FanPost

CSS, the IWC, and Enjoyment of the Product

I went on about a 15-year hiatus from watching wrestling and Cageside Seats, by virtue of being an SBNation affiliated site, got me interested again during the past year or so.

I can't help but notice, however, how this site and the IWC in general has changed the way I consume the product (WWE) and in a way I'm not sure enhances my enjoyment. Don't get me wrong, the analysis, writing and overall community on here is top notch. I'm just not sure if being aware of "how the sausage is made" and getting to peek behind the curtain affects my entertainment value.

For example, how excited would I have been about AJ Styles' debut had it not been long rumored? (not very, as it turns out, because I haven't watched wrestling in 15 years) You can apply that to virtually any rumor-- Rock showing up at Raw in Miami, the return of an injured wrestler, the return of a part-time wrestler, the imminent departure of a wrestler who is making a movie, etc.

There's also the fantasy booking and griping over how certain wrestlers are or aren't pushed. It's exhausting. Yet, at the same time, its fascinating, because the stories being told through booking actually adapt and change based on the audience's (including the IWC's) reactions.

I think I may intentionally go on a hiatus from reading this site, which should not be taken as a criticism of the contributors or the community, to see if having less knowledge about what's happening behind the scenes (or what is rumored to be going on) proves to enhance my sports entertainment experience.

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Cageside Seats readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cageside Seats editors or staff.