I have been a fan of professional wrestling for many years. I will be a fan of the sport for many years to come. My love for wrestling is evident, the creation of wrestling rambles is proof of that. Over the years that I’ve been a fan, wrestling as a whole has been through some great eras. Also some very poor eras. Today’s era is an era, to me, that is mediocre. It certainly isn’t the greatest era nor is it the worst era. However, it could be much better and I think you’ll agree with me on that statement. There is a reason that we continue to watch. In fact, there’s at least 4 reasons.
I have not wrote a column in a while so I decided to throw this piece together. I have not been writing because I am really busy at the moment and I know my writing skills aren’t the best so I haven’t been motivated either. Anyway, let’s move on.
Here are 4 reasons why you are willing to watch a dry/drained out product.
Fear of missing something
There is a certain fear in every wrestling fans’ mind that if we skip a show, whether it be WWE or Impact, we’ll miss something that will leave you thinking, why didn’t I tune in? Examples include CM Punk’s epic pipebomb from 2 years ago, the Aces and Eights taking over the Impact Wrestling with their epic heel Bully Ray being revealed as the mastermind behind it all. I think TNA is a better example to use. The wrestling itself is good, but WWE and TNA are all about the stories. For months I watched TNA and nothing good ever came from it until Bobby Roode became their world champion. This lead to him losing to Austin Aries, who lost it to Jeff Hardy who lost it to Bully Ray. The fear of missing something is definitely on the mind of wrestling fans! I hate when it happens to me for sure.
Anticipation
At times when you are bored of watching the same shit every week, there is nearly always at least one story or one upcoming match that interests you. The anticipation builds up inside you. It makes you wonder what is going to happen. There is proof of that. A one-year long build for The Rock vs. John Cena at WrestleMania 27 got every wrestling fan talking. Websites like Wrestle Chat and Wrestling Rambles broke their all time visitors record because fans were trying to find out inside information or read fun ramblings written by writers to see what was on their mind. It gets you talking to other fans and it pumps you up for it. It keeps the interest floating around inside you.
The little kid inside you
Your love and admiration for the sport will more than likely always be there. The little kid inside you remembers when Hulk Hogan body slammed Andre The Giant or when Stone Cold Steve Austin refused to give up to the sharpshooter against Bret Hart. Everyone loves remembering past memories and it makes you feel good, so there is that incentive to keep you wanting to watch, even if what you’re watching is shit storytelling or bad matches. It gives you hope I guess.
Following a certain Wrestler
A lot of you reading this are fans of CM Punk. He truly is the Best in the World. He is better than The Rock, better than Cena, better than Daniel Bryan. CM Punk means more to a lot of people than what Sheamus or John Cena does to certain audiences for a set number of years. CM Punk was the guy who wasn’t suppose to make it to WWE. He proved every critic/know it all creative team member wrong that he had the potential to be a huge breakout star. CM Punk conquered the Indy scene and eventually signed for TNA and a little later down the line for WWE. He went on to become the longest reigning WWE champion of the modern era, headlined two Pay-Per-Views with The Rock and will be facing Undertaker for his dominant streak at WrestleMania 29. So what I’m saying is, following the career of a wrestler keeps you watching! Being a fan of someone encourages you to watch.
This was a topic I found myself interested in to write. Every day I come online at some point and I read about fans complaining from sunrise to sunset over the same thing everyday for the entire week. It just confused me, like why do they keep watching it? So I said to myself, ”Well, why do I watch it when I’m not enjoying it as much as other times I have been a fan?”. That lead to me writing this column and here we are. I am intrigued to read your feedback. What is it that keeps you watching? I would love to know so let me know (Hey! That rhymes!). All newcomers are welcome to comment, don’t be shy! 🙂
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Thanks for reading and remember to check Wrestling Rambles daily for columns and wrestling discussion!
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This was a nice read Ray. And I agree, people go online and complain about things they have no control over. Hell, I’m one of them, with Rock’s title reign. But what really keeps me watching is knowing that wrestling goes through different eras, and whenever the next one starts, I wanna see the beginning of it with my own eyes.
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Thanks Jon! Everybody complains about something I guess. It is only natural. I never said above but to me the most important factor is the anticipation and little kid inside you ones.
