…the wrestlers would always talk about storytelling in the matches. And that intrigued me because I’m drawing superhero comics. So like, you’re telling me I can tell a story in the fight scene…and Stone Cold basically walked through this match, like a fifteen-minute match, and explained all of it.
~Jim Rugg
What happens when a cartoonist who understands composition, timing, and visual storytelling falls head-over-heels for professional wrestling?
In this episode of the Superfan Podcast, we sit down with Jim Rugg to talk about his lifelong love of wrestling—not just as entertainment, but as a storytelling language. From larger-than-life personas to emotional stakes played out in front of a live audience, wrestling turns out to have a lot in common with comics.
This is a joyful, thoughtful conversation about fandom, performance, and the moments that stick with us long after the bell rings.
About Jim Rugg
Jim Rugg is a cartoonist, writer, and artist known for his inventive storytelling, bold design sense, and deep love of pop culture. His work often explores how stories are constructed (visually, emotionally, and structurally), making him the perfect guest to unpack what wrestling does so well.
He’s also, as it turns out, a serious wrestling fan.
Why Wrestling?
Wrestling sits at a fascinating intersection of spectacle and sincerity. It’s theatrical, physical, exaggerated…and yet, when it works, it’s deeply emotional. Jim talks about discovering wrestling at a young age and how it became a gateway into understanding character, rhythm, and visual drama.
For creators, wrestling is a masterclass in:
selling emotion through body language
building tension across long arcs
creating instantly recognizable characters
and knowing when to go big
Sound familiar?
Conversation Highlights
Jim’s earliest memories of watching wrestling and what hooked him immediately
The wrestlers and eras that left a lasting impression
Wrestling as visual storytelling: poses, silhouettes, and “reading” action at a glance
How live audience reaction changes the story in real time
The parallels between wrestling matches and comic pacing
Why wrestling characters work so well, and why bad ones really don’t
What comics creators can learn from wrestling’s commitment to performance
For listeners who want to dig deeper into the wrestlers, eras, and storytelling touchstones discussed in this episode, here are some great places to start:
Wrestlers & Wrestling Figures
Hulk Hogan
One of wrestling’s most iconic figures, central to wrestling’s mainstream boom in the 1980s and a masterclass in larger-than-life character work.“Macho Man” Randy Savage
Known for unmatched intensity, flamboyant promos, and emotionally charged performances that blurred the line between spectacle and sincerity.Ric Flair
A defining figure in wrestling’s long-form storytelling, famous for persona consistency, endurance, and myth-making across decades.The Ultimate Warrior
An example of wrestling’s commitment to bold visual identity and explosive, almost comic-book-style presentation.
Wrestling Eras & Promotions
WrestleMania
Wrestling’s biggest stage—part sports event, part pop-culture spectacle—and a showcase for how wrestling builds emotional payoff over time.World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE)
The company that defined wrestling for generations of fans, especially during the 1980s–1990s boom.National Wrestling Alliance
A cornerstone of territorial-era wrestling and an important chapter in wrestling’s storytelling history.
Wrestling as Storytelling (Great Follow-Ups)
The Squared Circle
A classic collection examining wrestling’s cultural, emotional, and narrative power from multiple perspectives.Have a Nice Day
An inside look at wrestling from a performer’s perspective, highlighting how much intention and storytelling goes into the spectacle.Dark Side of the Ring
A documentary series that explores wrestling’s history, mythology, and human cost — essential context for understanding the medium’s complexity.
🍸 Featured Segment Extras
Artichoke Hold Cocktail
A name like Artichoke Hold conjures up images of professional wrestling moves like the stretch plum or muta lock, but it’s really a nice variation on an Old Fashioned that brings one of our favorite amaros, Cynar, to the party. Invented by Steven Tuttle at San Diego’s Kettner Exchange.
Equipment
Mixing glass
Old Fashioned Glass
Ingredients
2 oz Bourbon
¼ oz Cynar
¼ oz Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
2 dashes Orange bitters
Garnish: orange peel twist
Instructions
Place all ingredients in your trusty mixing glass.
Add ice and stir to chill.
Pour over ice, preferably one large cube, in an Old Fashioned glass.
Express orange twist and place in glass.
Drink.
The Piledriver Parfait
A no-holds-barred dessert with layers that build suspense like a title match!
Concept:
Base layer (The Mat): Crushed chocolate cookies or brownies for that gritty arena floor.
Middle layer (The Grapple): Thick peanut butter mousse or cheesecake filling — rich, intense, and hard to break out of.
Signature Move (The Slam): A bold swirl of salted caramel or hot fudge, representing that finishing move that gets the crowd roaring.
Final Pin (The Champ’s Crown): Whipped cream piled high, with gold sugar sprinkles and a tiny candy belt on top.
Why it works:
Wrestling is about spectacle, and this dessert is big, flashy, and stacked with contrasting flavors.
You can “customize your wrestler” by swapping flavors (strawberry for a “masked luchador,” matcha for a “green machine”).
The Superfan Connection
At its heart, wrestling fandom isn’t that different from comics fandom. It’s about emotional investment, shared language, and the thrill of watching stories unfold over time. Talking with Jim reminds us why Superfan exists in the first place: creators don’t just make things, they carry their influences with them, often in ways that shape their work more than they realize.
If you love comics, storytelling, or seeing how unexpected passions inform creative careers, this one’s for you.
Thanks for tuning in to Season 2, Episode 7 of the Superfan Podcast! Huge thanks to Jim Rugg for celebrating the wild spectacle that is wrestling—and showing us how wrestling, storytelling, and art can collide in unexpected ways. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss more creators sharing the passions that fuel their own creativity. And if you’re interested in behind-the-scenes chats, bloopers, and special unaired content, make sure you become a paid subscriber to gain access!
Don’t miss Season One of the Superfan Podcast is now streaming, featuring Rodney Barnes on Stephen King, Marc Guggenheim on Billy Joel, Kelly Sue DeConnick on Alan Alda, Matt Kindt on John le Carré, Marjorie Liu on gardening, Patrick McDonnell on Frank Zappa!
You can find us on the socials at Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, and X! You can also listen to the podcast on our YouTube channel, as well as wherever your other favorite podcasts are found.
Special thanks to our Season Two sponsor, the amazing Fanbase Press! Fanbase Press is a GLAAD Media Award-winning and Eisner and Harvey Awards-nominated comic book publisher that celebrates super fandoms and creates new ones! #StoriesMatter.
Fanbase Press is about to launch a Kickstarter for a graphic novel you do NOT want to miss.
