Why is wrestling popular in the midwest?

**isubeatle** · 02-24-2011, 02:02 PM

I'm not a wrestling fan at all and so i'm totally clueless when it comes to the subject. It seems that it's really only popular in the Midwest and no where else. Did it organized wrestling originate in the Midwest somewhere?

**isukendall** · 02-24-2011, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by isubeatle

I'm not a wrestling fan at all and so i'm totally clueless when it comes to the subject. It seems that it's really only popular in the Midwest and no where else. Did it organized wrestling originate in the Midwest somewhere?

First of all, organized wrestling originated in Greece.

Collegiate, a.k.a. "folkstyle" wrestling like U.S. high schools and colleges do, is different than international versions of Greco-Roman and Freestyle, but have a lot of similarities.

Personally, I think the reason(s) wrestling has remained more popular in the Midwest is because it is a cheap sport that requires little (or no) equipment to practice in its basic form, and it's a blue-collar sport. A lot of tough farm kids end up wrestling, logical because they probably fought with older brothers.

**brianhos** · 02-24-2011, 02:19 PM

I have no idea why it is popular, all I know is I will be steering my kids in other directions.

**Senolcyc** · 02-24-2011, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by isubeatle

I'm not a wrestling fan at all and so i'm totally clueless when it comes to the subject. It seems that it's really only popular in the Midwest and no where else. Did it organized wrestling originate in the Midwest somewhere?

History and tradition. But it can't be said it's only popular in the midwest and nowhere else. It's as huge in Pennsylvania as anywhere. It's an indoor sport so it's going to have deeper roots in cold weather states.

**isukendall** · 02-24-2011, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by brianhos

I have no idea why it is popular, all I know is I will be steering my kids in other directions.

People who dislike wrestling do so because they do not understand it. Those who take the time to understand the sport usually end up loving it. Not to tell you how to raise your kids, but it can't hurt to be exposed to it in case they do like it.

**SpokaneCY** · 02-24-2011, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by isukendall

People who dislike wrestling do so because they do not understand it. Those who take the time to understand the sport usually end up loving it. Not to tell you how to raise your kids, but it can't hurt to be exposed to it in case they do like it.

Same could be said for rhythmic gymnastics. In which case it COULD hurt to be exposed to it if you have a son --- and he likes it.

**edr247** · 02-24-2011, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by SpokaneCY

Same could be said for rhythmic gymnastics. In which case it COULD hurt to be exposed to it if you have a son --- and he likes it.

Why?

**The_Architect** · 02-24-2011, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by brianhos

I have no idea why it is popular, all I know is I will be steering my kids in other directions.

QFT.

**intrepid27** · 02-24-2011, 02:39 PM

I think the success that Iowa and Iowa State have had on a national level the past 30 or so years plays a huge part of it. I lived in OK for 5 years in the 80s. High school wrestling is huge there as well. And again the in state colleges both have had strong programs.

**Judoka** · 02-24-2011, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Senolcyc

History and tradition. But it can't be said it's only popular in the midwest and nowhere else. It's as huge in Pennsylvania as anywhere. It's an indoor sport so it's going to have deeper roots in cold weather states.

And New Jersey, fairly big in California. It's growing a lot at the high school level. Which makes all the slashes at the college level even more heartbreaking.

**isuno1fan** · 02-24-2011, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by brianhos

I have no idea why it is popular, all I know is I will be steering my kids in other directions.

I REALLY hope you don't mean soccer

**Go2Guy** · 02-24-2011, 02:42 PM

Another random question from a quasi-fan;
Is there anyway to avoid the "Cauliflower" ear syndrome? I see a lot of players are using headsets nowadays, but still get the issue.

**brianhos** · 02-24-2011, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by isukendall

People who dislike wrestling do so because they do not understand it. Those who take the time to understand the sport usually end up loving it. Not to tell you how to raise your kids, but it can't hurt to be exposed to it in case they do like it.

I wrestled as a kid. I will be encouraging other sports.

**Judoka** · 02-24-2011, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Go2Guy

Another random question from a quasi-fan;
Is there anyway to avoid the "Cauliflower" ear syndrome? I see a lot of players are using headsets nowadays, but still get the issue.

Yes, you can get it drained. I've gotten it at least 5 times but you can't tell because I drain it. Some guys just consider it a "mark of pride" type thing so choose not to.