One of the biggest insults that wrestling fans get is that they are childish for watching something ‘fake,’ ‘scripted,’ or ‘simulated.’ It’s a guarantee that any wrestling fan has heard this numerous times. Yet, if you are reading this article right now, then you have come to terms with the truth of wrestling being simulated, and you still enjoy it. That’s fine, and that’s how it should be. However, although fans accept that wrestling isn’t real, where do they draw the line? Do things ever get way to fictional and unbelievable? Or do wrestling fans really like wrestling to be “over-the-top?”
Starting in 2002, we have seen rape storylines, sex with corpses, retarded wrestlers, dead wrestlers, old men marrying divas and dying from it, gay marriages, guys who eat worms, thugs from the suburbs, and so on. It’s been quite a ride these past few years, and while I’m not complaining about these things, I am here to make a point that the move from realism to “over-the-top” has significantly damaged the wrestling product.
This can be explained by a brief trip down memory lane. If you flash back to the late nineties, there was what everyone now refers to as the “Attitude Era.” As you probably know, it was the biggest boom period that the wrestling world ever went through. It was argued that during this time, wrestling had broken into the mainstream. Fans during this period could probably relate and agree with this, as every where they went, wrestling was around them. Whether it was at school, on television, or in the store, it was everywhere. And what was one of the reasons wrestling was so great back then? One word: realism. The over-the-top moments and characters were kept at a minimum, and were merely bonuses to the realness of the product.
Just think about it for a minute. Stone Cold Steve Austin, the man steering the ship of the then WWF’s newfound attitude, was really nothing more than a normal guy. He wore simple black trunks and boots. He was a man that the normal fan could get behind. On top of that, he had the ability to do what every working person ever wanted to do: drink on the job and rough up their boss. He was a man that everyone could relate to, and that’s why he was so loved. The Rock was the same way. He was a man of the people, and fans loved him because his charisma was so phenomenal, yet believable at the same time. Even the heels during this time were believable. Shawn Michaels and Triple H, just to name two, were just “badass” characters that fans loved to hate, because they were the kinds of arrogant people fans had to deal with in every day life.
Now was the sense of realism the only thing that catapulted wrestling at this time? No, but it definitely played much into why wrestling was so popular. Yet as I stated before, things became way too “over-the-top” after this period and thus started to hurt the business significantly.
How do I know this? Well simply check ratings, buyrates, and live show attendance and you have your answer. They went down to a steady low, and have not rebounded since. If fans have nothing to relate to, why should they even bother? They have good reason not too. Sure everyone likes the occasional unrealistic character such as Undertaker, but not when the next segment revolves around someone with a prosthetic mole. It becomes way too much for the average fan to handle, and they become disinterested.
So what’s the solution? Well, a return to realism would be a major step in the right direction. This is something that TNA, like them or not, is attempting to do. The current triple threat situation in the X-Division is about sportsmanship, and one man looking out for the other in the interest of his well being. Christian Cage is on a road to save fans from an arrogant man who always gets his way. Rhino, a few weeks ago, talked about how his family and his losses drove him to win the title. It’s subjects like these that the average fan can relate to, and they want to follow them to see how it ends up.
Even WWE, I feel is taking steps in the right direction. The Shawn Michaels-McMahon storyline is very intriguing, and deals with a man who stands up for his beliefs in the face of tyrants who have power over him. Edge has bended the rules in his favor to have won the title, and now hopes to win the belt back by any means necessary. Shelton Benjamin has been re-motivated by a family member, and while being a bit comical, this does make sense in the real world, and works for him very well. These are realistic examples of life, and the ratings increase has proven that realism can sell. Smackdown, on the other hand, is disheartening with the Boogeyman, Angle’s random face turn after bashing the troops, and Undertaker’s constant resurrections. These concepts really aren’t too believable, so let’s hope that this is moved away from in the coming weeks.
Hopefully WWE and other promotions will be able to latch on to the concept of realism. It’s been proven before that when the fans can relate to what they watch, they enjoy their hobby that much more. Let’s all hope we see a return to the simplicity of reality.
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If you read this, thank you very much for your time!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me in the Triad Top 50. I was ranked number eight, and for only having doing this about nine months, it’s a huge honor for me, and I thank everyone who reads my columns and enjoys them!
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Until next time, this has been From the Eye of the Dragon…
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