Issue 1
I didn't need the security blanket anymore. I was ready for something new. I was ready to face myself.
I stepped out of the Seattle hotel, it was cold and crisp. The sun was shining, which isn’t as rare as it used to be, but it’s still a gift in the PNW sky in October. I remember looking at my shadow, it was the silhouette of a stranger. Was there anything left of the old version of me? What kind of man could tear his identity down to nothing?
Kayfabe would tell me to find gratitude. It's the key to building character.
At least I still have wrestling.
WrestleDream was a show put on by AEW to honour the late Antonio Inoki.
The founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling, Inoki was the definition of kayfabe. His character was woven into his spirit. His mind set in stone. He performed against the likes of Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, and Ric Flair. He had an exhibition match with Muhammad Ali. He knew what he was made of, he knew his values, knew what he stood for. They called him a national hero, a world champion, it became his identity.
It's why while serving the country, he went on a one man rescue operation to negotiate the release of Japanese hostages with Saddam Hussein. Just Inoki, walking into Iraq because he believed he could help. And he did.
The first recorded muslim to enter Japan did so on a diplomatic mission. He was beheaded.
Inoki returned from a diplomatic mission a muslim, a hero.
What kind of man could tear his identity down to nothing?
He converted to Islam on a pilgrimage to Karbala. He said when they asked he couldn't say no. He converted not because he was lost — but because he was found. Religious identity wasn't a fortress for Inoki. It was a river. The part he held onto was being a hero, bringing peace It's why later Muhammad Hussain Inoki said he's "usually a Buddhist". His identity wasn’t found in religion. It was found in his belief.
some men build walls around who they are
others let the borders dissolve
and find themselves everywhere
k
Inoki booked his way to Pakistan when it was dangerous to be there. While the wrestling world stayed safe, he was building bridges in a land of tradition and culture that cherished the art of wrestling, a sport for kings and nobles. Pakistan. The Middle East. Places my grandfather knew. Places that share a border with Punjab, the land my family called home from before the lines were drawn, a land I haven't had the chance to see yet. He visited Cuba and bought an island there called Friendship Island. He was the embodiment of World Champion. Peace in lands most feared. Peace through wrestling.
Kayfabe says Inoki understood something most never learn: your character is what you hold on to. Inoki knew his character to be a hero, a champion of humanity. Bring peace to the world through wrestling. That was Inoki-san's WrestleDream. He lived it, and it still lives now. I share the same intention, bring peace through wrestling. I’ll wear it as my identity.
I took my camera to the show without fully understanding its power yet. But I knew enough to savor the moment. I tried to capture the memory. Danielson, Sabre, Omega, Takeshita, Ospreay, Ibushi, Jericho. I felt like I was trying too hard to make something happen. Trying to follow the action through a 35mm lens, I was getting lost in the moment.
Some things you feel before you frame them.
*the crowd parts for a small figure*
There was a young boy in the crowd dressed as Darby Allin. Colourful arena lights bounced off the face paint a good parent spent time carefully applying. An innocent little boy with the power of belief in his eyes. The belief that if you show up as your hero, maybe your hero shows up for you. The wrestling community does their part to make dreams come true. Community.
We got the kid and his dad up to the front, violently flagged Darby's attention. Pointed to the kid and the sign.
There's no amount of money in the world that can replace the value we put in things. The memories we make are priceless. The guy who offered the kid $50 bucks for the skateboard knew it was priceless to the boy, but we all laughed when he offered it anyway.
Kayfabe always reminds me: the character you live influences the memories you make.
I remember being that young boy.
I'm happy I'm still that young boy now.
On this day, I see clearly.
