When people reminisce about professional wrestling, they often conjure images of iconic moments from bygone eras—the era of Hulkamania, the Monday Night Wars, and the Attitude Era. But according to WWE superstar Chad Gable, the present is just as thrilling for wrestling enthusiasts.
Gable, a member of the beloved Alpha Academy, expressed his excitement about WWE’s current state, asserting that it’s culturally, creatively, and athletically thriving. And fans in Lexington are in for a treat as some of the biggest names in wrestling, including Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, and Rhea Ripley, are set to grace Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center on Monday, Feb. 12, for a live broadcast of “Monday Night Raw.”
“Wrestling itself always goes through what you would like to call ‘boom periods.’ We’re in one right now,” Gable said. “Over the past 18 months or so, we are firing on all cylinders.”
As WWE gears up for its 40th Wrestlemania event in April in Philadelphia, the momentum and intrigue surrounding its flagship show, “Monday Night Raw,” continue to soar. The live broadcast, which debuted in 1993, remains the top-rated cable TV show on Monday nights, captivating audiences with its electrifying matches and gripping storylines.
Chad Gable, whose wrestling career has been on a meteoric rise, shared insights into his journey to stardom and the unique experience of watching wrestling live versus from the comfort of home. Alongside his Alpha Academy comrades, Gable has carved a niche as one of the most entertaining factions on the Raw roster.
“You’ve got, like, almost this band of misfits that should not work,” Gable said. “It just does and it works and it clicks and it resonates with people.”
Gable’s journey to WWE stardom began long before his days in the squared circle. As an accomplished amateur wrestler, he represented the United States at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London before transitioning to the world of professional wrestling. Since joining WWE’s main roster in 2016, Gable has been awe-struck by the scale and spectacle of WWE’s productions.
“I’ve been doing these things for 10 years now and I still get blown away by the production value,” Gable said. “It’s enormous in scale and you wonder how you can do this twice a week, every week, endlessly for a year.”
But what happens when the cameras aren’t rolling during commercial breaks? According to Gable, fans in attendance get an exclusive glimpse into the inner workings of the show, from backstage promos to impromptu interactions with the crowd.
“During commercial breaks, we’ll just kind of hang out a bit and wait and then maybe interact with the crowd if we want,” Gable revealed, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes moments that add to the magic of live television.
As anticipation builds for Monday Night Raw’s takeover of Lexington, wrestling aficionados are gearing up for a night of adrenaline-pumping action and unforgettable moments. With a star-studded lineup and the infectious energy of live entertainment, WWE’s flagship show promises to deliver an experience unlike any other for fans in the heart of Kentucky.
