FanPost

This ain't wrestling

WWE.com

Professional wrestling has a unique history unlike any other genre of entertainment.

Once an actual sport, it was reduced to sideshow status when spectators grew skeptical over the legitimacy of the contests. Later, with the advent of television and the outlandish act known as Gorgeous George in the 1940's, pro wrestling was once again mainstream despite its obvious fugaziness.

Over the next 60 years, pro wrestling would become more character driven. Myself, like many others, tuned in regularly to see over the top personalities engage in exaggerated disputes that were resolved in a lively form of combat.

During much of that time, fans didn't concern themselves with terms like workrate; they didn't even think about star ratings.

But as dirt sheets such as the Wrestling Observer grew in popularity and carried over onto the easily accessible world of the internet, a new fan, thanks to Observer founder Dave Meltzer, was beginning to emerge. And as Meltzer's words spread, aspiring wrestlers, and even established veterans, all began to take one man's opinion as gospel.

Today, wrestling is more about having the best match and attempting to steal the show rather than telling a compelling story. While guys and girls break their backs for match of the year honors, a large number of fans are tuning out despite the abundance of wrestling programming available in 2019.

At times, I think about turning in my fan card after 35 years of loyalty. It's not so much that I loathe the athleticism, rather, it's the sameness of it all. It's the countless flips, dives, high-spots (there's a term my generation didn't use before), and the obvious cooperation between "opponents" needed it to make it happen. Add to that the numerous false finishes and matches going past twenty minutes. It just makes me numb to everything.

It also doesn't help that nearly everyone looks alike, at least that's true of the men. They're either bald or have long hair, and sport the industry standard facial hair; they're hovering around six feet tall, maybe 200 lbs, and wear a neat set of kick pads. Little variety, and often times, less personality.

I'm also tired of the stunt show that pro wrestling has become. In this regard, I blame the likes of Mick Foley and companies such as the defunct Extreme Championship Wrestling for this. They took what was already a physically grinding endeavor, and made it even tougher. Because of the perceived edginess and bravado, wrestlers have been upping the ante and shortening their careers now for more than 20 years.

And for what?

Meltzer, in his review of WrestleMania III, gave Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant a minus four star rating. The main event of the biggest show of 1987, received the worst acclaim. Somehow, the forgettable match that preceded them was ranked higher in terms of match quality.

To be that smug shows how little Meltzer, or anyone, understands about the essence of pro wrestling.

Hulk Hogan versus Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III is the greatest match of all time. Though the official attendance for the event is often disputed, what's not debatable is the fact that a lot of people went to the Pontiac Silverdome to see that match live, and even more plunked down hard earned money to see it on pay-per-view.

The story, based on their recent history in the then WWF at that time, was simple: two unbeatable superheroes who were friends, now ripped apart by their once common enemy, Bobby Heenan. Leading into the bout, Andre was presented as this mythical figure who had never been defeated, the most unstoppable force in the world. Hogan, despite being the world champion for the past three years, was the underdog. In fact, his fate was so sealed that then WWF President Jack Tunney created a special title belt, one that would fit the Giant.

The match, though not athletically pleasing, told that story perfectly. Nothing Hogan did or tried worked. Andre was manhandling the Hulkster and was only moments away from fulfilling everyone's prediction.

Until he wasn't.

A last gasp effort by Hogan saw him knock the Giant down for the first time in the bout thanks to a thunderous clothesline. Andre, rocked and in danger, was struggling to get up. But so was Hogan.

Suddenly, somehow, someway, Hogan sprang to life. As he began to hulk up, shaking his head from side-to-side, it was as if each drop of sweat flying off his hair symbolized the pain exiting his body. As he rose to his feet, Hogan began nodding his head as if to say to all his Hulkamaniacs, "I got this."

And then it happened.

Hogan, who failed to lift Andre at the start of the match, hoisted the Frenchman high in the air and sent him crashing down to earth...with a body slam.

And the Silverdome went bananas. For a body slam.

The reaction from the crowd was far from negative. In fact, it was infinitely light years away from the minus four stars that the so called expert bestowed upon it. And it was that prominent scene that gave the world its first true WrestleMania moment.

That is the essence of this art. Good pro wrestling isn't about the array of moves or their degree of difficulty. It's about the unique stories being told by a cast of varied and animated performers. It's the emotional investment that we as fans have that turns a good match into a great one, and a great one, legendary.

And it's those kinds of tales and storytellers that pro wrestling badly needs now.

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