How an NBA All-Star Helped Revive Black Girl Wrestling
Why we over at BGW will always be repping #0:
As the NBA All-Star Weekend descended upon Indianapolis, the city buzzed with excitement. For wrestling enthusiasts like myself and my sister, the anticipation wasn't just for basketball; we were eager to attend WWE Fastlane at the iconic Bankers Life Fieldhouse. However, financial constraints stood in our way, making it seem like a distant dream.
We had explored every avenue to save up for the event, but the cost of tickets remained out of reach. Disheartened, we resigned ourselves to the fact that we might have to miss out on the electrifying experience of live wrestling. Little did we know, fate had something extraordinary in store for us, courtesy of an unexpected hero: Tyrese Halliburton.
Just two hours before the event started, Tyrese Halliburton, the rising star of the NBA, and face of the Indiana Pacers, sent out a tweet offering tickets to WWE Fastlane. It seemed almost too good to be true. In a totally joking (but not) I replied to his tweet, expressing my interest in attending the event, responding “That sure would be swell Tyrese”. To my astonishment, I received a direct message from an account that bore Halliburton's name and a blue checkmark. Skeptical yet intrigued, I cautiously responded, indicating that my sister and I needed two tickets.
To my disbelief, Tyrese Halliburton, the NBA All-Star, had indeed reached out to us with genuine generosity. He asked for my email address and, within moments, the tickets appeared in my inbox. The surreal whirlwind unfolded as the event was already underway. With our car out of commission, we quickly secured a Lyft, scrambling to get ready in record time.
As we rushed into Bankers Life Fieldhouse, adrenaline coursing through our veins, the familiar sights and sounds of wrestling enveloped us. We found our seats just as Cody Rhodes made his grand entrance, as the excitement palpable in the air started to mount. We got to see John Cena (but don’t tell him that), shout YEAH with LA Knight and witness Seth Rollins and Shinsuke Nakamura brawl in the audience across the arena from us.
For my sister and me, WWE Fastlane wasn't just a wrestling event; it was a catalyst for change. It marked our inaugural WWE experience, reigniting our passion for wrestling and reinforcing our commitment to Black Girl Wrestling. In the midst of the spectacle, we recognized a glaring need for diversity and representation, both in the ring and among the audience.
Tyrese Halliburton's act of kindness didn't just provide us with tickets to a wrestling show; it empowered us to pursue our dreams with renewed vigor. We realized that we had a platform to champion diversity and inclusion within the wrestling community. With his support, we embarked on a journey to elevate Black Girl Wrestling and amplify the voices of underrepresented fans.
In hindsight, that serendipitous evening at WWE Fastlane was a pivotal moment for us. It was the night we decided to take our passion for wrestling seriously and make a difference in our community. Tyrese Halliburton may be known for his dominance on the basketball court, but to us, we will always consider him one of the first Black Girl Wrestling supporters, whose unexpected act of kindness set our dreams in motion.
