Reflecting on wrestling's impact on identity

A childhood fascination with wrestling influenced my gender identity and personal evolution.

Wrestling shaped my identity and journey

In a recent reflection, writer Abraham Josephine Riesman shares how wrestling played a key role in shaping their identity. Growing up in the 1990s, Riesman was bullied for not conforming to traditional masculinity, yet found solace in the world of professional wrestling. Initially repelled by the sport due to its association with their bullies, Riesman later embraced it as a source of confidence and community. Decades later, after researching Vince McMahon for a biography, they acknowledged wrestling's complex relationship with masculinity, both embracing and subverting it. This realization helped Riesman transition into a trans woman, illustrating a transformative journey from feeling pressured to conform to understanding personal truth.

Riesman's story highlights how cultural influences, like wrestling, can deeply impact personal identity and societal perceptions. Wrestling, often described as a hyper-masculine space, both promotes traditional gender roles and challenges them through its performance art. As the industry evolves, so do the interpretations of masculinity and femininity, allowing room for growth and acceptance among diverse audiences, especially the LGBTQ+ community.

Highlights

The future of wrestling may embrace even more diverse identities.