Wrestling Cultures

I've been watching the full version of the recent 2010 WWE Hall of Fame and I was a bit inspired by the various cultures in wrestling. Especially Japan, as Antonio Inoki spoke about his career.

I recall a banner I came across on wrestling that went as follows;

"In Canada... It's tradition. In Mexico... It's a lifestyle. In Japan... It's a sport. In America... It's a joke."

Unfortunately it's a bit sad. I tend to think this is true in a lot of people's eyes. And when it comes to other cultures, it seems that this is without a doubt the case. Has this evolved over time? Some could say yes. Looking back at the territory days, wrestling has certainly evolved into the "sports entertainment" that is is today in the States, but what about outside the country?

Obviously, international promotions don't compete with the WWE. And while I wish I could somehow get around to see some of these other shows personally (New Japan, Triple A, etc.), I'll have to accept what I can find on the lovely world of the Internet. Below are a few of my favorite international matches to date;

1.) Chris Jericho vs. Ultimo Dragon- NJPW/1995

2.) Dynamite Kid vs. Bret Hart- Stampede Wrestling/1979 (They had a handful of matches that year, I can't recall the date.)

3.) Teddy Hart vs. Jack Evans- Triple A Mexico (Could not find the date either for this one.)

Notable mentions from ROH that include international talent are;

1.) Speed Muscle (Naruki Doi and Masato Yoshino of Dragon Gate) vs. Kevin Steen and El Generico (I believe this was the Dragon Gate Challenge II show in March of 2008)

2.) Kenta vs. Davey Richards (Wrestlemania 25 Weekend in Houston, TX- ROH Supercard of Honor IV)

And these are just to name a few. I highly recommend for those who haven't seem them to take a look. What about everyone else? It seems that across the IWC, people have a variety of interests, but seem to bash the States style more often than none. This is of course because I believe because of the exposure it has and because of the simple facts that not many people watch wrestling in the States that is in reference to promotions internationally. As in, because everyone knows the role that other promotions play, such as a Dragon Gate USA, NJPW, Triple A, etc.

WWE does a great job and TNA too at times with trying to reach out and grab as many international fans as possible. I have to believe though that no matter how hard they try though, some people just will always prefer the "old-school" style of wrestling without the entertainment. Heck, some like them both. But that's not everyone. To many, wrestling as we knew it is dead. Hopefully to those same people though, wrestling can still live through these small promotions whether in-country or outside of the country. With promotions such as Stampede Wrestling pretty much non-existent, these are the times that I'm sure many are thankful for old footage. Whether it being a VHS copy or DVD material of the glory days. I know I'm in that category, that's for sure. >.<