These Classic Wrestling Newspaper & TV Guide Ads From 80s Will Get You Fired Up, Brother

Before internet, social media and entire TV networks dedicated to professional wrestling, national and local promotions only had two options to promote their upcoming shows — either they bought radio time or took out ads in local newspapers. 

As a kid, a newspaper ad for an upcoming wrestling show launched me into begging mode. “Can we go? Can we? Please? I’ll be good. I love you more. I’ll even take care of you when you’re too old to crap anywhere other than your pants.”

Shockingly, that angle didn’t work.

Here are some classic wrestling promotional ads from years gone by and think back to a time when the newspaper actually made people happy.