To me, pro wrestling occupies the same place in my mind as Eve Online. Both are cases where it seems like it's more fun to hear people talk about them, telling grand tales of intrigue and deception and alliances, than it is to experience them firsthand. Or rather, they may be fulfilling to experience if you're willing to devote a ton of time and effort, but their appeals aren't readily apparent to an outsider.

If that makes any sense.

Well, you're close but maybe not bang on. The real reason why Bryan and Punk are now megastars is not just because their image or their gimmick; in fact, it can be said that Bryan almost doesn't have a gimmick. His gimmick is that he's a great wrestler and a great athlete and you want to see everything he can do. He is the antithesis of every show-before-talent stooge you see, his gimmick is that he is capable of doing practically anything inside that ring. Punk is a little different, Punk does have an attitude that comes through in his gimmick, but he is also a masterful storyteller inside the ring. It isn't just that they look like the kind of people that wrestling fans relate to, it's that wrestling fans like wrestling a lot, and they like wrestlers who are committed to it. In the same way you get excited for actors for their ability to act and writers for their ability to tell stories, the internet marks out for Bryan and Punk because they're excellent in the ring. If it was just that Punk and Bryan were handed personas that appealed to the base, people would see right through them immediately.

It's why people enjoy Ziggler even though his persona shouldn't connect; it's a pleasure to watch him be Dolph Ziggler.

And don't get ahead of yourself, the WWE is still about children. It's just they've finally managed to get over two of the brightest talents in the industry to people like yourself, the mainstream. Someone can turn on the wrestling and get in five seconds that CM Punk is a renegade with a mean streak but a heart of gold (even if Phil Brooks is actually a real asshole IRL). You can get that Daniel Bryan is doing things no one else is even capable of attempting, and that even without the massive body, he projects energy and years of focus on his craft. People respond to that even in things they have limited understanding of, you don't have to be a composer to watch a musical prodigy absolutely killing it, all you have to do is look on the faces of the people who are.

If I was going to compare Cena, it wouldn't be Clint Eastwood. It would be Superman. He's morally good, and he's strong (Cena actually is freakishly strong), but he's not the kind of hero our modern culture gets invested in. We get invested in Batman, a brilliant mind who has got where he is through focus and determination, and we get invested in Wolverine, an intense, tough renegade who will not quit, no matter what he has to do. I'm sure you see the connection?

And honestly, Cena the last few weeks has been the best Cena has been since he made Punk into a main eventer; Cena, much like Superman, is at his best when he's up against the wall. I could watch Wolverine or Batman take down low level villains because it's a pleasure to simply watch them be themselves, whereas the only time Superman is interesting is when he's up against someone that forces him to raise his game.

Wait a goddamned minute. People don't think PBR is shit beer anymore?

Despite being completely uninterested in watching wrestling, I love hearing about it. Which is exactly why I'm glad the PowerBombcast is a thing now.

@brodehouse: @bbalpert: Yeah I got to say good wrestling is a lot of fun to watch. As good as these matches have been I took some time to watch the newest NJPW at the behest of Jared Raye over at Twitch, long time giantbomb friend. Have to say, the wrestling going on there was pretty awesome, I might say better than what I've seen(so far) in the WWE. Also it was really Japanese which I have a soft spot for.

@oldenglishc: No of course not, but let's say that PBR has undergone a brand re-envisioning to appeal to a younger demographic.

@themanwithnoplan: Yeah the power bombcast is a big reason I'm no enjoying wrestling myself. To be honest it was a accumulation of events that led to this moment. First Grantland started a big push of writing features, then my friend sam convinced me to try it and then Alex made this podcast.

Well... it's really cheap and gets you drunk. Taste kinda doesn't factor into that decision for a lot of people. Plus it's gained some kind of reputation as a "hipster" beer, whatever that even means anymore.

Oh also it drinks like water so you know... pretty easy to knock 'em back.

Booked my tickets to wrestlemania coming over from England.

@oldenglishc said:

Like all great hipster pastimes, it is to be enjoyed ironically without any consideration of its real, genuine quality as a beer. It's kinda lacking there.

Grande, my boy. This thread is the best place on the internet for wrestling, and it's all Giantbomb baby, yeaaaaaaah.

@giantstalker: @granderojo: @mikkaq:

Huh, I guess I don't live in a hipster heavy area. I've always lived the High Life when comes to cheap beer.