WWE

Poor Motivation for Big Mega Stars! – A Critical Review

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WrestleMania marks the culmination of a year’s worth of storytelling. As WWE’s most pivotal event, it showcases blockbuster matches and championship victories that pave the way for upcoming storylines. These matches engage audiences, offering a glimpse into the journeys of new champions, former champions, and megastars. Among WWE’s annual shows, the Raw episode following WrestleMania … Read more Poor Motivation for Big Mega Stars! – A Critical Review

Review: Butts in Seats: The Tony Schiavone Story

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Comic image of Tony Schiavone leaning on the ropes

Manning, Dirk, Tony Schiavone, and Friends. Butts in Seats: The Tony Schiavone Story. Source Point Press, 2021. Review by Christopher J. Olson With Butts in Seats, long-time professional wrestling commentator Tony Schiavone –with help from co-author Dirk Manning and several talented artists – provides a glimpse into his life both in and out of the … Read more Review: Butts in Seats: The Tony Schiavone Story

Nylons and Midriffs: Consequences (November 18, 2020)

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I’m laying all the cards on the table early this week. We have some major news to discuss in our Thorny section, ranging from very problematic to downright insidious. The lack of care for AEW’s women’s division is getting more attention recently with the pathetic build to Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose at Full Gear. … Read more Nylons and Midriffs: Consequences (November 18, 2020)

Nylons and Midriffs: Slow Burn (Year in Review, 2019)

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As we close out 2019 (and more generally, the decade), it is time now to look back and consider the short- and long-term implications of the year’s events on women’s wrestling as an entity. Did it evolve? Did it shake the proverbial table of the wrestling world? I’m not so sure. As with any roller-coaster, … Read more Nylons and Midriffs: Slow Burn (Year in Review, 2019)

Call for Papers: Special Issue on Cultural Studies of Florida

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Working the Circuit: Cultural Studies of Florida Guest Editors: Aisha Durham, Wesley Johnson, and Sasha Sanders, University of South Florida Florida figures prominently in the US American imaginary. It is a spectacular state of escape for spring breaking coeds, disneyfied kids, and sun-seeking “snowbirds” who flock south among resettled retirees, new migrants, longtime locals, and … Read more Call for Papers: Special Issue on Cultural Studies of Florida

Paradigm Shifts: A Brief History of the Life, Death and Rebirth of Pro Wrestling on TNT in the US from WCW’s Demise to AEW’s First Show on Television

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Wednesday, October 2, 2019, marks the first time in 6764 days professional wrestling has aired on the TNT network; it’s also been that long since the Monday Night Wars officially ended even though the meaningful battles ceased well before. Over eighteen and a half years have passed since the name on the contract read McMahon, … Read more Paradigm Shifts: A Brief History of the Life, Death and Rebirth of Pro Wrestling on TNT in the US from WCW’s Demise to AEW’s First Show on Television

Call for Presentations

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Calls for MPCA/ACA 2019: Wrestling Studies Division. Deadline: May 15, 2019 With so much to talk about in professional wrestling right now, we’re looking forward to papers that cover a range of topics: from women’s wrestling in WWE to All Elite Wrestling to Southern style wrasslin’, we welcome any submission on any topic. In particular, … Read more Call for Presentations

The Best of NXT in 2018

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This review of NXT from 2018 comes from more of a fangirl perspective than an academic one, and it is meant to reflect only my own preferences for the best part of the WWE Universe. I would love to hear any other NXT fan’s reactions to this past year, and for a second opinion, and … Read more The Best of NXT in 2018

Nylons and Midriffs: A Fall from Grace (November 19, 2018)

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How are you doing, good wrestling fans? I hope you all are staying warm and gearing up for the holidays. I have not yet begun my Christmas shopping, as I’m still in disbelief that we are already knocking on 2019’s door. With Thanksgiving in a few days, I thought this week we could play around … Read more Nylons and Midriffs: A Fall from Grace (November 19, 2018)

“Ladies All Across the World!”: An Evolution Review

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EDITOR’S NOTE: There is a spoiler here for NXT UK and is marked as such. This past Sunday night was WWE’s first ever all women’s pay-per-view called Evolution. While other promotions feature an all women roster (Shimmer and Shine most notably), this is the first time WWE has put all the focus on their women … Read more “Ladies All Across the World!”: An Evolution Review