shoes can weigh you down and make it more difficult to lift. So, the lightweight feel of wrestling shoes can promote better lifting techniques while keeping lifters light on their feet when needed. 

Wrestling Shoes Offer Great Ankle Protection

Wrestling shoes are notorious for offering ankle protection, as wrestlers need to be careful during a match.

Because they move so fast, wrestlers need to protect their ankles from rolling, and this protection transfers well to weight lifting. Weight lifters can roll their ankles easily during the strain of lifting, and wrestling shoes can help offer some protection for their ankles. 

Are Wrestling Shoes Good for Squats and Deadlifts?

Wrestling shoes are good for both squats and deadlifts because they have plenty of grips and help protect your ankles. Squats and deadlifts both require sturdy feet, and wrestling shoes can prevent ankle injuries and keep a firm footing while you lift.

Wrestling shoes have grips on the bottom that certainly help accomplish this. When you think about wrestling, there are plenty of instances where grips are necessary to execute moves properly. That is not all that different from lifting, which also requires good grips. 

For both squats and deadlifts, ankle protection is very important. It can be easy to lose your balance when lifting and squatting. So, ankle protection can prevent you from rolling your ankle if you lose balance. 

How Much Do Wrestling Shoes Cost?

You can get a cheaper pair of wrestling shoes from $50 to $100, but more expensive pairs can cost up to $200. The cost of wrestling shoes varies depending on the quality you are looking for. 

Cheaper pairs of wrestling shoes are great for beginners, as it is not necessary to splurge on expensive shoes right away. Basic wrestling shoes will get the job done just fine as they provide plenty of grip and protection, but as you advance, you may want to invest in a more expensive pair. 

More expensive wrestling shoes allow wrestlers to utilize more of their advanced footwork and techniques.

While it is unnecessary to spend a lot on wrestling shoes, more advanced wrestlers will want to invest in a better pair. As your skills grow, your wrestling shoes should change and adapt to what you need. 

What Are the Best Wrestling/Weight Lifting Shoes?

The best wrestling/weight lifting shoes will fit well, provide great ankle support, have a lightweight fit, and assist your grip. There is no one pair of wrestling shoes that are the best for everyone. The best pair of wrestling shoes is the one that works for you and your style of wrestling.

While it would be easy to name the current top or most expensive brand of wrestling shoes, that isn’t going to do much good for anyone looking for the best brand to suit their needs. Every wrestler is different and has different techniques and skills. 

So, the best shoe will always be the one that fits the best and has all the enhancements that the wrestler needs. For a beginner, this will be a cheaper pair to get them started. Once a wrestler gets more skilled, then it will be whichever shoes complement their style. 

Expensive usually means better, and in the case of wrestling shoes, that is true. However, the most expensive shoes are not necessary to be a good wrestler.

They merely take what cheaper shoes offer and add some extra features to help maximize your skills. So, don’t get too wrapped up in the most advanced shoes right away. Stick with buying shoes that match your needs.  

Are Wrestling Shoes Good for Running?

Wrestling shoes are not good for running because they’re not designed to support your feet against the pavement. Although wrestling shoes provide a lot of free movement, they easily get dirty and won’t protect from injury. 

Many wrestlers will tell you that you should not wear your wrestling shoes off of the mat. This is because you can track all kinds of dirt onto the wrestling mat.

That may not sound like a big deal, but wrestlers often lay on and have their face exposed to the mat multiple times during a match. With everything that can be tracked on a shoe, it is considered respectful to wear clean shoes on the mat. 

Wrestling shoes provide a lot of flexibility and support by hugging your foot. However, this also means that wrestling shoes do not offer any arch support or much support in general when it comes to running. Because running is hard on your feet, it is not recommended that you run in wrestling shoes. 

Wrestling shoes are great for weight lifting because they provide grip, are lightweight, and help protect your ankles. Though they are great for weight lifting, you shouldn’t wear your wrestling shoes running as they don’t give the arch support you need for hitting the pavement.

