On a recent edition of Taylor Wilde’s “Wilde On” podcast, former FTW Champion Brian Cage discussed the topic of tribalism in the wrestling industry.
Cage also noted that he attended a recent TNA taping and was happy to see the promotion he used to work for doing so well.
You can check out the highlights from the podcast below:
On visiting TNA’s recent taping: “Since we’re talking about TNA so much, I went to the show yesterday. I didn’t know I was going to do [AEW] TV on Saturday, cause I was going to go [to TNA] on Saturday, then my flight got delayed and whatever. I probably got there about half way through the show. It was even more stacked on Saturday. It was awesome. Obviously I’m there and I know so many people there wrestling wise and office wise. It was great to see everyone and say hi and hello. The crowd was so hyped, especially for the Josh and Ospreay match. It was amazing. I was actually going to leave to go the gym because it was so late, they were about to go on and I was like, ‘Damn it, I gotta stay and watch this match.’ I’m so glad I did. I was so proud and so hyped for it. I just love it to see them and I want to see them keep doing more and more.”
On tribalism in wrestling: “When people say the whole like, even back in the day, ‘I want Ring Of Honor to go out of business, I want IMPACT to go out of business.’ Why would you want that? If you don’t like the product, you don’t watch the product. First of all, when people crap on the product, TNA for instance. It’s so great because you’ll be like, ‘When’s the last time you watched TNA?’ and they’re like, ‘Oh I don’t, I haven’t.’ Then how do you have any say on how good or bad it is if you don’t watch it. I can’t tell you how good or bad some movie is that hasn’t came out yet. It gets me so hot and bothered. There’s so much wrestling, so much wrestling and such easy access to it to where if you don’t want to watch it, watch something else, but don’t sit here and demonize it because you just want to be cool online and get your little fifteen minutes of fame.”
In a recent episode of Taylor Wilde’s “Wilde On” podcast, former FTW Champion Brian Cage discussed the issue of tribalism in the wrestling industry. Cage also shared his positive experience attending a recent TNA taping, expressing his support for the promotion he used to work for.
During the podcast, Cage mentioned that he unexpectedly had the opportunity to attend an AEW TV event on Saturday, which caused a change in his plans to attend the TNA taping. However, he was able to make it to the TNA show later on and was thrilled to see how well the promotion was doing. He expressed his excitement at seeing familiar faces and reconnecting with friends in the wrestling industry. Cage particularly highlighted the crowd’s enthusiasm, especially during the Josh and Ospreay match, which he found amazing. Despite initially considering leaving early to go to the gym, he decided to stay and watch the match, and he was glad he did. He expressed his pride and support for TNA and hopes to see them continue to thrive.
The conversation then shifted to the topic of tribalism in wrestling. Cage expressed his frustration with individuals who wish for certain promotions to go out of business without even watching their product. He questioned why someone would want a promotion to fail if they simply didn’t enjoy their content. Cage emphasized that it is unfair for people to criticize a product without even giving it a chance. He compared it to judging a movie that hasn’t been released yet, highlighting the importance of experiencing something firsthand before forming an opinion. Cage also criticized those who engage in online negativity just to gain attention and popularity.
The issue of tribalism in wrestling is not unique to the industry. It can be observed in various forms across different fields and fandoms. Tribalism often stems from a sense of loyalty or identification with a particular group or brand, leading individuals to defend their chosen side while belittling or dismissing others. This behavior can create unnecessary divisions and hinder constructive discussions.
In the wrestling industry, tribalism can be seen in fans’ loyalty to specific promotions, such as WWE, AEW, or TNA. It often manifests in heated debates on social media platforms, with fans passionately defending their favorite promotion and criticizing others. While healthy competition and passionate fandom are integral parts of any industry, it is essential to remember that there is room for multiple promotions to coexist and thrive.
The wrestling industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, with various promotions offering diverse and unique content. This expansion provides fans with a wide range of options to choose from, catering to different preferences and tastes. Rather than engaging in tribalistic behavior, fans can focus on enjoying the wrestling content they love and supporting the wrestlers and promotions they admire.
In conclusion, Brian Cage’s discussion on the “Wilde On” podcast sheds light on the issue of tribalism in the wrestling industry. He emphasizes the importance of giving promotions a fair chance before forming an opinion and criticizes those who engage in online negativity without even watching the product. Cage’s positive experience at the recent TNA taping showcases the growth and success of the promotion. Ultimately, fans can appreciate and support multiple promotions without engaging in unnecessary divisions or tribalistic behavior.