Wrestler Ricky Saints recently addressed the intense tribalism that often defines fan behavior between wrestling promotions, speaking during the Battleground Podcast on March 3, 2026. Rather than dismissing this tribalism as purely negative, Saints suggested that certain aspects of it contribute to the excitement and passion that fuel wrestling fandom.
Fan Loyalty Can Create Conflict, Yet Mirrors Other Rivalries
During the discussion, the podcast host expressed frustration over how fiercely some fans defend their preferred wrestling brands, turning loyalty into conflict that affects friendships and personal relationships. Highlighting these tensions, the host said,
“The thing that drives me crazy as a wrestling fan is this — why can’t wrestling fans just be fans of wrestling? Why does it have to be, ‘Oh, if you like this, I can’t be your friend,’ or ‘If you like that, I can’t support you’? Tribalism sucks.”
Saints acknowledged the divisiveness but compared wrestling tribalism to something more familiar and widely accepted: sports rivalries. Using a personal example, he joked,
“Well, I mean, you’re a Titans fan, right? See, I’m a Saints fan, so it’s like I can’t be your friend. You’re going to have that in every aspect of life.”
The Role of Social Media in Amplifying Fan Conflicts
Saints explained that the intensity of tribalism today is heightened by social media platforms, where discussions and disagreements are amplified beyond what would be typical in person. He observed,
“I think it feels more sensitive and touchy now because we’re all on social media, so everything is more saturated.”
This saturation creates an environment where every opinion can escalate, making fan divisions seem more dramatic than they might be offline.
Unity Among Fans Outside Online Spaces
Despite the digital friction, Saints emphasized that live events present a different experience. He described how fans from various promotion backgrounds come together without the hostility often seen online. Reflecting on a live show in Nashville, he said,
“But when you actually go out to live events, like in Nashville, no one cared. There were people who were fans of me from AEW, people who were fans of me from NWA, and people who are fans of me now. They all mesh. They all share a common ground. I do think it’s kind of cool, to a certain degree, that people feel such ownership and stake in a specific company or wrestler. I like that passion. If you don’t have passion for your team, then what are you doing, you know?”
This shared enthusiasm at live shows reflects a broader connection among wrestling fans, regardless of their brand allegiance.
Passion and Competition as Positive Forces in Wrestling Fandom
For Saints, the tribalism surrounding wrestling is not without its challenges, but it also represents an essential source of energy and involvement. The blend of rivalry, loyalty, and competitive spirit helps to maintain a dynamic atmosphere within the wrestling community. He views this fervor not as a toxic problem but as evidence that fans deeply care about the sport and its performers.
Looking Ahead: Tribalism’s Place in Wrestling Culture
The ongoing debate about wrestling tribalism raises important questions about fan behavior and community. With social media intensifying conflicts but live events fostering unity, tribalism remains a complex aspect of wrestling culture. How fans navigate this tribalism in the future—balancing passion with respect—will significantly shape the atmosphere of wrestling fandom going forward.
Ricky Saints’ perspective challenges fans to reconsider tribalism not just as division but as a marker of engagement, inviting dialogue on whether this fervor ultimately enhances or harms the wrestling experience.