Interested in Wrestling? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training Wrestling, here is some of the gear I recommend:
Best Ear Guards(Headgear)
Best Mouth Guard
Best Wrestling Shoes
Best Groin Protection
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

Wrestling vs Grappling: What’s the Difference


Aspects of grappling are featured in many forms of martial arts, but grappling has always been its own discipline. Since many grappling aspects are carried over to wrestling, many wonder if there’s a difference between the two sports.

Difference Between Wrestling and Grappling?

The difference between wrestling and grappling is seen in their fight techniques and finishes. With grappling, a fighter relies heavily on their opponent’s submissions in order to win. Plus, grappling doesn’t allow grapplers to punch or kick an opponent, unlike wrestling and some other martial arts.

In this article, we’ll look at what grappling is and dig a little deeper into those differences.

What Is Grappling?

Grappling is a combat-fighting sport based on body strength and submission. This martial art is all about grabbing an opponent to get the upper hand. In order to win a match, the grappler must outscore their opponent or submit them.

Grappling is a much different discipline than other martial arts because it relies solely on submissions to win a fight. Most of a grappling match is spent contacting your opponent, attempting to get the upper hand. 

Much time in grappling is spent trying to gain the advantage or escape when your opponent gets the upper hand. Because of this, grappling may look a little dull compared to the flashy quickness of wrestling, but there’s a constant physical and mental battle between the fighters. 

In grappling, there’s usually no time to regain your composure. So, unlike other combat sports, grapplers need to exert a lot of their physical energy constantly. Any time energy is attempting to be conserved, a time that your opponent can take advantage. 

Submissions are a very important part of grappling, and because of this, many dangerous submissions are allowed and often encouraged. Forcing a fighter to tap out isn’t easy, but it’s the way to win.

The key to submissions is to inflict so much inescapable pain that your opponent has no other choice or to make your opponent fear that you will injure them severely.

What Are the Different Forms of Grappling?

The different forms of grappling include takedowns, submissions, throws, escapes, reversals, and clinching. Grappling is also used all over the world as part of other combat sports. 

Takedowns are most commonly found in wrestling and mixed martial arts. Though they aren’t allowed in every discipline, they’re very useful in getting your opponent on the mat. Many fighters use takedowns to get the upper hand or pin their opponent. 

Submissions are common throughout combat sports, but they’re not usually the way to win. Often, submissions are used to weaken and physically exhaust your opponent. So, even in disciplines that don’t include tapping out, submissions can be useful. 

Throws are a huge part of grappling and many other martial arts disciplines. They’re a great way to exhaust your opponent and get the upper advantage to set up other moves. Whether it’s wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, or Judo, you can see throws used very often in disciplines. 

One of the most useful forms of grappling is learning escapes and reversals. Escaping helps in many different combat sports that involve submissions, holds, or takedowns.

It’s also helpful in basic self-defense to learn different types of reversals. If you’re ever in a situation where someone has the upper hand, learning escapes and reversals can help you get out of a dangerous situation. 

Clinching is sometimes one of the first things to happen in a combat sport like MMA or wrestling. This is where you and your opponent hold on to each other, trying to get the upper hand. This often leads to takedowns or submissions once a fighter can gain the upper hand. 

Is Grappling Considered Fighting?

Grappling is considered fighting. According to Merriam-Webster, fighting means “to contend in battle or physical combat.” This is what grappling is all about. Plus, grappling is a form of hand-to-hand combat that aims to pin an opponent or make them submit.

Grappling is hand-to-hand combat that requires you to get the upper hand against your opponent and make them submit. 

Some may question whether grappling is fighting because there are no kicks and punches allowed, but there’s much more to fighting than that. Physical combat can be interpreted in many different ways, whether it is punches, kicks, takedowns, or holds. 

