WWE Live: Why House Shows Are the Definitive Wrestling Experience

We are all wrestling fans, no matter how much we criticize what WWE does.  We wouldn't be watching on a weekly basis or discussing wrestling on B/R if that wasn't the case.  If you are even a percentage of the fan that I am, you know that watching professional wrestling on TV is not even half the fun.  You haven't lived until you have attended a live event.

I have attended hundreds of wrestling shows, from WWE to Ring of Honor and all the way back to the original ECW.  I can say with the utmost certainty that the non-televised events, or house shows as we know them, are the best live experience you can get for your money...short of making the pilgrimage to a WrestleMania.  While Raw and Smackdown can certainly be fun, the TV atmosphere necessitates some things that don't allow wrestlers to have as much freedom as they can have when the cameras are off.

After my list, I invite everyone who has attended a WWE live event to share their memories of their favorite moments; tell me what city and country it was, who was wrestling, one specific moment that jumped out at you, etc.  

If you have never been to a live wrestling show, the following reasons are why you should make it happen. 

Photos included in this article were taken personally by Lisa Marie in Bethlehem, Pa. at Stabler Arena on June 22, 2012, unless otherwise noted.

1. No Constraints of TV

Because Raw and Smackdown need time for advertisements, recaps and plugs, their respective three- and two-hour blocks can only be filled with so much actual wrestling.  At a house show, the only interruption during the action is about halfway through for an intermission, usually between 15 and 20 minutes. 

Furthermore, wrestlers are allowed to do things that wouldn't necessarily work the same as it would on TV in terms of their characters or storylines. 

At the show where this photo was taken, Dolph Ziggler wrestled Santino Marella in a 20-minute Street Fight which saw Ziggler steal cotton candy from a child, belt Santino over the head with the stick of candy, take a bite himself and then give it back to the kid.  That exchange alone made the night worth the price of admission.

2. New and Rarely Seen Faces Get to Shine

Even with three hours, Raw can only feature so many people before they run out of time.  House shows do not have this problem, and since both Raw and Smackdown feature their own touring group, you are very likely to see some quality wrestling from guys you don't normally get to see during both major WWE programs.

This show in Bethlehem opened up with Jack Swagger vs. Justin Gabriel, which went for 15 minutes and saw Gabriel get the win with a 450 splash after a slight distraction from Dolph Ziggler. 

I also got my first look at Bray Wyatt, formerly known as Husky Harris during his Nexus days.  It's too bad he tore his pectoral because he cut a very creepy promo reminding me of Robert Duvall's character in The Apostle, and I hope to see him back as the same character when he heals up.

3. Interaction with the Fans

If you are looking to get up close and personal with your favorite wrestlers, the house show is the best place to do it.  Not only do we have the usual kids dancing with Brodus Clay, Naomi and Cameron, if you are persistent (but polite), you have a very good chance of scoring a picture and/or autograph before or after the show, depending on the setup of the arena where the show is.

Stabler Arena is contained within the campus of Lehigh University.  The arena has its loading dock in an unfenced section in the rear, so fans will regularly gather to watch everyone arrive before the show and stick around after to see who will stay and sign and/or pose.

4. Corpsing

No need to send for the man.

Since the wrestlers don't have to worry about breaking character in even the slightest way while the cameras are off, they can actually react to what people say to them and acknowledge the signs people make.  Sometimes, people come up with creative signs that prompt a wrestler to break in hysterics.

When I met one of my best friends 10 years ago, it was at Stabler Arena.  She had brought a sign with her that read, "Rey Mysterio Can 6 (1) 9 Me Any Time" to display during a match that would feature Mysterio and Edge vs. Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit. 

As Mysterio and Edge came to the ring, Mysterio saw my friend's sign and began laughing.  He pointed this out to Edge, who laughed himself...and couldn't stop throughout the entire match.  While on the apron, waiting to be tagged in, Edge kept glancing over at the sign and giggling like the kid in class who is about to get sent to the principal's office.

Obviously, you wouldn't see that on TV.

5. Loaded Card

All told, when you buy a ticket to a WWE house show, you are guaranteed a solid night of entertainment.  With no commercials and a full roster ready to wrestle, you are looking at a solid two-and-a-half hours of fun. 

Now that I have prattled on about what was so great about shows that I have been to, I want to hear everyone else's stories.  Thanks for reading and please share your live experiences below!