At about 3:30 on Monday morning, while the majority of Limerick sleeps, someone born within the ancient walls of this city will be the most-watched person on this planet at that given moment.

Rebecca Quin, born in Limerick on January 30th 1987, will make a lot of history while the majority of the city is blissfully unaware.

Not only will she be partaking in the first Wrestlemania main event to feature women, she will become only the second wrestler ever born outside of North America to headline the event. The first was Andre the Giant, who was of French descent.

Andre’s rise was gracefully aided by his size, but Quin’s meteoric climb was nothing more than hard work.

Wrestling under the ring name of Becky Lynch, the 32-year-old is grabbing more attention from national media as time goes on. In reality, very few Irish-born athletes have been exposed to such fandom and limelight.

The reasons behind that exclusion are usually down to the taboo of professional wrestling being for children, or scripted.

What usually escapes people’s minds is that anyone over the age of twelve understands this but can appreciate the athleticism of the athletes and technical ability they put on show. I assure you, the risks they take far surpass their NFL counterparts, despite the in-built safety blankets afforded to them.

This trade is not for the sub-gifted, nor is it for those who lack commitment. In a given year, a professional probably works 300 days, and travels to and from venues for the majority, often totaling over 30 countries all for the love of the craft.

That’s what it is, too – craft. Forget the physical exploits, the acting ability you require is a secondary talent that can’t be forgotten either. Regardless of the scripts, the credibility and legacy of an industry that’s over a century old is on your shoulders and you simply have to execute in a live, high-pressure environment.

If you think professional wrestling is below you, you’re ignorant to the point that you refuse to even accept what it entails. Baseball players have an off-season, and they’re widely-considered the most-travelled sportsmen on the planet.

Now factor in having no off-season and hundreds of millions of fans of your product worldwide. Years ago, WWE made a conscious effort to de-sexualise women’s wrestling in a bid to further enhance their equality standards.

While there have certainly been holes in their efforts, to put an all-female bout down as a main event at your flagship show that millions of people will tune in for is ground-breaking.

Quin moved to Baldoyle at a young age. She has no hint of a Limerick accent, but what she does represent is an unbelievable role model for young girls in this city.

Instead of belittling an industry you know nothing about, perhaps applaud the dedication. If you don’t understand the physical demands, applaud the business acumen. Quin is a self-made millionaire off the back of a similar career trajectory to Conor McGregor, although with endless more humility and grace.

Wrestlemania was established in 1984 as little more than a marquee event for the company owned by the McMahon family.

What would transpire is a revolution that saw their product grow exponentially, eliminate all competition and become one of the most recognised global brands in the world, with Wrestlemania becoming its biggest night of the year.

It might not exhibit parochial pride like hurling, it might not be as easy to comprehend as football and it may be pre-determined, but the result is a lengthy process that signifies endorsement of one’s quality to set the standard.

This is a billion-dollar business whose decisions have landed them in this position. The athletic ability of its employees has catapulted the industry to becoming relevant at a macro level and the belittling that comes with it.

A Limerick-born woman will walk out in front of 80,000 people tonight, and probably close to one hundred million people will see this event, at least in part, over the next few days.

They will see someone who adopted a persona and who executes it to the point where fans of the trade applaud her. It’s an industry where brilliance isn’t always accepted but being subpar leaves you surplus to requirements.

To become even a part-time wrestler, you need to understand the basis of the sport, then you need to dress it up, similar to a style guide; then you need to connect with the audience; tell a story with your actions; communicate with your opponent to ensure the narrative; put yourself in serious danger to impress – and hope that third parties can understand why you do what you do.

To become a pro wrestler in WWE, you need to sacrifice time with your family, put your body through hell and dedicate your entire mindframe to the art.

To become a headliner in a business that has been male-dominated and have millions of people of all ages and backgrounds appreciate you and actively support your career path through the pre-determined highs and lows of it, means you’re good at what you do.

The circumstances around Quin’s rise to the top may be written prior to them being realised, but they weren’t going to be written without the brilliance she possesses in so many different facets of her industry.

Tonight, at MetLife Stadium, that rise can be crowned with a moment that withstands the test of time. Many before her have been in this spot and the moments they produce are simply never forgotten.

Forget the fact you don’t appreciate wrestling for two minutes. If you’re from Limerick and you’re a woman, or if you’re a man with a daughter; a sister; a female cousin; a niece – anything – just remember that tonight, someone from your own city is living their dream and will become larger than life.

If you’re missing the point that a female born in Limerick is achieving all this despite the barriers in her way is a superb source of inspiration for you or the people in your life, then the issue lies with you – and not those performing in New Jersey.