By definition, grappling is a method of fighting, and there are many different methods and variations of fighting. Fighting is so diverse because the definition is left to interpretation.

So, fighting can mean many different disciplines and combat sports. Because grappling is a hand-to-hand combat sport, it falls under the umbrella of fighting. 

How Is Grappling Different From Wrestling?

Grappling is different from wrestling in terms of its fight techniques and finishes. Grappling ends when one of the competitors taps out, and it doesn’t encourage punching or kicking your opponent like other martial arts disciplines. 

A fighting style with no kicks or punches sounds a little out there, but grappling focuses more on the takedown and submission aspects of fighting. The main goal in grappling is to make your opponent submit by putting them in a hold that causes them pain. 

Intense submissions are highly recommended in grappling, and fighters sometimes tap out for fear of a broken bone or torn ligament. That’s often highly encouraged in grappling. 

While both disciplines are built on controlling your opponent’s body, grappling is really built on it. Rather than trying to utilize other moves like wrestling, grappling is all about strength and using your body to get the upper hand on your opponent. 

Most wrestling doesn’t include submissions, whereas grappling relies heavily on them. While there are certain aspects of grappling in wrestling, the differences are glaring. 

Even though there are aspects of grappling in wrestling, there are plenty of differences between them. Grappling encourages painful submissions while wrestling avoids them, but there are other minor differences among the rules as well that set them apart.

Parts of grappling are found in many different combat sports, and they’ll remain a vital part of fighting for a long time.

Interested in Wrestling? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training Wrestling, here is some of the gear I recommend:
Best Ear Guards(Headgear)
Best Mouth Guard
Best Wrestling Shoes
Best Groin Protection
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

Can You Use Boxing Shoes for Wrestling?


Boxing and wrestling are often seen as very similar disciplines. Whether you’re transitioning from boxing to wrestling or just happen to own a pair of boxing shoes, you may be wondering if you can use boxing shoes for wrestling. 

Can You Use Boxing Shoes for Wrestling?

You can wear boxing shoes for wrestling. That’s because boxing shoes have a similar design to wrestling shoes, form-fitting and relatively lightweight. Like wrestling shoes, boxing shoes are flexible enough to ensure fighters are comfortable and agile in the ring.

Keep reading as I explore reasons you can wear boxing shoes for wrestling and how the two shoe types differ from one another.

Is It Okay To Wear Boxing Shoes for Wrestling?

It is okay to wear boxing shoes for wrestling because they have a similar design for both disciplines. Both styles of shoes are form-fitting and relatively lightweight, allowing fighters to be as fast and agile as their discipline requires. 

Boxing shoes are made to cover and protect ankles, and many wrestling shoes are made the same way. Although it is more important for boxers to protect their ankles, wrestlers will not be inconvenienced by the height of boxing shoes.

It is good for beginner wrestlers to have shoes similar to boxing shoes that protect their ankles as they are learning their footwork. 

Both types of shoes offer much-needed tread for fighters to keep their footing. Though it is worth noting that the tread may differ between the styles, the tread is important for both disciplines, and it makes boxing shoes very useful for wrestlers. 

Wrestling and boxing shoes both offer little sole support. They are designed this way to give fighters flexible movement. So, boxing shoes are fine for wrestlers to use because they offer the same amount of support. 

While boxing shoes are great for boxing and wrestling, it’s important to choose your boxing shoes wisely because poor-quality shoes may not give you enough protection from injuries.

High-quality boxing shoes help prevent straining your feet during extended periods of training or fighting. They also reduce the risk of falling that can lead to cuts and bruises.

What Is the Difference Between Boxing Shoes and Wrestling Shoes?

Boxing and wrestling shoes are different in terms of their soles, flexibility, and ankle protection. Wrestling shoes are great for most movement styles, but boxing shoes focus more on specific moves, such as when a boxer moves forward and backward quickly to avoid and execute hits.

