by Shane Campbell

Created on: February 25, 2007   Last Updated: May 11, 2007

The single greatest day I ever had as a professional wrestling fan was Wrestlemania 20. At the end of the show, when the late, great, Eddie Guerrero came to the ring to celebrate with his TRUE friend Chris Benoit. Both men, who had given their all to the sport (yes, I said SPORT) they loved, celebrating on the grandest stage of them all. Both champions of their respective shows. Both pure wrestlers, not sports-entertainers. Both men who came up the right way, working their way up from the bottom of the card, working in different styles and countries throughout the world, then EARNING their spot at the top. Honing their craft.

That being said, I am not a fan of many of the current "superstars". There are a few bright spots, of course. Angle, Benoit, Mysterio, Daniels, Styles, Michaels, and some others still can tell a story IN the ring, without the aid of a pre-taped promo backstage.
But I can look past all of that, and focus on why I fell in love with the sport in the first place. Whether it be TNA or WWE, I can enjoy the wrestling. If only one match per 2 hour show truly holds my interest, then so be it. That is what DVR's and TIVO's are for. I refuse to take my frustration ABOUT the sport of pro wrestling out ON the sport of pro wrestling.
I believe at this time that TNA, much like ECW years ago, actually has better quality athletes and wrestlers than the WWE. The WWE has, and always WILL have, the highest production value. So I watch each show for different reasons. I love watching the younger, hungrier athletes in TNA try and create names for themselves in the sport. I can relate to that. (I actually had the pleasure of training with some Carolina Independent wrestlers for 4 months in 1998) Just as I can enjoy the circus like atmosphere of the WWE.
Enjoy each show for what they do well. Yes, we have a right to complain about the things we do not like about either show, especially when we pay good money (as I have many times)to go see live events. But the sport has always shown that it is one of trends.
Quality wrestling will come back. And I will be watching.

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