The Official Violent People Holiday Gift Giving Guide
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Let me take you back to Christmas Eve, 1997. Picture a dimly lit room, crammed shoulder-to-shoulder with chaotic energy: a cursing grandma clutching a drink, a crowd of loud degenerates, a shrieking kid clinging to their mom and begging for “Powa Ranjas” toys, and me, hustling my way through the melee in search of spare change. It was a scene less National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and more ECW Holiday Hell: eggnog spills, cider spiked just enough to start trouble, heated arguments, and an assortment of foreign objects. It was a Rice family Christmas party.
There I was, crawling through the party, searching for loose change to fund my dream. I had spent the majority of the year saving up for a Nintendo 64. It had just launched the year prior. My babysitter owned one and the precious few minutes I got to play it just increased my lust for a system of my own. The only thing I asked Santa for was cold hard cash. I even made a chart—crudely drawn and taped to the back of my door—to track every cent I earned. My goal was $149.99. Not sure what my plan was as far as games or hell, tax was, but I had a goal.
Christmas morning came and I was up before the sun. I immediately noticed something off in my room. My fundraising chart was gone. It had been ripped from the door, leaving behind a faint outline of tape. I thought it was weird but barreled out of the room to the Christmas tree nonetheless. Under the tree, sitting atop a box with my name on it, was my missing chart—completely filled in to my goal of $149.99. I frantically rip off the wrapping paper and discover the greatest Christmas present I had ever received, an N64. Packed alongside it were two games: Super Mario 64 and…WCW vs. nWo: World Tour.
This memory serves as both a tale of possibly the best day of my life and a framing device. My family knew even my dream of owning a Nintendo 64 wouldn’t truly be complete without a professional wrestling game. Gift-giving, particularly for wrestling fans, isn’t easy; it’s not just about the gift itself. It’s a reflection of our fandom, identity, and, of course, late-stage capitalism. Wrestling fans are paradoxically both the easiest and hardest people to shop for. The shelves are full of pro wrestling adjacent gifts and wrestling fans are obsessive, so it should be easy, right? Wrong. It’s incredibly important to know what you’re looking for this holiday season. Let this guide help you navigate the chaos.
The Nostalgia Addict
This is the person who still waxes poetic about Saturday morning wrestling and claims that nothing will ever top Jim Crockett Promotions. They probably listen to far too much Jim Cornette audio. Our goal here is to appease their love of territory wrestling and not engage them on the topic of modern day wrestling, at all costs.
Suggested Gifts:

Written by Al Getz and years in the making, Charting the Territories is the most detailed exploration ever of the wrestling territory promoted by Jim Crockett. This meticulously researched book features records for over 2,000 house shows. A groundbreaking look at professional wrestling’s territorial era, Charting the Territories is an essential read for historians and fans alike.
Listen, ideally you wouldn’t give Jim Cornette, the racist, homophobic, misogynistic carnie a dime, but I’m not going to sit here and act like these figures are cool as hell. Hopefully Condrey and Eaton(who’s hateful opinions I thankfully remain ignorant to) get a cut if you do purchase this set.

Brad Bakujan’s The Six Pack isn’t just another Iron Sheik biography; it explores the Sheik through six of his greatest opponents, offering a deeper look into both his career and wrestling history. I found the Tony Atlas section particularly moving.

What better way for the old school fan in your life to read the books I recommended than with a nice drink in their hand AND what better way for them to enjoy those drinks than in an Official Violent People Mug.
The Indie Smark
This fan thrives on workrate, the indies, and everything AEW-adjacent. They have strong opinions about Dave Meltzer’s star ratings and I desperately do not want to hear them.
Suggested Gifts:

I believe in a world full of far too many pro wrestling streaming services that IWTV remains the best bang for your buck. Having said that a better gift is probably a couple links to some google drives.

The vast majority of pro wrestling shirts are terrible. You would think in the oversaturated US indie scene there be more cool shorts out there, but then you go to prowrestlingtees.com and get severely depressed. This shirt cost too much money, but so does everything(thanks Biden.)

