Short but sweet: Pro wrestling is entertainment but it doesn't have to be dumb
by Sergio Hernandez on Feb 22, 2012 11:48 PM EST
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Yesterday I wrote an article describing my feelings towards the opening segment of Monday's RAW featuring John Cena, Eve Torres and a cavalcade of slut shaming.
Some of you agreed, some of you didn't. And that's fine. As long as your arguments are well articulated and thoughtful, there's more than enough room for dissenting opinions here at Cageside.
One argument, however, used by those who didn't share the same point of view as me was I should just sit back and enjoy myself since pro wrestling is just dumb entertainment.
I don't think I need to tell anyone reading this that Geno, Keith, Jesse, Tom and myself take wrestling pretty seriously. I know I speak for at least a few of my colleagues -- if not all -- when I describe wrestling as an art form. Anyone can pick up a brush and put it to a canvas. It takes training and talent to actually create something worthwhile. The same goes inside the squared circle. Anyone can slap on some spandex but without the proper tools and a little natural born mojo, they'll likely never amount to anything in the wrestling world.
But I digress. My point is this: wrestling doesn't have to be dumb. It doesn't have to appeal to the lowest common denominator. Sure, some silly Rocky send-up Santino skits are great but it doesn't always have to be slapstick. It doesn't always have to be vulgar. And it should never be racist, misogynistic or homophobic.
So when it is -- and it often is -- I feel it's my duty to call wrestling out on it. I want -- nay, DEMAND a better product and as such, I will voice my opinion when I feel what I'm watching has crossed the threshold for my own personal standards.
I won't simply stop watching. So when I write articles like yesterday's, I know I am likely screaming at a brick wall. I love pro wrestling. I want it to be good. I want it to be great, even.
If I have to keep screaming and screaming, so be it.
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Bravo
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by Thomas Holzerman on Feb 22, 2012 11:50 PM EST reply actions
There's good and there is bad in everything
While some of prowrestling is stupid and dumb (yes, both) some of it is actually a really good.
At the end of the day it is still a type of storytelling and it will get praise if it is well told.
Greatest lover ever during the day, Trainyard Sleeper at night.
As an MMA fan who came back to wrestling, I see so many bitch about ignorance towards MMA. There is a lot more ignorance towards pro wrestling.
If you are a pro wrestling fan, people treat you like a mouthbreather and ponder how one can be so entertained over something “fake.” That’s the same reason people go to see a “martial artist” like Jason Statham beat people up in a theater. It entertains you with the mesh of realism and imagination. Pro wrestling does the same for me. The blend of entertainment and athleticism is appealing.
We are Ruining Your Special Night, motherfuckers!
Read my stuff over at Gals Guide to MMA!
by mountaineers101 on Feb 23, 2012 12:00 AM EST reply actions
2nd paragraph basically sums up my experience
And to the first part, my particular group of friends have accepted MMA in a way that they never would with the pro wres.
And it is unfortunate. Because I can respect both.
For all people that assume that any MMA fighter could become a great pro wrestler because of the athleticism and drive they have through training for fights, look at guys like Jacob Volkmann who couldn’t catch charisma if it was a worldwide epidemic. Look at guys like Nick Diaz who would try to run away from the spotlight when they try to put it on him. Look at guys like Frankie Edgar who, no matter how hard they try, cannot appeal to a casual fanbase.
I can understand if you like one more than the other due to the realism involved in one and the simulated aspect of the other, but to disrespect one is really closed-minded.
We are Ruining Your Special Night, motherfuckers!
Read my stuff over at Gals Guide to MMA!
by mountaineers101 on Feb 23, 2012 12:23 AM EST up reply actions
In addition to this, I have become more and more frustrated by MMA fans. They are the definition of extremists and it takes one big headline for a giant clusterfuck to ensue. You get issues like the Condit-Diaz fight or Fedor’s legacy after losing a few fights and people take such extreme, decisive stances and are quick to label anyone who disagrees in the slightest a nimrod. You’d be surprised at the irrationality of some people you thought were totally competent and levelheaded that arises with a bad decision or breaking news. I have such a love-hate relationship with the sport and its fans really tend to tilt that scale towards hate. That isn’t to say there aren’t any levelheaded, sane MMA fans. But I’ve encountered one too many elitists in my time as an MMA fan.
I’ve really never encountered this in pro wrestling fandom. Maybe it is because it is entertainment, but I’d like to think it is because an informed wrestling fan is an intelligent and reasonable individual.
We are Ruining Your Special Night, motherfuckers!
Read my stuff over at Gals Guide to MMA!
by mountaineers101 on Feb 23, 2012 12:32 AM EST up reply actions
Haha, even I get tired of my allegiance towards WVU. Collegiate sports are almost as frustrating as the MMA/Pro Wrestling hatred and debates surrounding it.
We are Ruining Your Special Night, motherfuckers!
