The Spice Of Life: A Look Into Diversity Within The World Of Wrestling

"Variety is the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavour" - William Cowper

That particular quote was uttered by an English poet over 200 years ago, but it still holds the same meaning now as it did then.

Variety comes in many different shapes and forms, whether it be what people look like, or how they work.

It all leads to the same thing, differences between human beings that attributes them to their own style.

Nowhere else is this more prominent than within a wrestling ring.

Every wrestler is of a different variety, cut from different edges of the cloth if you will.

Some them are prolific high-fliers that emulate the dreams of those who wish they could touch the tallest points of the earth.

Others are tactical ground-workers, savagely attacking the wounded while they're down, like the lion in nature.

In the end, they are all working towards one common goal, a goal that is as unchanging as the sun in the sky, and almost the same colour.

Why is it though, that we come to thirst for this diversity? Why do we believe it to be necessary to have all these differences between the wrestlers we come to grow and support?

Is it due to our natural primal instinct of hunting out those that are different and adapting to conflict them?

Is it because today's generation have a greater desire to see contrast?

Or is it just because we are in a world that applauds and celebrates the diversity of life?

Let us look at what you see in wrestling on a week to week basis.

Firstly, you have the different styles of wrestling.

Science dictates that we naturally mould the way we work to our strengths and weaknesses. This opens up many branches of which to follow.

The high-fliers: Is it just because they are more at home in the air than on the ground that they prefer to soar?

It might be, but they still amaze us, stuck far below them.

The way our hearts skip a beat when we see them fly from what seems like the edge of space is an almost universal feeling. The way we gasp at the feats of nature we could only do in our dreams is another of those feelings felt the whole world round.

Technical wrestlers, the machines of the sporting community.

Why are they looked down upon with such disdain, when they probably possess the more cunning mind? Cunning and sly are not to be looked upon lightly.

These traits are encouraged in the real world, where they win wars and outsmart enemies. This is what these machines do, just on a different level from what we normally think.

Then you come to the almost extinct wrestling breeds—the hardcore competitors.

Why is it that brutality and a frenzy for blood are always seen as positive contributions within the wrestling circle?

Is it because of the energy it divulges with every drop of blood spilled from the body?

Could it be because blood is the life of every human in the world, the adrenaline that kicks in when we which to fight to survive?

However, variety is not only linked with the way the people move. It goes on what they look like, what their mannerisms are, and how they look at the world.

People used to look upon wrestlers like Eric Young with a certain sense of naiveté. His innocent charm and youthful looks, used to make us try to wrap him up from dangers in the world, in a futile attempt to protect him against what we thought he hadn't seen.

Now though, they look with animosity towards a man that has grown out of his childlike state and is ready to venture the world on his own two feet, albeit, under the wrong influence.

In contrast, we look at performers like Jericho.

We look down on them for the cocky attitude and superior smugness that they hold towards everyone, but haven't they earned the right to do this?

After periods of success, many feel a natural urge to showcase the power they hold over others. Is this really such a negative thing?

Variety helps to make wrestling, as it does the rest of life, unique. Even the fans to an extent add to this diversity.

Black, white, young, old, male, female; it doesn't matter.

People all around the world feel the effect of wrestling in their lives, whether it be because they remember a witty line, or talk about a memorable match.

These anecdotes help to add to the diversity of life, creating a unique atmosphere in which we live.

Is variety really the spice of wrestling and life?

That's for you to decide, but in the wise words of Menila Wurasanthay:

"Carbon copies may get rid of discrimination, but they do nothing for the imagination"