I’ve been watching wrestling with my son since he was a child SummerSlam 2017 when he was barely two weeks outdated), however we’ve by no means been in a position to make it work. So, after I discovered that WWE was bringing Backlash to St. Louis as the primary huge WWE occasion since John Cena grew to become a 17-time world champion, I knew I needed to carry him “to the matches” and let him expertise a present in particular person for the primary time. I imply, with this doubtlessly being the ultimate alternative to see his wrestling hero in particular person earlier than the calling it quits, now was the time to make it occur.
I’m glad I did. What occurred in a packed Enterprise Heart was nothing wanting wonderful. Positive, the 5 matches on the Backlash card had been nice, and everybody delivered the products, but it surely was extra than that. As an alternative of only a regular evening of wrestling, I had certainly one of my biggest experiences as not only a wrestling fan, but in addition as a dad. It sparked so many emotions about wrestling, about parenthood, and about life that I simply have to speak about it.
I’ve Attended Numerous Wrestling Occasions With My Mates, However Nothing In contrast To Going With My Son
I’ve been going to wrestling occasions ever since WCW got here to my hometown in December 1998, and through the years, I’ve witnessed scores, if not a whole lot, of matches with wrestlers from everywhere in the world. WWE Corridor-of-famers, every kind of five-star match technicians, and icons of the trade, you identify it, and I’ve in all probability seen it. However let me let you know, none of these compares to going to Backlash with my son. Don’t get me flawed, seeing Sting make his WWE debut at Survivor Collection 2014, watching Penta (nonetheless named Pentagon Jr. on the time) wrestle in an American Legion corridor in Alton, Illinois, and experiencing a Royal Rumble in particular person had been all nice moments, however this goes past that.
The look on my son’s face after we made it downtown and purchased him a John Cena farewell tour shirt and walked a number of blocks to the sector confirmed me that this was going to be one thing particular, an evening we’d always remember. And it was…
Strolling Into The Area, I Felt Like I Was Welcoming My Son To A World He Did not Know Existed
Seeing 1000’s of wrestling followers strolling, smiling, and chanting as we walked to the sector was an incredible sight to see, and it was solely amplified after we bought inside. Strolling to our seats, my son was being welcomed to a world he didn’t know existed. Every time we’d stroll by a doorway resulting in the sector bowl, my son would have a look and touch upon what he was seeing: the lights, the stage, the ring, so many grown males holding WWE Championship belts.
Once we lastly bought to our seats (which had been upgraded as a consequence of a difficulty with our tickets), he may see the setup in all its glory. His view, now not confined to what’s proven on our front room TV display screen, confirmed him all of the chaos that goes right into a wrestling occasion. We watched the pre-show (each in particular person and on my telephone when he didn’t consider it was taking place), we had been interviewed by some random TikToker, and we chatted with different households who had been prepared for the present.
A Few Minutes Into The Present, I Might Really feel Core Recollections Being Shaped…And Not Simply My Personal
All the things in regards to the begin of Backlash was nice. From the unbelievable opening promo bundle to that loud-as-hell pyro to the entrances for the opening four-way match for the US Championship, the ambiance was electrical. However that reached new heights a couple of minutes into the opening bout when Damian Priest picked up and slammed Drew McIntyre off a platform and into the gang with a South of Heaven Chokeslam, leading to a “Holy shit!” chant from the packed home.
I don’t assume I’ll neglect my son, him me, and each becoming a member of in on the mantra (we gained’t inform my spouse about that one) yelling “Holy shit” time and again collectively. Although I don’t like my son cussing, I couldn’t deny him of this, and I can’t deny that this was a core reminiscence being shaped. It was legendary and an indication of issues to return all through the remainder of the evening. I could or might not have gotten teary-eyed, however I’ll you be the choose.
My Son Is Obsessed With John Cena, And Watching Him See His Hero Put A Big Smile On My Face
Like plenty of youngsters his age, my son is obsessive about John Cena, although he’s at the moment one of many greatest dangerous guys since his surprising heel flip again in March. You wouldn’t know that primarily based on the best way my son, and just about each child within the area, began chanting “Let’s Go Cena,” earlier than the present even bought began. When it was lastly time for the principle occasion match, the place Cena defended his WWE Championship in opposition to longtime rival and hometown hero Randy Orton, my son was using excessive.
The look on my son’s face as Cena walked to the ring is actually one thing I’ve by no means seen earlier than. There’s smiling and there’s what he was doing. That introduced the largest smile to my face realizing that regardless of every part else occurring, he bought to see Cena wrestle in particular person. I by no means bought to see Stone Chilly or Bret Hart within the flesh, however I’m I’d have been the identical means.
Watching Backlash With My Son Helped Me Keep in mind Simply How A lot I Love Wrestling
I watch an ungodly quantity of wrestling each week, and it’s been that means for so long as I can keep in mind. It’s all the time been a continuing in my life, whether or not it’s on a private stage or as a part of my job. However generally I get jaded, generally I get burnt out, and generally I get pissed off with the state of wrestling in 2025. Going to Backlash with my son, taking in all of the matches, and making a reminiscence neither of us will quickly neglect, helped me keep in mind simply how a lot I really like wrestling, how a lot the game has meant to me through the years, and why I began displaying wrestling to my youngsters all these years in the past.
I really like skilled wrestling, much more so now than ever.
All in all, taking my son to WWE Backlash was among the best parenting choices I’ve made in years. Now I can’t watch for him to get dwelling from college and learn the way lots of his associates he informed to seek out us by watching Backlash with a Peacock subscription.