Emphasis on Mindless

Sunday, WWE Live brings the SummerSlam Heatwave Tour to Dallas’ American Airlines Center (2500 Victory Ave.) thus providing a way to maintain cool adult status this weekend now that you’re almost out of fireworks. There are inevitably people who will feel the need to sniff derisively at this news and inform anyone within earshot that pro wrestling’s rigged, a fact that any kid over 7 years old already knows, thanks. Rather than condescend — or God forbid have a little mindless fun — these naysayers might take a cue from French philosopher Roland Barthes, who posited that wrestling was a theatrical performance wherein the winner is secondary to the action that proceeds it in the ring. It’s not Waiting For Godot, but the WWE is as rife with pathos and drama as anything you’re liable to catch on the stage, heightened by the fact that the players could easily cripple or kill their opposites at any moment. Show starts at 5 p.m. Tickets $25-$95 visit wwe.com.
Sun., July 27, 5 p.m., 2014