Written by: Kevin Berge (All pictures taken by me, but product is credit of AEW)

I don't often get the chance to see wrestling live. It is an experience unlike anything else, especially with All Elite Wrestling. AEW has consistently encouraged a loud, engaged atmosphere that is reminiscent of a different time in wrestling.

AEW has been on a tear lately, thriving especially on the back of AEW All Out 2021, the best show in the company's history and one of the best wrestling events ever produced. AEW Full Gear 2021 was never going to quite reach that level, but its stacked card had potential to keep that momentum going.

I was particularly excited about the main event. Hangman Adam Page was finally set to complete a story that has defined AEW since its inception, winning the AEW World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Kenny Omega. It was one of those moments of euphoria that is oh so special live.

Written by: Kevin Berge

I am not one to hyperbolize generally, but the 2021 weekend of August 20 - August 22 may be one of the biggest in professional wrestling history. Something changed on Friday when AEW aired The First Dance, the second-ever episode of AEW Rampage.

Set in Chicago, a major reveal was promised that might be one of the worst kept secrets in wrestling. However, everyone tuned in all the same. In his hometown, CM Punk returned and sat down to espouse why he had finally returned to wrestling.

It was not as much his words but the air in the room that made this moment special. It was like a weight had been lifted off the professional wrestling that no one realized was there. A man that had truly loved wrestling and had that love ripped away from him was finally back.

Written by: Kevin Berge

Wrestling is not the same without fans. It's true of any sport, but wrestling especially is morphed by crowd reactions. While a bad crowd can bring down a show and an ignored crowd can completely stop a show cold, a great crowd makes wrestling what it is.

This sport is built on entertainment, adjusting and molding to the fans. While the silence has allowed more experimentation from performers, there has never been that same energy. The roar of the crowd is what evolves a show from good to great.

It's been too long since wrestling fans have been regularly in attendance for an important reason. We need to stay safe. Even now, it may be too soon with a new COVID variant hitting the United States that can affect those who are vaccinated, but the business decision has been made.

Written by: Kevin Berge (Image Courtesy of: WWE.com)

Another WWE year has passed. WrestleMania season is over, and the wrestling will begin to rebuild for the future. This year's 'Mania especially felt like it was the end of an era, the beginning of something new.

For the past year, we have watch professional wrestling in a bubble, missing the energy of the crowd. While WWE very likely rushed a crowd out for WWE WrestleMania, the feeling of that crowd was something special.

Hopefully, we all can get vaccinated soon, and that energy can reignite wrestling. The WrestleMania week certainly felt energized. It's going to hard to go back to the Thunderdome set for a while longer.

Written by: Kevin Berge

AEW Revolution 2021 had much to live up to. It was the first major pay-per-view on the All Elite Wrestling calendar. The 2020 edition of AEW Revolution was one of the best modern wrestling shows. Plus it was a show in the midst of the Road to WrestleMania.

In every aspect, this needed to be a win, and ultimately it was. However, a few hiccups hurt the work of the talent as well as giving fuel to those that gladly criticize AEW.

When you make promises, you have to deliver. AEW unfortunately missed the mark on that, leaving fans with a show that was good but ended with a disappointment that could haunt the brand for months and years to come.