Wrestling shoes tend to focus on the foot’s flexibility and ability to move in every direction comfortably without the shoe getting in the way. This is not the same for boxing shoes, as they focus more on linear front and back movements. Boxing shoes do not allow as much freedom of movement. 

Boxing shoes are tall to help protect the ankle, and some wrestling shoes are the same way. However, some wrestlers prefer more freedom with their ankle movement and choose shoes that are cut lower than boxing shoes. 

Best Shoes for Wrestling and Boxing?

The best shoes for both boxing and wrestling are boxing shoes because wrestling shoes may not offer all the protection needed for boxing. Though boxing shoes may over-protect a wrestler’s foot, it is better to have more protection than less. 

If you are looking for shoes that you can wear for wrestling and boxing, then boxing shoes are the way to go. Wrestling shoes are great for the fast-paced discipline, but they don’t offer much protection for boxers. 

The high-top style of boxing shoes ensures that the fighter’s ankles are secure. It is easy to roll your ankle in boxing, and wrestling shoes may not help because wrestlers need more flexibility.

So, boxing shoes offer more protection that can save your ankles and prolong your career. 

Boxing shoes can often be made with specifications that would make them a better wrestling shoe. For example, there are boxing shoes with all-around traction that wrestling shoes offer rather than the ordinary forward and backward traction. 

It is much more difficult for wrestling shoes to become boxing shoes due to the sheer difference in foot flexibility options. Wrestlers move from all angles, and their shoes reflect that by allowing a generous amount of movement. This is not ideal for boxing because of the possibility of missteps and injuries. 

Can You Put Wrestling Shoes in the Washer?

You can put wrestling shoes in the washer, but this may not be suitable for all types of wrestling shoes. If you aren’t comfortable putting your shoes in the washer, there are plenty of other ways to keep them clean. Washing your shoes by hand is a good option.

Most wrestling shoes are fine to put in the washing machine as long as they are relatively tough. If your wrestling shoe can be used as a lifting shoe, then you’re good to go. If not, then you may want to consider another option just to be safe. 

It may be easier to focus your cleaning on the insoles of your wrestling shoes because they are often removable. If they are, you can remove them and wash them by hand with soap or soak them in a vinegar mixture to help get rid of any odor. 

If the insoles can’t be removed, then hand-washing with soap is the safest way to ensure your wrestling shoes get clean without risking any damage.

Getting rid of odor and scuff marks can be difficult if your shoes can’t be washed. One of the best ways to combat this is to soak or scrub your shoes with baking soda. While it will not harm them, it will deodorize them and remove unwanted marks. 

Boxing shoes can transition very easily to wrestling shoes. While there are a few things that wrestling shoes can offer that they can’t, a wrestler will be in no danger using boxing shoes. 

The same can’t be said for wrestling shoes being used for boxing, but wrestlers will find plenty of form-fitting support that can help them stay light on their feet throughout a match.

If you are looking to get into both wrestling and boxing, seek out a pair of boxing shoes that can safely get you through both disciplines.

Interested in Wrestling? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training Wrestling, here is some of the gear I recommend:
Best Ear Guards(Headgear)
Best Mouth Guard
Best Wrestling Shoes
Best Groin Protection
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources 

Is Wrestling Worth It?


There are many choices for sports and martial arts available for people trying to learn a new discipline. Many curious eyes land on wrestling, and people have started to wonder if it’s worth trying.

Is Wrestling Worth It?

Wrestling is worth trying. There are plenty of physical and mental benefits involved in training, and wrestling carries over to many other forms of martial arts very easily, like MMA. Some of the world’s best MMA fighters have wrestling backgrounds. 

In this article, I’ll talk about what makes wrestling worth trying, how it can benefit you, and some aspects of wrestling that may not be for everyone. 

What Are the Benefits of Doing Wrestling?

The benefits of wrestling include keeping participants in great shape, teaching them helpful self-defense techniques, and preparing them for many other martial arts disciplines. Wrestling also teaches tactical fighting skills, such as punching, kicking, grappling, and encourages quick-thinking.

