Wrestling Facts [3 of 3] excerpts from the Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) has a limited collection of issues of Wrestling Facts.  Wrestling Facts was available at the Friday night fights, in the case of this issue, at the National Guard Armory on 6th and Exchange.  Today, I want to finish looking at an issue of Wrestling Facts by asking:  what are the … Read more Wrestling Facts [3 of 3] excerpts from the Minnesota Historical Society

Nylons and Midriffs: Back to School (SummerSlam Review, August 13, 2019)

School is back in session, good wrestling fans! Well, for me, at least. After taking a must-needed break from WWE over the last several weeks, I am back to my old tricks — giving you the good, bad, and thorny from Sunday’s SummerSlam pay-per-view. For the most part, I’ve not sat and watched weekly WWE … Read more Nylons and Midriffs: Back to School (SummerSlam Review, August 13, 2019)

Of Note: The Incredible Hulk and Hulk Hogan

Nothing scholarly here, just a reference to “That Time That the Incredible Hulk Beat Up Hulk Hogan” by Brian Cronin – on Comic Book Resources, Aug 12, 2019.  Cronin references a licensing fee paid by the WWE/WWF for use of the Hulk name, a fact I do not have independent verification for and never heard … Read more Of Note: The Incredible Hulk and Hulk Hogan

Wrestling Facts [2 of 3] excerpts from the Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) has a limited collection of issues of Wrestling Facts.  Wrestling Facts was available at the Friday night fights, in the case of this issue, at the National Guard Armory on 6th and Exchange.  Today, I want to look at the “card” function of Wrestling Facts — the portion of the … Read more Wrestling Facts [2 of 3] excerpts from the Minnesota Historical Society

Excerpt from “Wrestling with Masculinity” Message 2: Men settle things physically

Below, some notes about gender in wrestling, from “Wrestling with Masculinity: Messages about Manhood in the WWE” by Danielle M. Soulliere Message 2: Men settle things physically Not only are men aggressive and violent, but their response tends to be primarily physical. Men settle debates, differences, con- frontations, and personal affronts through physical means. For example, … Read more Excerpt from “Wrestling with Masculinity” Message 2: Men settle things physically

Wrestling Facts [1 of 3] excerpts from the Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) has a limited collection of issues of Wrestling Facts.  Wrestling Facts was available at the Friday night fights, in the case of this issue, at the National Guard Armory on 6th and Exchange. If you are curious, partial data about wrestling shows at the St. Paul Armory has been collected … Read more Wrestling Facts [1 of 3] excerpts from the Minnesota Historical Society

Professional Wrestling is the lens through which other media are read…

In The Nib, an online comics server filled with primarily comics of political and social commentary, Whit Taylor [in “Welcome to Bachelor Nation“] uses “kayfabe” to explain the narrative dynamics of The Bachelor TV show.  I am fascinated that wrestling should be the ground against which the figure of the Bachelor is understood.

Excerpt from “Wrestling with Masculinity” Message 1: Real men are aggressive and violent

Below, some notes about gender in wrestling, from “Wrestling with Masculinity: Messages about Manhood in the WWE” by Danielle M. Soulliere   Message 1: Real men are aggressive and violent One message that was clearly revealed through the programs was that real men are physically aggressive and violent. There were several examples in which male performers … Read more Excerpt from “Wrestling with Masculinity” Message 1: Real men are aggressive and violent

Call for Proposals: PCA 2020 in Philly

From Paul Heyman to Mike Quackenbush, Philadelphia has given birth to some pretty amazing professional wrestling promotions. In the late 1990s, ECW brought a hardcore, grunge aesthetic to sports entertainment. Since 2002, CHIKARA has been bringing more focus to storylines, characters, and amazing matches. Because the Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association is holding the annual … Read more Call for Proposals: PCA 2020 in Philly