A Salute to “Match Day”

Ah, match day. 

When you combine those two words—which aren’t very good on their own—you get my favorite phrase in the entire English language. It sounds really lovely when it rings.

That sentence also has another benefit: it doesn’t require an introduction. When you mention “Match Day,” fans of wrestling smile when you say such words to them. 

It is undoubtedly the greatest starting event the sports world has to offer.

How am I aware of that? It helps, though, that I suffer from a severe case of “the bias,” which I believe I should be honest about because I can’t conceal it. I am, after all, a wrestling writer, as it says up there. 

For us wrestling enthusiasts, tradition and history are everything, and the NCAA season puts the sport’s heritage and past front and center. It’s something that wrestling journalists have long noted.

In light of that, I’m prepared to contribute my words to the stack right now. Even though I really wanted to think of a novel explanation for why match week is so great, the clichéd talk about the opening competition is still relevant. Match days have always been unique occasions thanks to history and tradition, and they always will be.

If necessary, you can watch all the matches on your couch, but that’s not the best situation. The ideal places to enjoy match days are your local colleges, and the experiences you have will vary based on which ones you attend.

There are some experiences that are straightforward. Teams will showcase their best wrestlers. Other teams will dispatch their backup wrestlers. Along with representatives from other media outlets, alumni will be present to observe and/or offer commentary.  

Then there are other Match Day customs, the ones that shout out those two phrases that wrestling fans adore. Histories! Traditions!

Do you need more evidence to support my admiration for Match Days? That’s too bad. I don’t have any, and to be honest, I doubt that there is any more reason at all. Most conversations regarding what’s better than what and why will center on data and verifiable proof, but not in this case.

I can tell it’s unique just by looking at its age and rustic features, which give the story within some strength.

Match Day is that. Although it’s a fantastic artifact from the past, I think I can speak for all wrestling fans when I say that Match Day is something that never gets old.

Fill your weekend with wrestling:

Thursday, November 2:

Oregon State – North Carolina Dual

Southern Illinois Edwardsville – Illinois Dual

Maryland – American Dual 

Oregon State – Greensboro Dual

Greensboro – North Carolina Dual

Oregon State – Queens Dual

Queens – North Carolina Dual

Queens – Greensboro Dual 

Friday, November 3:

NC State – Appalachian State Dual

Rutgers – Cal Poly Dual

Fort Hays State – Northern Colorado Dual

New Mexico Highlands – Northern Colorado Dual

Rutgers – Duke Dual

Duke – Cal Poly Dual

Lindenwood – Northern Illinois Dual

St. Ambrose – Northern Illinois Dual

St. Ambrose – Lindenwood Dual

Saturday, November 4:

Nebraska – North Dakota State Dual

Navy – Illinois Dual

Iowa – Cal Baptist Dual

Western Colorado – Air Force Dual

CSU Pueblo – Air Force Dual

Duke – Stanford Dual

Cumberland Patriot Open

Maryville Open

Menlo Open

Southeast Open

Sunday, November 5:

Iowa State – Cleveland State Dual

Lindenwood – Wisconsin Dual

Western Wyoming College – Wyoming Dual

Clarion Open

Princeton Open

Rookie Open

The Citadel Invite