Pro Wrasslin’ – The Tried, Tested, & True Way to Tell Stories.

Step into the dynamic world of professional wrestling as I recap the excitement of WrestleMania 41 and the enlightening discussions from WrestlePosium VI. This post features insights from our symposium, including our featured Bloomberg article that explores wrestling's connection to Trump’s rhetoric and its implications for modern politics. Discover the powerful lessons wrestling can teach us about storytelling, branding, and cultural dynamics, plus a WrestlePosium video playlist of all featured presentations.

🗣️Oh you didn’t know? Your a$% betta call somebodyyyyy (Wrestling Pun # 1️⃣).

Back in April, WrestleMania 41 took over Las Vegas and captivated the media world. For those who know me personally, you understand that pro wrestling holds a special place in my heart. While I’ve (mildly) matured and didn’t scout hotels or camp outside the stadium at 6 AM to secure the best spot for watching the superstars and crew arrive, the kid in me still feels a twinge of betrayal. 

However, Adult-Me 1 week after WrestleMania Weekend had the honor of hosting WrestlePosium VI—THEE online conference showcasing groundbreaking research and exploring the dynamic intersections of the wrestling world…if you smell what Dr. T is cooking (Wrestling Pun # 2️⃣).

WrestlePosium is an annual virtual symposium that unites cutting-edge academics, scholars, and industry professionals to delve into the realms of business, culture, politics, and the future of professional wrestling. This event is brought to you by the Pro Wrestling Studies Association (PWSA), of which I’m proud to be the current President. My first order of business? Having “Adult-Me” make “Kid-Me” proud by revving up my mission to validate, endorse, and redefine our understanding of wrestling, not just as entertainment, but as a powerful force in business, culture, and media.

Pro wrestling has influenced everything: from storytelling techniques to brand development. It’s no coincidence that the UFC borrowed the WWE playbook in the early 2000s, paving the way for their eventual merger announced in 2023 under the parent company “TKO Group Holdings.” Similarly, reality TV has taken cues from WWE’s “Attitude Era.” Wrestling is ubiquitous, and not only am I here for it… I stand on business to consult sports, media, and culture-centric businesses on what they can learn from wrestling’s narrative structures, schematic molds of presentation, and dedicated fan communities that shape our industries.

Click here to view the video playlist of presentations!!

At this year's WrestlePosium, we explored the true power of wrestling with over 100 registered participants from around the globe, from the US to Scotland, Australia to Germany and several places in between. 🌏📚 Scholars and practitioners examined topics ranging from queer theory in the ring to wrestling’s connections to modern politics. One of my personal favorites was “Rereading Elon Musk as a Chickenshit Heel,” presented by Dr. Marek Muller from the Department of Communications at Texas State University and Dr. Cecilia Cerja from Politics and Women’s Studies at Sewanee: University of the South which drew a “this is awesome clap 👏🏾clap 👏🏾clap clap clap👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾)” chant (Wrestling Pun # 3️⃣) from the digital audience. There were even discussions on how Trump’s rhetoric mirrors wrestling personas, which were nothing short of brilliant.

So brilliant, in fact, that Daniel Flatley, a US Treasury reporter for Bloomberg, attended and published his insights on Trump’s wrestling-inspired approach to tariffs, read it here! Tap one of the images below to be taken to the Bloomberg article.

www.bloomberg.com

Trump’s Wrestling Skills Meet the Reality of Tariffs

Out of the ring, story lines are less predictable. Plus: The trade war hits scary-cute Labubu dolls.

As the President of PWSA, I’m dedicated to building a stronger foundation for this academic, industry, and cultural powerhouse. We’re ready to elevate wrestling studies and continue demonstrating that what happens in the ring has a profound impact beyond it.

So, whether you’re a wrestling fan, a media lover, or someone who appreciates exceptional storytelling, just give me the hot tag (Wrestling Pun # 4️⃣), and I’ll jump in.

And that’s the bottom line, because Dr. T said so (Wrestling Pun # 5️⃣)

Have you ever considered how pro wrestling has shaped the way stories are told today across brands, media properties, and beyond? What, if anything, surprises you?