But early this week I sent an email to all the members of FloWrestling requesting that theysend me two or three things that they're thankful for this year. And they did so promptly.

Then it was my turn to think of the things I was thankful for in the wrestling world. It was a self-imposed task that I spent considerable time lamenting on. And in the end, despite being someone who's easily disposed to frustration, the answer was clear. I'm most thankful for 'progress'.

Naturally, it being a Thanksgiving piece, I thought of the classic British novel A Pilgrim's Progress. Pilgrim + Progress. It was easy to make that leap.

But Bunyan's novel has more of an import to wrestling, and the message here, than in title alone. 

The protagonist is largely in pursuit of a better environment. And a major theme of the novel is an emphasis in the value of community and in numbers. It ultimately results in 'a movement' as his crusade travels from town to town, reaching out to more people, and creating momentum.

That's what wrestling has done, and that's what I'm thankful for.

Often you'll hear Christian and I complain on FloRadio Live about the ills of wrestling politics, procedures, and governance. And they're legitimate complaints.

There was a time, twenty years ago when I was in high school and picking up on peripheral wrestling issues, until just a few years ago when I began a career in wrestling journalism, that I had my doubts that wrestling would ever make gains. 

But people have sat down at tables. Opened lines of communication. Buried hatchets. Hatched plans with visions. From USAWrestling to numerous state orginizations. From event directors to the revamped structure of United World Wrestling. Leaders of the sport have largely worked together to institute new policies and projects that push wrestling forward.

It's no coincidence that the entities in wrestling that are thriving are the same ones that have been active in communicating and collaborating.

There's still more reform and re-imagining to be done. And I'll never stop banging the drum for what's right and what's better. But ironically, in reflecting on 'what I'm thankful for,' it's the progress that wrestling has made on on these fronts. And it's built on community and passion.

It's a good time to be in wrestling.

What Our Team Is Thankful For:

Joe Flo
- I'm thankful for all my coaches who pointed me in a direction leading to success.

- Thankful for competitors who lay it on the line each week so I have something to watch and get excited about.


CP
- I'm thankful for a passionate community who wants to see wrestling succeed.

- I'm thankful for the unpredictable nature of our sport that teaches us no giant is unbeatable. 


Bader
- I am thankful for all the amazing people I have met and all the places I have been.

- I am thankful for the opportunity to compete as the years continue to fly by.

- I am thankful for every wrestler who busts their butt to chase their dreams while at the same time providing us with the best entertainment I could dream of.

- I am thankful that I don't have to cut weight during Thanksgiving or Christmas anymore


Ryan
- I'm thankful to be a part of a team at FloWrestling that pushes the envelope on every level to grow the sport.

- I'm thankful for the strong mindset wrestling has given me.


Brock
- Thankful to be part of the wrestling community that is filled with so many great people.


Bratke
- I'm thankful for all of the amazing fans, coaches, parents and wrestlers that make this sport the greatest in the world.

-I'm thankful to be able to work in the sport that has been the most important part of my life since I was 5. 


Nicky V.
- I'm thankful for Ben Askren and all that he is.

- I'm thankful for wrestling as it showed me how to be tough and how to win fights against people of all sizes.


Martin
- I'm thankful John Smith opened his doors to me 10 years ago when Flo was just an idea.

- I'm thankful for Brian Smith letting me stay at his house when I didnt have a place to stay.

- I'm thankful for J Rob returning my call and inviting me up to Minneapolis.

- I'm thankful for having 25 wrestlers at Flo that kick ass everyday.