One of the most intense feuds in recent WWE memory has been between Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes. They have traded insults and punches with each other in an effort to be the victor. On the January 10, 2025 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, their feud went to another level entirely.
Owens came out and dragged Rhodes away from his tag team match, leaving Jimmy Uso to face Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga alone. They brawled through the backstage area and ended the episode crashing through a table.
By taking feuds outside of the wrestling ring, wrestlers don’t just enhance the viewing experience for the fans. They also amplify their hatred towards one another by attacking outside of the designated fighting area, something that has strengthened feuds for many years.
The Attacks Add Creativity to Already Intense Stories
When two opposing wrestlers are in the ring, whether they’re taking part in a promo or a brawl, you obviously sense the tension. That’s to be expected in professional wrestling. But what is surprising is when things get heated in places like backstage, the stands, the arena, etc. Fighting there shows that the wrestlers will stop at nothing to get at their opponent.
Braun Strowman and Bronson Reed fighting in the parking lot established those two men as unstoppable behemoths.
Damage CTRL attacking Becky Lynch backstage showed everyone that the faction was a serious threat to the women’s division. Having attacks take place in unexpected places adds another layer to the story, showing everyone that anything can happen at any time.
Fans Get Even Closer to the Action
If you go to a wrestling show, you expect to see your favorite wrestlers fighting either in the ring or on the outside. Seeing them punch each other just feet away from your seat or where you’re standing is an added bonus.
The emotion that the fans get when a brawl descends into the crowd or arena is electrifying. They were on their feet cheering when Rhodes fought Shinsuke Nakamura and when Lynch took her fight against Trish Stratus to the concessions area. Seeing unexpected and live reactions from the fans in these scenarios are great, given that they are emotional and real.
If a feud has reached a boiling point, having the wrestlers fight throughout the arena doesn’t just benefit them. It also benefits the fans, who get a close up experience of the hatred of a feud.
Outside Attacks Make For an Amazing Viewing Experience
When two feuding wrestlers hate each other or if one wants the other’s championship, you can feel the emotion. Whether it’s a promo or in the match, the determination is evident.
In order to keep the fan’s attention throughout the feud, an outside attack usually does the trick. Whether it’s the parking lot, backstage, or the arena, wrestlers level up their feuds while fans benefit from their actions.
The smiles and cheers heard throughout the brawling area shows their amusement from the action happening feet away from them. For most people, their seats are several feet away so they can’t really get into the action.
Having a brawl or fight in the stands or arena brings them into the action by transporting the feud to them. Attacks outside the ring not only spices up a feud but brings the fight to the fans in an action packed way.
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