An artistic and intellectual movement changed Europe and the rest of the world. — The historian Jacob Burckhardt wrote that the Renaissance was the birthplace of modernity. In his assessment, this period was the jumping-off point for modern thought and the favoring of scientific thought over religion. The philosophical school of Humanism began to question the authority of the Church which led to more…

Crazy things can happen south of the border. — Professional wrestling is highly popular in Mexico. The Mexican style of wrestling, known as lucha libre, showcases high-flying maneuvers, masks, and fast-moving action in the ring. This style of wrestling has since been adopted by many of today’s wrestlers all over the world. Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (or simply AAA)…

The Egyptians were, in some ways, shockingly progressive when it came to their sex lives. In a previous article, I wrote about how the Black Death changed sexual norms in Europe. If we look back further in time, we can find evidence that our ancestors shared some of our values…

These books mix two genres beautifully and horrifically. — Fantasy literature sometimes tackles some dark themes. Books like Game of Thrones and The First Law Trilogy deal with the grimmer aspects of the human condition. These books are often considered grimdark literature, not horror per se, but deal with some horrific content. There are also fantasy novels that could…

Hello dear readers! It has been a little while since I have created a new post on here, and I wanted to let everyone know what is going on in my world. This school year I began a new position at a new middle school. After 8 years at my…

A deceitful young man was the center of one of the most controversial events in ECW. — In 1994, wrestling promoters Paul Haymen and Tod Gordan began a promotion that changed the face of professional wrestling in the 1990s. Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) grew from NWA-affiliated Eastern Championship Wrestling, which began in 1992. …

Inner demons and personal issues caused the early demise of one of the most influential women in wrestling. — Joanie Laurer was one of the most influential women in professional wrestling. As Chyna in the WWF, she changed how people thought of female professional wrestlers. In a time when most women in professional wrestling were considered little more than eye candy, Chyna could believably handle herself in matches with…

By ancient and modern standards, these rulers were not the glory of Rome. — After Octavian defeated the assassins of Julius Caesar and crushed his rival, Marc Antony, he renamed himself Caesar Augustus. Thus began the Roman Empire. For the next five hundred years (unless you count the Byzantine, aka Eastern Roman Empire), many men would assume the title of emperor. Some of these…

One of the most innovative stars of his generation is mostly forgotten today due to his personal life. — The true stars in WCCW (World Class Championship Wrestling) were the Von Erich brothers. They were the constant mainstays throughout the company’s run. If you were to choose a star to put after them in a list of the top stars in WCCW, Chris Adams would be a prime candidate…