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The “Fear of Missing Something” is #1 for me. I once missed 6 full years of WWE. What did I miss? The entire first stint of Brock Lesnar, The Invasion storyline, Eric Bischoff in WWE, the rise of John Cena, the final years of Austin and Rock, Goldberg in WWE, Eddie Guerrero’s main event push, and more. I don’t want that to happen again.
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And I saw all of that 😛 but yeah, the fear of missing something is certainly a reason why people watch something even if its just down right dire. In 6 years time, the following will more than likely happen – Taker loses at WM, Cena turns heel, Vince retires off screen, TNA rises or falls etc… So much is bound to happen in the near future.
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Speaking of #2 on your list (Anticipation), my anticipation is now building for June 16 to come because I can officially say one of the seats at WWE Payback will have my name on it (metaphorically, not literally). WWE PPV five years in a row!
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I have only ever been to one house show and that was Smackdown back in 2004 (or 2005) can’t even remember, lol. I could have gone every other time they are over here but I’m not too pushed about house shows. I wanna see a RR or WM PPV soon. But honestly, my first priority is Old Trafford to see Man United play. I usually go once or twice a season if I can.
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Why do I watch? Because WWE pays me to.
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They said I was the only fan to get paid! haha
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We’re gonna have to fight for that title at WM!
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I really liked this article and you should def. write some more when you have the time. I think my love for the product is what keeps me watching as I am a life long fan. However, without part timers like Lesnar, Undertaker, Triple H as well as full-timers like Daniel Bryan and of course the Best in the World, whom I think is one of the greatest superstars ever, CM Punk, then WWE would be in trouble.
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Great point. Your comment just proved that the part timers need to be there. I think I feel the same way although I do like to see new stars get pushed. But I doubt I would be ordering WM this year if it wasn’t for HHH and Taker matches. I am really looking forward to see what Undertaker does to the best in the world! It’s a little obvious that HHH will probably win but it should be a good match regardless. It’d be epic if someone came out to help Brock, as he is about to lose, then out comes Batista to save HHH….thus HHH winning the match. I wanna see an ending like that.
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Sad news…
http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/278686/UPDATED:-Reid-Flair-Passes-Away.htm
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Yep. I was going to report it but it was pretty much too late for it to be worthwhile posted. Sadly, too many wrestlers are dying. I’m not trying to sound disrespectful but I think WR should have a feature for dead wrestlers.
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Yeah, a “RIP” section on the top would be nice.
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Yeah, I think I might try to set that up soon.
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Okay, why do I watch wrestling?
“Brother!”
“Oh Yeah!”
“Rest…In…Peace”
Pink tights not looking wimpy.
“WOOOOOOOOOO!!!”
The Flair Flop
“…to all my Little Stingers…”
Kilts looking tough.
“Can you feel the…BANG?”
“I’m just a Sexy Boy…”
“Here come the Az ans here comes the Smasher!”
“AAAAAH, what a rush!”
A sadistic clown.
“You’re fired!”
“If ya smellalalalalala…”
“You’re next!”
“Hello, ladies!”
Warrior’s energy.
“If ya weeeeeel…”
“ECW! ECW! ECW!”
“HOLY SHIT!!!”
The Five-Second Pose”
“RAW…is …Jericho!”
“”You still got it!”
“The best there is…”
“Oh, you didn’t know…”
The Stinkface.
“DAMN!!!’
“A wrestling…gawd!”
“I’ve got the 3 I’s…”
“Latino Heat!”
“Caise the NWO is just too SWEEEEEET!!!”
“Hey, yo!”
“Absolutely…perfect!”
“It’s Vader time!”
Foley thrown off.
TLC matches
“We are The Nation…”
RKO’s out of nowhere.
“I looooove Yoooooooou!”
Holding up four fingers.
“HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”
“SUCK IT!!!”
“EXCUSE ME!!!”
Punk’s humor
Kane always being over.
“It’s true. It’s damn true!”
Brood theme
Cena’s 2008 return
Big, cheesy stunts.
The Streak
“I’m sorry. I love you.”
Khali or Big Show chest chops.
“YES! YES! YES!”
Fella!”
The COBRAAAAAAAA!!!”
Truth being nuts
Insane spot by Morrison, Kofi, etc.
Rumble shockers
‘What about Raven?’
Hart’s return
Cena’s class-actness
Ziggler’s selling
WOO WOO WOO
YOU KNOW IT
Eddie cracking me up.
