Professional wrestling returned to form in 2021. Limited crowds and studio shows were replaced by packed houses and even a stadium show for WWE’s SummerSlam, and the industry felt complete with fans back in the stands.
There was a lot to like in 2021. Though the pandemic remains ongoing, indie wrestling regained a great deal of momentum. There were standout performances across every level of the industry, including a seminal moment when Sasha Banks helped make a star out of Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 37. In my eyes, the match of the year was Walter–Ilja Dragunov in August at NXT TakeOver 36, and wrestling was also treated to its best new announcer in over a decade with the emergence of Pat McAfee on SmackDown.