Read my stuff over at Gals Guide to MMA!
by mountaineers101 on Feb 23, 2012 12:44 AM EST up reply actions
Enjoy the Big 12 while its relavent. Mizzou leaving & hitting the SEC was a big blow to the 12… it should be folding soon enough.. and with Texas & OK trying to maintain their power & not willing to share, it makes everyone cringe & look for the nearest escape exit.
Suum Cuique
by Rawuncutnxrated on Feb 23, 2012 4:19 AM EST up reply actions
Feel lucky
I’m a UConn man. The Big East is the worst piece of crap out there.
I'm big, I'm white, I'm Irish, and G*d damnit people like me!
by C. J. Bradford on Feb 23, 2012 9:47 AM EST up reply actions
Since we're off topic here...
WVU and TCU are an upgrade from TAMU and Mizzou in terms of their on-field ability. Sure, WVU and TCU have less money, smaller media markets, and have smaller fanbases (than TAMU, anyway). But there’s no way either of the new schools would lose to the old schools in football. Zero chance.
Also an MMA fan returning to wrestling
There’s a fine line between not taking yourself too seriously and completely alienating part of the audience by appealing to other segments of the population that may be misogynistic/homophobic/etc. In other words, it’s entertainment/scripted but it’s still a reflection of society.
And from what I can gather, as I am just getting back into wrestling, this incarnation of wrestling is the “reality era.” If the lines between reality and fiction are meant to be blurred, it becomes necessary to hold each to the same standards, values, and norms—to some extent. I still see a need for larger-than-life personalities and the sharp contrasts between good and evil.
by afraudcalledgod on Feb 23, 2012 12:35 AM EST up reply actions
Really like your psychoanalysis of the game, sir.
We are Ruining Your Special Night, motherfuckers!
Read my stuff over at Gals Guide to MMA!
by mountaineers101 on Feb 23, 2012 12:46 AM EST up reply actions
Hahaha
Love me some armchair psychology.
by afraudcalledgod on Feb 23, 2012 1:03 AM EST up reply actions
This is unacceptable. I can not allow the moderators of this site to provide opinions here. Whats next, the undertaker cutting his hair?! Yeah right!
by 8bitDan on Feb 23, 2012 12:03 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Respect points from me.
And this goes for anyone who reads this – voice yer opinions, make them known and don’t hold back. This is why I’m digging this site in the first place. Hey, some of our opinions may or may not be popular but at least we get to voice ’em.
" And it should never be racist, misogynistic or homophobic."
I hate to tell you this, and I support your viewpoint here, but you might as well stop watching now.
I applaud you and the rest of the crew
Its a honorable stance and I like your passion. I can’t call wrestling dumb or fake and never will. I have been a fan since the 80s and although the product has gone into the sewer for years, I appreciate the hard work, athleticism, and thought that goes into a match.
Being that as it may, as long as the WWE makes money, its the corporate brand they are, and have people who descend from your opinion, the way of doing business will not change. They will continue to degrade women. They will continue to bully. They will do needless shenanigans week after week. Why? It sells. The day more people think like you guys and some people with balls put them to task will be the day wrestling will have no choice but to turn the corner and come up with less objectionable material than taking a pretty girl, making her go from conflicted to bitch in 3 seconds and then putting her in the ring looking like she is going to have a nervous breakdown because John Cena has called her every 15 year old name in the book.
In closing, well said.
"80 percent of this thread is rangerjae's sig". -Jim Margulus 6/16/11
The Name of the Game is Entertainment
Are you not entertained?
If you aren’t then don’t watch.
I was introduced to pro wrestling during the advent of Cable c. 1981. I watched Georgia Championship Wrestling and also WWF on my local Saturday television. I was 9 at the time and my dad was a wrestling fan. I stuck with it for many years, but about five years ago I had had enough. The WWF was notw the “E” and it had gotten ridiculous in my opinion. TNA wasn’t a much better option so I just stopped tuning in altogether.
But the lure of the sport was still strong. Through the Internet I started watching Chikara and Ring of Honor and I started to get excited about the wrestling again. In fact I went to the ROH tapings in Baltimore a few weeks ago and had a blast. I still don’t and won’t watch the WWE or TNA though.
If I had to explain why I liked Chikara it would be one word – fun. It’s a fun promotion to watch with unique characters and strong wrestling. If I had to say why I liked ROH it would be it reminded me of the old days – managers, focus on the wrestling, good guys and bad guys, no 6 sided rings. It felt very 80’s NWA to me.
Anyway I enjoyed it and I’ll be back. That’s really what it’s about isn’t it?
I understand your complaints though. I know what I want out of wrestling in terms of presentation and focus and if it doesn’t give it to me I’ll complain or click off.
I do think that as I just turned 40 with a son of my own I’m not sure if I’ll introduce him to wrestling or not.
"Have a good time...all the time." - Viv Savage
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