The Internet Wrestling Community (IWC) is always arguing about something, always. But last week’s debate extended beyond just fans in the IWC, even the pro wrestling community was debating.
Izzy, also known as Bayley’s biggest fan or WWE super fan, made her in-ring début at a Punk Pro Wrestling show over the weekend. Yes, in-ring début! Izzy is 12-years old! During her début match, Izzy was chokeslammed by pro-wrestler Effy. Yes, chokeslammed!
When the news and video footage hit the internet, the IWC and pro-wrestling community erupted in a discussion. Is 12-Years Old Too Young For In-Ring Wrestling? How young is too young for in-ring wrestling? Let’s consider both sides of the debate.
Is Twelve Too Young For In-Ring Wrestling?
Yes
Health Risks Outweigh Early Experience
According to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, “Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disease found in athletes, military veterans, and others with a history of repetitive brain trauma. In CTE, a protein called Tau forms clumps that slowly spread throughout the brain, killing brain cells.” CTE is very serious. Wrestling at a young age can increase a child’s chance of developing CTE.
Children Play Contact Sports with Other Children, Not Adults
In Izzy’s case, she was not working in-ring with someone in her age range. (That sounds really dangerous when you think about it.) Izzy was chokeslammed by an adult. When children play contact sports such as pee-wee football, they play among other children their age and weight. Even though children play contact sports with other children in their age and weight range, they still run the risk of developing CTE.
Parental/Family Disapproval
Not all parents are ok with their child making his or her wrestling début at such an early age. WWE superstar Lince Dorado is one those parents. Dorado took to Twitter to express his concern as both a professional wrestler and a parent.
I will not support this at all and I will leave it at that! As a parent and PROFESSIONAL wrestler I feel utterly embarrassed due to my “peers” actions! Not ok! pic.twitter.com/KLzFI9f1hd
— Lince Dorado (@LuchadorLD) August 27, 2018
No
Many Wrestlers Start Training at a Young Age
It common for wrestlers to start wrestling as a teenager, usually 15 and up. Just to name a few, Becky Lynch and now retired wrestler, Tyson Kidd both start wrestling at the age of 15. But there have been a few popular wrestlers that started before the age of 15. Retired wrestler Paige made her wrestling debut at the age of 13, one year older Izzy. At the age of 14, Rey Mysterio made his in-ring debut. Mysterio was two years older than Izzy.
Children Play Contact Sports at an Earlier Age
In the United States, pee-wee football is a popular sport. Parents can sign their young children up to play for school leagues, community leagues, religious leagues, etc. Although league ages range from league to league, some children start playing as early as 5 years old.
Parental/Family Approval
Izzy is a child and cannot enroll herself in a wrestling school. Izzy’s parents had to enroll her. Her parents also signed off on her Punk Pro Wrestling match. Izzy’s parents must not think she’s too young for wrestling.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