Wrestling Is a Great Way To Learn Self-Defense  

Rather than focus only on attack or defense, wrestling focuses on both, making it a great way to learn self-defense. You may not always be able to kick or punch someone in a real emergency. So, wrestling techniques could come in handy when trying to incapacitate someone. 

The mental aspect of reading your opponent can come in handy when face-to-face with a real opponent. That quick thinking can save a life in a dangerous situation. Wrestling teaches calmness even when fighting, and that level of discipline can help in a challenging situation. 

Takedowns are such a vital part of wrestling, and these techniques can come in handy when faced with a threatening situation. Wrestlers constantly train to bring down their opponents before they can react, which can undoubtedly help self-defense. 

Often, the key to self-defense is speed. Sometimes you need to act quickly before the other person does, or you may need to outrun someone else.

Wrestling is a fast-paced discipline. So often, wrestlers are ready to act first. Because wrestling involves intense cardio, outrunning someone shouldn’t be much of a concern. 

Wrestling Helps You Stay in Fantastic Shape

Wrestlers are arguably the most in-shape of any discipline. Wrestling doesn’t just focus on strength. It requires an intense level of cardio, and wrestlers have to be quick on their feet to execute takedowns and holds properly. 

Without proper fitness, a wrestler will struggle with executing moves and completing a match. So, fitness is the key to success and is often found quickly among wrestlers who want to succeed. 

What Are Some of the Difficulties of Wrestling?

Getting into proper shape and developing mental discipline are common difficulties that most wrestlers face upon starting wrestling. It can take a long time to get better at wrestling, too. 

For most beginners, getting into wrestling can be challenging because they need good cardio, strength, and diet. A certain level of fitness needs to be met before wrestlers can compete to prevent injuries.

Weight and wrestling shape must be maintained at all times because wrestlers are weighed before competing. 

Mental discipline is another tough challenge that wrestlers face. A large part of wrestling is trying to plan your next move while predicting your opponent’s next move. Not only does your body need to be ready to fight, but so does your brain. 

One of the most frustrating aspects of wrestling is how long it can take to get good. Because of the intense physical and mental aspects of wrestling, it can take a long time before you’re ready to step into a ring. On top of all this, wrestlers are also constantly trying to improve themselves. 

So, while constantly training, working out, and learning to predict their opponent’s moves, wrestlers are also faced with the challenge of learning and remembering new moves. 

Will Wrestling Make You Better at Other Sports?

Wrestling will make you better at other sports. No matter which sport you choose, wrestling can prepare you for the fundamentals of any sport. The fundamentals include high discipline, intense cardio, and mental toughness to help you succeed. 

How Wrestling Prepares You for Other Martial Arts 

Wrestling is a unique martial arts discipline because it is a melting pot of other disciplines. So, success in wrestling can often translate to success in other areas. If you decide to move to another field, you will already have a lot of valuable training to take with you. 

Wrestling teaches some of the easiest ways to bring your opponent to the ground while protecting yourself. Many martial arts are about trying to read your opponent, and wrestling hones in on those mental aspects allowing wrestlers to become better all-around competitors. 

Many Wrestlers Become Successful MMA Fighters

MMA fighters like Brock Lesnar, Tito Ortiz, and Daniel Cormier have been vocal about their wrestling background. Not only are they proud of their roots, but many fighters are vocal about the benefits of starting in wrestling. 

Other disciplines don’t encourage takedowns using legs. Wrestling encourages single and double-leg takedowns, which is one of the first things that MMA fighters need to learn how to do. For most other martial arts, fighters are forced to learn these takedowns quickly. So, wrestlers have an advantage in MMA training.

Wrestling Can Help You Prepare for Other Sports

Beyond other martial arts, wrestling can prepare you for any other sport you may want to try. The exercise regimen that wrestlers abide by is no joke, and the intense level of cardio can translate easily to other sports that may also require it.  

