Criticism has always been a prevailing aspect of the wrestling community. The wrestlers are perpetually under constant scrutiny and are monitored for their off court and their on court overtures. Such is the cutthroat nature of sports itself. If we consider a cross sporting case study, at the recently concluded Core Hydration Classics in women’s gymnastics, Gabby Douglas faced quite some flak for her pulling out of the event. Similarly, the tide hasn’t ebbed in wrestling too.

Recently, however, a doyen of popular wrestlers like AJ Ferrari, Pat Downey and many more faced the short end of the stick for not meeting expectations.This comes after Pat Downey’s loss at the important Olympic trials. Similarly, AJ Ferarri’s unsportsmanlike display of aggression at a recent match also raised eyebrows among fans. Many more wrestlers have also been roped into the discussion for just not being good enough. What exactly is the mindset of the rabble rousing discerning Reddit fans on the same?

With great power comes great responsibility – did AJ Ferrari and others drop the ball?

In a recent post on the gymnastics community over at Reddit, wrestling fans from around the world discussed the wrestlers who were all bark and no bite. Many names were brought up, including AJ Ferarri and Pat Downey. During the Soldier Salute College wrestling tournament, AJ Ferarri displayed a range of theatrics after being disqualified. During the match, Ferrari was favored to win. However, after a takedown, Ferrari irked Iowa’s Zach Glazier. This led to a violent scuffle, an altercation of sorts that referees had to separate. As a result, Ferrari was eliminated and banished from the grounds before the match concluded. This blatant display of disrespect has lost AJ Ferarri the favor of many fans. He isn’t the only wrestler to have faced criticism this year. 

Pat Downey had a humiliating face-off against Penn State’s Carter Starocci at the recent Olympic Wrestling Trials. This was despite his claims that he would take “MMA by storm.” Downey lost the first-round match in a 4-0 decision. Though his poor performance could be because of an injury, he was promptly cut from the Olympic race. Additionally, Downey is also described as “just bad,” by many people within the community. Even Kurt McHenry was brought up for missing most of the 2022-23 season. This dynamic interaction sheds light on how fans react and engage with athletes, shaping discussions about performance and perceived value in sports.

Gymnastics fans name-drop wrestlers who haven’t proved their worth

Gymnastics enthusiasts have been vocal about wrestlers they believe have yet to validate their abilities. Some of the big names like Pat Downey and AJ Ferrari have come up in eyes during these discussions, with fans questioning their performances and accomplishments. One fan expressed his frustration and disappointment regarding wrestler AJ Ferarri. They highlighted how Ferrari’s talent was being diminished by his poor character.  They wrote, “AJ Ferrari because he rendered his talent useless by being such a shitty human being.” 

One commenter remembered the good days when Destin McCauley, Griffin Parriot and the Peppelman brothers were all highly touted wrestlers. However, the commentator bemoaned the fact that these wrestlers never really reached their expected heights, by saying, “Destin Mcauley, griffin parriot, all of the peppelman. I say these because they were great coming out of hs but I don’t remember them even being AA.”

Others brought up Pat Downey. They commented on Pat Downey’s diminishing talent and recalled Downey’s transition into MMA and his initial success. But the momentum was short-lived. After a knockout loss, he became inactive. They wrote expressing their disappointment saying, “Pat Downey hypes himself and has the talent but it’s slowly passing him by.” 

Some fans commented on how external factors such as off-the-mat disputes can change the trajectory of a wrestler’s life. They highlighted the need for genuine talent when running for the Olympics, by writing, “Right? Like at one point you could have maybe said Chance Marsteller because of off the mat stuff but you aren’t wrestling for an Olympic spot if you aren’t insanely talented/hard working.”

One fan also talked about how many high school wrestlers who did well in the initial stages, don’t end up making it big. They expressed their disappointment and wrote, “In just the sense of HS Hype not carrying over to college success, Kurt McHenry comes to mind. Multi-time age-level world medalist, but hasn’t cracked the starting lineup at a college level.”

The Reddit post ignited strong opinions within the wrestling community, exposing the intense scrutiny athletes like AJ Ferrari and Pat Downey face. Criticism can be a driving force for improvement, but it’s crucial to acknowledge the challenges all athletes encounter. Ultimately, supporting wrestlers through their journey is key, understanding that setbacks are part of the path to success.