On a global, national, and local scale, professional wrestling is an art form that is appreciated by many. Chicagoans will head to a bar to watch weekly programing. They'll pack a local venue to see a like show. They have their favorite wrestlers to both love and hate 

The Chicagoland scene is eclectic. Fans of the art form find community in multiple independent wrestling companies in the city and the surrounding Chicagoland area including Freelance Wrestling, AAW, Chicago Style Wrestling, Galli, Lucha Libre All Stars, Black Label Pro, Wrestle League, The Super Wrestlers, and many more

Many appreciate bigger wrestling company like World Wrestling Entertainment and All Elite Wrestling. There's also a local scene thriving performing shows in Logan Square Auditorium, Thalia Hall, Concord Music Hall, Berwyn Eagles Club and more.

The Chicago Reader is in the write-in stage of their Best of Chicago 2024 edition. There are a variety of categories to recognize the best the city has to offer. However there are no categories to recognize a genre of performers who risk their body to do cool stuff for the entertainment of fans. 

We would like to ask the Chicago Reader to consider adding professional wrestling categories to an upcoming edition to celebrate the eclectic communities sports entertainment brings to the Second City.

Categories to Consider:

• Best Chicago(land) Wrestling Company
• Best Chicago Wrestler
• Best Place To See A Wrestling Show
• Local Wrestler To Look Out For