Combating BritWres Burnout and the Rebirth of the Scene
Written by AJ Mann
Social Media: @AJ.Mann15 (IG)
Grapple Theory has returned to gracing your screens once again, and we should be happier for it. Sometimes a break away from something you enjoy is needed to appreciate it fully, to not fall victim to overexposure and desensitisation sapping the joy out of hobbies new and old.
A change, or even a fresh start, can help to feel re-energised, revitalised, and reinvested. Here, I’ll write (or ramble) about how that applies to the thing that’s probably brought you here: pro-wrestling.
If you’re going to shows frequently, whether it be your local indie or a massive pay-per-view event that you’re making the trip for, burnout creeping in and taking hold can be a real possibility.
That slow manifestation of fatigue can come from seeing the same matches, hearing the same music, or even feeling the frustration of stories not blossoming or concluding how you and other fans had hoped they would.
It can get to a point where going to shows feels like you’re going through the motions; a numb routine where your mind is pre-occupied with pre-existing worries, taking away the enjoyment from the shows you spend your hard-earned money to go to.
Disassociation, frustration, and dissatisfaction can sprout, bloom, and spread before you even realise. Now, this isn’t a knock on the competitors who bust their arses each time they step foot in a ring for our entertainment, but a knock on the oversaturation of certain matches being booked time and time again by promotions across the country that (in some cases) might try to capture a spark seen elsewhere, often to mixed results.
You go to these shows each month to combat the FOMO, where what would instead be beneficial for you, your wallets, and love of wrestling is to pick and choose what shows actively interest you. Find ways of engaging with live shows that you as an individual find enjoyable and sustainable socially, mentally, financially, whatever the case may be.
My personal experience with burnout stretches beyond wrestling shows, to other hobbies of mine- artwork and yes, even writing. It gets to a point where the body moves to participate in these hobbies, only for the brain to remain completely checked-out, not wishing to dedicate any energy or emotion towards what once brought you joy.
For friends of mine, they too have had this experience with burnout in wrestling, to the point where they stopped attending altogether. They might remain in the loop by hearing results through the grapevine, or by checking out altogether and coming back as and when they felt they wanted to (if they wanted to).
For many of us, we’ve taken a step back at different times and returned with a new attitude, learning from our past selves who wanted to be at any and every show we could feasibly attend, by picking and choosing where we want to spend our money and energy. Ultimately, we started making the more logical, financially responsible and healthy decisions for our own wellbeing.
Speaking of feeling refreshed, let’s talk about the refresh that Britwres seems to be going through lately. You’ve got people up and down the country stepping into the spotlight and showing how the scene continues to change and grow as the years go by, and how it will continue to shape the future of pro-wrestling.
Up and coming talents are getting their time on bigger stages, for example the likes of Tommy Vril pulling double duty for Riot Cabaret in September, battling Michael Oku and taking part in a battle royal in the same night.
You’ve got talent returning from injury and/or extended time away from the ring- the likes of “The Futurist” Leon Cage, who made his return to wrestling at Rev Pro’s Live in London 100 by answering Luke Jacobs’ open challenge.
Though both competitors would lose their respective matches, it’s a moment of realisation for fans in terms of seeing what the present and future of the scene will look like with such wrestlers at the helm.
Elsewhere you have talent returning from excursions and tours abroad- the likes of Leyton Buzzard returning from six months in Japan with a list of first-time matches on his mind; Rayne Leverkusen making her return from a tour in Meiko Satomura’s Sendai Girls promotion; and Kanji making her presence felt on the international stage as part of CMLL’s Grand Prix de Amazonas 2025.
Seeing talent blossom at shows across the global independent stage, earning these opportunities to further hone their craft under the world’s best trainers, face the world’s best, and return home with a newly-fanned lame under them is a joy to think about and see on shows in the near-future.
Finally, there are those who are finally having a major spotlight placed on them in major matches on upcoming shows; the likes of Lucy Sky getting the chance to prove herself against AEW’s Willow Nightingale at EVE’s “Elite Encounters” show in November, and Jay Joshua earning a British Heavyweight Championship match against Sha Samuels in Rev Pro with the support of the fans (and Connor Mills) behind him.
Lulls, slumps, ruts, call them what you will. They are valid and natural to experience, they can sap the enjoyment out of things you once held dear. Taking those moments of realisation to make the choices that are best for you is the most important thing you can do.
Pro-wrestling isn’t going anywhere, and I hope that if you ever experience this burnout or fatigue for yourself that you can take that step back without the fear of missing out and return when you are ready and refreshed.
Support your local/favourite indies as and when you can- whether that be in person, online or simply by spreading word of an upcoming show on social media. It’s all appreciated, it all goes towards helping keep this thing we love healthy and thriving.
2025 has been another year of change and of growth within pro-wrestling; no matter how little or how much you are involved in the space, always remember to take care of yourselves because this space is better for having you in it.*
*- unless you’re a dickhead, in that case, I hope the door hits you on your way out.