Before WrestleMania 29, I wrote a column analyzing why we, as fans, will watch a drained out product each and every single week when we’re not always loving what is being produced for us. The column can be found at this link – http://wrestlingrambles.com/2013/03/29/what-makes-us-watch-a-drained-out-product/ . A loyal member of WrestlingRambles.com, Kip Smithers, more commonly known as ”Captain Smooth”, wrote a lengthy comment in response to my column. I recommend you read my column before reading on.
The numbers are in response to my points; from my column.
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).
——————-
Thanks to Kip for the interesting column. I’m sure he would love to read your thoughts on his points and he will reply to you in the comments sections.
————————————————————————————————————————————-
Ringsidehustle.com 
Thanks, Ray! Posting this means a lot. Now, if you’ll EXCUSE ME!!!, I think I have something in my eye…
LikeLike
haha no problem. Sorry I could only sticky and add an image now because my laptop broke just as I was about to edit it.
LikeLike
All I read was “sticky” and “laptop”. I don’t need to know that much about your “private” life. 😉
LikeLike
Could this be a weekly column, Kip? 😛
This was a great read and it was great to get a deeper insight to why you watch wrestling. I think the journey is a really important factor and I think in my column I kind of said that, without actually saying it. If ya get what I’m saying?
We are getting exactly what we want which is the biggest problem today. It takes away the fun of not knowing what happens next IMO. It’s better when you don’t have a clue what’s happening.
I think you have a great understanding of wrestling, like how you compared it to music was really smart. I’d love to read more if you ever get faster at typing.
It was a great read!
LikeLike
I doubt I’ll have much time. It took me between 1 and a half hours to 2 hours just to write that, mostly due to going back and forth, fixing things. Plus, my temp job ended last Wed., so I’ll need to spend most of my time looking for another job.
The “music” analogy made sense to me due to how it’s presented to consumers now: Individual songs that you can mold into your perfect playlist. Wrestling isn’t presented like that, but done for a wide audience. That means you will have Punk, DB, Ziggler for the smarks; Cena, Rey, Kofi for kids; AJ, Kaitlyn, The Bellas for Diva fans; Ryback, Henry, Show for hoss fans; Taker, Brock, HHH, Rock for Legends fans; etc. There’s something for everybody, but too many forget that this is a show for many, not a playlist. Now, in the future, I can see WWE giving a list of matches, promos, characters, etc. and each fan being able to pick what they want, getting the product that way.
LikeLike
A great perspective. I think this definitely applies to a majority of the hyper-critical fans who forget the way wrestling used to be.
In the 80s when I grew up watching, you were happy to see WWF on your tv. You didn’t sit there and dissect the product the way so many do today. And a lot of it, by the standards that these so called “smart marks” preach, would be looked upon as being absolute shit. Yet those same smart marks will talk about how even the terrible stuff was great. On the one hand, they admit it was terrible. Yet on the other, they proclaim how fantastic it was with a nostalgic gleam in their eye.
But God forbid WWE do anything today that doesn’t “make sense.” Most of these fans aren’t really fans at all, like you said. They’re
LikeLike
Great poi…To be continued. lol
LikeLike
Sorry, wasn’t finished.
LikeLike
I’m “Anonymous” btw. I always forget to sign in before commenting.
I was saying most of these wrestling fans aren’t really fans of what wrestling IS but rather what they think it SHOULD BE.
I am critical of a lot of what I see, but not strictly from an ENTERTAINMENT standpoint. I can often find the good in a lot of what’s out there. I like to think I’m more a fan of wrestling as an ART FORM.
In that regard, I think the music analogy applies in a much broader sense. I appreciate a good pop song because it’s fun. But I don’t want to hear pop all the time. I realize the average pop song on the radio is NOT great music. It’s a commercial piece of work that accomplishes the goal of getting airplay and selling downloads. But it was crafted for that reason.
Like WWE. For the most part, it’s pop music. It’s mostly cotton candy pop music. It gets airplay and sells merchandise, but it can’t be called great wrestling by any stretch of the imagination.
You know a great song when you hear one. Just like you know great wrestling when you see it. (By great wrestling, I mean everything that pertains to the segment: the booking, the supporting players, the promos, the commentary, the in-ring action, etc)
I’m not saying there’s never anything great about the current WWE product, I’m just saying those moments are few and far between.
Now just because I don’t want to listen to a steady stream of pop 99% of the time, doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate it for what it is, or even enjoy it now and then. It also doesn’t mean I don’t like music.
By the same token, just because I don’t want to watch a steady stream of current WWE programming doesn’t mean I don’t like wrestling.
I believe that wrestling is the greatest form of entertainment in the world. I say that without hesitation, and I mean it whole-heartedly. I believe it’s better than MMA, the NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, going to the movies, or a concert. Wrestling tops them ALL.
But would I tell someone to watch the current WWE product as an example of this? No. Anymore than I would tell them that listening to the radio is the best way to appreciate good music.
I am a fan of how great wrestling CAN be. So yes, I do get frustrated when I feel like it’s not living up to its potential. Doesn’t mean I hate it all or don’t understand it, or think what they’re doing is bad for business.
The amount of money WWE makes is ridiculous. The have no reason to stray from the current formula. It’s working from the sense that it’s making money.
But I honestly believe that as good as they’re doing, they could be doing even better. Not by merely booking what I think would be “cool.” But by tapping into the greatness that is professional wrestling.
Hope it didn’t seem like I was trying to undermine your post. But I thought I should explain why I can be critical sometimes. Can’t speak for everyone. But this is how I feel about it.
LikeLike
…nt!
If Steamboat vs. Savage from WM 3 happend today and booked the EXACT same way, Savage would’ve been cheered like a hero and Steamboat would’ve been booed out of the building for being to “goody goody”. It’s not just about wrestlig though, but society is more cynical. Everything gets a “Really?” or “Meh!”.
I disagree about the “pop” analogy, though. Who says a pop song can’t be great? I never got any memo on what “great” or not. The danger when thinking that way is you start to build a “quality formula’ for anything. If it has this, this, this, this, but not this and this, then it will be good. Don’t know if you’ve ever watched Dead Poets Society(You should, if you haven’t. It’s TERRIFIC!), but if you have, think of the scene where Robin Williams’ character is having his class look at the “quality formula” in the book, so they can know what “good poetry” is. He instructs the class to rip out those pages, that it ruins the art, when you analize every single aspect. That’s the way I view wrestling.
LikeLike