SPOILER ALERT: This is the show of the year. It’s not particularly close. This is going to upset the nerds in the discord(and some I co-host Violent People Radio with,) but physical media is dead. This is the exception. Everyone should own this show.
AEW shows are fun live. I’m not going to talk to you about TK’s booking and I’m not going to stay after for a Rampage taping, but I’ve never regretted going to an AEW show. It’s a solid investment every time. Pro tip: don’t ever pay full price, they 100% will go on sale. Or DM that lower card AEW wrestler you’re cordial with. They want to seem cool and will comp you tickets.

No site on the internet covers the indies better than ViolentPeople.co Support the site and indies by extension and buy a mug.
The Casual Fan (or “That Friend Who Only Knows The Rock and John Cena”)
For this fan, wrestling is less an obsessive hobby and more a guilty pleasure. They’ll watch WrestleMania but couldn’t pick Darby Allin or probably even Seth Rollins out of a lineup.
Suggested Gifts:
- Any pro wrestling shirt that can be found at a thrift store

On one hand I always feel like it’s cultural appropriation when I see an NWO Wolfpack shirt selling for $50 at a cool boutique. On the other hand the only way to know if a shirt is cool is if a reality tv star has been seen wearing it.

The kind of human that casually dips in and out of wrestling is mentally unstable. The last book they read, at best revolved around Holden Caufield. They will not read this book, but get it for them anyway. Support Zach and the art of interesting writing.

They’ll need to drink this before, during, and after seeing Red One.

It’s uncouth and gross to drink tequila straight from a bottle. Might as well pour it into the most violent mug I’ve ever seen.
The Freak, The Weirdo…the Juggalo
There’s an argument to be made that the best wrestling fan is a Juggalo. I’m not going to make it, but I promise there is one. whoop whoop
Suggested Gifts:
Earlier in this guide I described IWTV as the best bag for your buck. I have to admit it’s missing one key promotion: JCW, Juggalo Championship Wrestling. Triller TV powered by Fite via FloSlam or whatever it’s currently called is the only way to watch their big events. Pro Tip: they still stream the JCW house shows live on Psychopathic Records YouTube channel
- Meet and Greets

The best gifts are experiences. What’s a better experience than a meet and greet with your favorite wrestler. I’m not sure Violent J is available, but I know Haley J is coming to the Tri-State soon.
- A Case of Faygo
The only way to clinch a true Juggalo’s thirst is Faygo. I’m a true Faygo Moon Mist head. I think it’s by far the best flavor, though I will admit that Cotton Candy is underrated.
I know for a fact Fanta tastes better from a high quality mug than a bottle. Anyone know where to purchase one?
Replica Belt Fans
Owning a replica championship belt is the pinnacle of wrestling fandom. It’s not just a gift; it’s a way for fans to become a true champion. Also these people are so weird it feels mean to even make fun of them.
Suggested Gifts:

Few things scream prestige quite like the crimson NWA TV Title Belt. It’s a monument to a bygone era when Arn Anderson reigned supreme. It’s a belt for purists, for those who scoff at spinner belts and cherish the era of studio wrestling.

Most wrestling gift guides would steer you toward the Fiend belt. And yet, my pick is the Jeff Hardy Immortal Belt from TNA—a polarizing piece of ART that doubles as a litmus test for one’s taste in enigmas. Its contours and sleek color design has the artist that is Jeff Hardy’s fingerprints all over it.

If anyone wearing a replica belt tries to approach you, you’re going to want a way to defend yourself. These people are dangerous and they’re champions. Personally, I never leave my home without a sturdy mug to hit these freaks over the head with.
Wrestling fandom is a microcosm of the holiday spirit: tribal loyalties, nostalgia, and stupid niche rules. Picking the right gift for the fan in your life may feel like navigating a wrestling match blindfolded, but the rewards are worth it.