Everything is Pro Wrestling

There’s a popular saying in the sports media world, especially here at SB Nation: everything is pro wrestling.

Whether you’re a fan of WWE, AEW, or any level of pro wrestling, it’s intriguing how much can be related to different areas of life. Take, for instance, the fact that the current U.S. President is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame. But, I think that’s a discussion for another day.

Thursday night’s matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Carolina Panthers offered perhaps the most striking example of this idea yet.

In the first half, Packers wide receiver Christian Watson caught a deep pass but left the game—and the stadium—due to a reported chest injury. He was checked out in the medical tent and subsequently taken away in an ambulance for further evaluation.

Yet, shortly after halftime, Watson made an unexpected return to Lambeau Field. He had been cleared by doctors at a nearby hospital and rode back in the same ambulance, this time sitting in the front. Fans erupted in cheers as he jogged back onto the field.

Instantly, people began drawing parallels to pro wrestling.

This led to some fans overlaid the video of his return with audio from WWE matches, making it even more theatrical.

It’s important to note that Watson was diagnosed with a broken rib and was even coughing up blood, yet he still managed to play in the game, catching two more passes. The Packers ultimately defeated the Panthers, with Watson finishing with an outstanding eight catches for 113 yards, setting the highest receiving yardage for a Packers player this season.

But, just how accurate is the comparison to the WWE?

Watson himself touched on this in his post-game remarks:

“It was super dramatic,” Watson said. “I used to watch WWE as a kid. I felt like I was watching WWE Smackdown vs. Raw or something, seeing the cameras on me when I was coming out of the ambulance. That was a little crazy.”

Interestingly, another member of the WWE Hall of Fame echoed these sentiments.

So, yes, everything really does feel like pro wrestling sometimes.