Before last year's spring game, I summarized the game's history: its origins as a carnival sideshow in the early 20th century, its growing popularity over the decades and its current status as the major spring event for Buckeye athletics. Thinking more about its origin, I now see that it relates closely to another event: WrestleMania.
Spare your dirty looks. Yes, I enjoy watching choreographed fighting between men wearing too little spandex. Like Ohio State's spring game, professional wrestling began as a sideshow for traveling circuses, meant to captivate audiences. The biggest event of the year in professional wrestling is WrestleMania, which is now held yearly in football stadiums.