Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
WRESTLER'S EYE VIEW
By Les Thatcher
I received a few e-mails commenting on last week's column asking why I cared so much about the goofy comedy being used on wrestling TV.
It is simple and complex all at the same time. I am not condemning the athletes for acting out this stuff because I know that first, last, and foremost this is a business, and they are doing what they are ask to do. To go against that is risking losing a job that there aren’t a lot of in this day and age
However my feelings stem from the respect I have always had for professional wrestling, and the continued respect I have for the athletes that perform before the cameras every week. My thought is that if a new viewer were to tune in for the first time and the first thing they were to see would be a bowling ball rolling into someone's crotch, a blow-up doll being substituted for a human, or for that matter someone dropping their pants to have another person's head stuck up to their rear end; That would hardly create an impression of undying respect for the athletes involved or the industry.
I came into this business realizing that everyone didn't see it as something to respect, and have always and still feel that part of my job as long as I am involved in the industry is to try and elevate the public opinion of the business and the people in it
Whether a work or a shoot, this is a very difficult business to learn, and very few individuals actually master it in their lifetime. I personally feel that those that do deserve the up most respect for doing so, and I will never understand why others feel a need to make them look like bad baggy pants comics.
Is there a market for the silliness that is a part of the current product? Simply yes; Especially if that is all that is offered; However I also think there is still a market for the drama side of the industry that deals with two athletes in competition for a championship and find it sad that everyone is trying to take the easy way out and do shock jokes and childish comedy to get a reaction.
I simply feel that the new kids on the block should try to offer an alternative to what is already being over done in the industry.
Now someone will say then what if all the fans that like silly comedy go away? Please don't be surprised when they are replaced by others who actually appreciate the art of what professional wrestling is based on, and has been for many years. I see no reason to change the basics of our business any more then I would want professional football, basketball, or baseball to change their basic foundation. Yes, I know that each of those professions has altered some rules over the years, but they still play the game based on the same foundation as 50 years ago. I see the reason for upgrading our industry to go along with the changing times, but I don’t see any value or reason to do away with what got us to the dance in the first place.
If you are wondering why UFC and MMA are catching on, then look no further then what professional wrestling was based on 40 years ago. The basics of two athletes competing for a valued prize or championship, and if you think it doesn't work when "everyone knows it all a show" or "It’s not real" then tell me why movies like "Friday Night Lights", "Coach Carter", and "Gridiron Gang" do so well at the box office? Because, people want to be taken on a fantasy trip where good over comes the odds, and wins out over evil, and they enjoy it in an athletic setting.
Do I hate comedy? No, in fact many shows that I enjoy throw in a bit of humor at times such as "Law and Order" but they don’t insert a three minute clip of the Three Stooges in the middle of that dramatic program, and if they did, I would find another program to fill that time slot for me.
In short, I am bothered that the great athletes that make our business click are not showcased in a respectful light, and it makes me sad to see them portrayed as clowns. I want more for them, and only wished that the people guiding that part of the (call them bookers, writers, or creative people) industry at this time did also.
As for TNA in particular I want to see them make it big so that the athletes already working there are making more money, but so that they can offer more young wrestlers the chance at the main stage, and a way to earn a great living from the business they love. In fact I wished there were two more national companies in a position to hire more wrestlers full time so that the industry was healthier overall. However my wish is also that the people steering the creative portion of our industry show some respect for the business and the athletes so that they get that respect from those watching the product.
Do I think that the vast majority of the viewers thrive on slap stick comedy? No, silly as it may seem, I think wrestling fans watch these programs to see…WRESTLING! But if slap stick is the majority of what is offered then they are given a take it or leave situation.
To wrap it up, I simply want to see our athletes and the business as a whole shown in a more positive and respectful light. Weather that be at the lowest independent level, or the highest level. I am not mad at people I am upset with the concept. If that makes me a bad person, then I am proud to be tagged as such.
I'll climb down off my soap box for now.
Train hard and master your craft.
Till Next Time,
Les
Les along with Harley Race, Ricky Steamboat, and Tom Prichard make up Elite Pro Wrestling Training. For information about the company go to www.epwt.com . To book an EPWT seminar, camp or one of the trainers contact Les at les@epwt.com.
Below are some of the places where the EPWT staff will be appearing.
Harley will be at this World League Wrestling event. Keokuk, IA. October 28th. For details go to www.harleyrace.com.
Join Les and co-host Doc Young every Tuesday night with their special guests for the Internet talk show “Wrestling Weekly†8 till 10: PM EST at www.wrestlingweekly.com.
This Saturday Les and former WWE Superstar Rosie will hook up with Doc Young in Vincennes, IN at the National Guard Armory for a wrestling show co-sponsored by “Wrestling Weekly†and F.E.W. for information go to www.myspace.com/docyoung.
Les is conducting a training session every Wednesday night at the HWA Arena in Cincinnati. Ohio on advanced ring techniques 6: 30 PM till?