A large part of sports is hand-eye coordination, and wrestling can help develop this. Wrestlers often watch their opponents’ subtle movements that give away their plans.

This level of quickness with seeing a twitch and reacting creates an outstanding level of hand-eye coordination and can easily be transferred to a different sport. 

Wrestling is worth a try if you want to develop your mental and physical strength, but be aware of the challenges you will face. If you decide that wrestling is for you, don’t be afraid to explore other disciplines and sports because wrestling can help prepare you for just about anything. 

Interested in Wrestling? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training Wrestling, here is some of the gear I recommend:
Best Ear Guards(Headgear)
Best Mouth Guard
Best Wrestling Shoes
Best Groin Protection
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

Is Wrestling Losing Popularity? And What’s The Future


On July 5, 2021, Monday Night Raw saw its lowest number of viewers since its first episode on 1/11/1993. This drop-in viewership has left many fans questioning whether wrestling is losing popularity. 

Is Wrestling Losing Popularity?

Overall, wrestling is losing popularity, due to questionable booking practices and lagging storylines. There have been many other issues with the WWE product causing fans to change the channel and leaving them to wonder if it will get better. 

This decline in popularity has been noted by the fans, WWE leaders, and the media. Let’s go into more details about this loss in popularity and where wrestling goes from here. 

Why Is Wrestling Losing Popularity?

Wrestling is losing popularity because of questionable booking practices, unused talent, and the lack of captivating storylines. WWE has alienated much of its previously loyal fanbase, and the media has noticed. 

WWE Lacks Pushed Talent and Intense Storylines 

In the words of wrestling legend Gerald Brisco regarding WWE losing fans, “We had heat, and they’ve got interest now.” 

If you’re a hardcore wrestling fan, then you know exactly what Briscoe is talking about. If not, let me break it down for you. 

“Heat” in the context of wrestling is often a strong, negative reaction given to wrestlers from the fans, but the quote used is a more broad term to mean a strong crowd reaction. Gerry may have a valid point in this quote, as WWE hasn’t been known for its popular storylines for a while now. 

When you watch Raw and Smackdown each week, you’ll see many of the same wrestlers in a lot of the same matches. Many of these matches are so randomly chosen that it leaves fans baffled as to why these two wrestlers are even facing each other. 

Big-name wrestlers like Asuka and Charlotte facing off should be something Pay-Per-View worthy. Instead, fans have seen that match multiple times for free on cable television. Things like this leave fans scratching their heads and wondering where that special main-event feeling got lost in the WWE. 

Meanwhile, there are multiple men and women just sitting in the locker room waiting for their chance. Wrestlers like Aleister Black, the IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce), and Buddy Murphy are just a few examples of talented wrestlers who sat in the back waiting for their turn. 

However, Raw and Smackdown gave fans the same talent they saw the week before without progressing storylines. 

Questionable Booking Has Alienated Loyal Fans

WWE left Aleister Black sitting in the locker room for a long time despite Black having proven himself in NXT. 

Finally, they decided to move forward with him and gave him weekly video packages leading up to his in-ring premier. He premiered on Smackdown attacking Big E and setting up a decent start to an angle. 

As fans breathed a sigh of relief at something new and someone different, WWE decided to pull the plug on Black, as he was let go in a round of budget cuts soon after his re-debut. So, the angle was never finished, and Big E was forced to move on to a new opponent. 

This example is just one of the many odd and inconsistent booking choices made by WWE officials. 

When Did Wrestling Begin to Lose Popularity?

Wrestling began losing popularity when Vince McMahon bought out all of his competitors. With the fall of WCW and ECW, McMahon no longer felt the pressure of keeping fans because his product was the only product. 

The resulting complacency and lack of creativity have led to the loss of popularity with wrestling. 

