There’s something oddly wholesome about All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Maybe it’s that spunky underdog vibe that sees them competing with the previously infallible WWE. Maybe it’s the organization’s quick rise to fame in barely a year’s time. Then again, AEW wrestlers also take time to have fun, like with a re-enactment of a scene from A Christmas Story.
To advertise and commemorate TNT’s 24-hour marathon of A Christmas Story, which airs every year, wrestlers and announcers from AEW gathered to perform a short but iconic scene from the classic holiday film. Featuring Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) as Ralphie, Frankie Kazarian as the elf helper, and the veteran Chris Jericho as Santa, the scene was surprisingly faithful to its source.
The scene plays out as usual, but with the immersion-breaking setting of a wrestling ring instead of an extravagant mall. A bit of a humorous deviation occurs when MJF is tossed out of the ring in place of the movie’s long slide, and shouts “line!” before completing Ralphie’s rehearsed recital of his desired BB gun. Commentator Jim Ross takes the role of Ralphie’s monologue, which helps things along as well. The clip ends with a slate promoting the film’s 24-hour marathon.
This scene may be one of several re-enactments that will air intermittently on TNT throughout the marathon. Aside from providing an amusing connection between the network’s holiday tradition and its wrestling programming, the clips aim to raise awareness for KultureCity, a nonprofit that aims to provide more accessibility for people with sensory disabilities. AEW has partnered with KultureCity to help make their own events more welcoming for all who wish to enjoy them.
AEW has always prided itself as an inclusive group, aiming to include anyone and everyone who watches. Having only just formed in 2019, the wrestling promotion has gained a substantial and passionate following, and that policy of accepting everyone likely played no small part in its success.
Professional wrestling is, at its core, theater mixed with full-contact sport, so that combination targets two fairly wide audiences. Playing fully into the crossover between the two genres not only gives both audiences something new to enjoy, but allows for plenty of fans with more niche interests to join in the fun. Here’s hoping they can keep that momentum going, and that fans can always feel welcome.
TNT will air its annual 24-hour A Christmas Story marathon from December 24-25. AEW’s weekly presentation, AEW Dynamite, airs every Wednesday evening on the same network.
Sources: GameSpot, KultureCity
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