PEOPLE often ask me, "why do you still watch pro wrestling?"
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It's as if there's this indeterminate age when suddenly you need to grow up and stop finding excitement in watching beefed-up men (and women, too) in their undies play-fighting around a ring.
Most non-wrestling fans seem to think that age lies around 18. I'm 39. But hey, I also watch Four Corners.
During COVID I've found myself watching more WWE Network - that's the Netflix of wrestling - as a form of escapism. There's nothing like a sweet chair shot or clothesline to suspend the boring reality of lockdown.
However, for the first time in my life I'm regretting my passion for wrestling, or more accurately, I'm regretting introducing that passion to my sons Jude, 5 and Sean, 2.
It all started off nicely, just a pleasant way to bond over a humble suplex.
We began with wrestling's most cartoonish characters like Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage, before delving into my personal favourites from the '90s like Bret "the Hitman" Hart and Shawn Michaels.
When Jude started using wrestling terminology to describe Toy Story characters, I have to admit I was proud. Woody and Buzz are babyfaces, of course, and Sid is the heel.
Even a playful wrestling match on the bed was kind of cute. However, it's fair to say things escalated quickly.
Early in the morning before daycare, the boys are wrestling. After daycare, they're wrestling. Before bed, they're wrestling.
Early in the morning before daycare, the boys are wrestling. After daycare, they're wrestling. Before bed, they're wrestling.
There's flying elbow drops off the couch and head locks on the floor. Who needs an alarm clock when your two-year-old wakes you up by screaming "bug bomb" before jumping on your head.
Naturally, it usually ends in tears.
I'm dreading the day my wife and I make that trip to ED where the doctor asks, "how did your two-year-old break his arm?"
"Oh, he just dived off the dining table onto his brother's face."
Of course, half of wrestling's appeal is the talking or "promos". It's certainly helped expand my children's vocabulary.
My five-year-old has taken to quoting The Rock, by telling me to "know your role and shut your mouth".
Needing some parenting advice I FaceTimed my mum hoping to find a sympathetic ear. I was wrong.
She just shook her head and said: "Do you remember that time you powerbombed your brother through our trampoline?"
Josh Leeson
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