Vader’s moonsault
Shane doing more than enough
“R…V…D”
Men and women killing each other for show
“You can’t see me!”
“You’re the white girl and I’m Kobe Bryant!”
HBK/Cena hourlong on RAW
Rey’s reversals
Bob Barker hosting RAW
“May I have your attention please?”
King’s sparkly shirt
PUPPIES!!!
Wanting a Truth/Crazy Flair promo.
SSP
FAAAAAAAN DAAAAAAAAN GOOOOOOOOO!!!
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That’s actually a pretty relevant point! lol
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I wanted something small.
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Ok, now for my legit answer and I’ll talk about each reason.
1. Fear of missing something: This makes a ton of sense. It’s not a big reason why I watch, but I do like watching the story unfold and potential “moments” to remember.
2. Anticipation: Not really big for me, but it does depend on the story. That’s when it drives me crazy.
3. The kid inside me: This is a pretty big one for me. I, like most kids, are not hyper-cynical. It’s not in my personality. Nothing wrong with a bit of nonsensical fun.
4. Following a certain wrestler: I do have my favorites, like most people, but it’s the level that I believe has gone up in most wrestling fans. I’ve posted many times the saying “change in fans>change in booking” and that’s the change I’m talking about.
This brings me to a bit of a tangent: I think with the customization of more and more of our entertainment, we’ve gotten used to getting EXACTLY want we want. And when what we want doesn’t happen, many throw a shit fit(superherohype’s wrestling thread is filled with bitterness). It’s that “playlist mentality” where we demand the exact show we want. The exact wrestlers, stips, build up, booking, moveset, counters, finish, etc. must fit our preferences. In fact, I’m going to say a fairly bold statement that I’ve been thinking is more and more true: A growing number of people who say they are wrestling fans are not wrestling fans at all, but fans of certain wrestlers, companies, storylines, booking. etc. Wrestling is a type of entertainment, just like music, but you don’t hear people say they like music in and of itself. They say they like certain styles(think wrestling companies) like country, rap, motown, R&B, folk, jazz, etc.; or certain bands or groups(think stables or teams) like The Stones, Beatles, Metallica, U2, etc.; or certain singers(think wrestlers) like Marvin Gaye, Elvis, Michael Jackson, Adele, Springsteen, etc.; or certain albums/CDs(think storylines) like The White Album, Hysteria, Thriller, American Idiot, etc.; or certain songs(think matches or promos) like Respect, Let’s Get it On, When Doves Cry, Single Ladies, etc.; or(last one, promise) certain tracks(think stips) like radio cut, album cut, dance remix, acoustic guitar, etc. More and more people are fans of specifics, not pro wrestling in and of itself. It’s time we acknowledge it.
Wow! Anybody got some water to splash my face? I’m beat!
The biggest reason I watch wrestling? I love the journey. It’s fun to see a guy or girl go from being an indy talent to being signed by a major company>winding up on NXT>getting called up>playing around with gimmicks>showing something in matches or personality wise to get noticed>getting that first title>becoming a steady hand>hanging with the top guys>winning a match with a top guy>getting over in a big way>winning a big title or special match>being in a top storyline consistantly>becoming “the guy”>building a HOF resume>putting others over>getting the love as they retire>becoming an on-screen personality>finally getting the HOF nod and getting inducted. I used WWE as my example due to their stamp on the business. Wrestling has given me many of these journeys and the least I can do is watch, so wrestling can be around to show me even more journeys(speaking of rockbands).
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Great point, Capt. I agree. And a follow on to your poiny, peoples expectations are also too high because of it.
*Throws water in your face*
I couldn’t agree more and the problem is, we don’t really see enough of that. I guess we do, but not all of them become the stars they should be is what I’m saying.
Damn, that is one of the longest comments I’ve seen you written and you sure have a great understanding of wrestling! You should write columns 😛
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Who is this “Capt.” person? lol
Thanks, man! It means a lot. Concerning columns, that took me one and a half to two hours just to do that. I’m just too slow.
I do have an idea. If you want to erase the comment, but copy and paste it, making it an official “column”, that might work. I guess you could call it “Why I Watch Wrestling”.
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You’d have to explain the numbers, that it was a response to your “Drained Out Product’ column.
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Yep, we could do that. Do you mind if I save it for after WM?
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No problem. I’m jazzed! Thanks!
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