If you ask most hardcore wrestling fans when wrestling started to lose popularity, most would probably say something regarding buying out the competition or the PG era. Both are valid reasons, but they may be tied together. 

In 2001, Vince McMahon bought WCW and ECW fell apart months later, which was the year that WWE’s competition was eliminated. There were no more Monday Night Wars or surprise appearances on rival shows to be found after that purchase, and for McMahon, that created a level of complacency. 

Since he no longer had any real competition, Vince could essentially do whatever he wanted without worrying about viewers going to a different wrestling show. 

He had the wrestling world basically in the palm of his hand. 

Next, the PG era was where a lot of fans left their love of wrestling behind. The PG era saw the massive push of John Cena and the newly kid-friendly promos and matches. Compared to the Attitude era, WWE lost swearing, blood, sexual innuendos, and other hardcore aspects that fans came to love. 

Vince was no longer trying to keep his fan base. He wanted to reach kids with his product this time around. 

It worked for a long time, and there was barely a child to be seen that didn’t have a neon green or bright orange Cena shirt. Kids brought their parents’ money with them, so, the loss of some hardcore fans didn’t affect Vince’s wallet. 

He had his superhero in Cena. 

Many fans complained and stopped watching WWE altogether, but Vince knew that Cena would draw in new fans. This was the first era that Vince seemed to turn his back on hardcore fans in favor of casual fans, which continues even now. 

There is no simple answer to this, but it is possible that WWE could become more popular in the future. A lot has to change before WWE reaches the popularity it had so many years ago. 

For many fans, the future of WWE now looks bleak, and it’s hard to see a way out of the boring storylines and overused talent. However, it is possible for WWE to make a strong comeback if one of the following scenarios happens.

Vince Could Sell the Company 

If Vince finally decided to hand over the reins to someone else, there is a good chance that WWE could bounce back. A popular theory says that Vince is holding back the company by running it like a dictatorship where every decision either comes from him or is rejected. 

If this is the truth, then selling the company could change that style of management. 

Something Could Cause Vince to Feel Threatened 

With the rise of All Elite Wrestling, many fans have jumped ship and found a wrestling show that they enjoy. 

If AEW continues to succeed, then that may cause Vince to feel the pressure of true competition like he did during the Monday Night Wars. This level of threat may force him to be more creative with storylines and show off more of his talent that is currently sitting in the back. 

Money Flow Stops 

With Raw viewership hitting an all-time low, many fans wonder how much money the company is making right now. The return of crowds will certainly help get the bills paid, but if fewer fans show up to events, then money will be affected. 

If Vince is watching his money, considering his age, he may feel the need to change the direction of storylines if the money stops flowing. 

The difficult truth is that wrestling is losing popularity. Over the years, many fans have parted ways with their passion for many different reasons, but one thing we can all agree on is that we all hope it gets better.

Wrestling has been a part of many of our lives for so long. Let’s hope it gets back to the popular show we once loved. 

Interested in Wrestling? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training Wrestling, here is some of the gear I recommend:
Best Ear Guards(Headgear)
Best Mouth Guard
Best Wrestling Shoes
Best Groin Protection
Want To Learn To Fight, But Don’t Want To Go In Person?
CoachTube has online training videos for Wrestling, Boxing, MMA and more. And best part is you can do it all from your home allowing you to go at your own pace. Check them out here.
Interested In Training Other MMA Fighters?
Click here to check out the MMA Conditioning Association and see what you need to become an MMA conditioning coach and begin training fighters.

Sources

Is Wrestling Good for Self-Defense? What To Know


Nobody wants to get in a fight if they do not have to, but sometimes the necessity to save yourself or someone else does arise, and you’ll need a way to protect yourself in an uncertain situation. So, is a sport like wrestling good for self-defense?

Is Wrestling Good for Self-Defense?

Wrestling is good for self-defense because it equips you with the athletic skills and moves like balance, power, and control needed to take down an opponent. From taking your assailant down to the ground to using your strength, wrestling will help protect you from significant harm. 

In this article, you will learn more about wrestling, self-defense, and what combat style is best to use if you happen to find yourself in a street fight. Keep reading and be sure to take some mental notes on what to do if you are ever in a situation where you will need to fight to stay safe. 

Can Wrestling Teach You How to Defend Yourself?

Wrestling can teach you how to defend yourself. As a wrestler, you will obtain skills such as learning how much pressure to exert upon an opponent and how to control your body movements as you fight. Both of these things are extremely helpful when it comes to self-defense.

Size is also a common attribute for wrestlers, and if you are bigger than your opponent, then your chances of defense are exponentially better. 

If you know about the various wrestling techniques and you are balanced when moving around your attackers, you will know what fighting moves to use and in which direction to go when the other person strikes.

Having control of the situation and using your powerful strength as a wrestler are further reasons why wrestling is helpful for self-defense and a good martial art in which to receive training.

Is Wrestling Good in a Street Fight?

Wrestling is good in a street fight because it equips you with explosiveness and the ability to take down an opponent, which can give you an advantage. These skills will enable you to be the stronger and more dominant person in a fight.

If you know how to wrestle with someone in a way that ends up with them on the ground, then your assailant may find themselves defenseless from that angle. When they are in that position, it will be much easier for you to end the fight at that moment. 

So chances are you might just make it out of this street fight with only a few mild bruises if you know how to wrestle.

Is Boxing or Wrestling Better for Self-Defense?

Boxing and wrestling are both suitable for self-defense but size, speed, and skill level will affect which one is more beneficial to you. Boxing helps those with smaller builds because they’re able to move quicker, while wrestling will allow those with larger builds to overcome more weight. 

If you are on the smaller side, boxing can help you move and circle around your opponent faster because you have less weight to carry. In this way, you can easily dodge your attacker.

If you are bigger and have more mass, wrestling will help you be the dominant fighter in the situation. In this case, speed is not necessary for self-defense because, as a wrestler, you know different power moves you can use as a defense mechanism.

In the end, though, what matters is how good of a boxer or wrestler you are. Both martial arts have benefits that can help you with self-defense, so it is really up to you to use those skills.

Which Martial Art Is Best for a Street Fight?

There are a few martial arts that can come in handy for a street fight.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the best martial art for a street fight because it provides all-around mental and physical skills you’ll need to subdue opponents in a street fight. Braziliian Jiu-Jitsu teaches you how to subdue opponents of any size.

Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling martial art that uses movements like chokes and holds on to the other person to win the match. It creates martial artists who are very capable of not only defending themselves but also who know how to take down their opponents.

If you find yourself going up against a more prominent person, jiu-jitsu is perfect to use because it prepares you with how to encounter bigger, more muscular people. 

The great thing about jiu-jitsu is that you can fight against another person and win the fight without causing much damage or pain to you or the assailant. After all, keeping the peace and staying safe is the way to go.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu also instills values like mental clarity and how to stay calm. Possessing good mental strength is beneficial because, in a street fight, most people panic and start throwing punches without knowing precisely what they plan to do.

If you know jiu-jitsu, you will learn how to remain calm and avoid panicking, leading to making poor choices in the fight.

Many martial arts will not only help you be victorious in matches and games, but they can also provide you with a good foundation in how to defend yourself. 

Wrestling, boxing, and jiu-jitsu all teach the basic fundamentals of fighting in different ways. By learning their methods, you’ll have a better chance of being on the defense when you find yourself in a situation like a street fight. 

As you explore, you may find that you are suitable for one more than the others. They all have their advantages in how they can best protect you and those around you.

Interested in Wrestling? Check Out My Recommendations

Looking For Gear To Use When You Train?
If you are interested in training Wrestling, here is some of the gear I recommend:
Best Ear Guards(Headgear)
Best Mouth Guard
Best Wrestling Shoes
Best Groin Protection
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