I blogged previously about WWE's attempt at "brand diversity" within their properties. What works and what doesn't.
But the more I watch RAW, the more I struggle to understand why they have a show called 205Live.
Stars from 205 Live are REGULARLY shown wrestling on RAW. In fact, the title recently changed hands during a RAW match! (Towzawa won, and then promptly lost it back to Neville at Summerslam. Thus negating the power of the brand and value of Towzawa's win within 7 days)
And last night, Enzo made his "move" to 205 Live by....wrestling a match on RAW! So what kind of "move" is it if we still see you?! Shouldn't your move to another brand be a PHYSICAL move. As in "you gotta go. See you later".
I can name almost every Cruiserweight on the 205Live roster. Is it because I watch 205Live? No, it's because I watch RAW and I see them there EVERY WEEK. No, really, every week you can expect at
least 1 match featuring the 205 Live cast...and I cannot count how many times You and I have watched Neville defend the Cruiserweight on RAW.
Do you see guys from NXT showing up on Smackdown for a match or two and then going back to NXT? Rarely. Do you see RAW roster members showing up on Smackdown for a week or two and then going back to RAW? Hardly. And no, Cena doesn't count...he's a "Free Agent", remember?
So we have a "brand" called 205Live that has no unique value. There is no need to invest in watching the show on the network. You'll see the stars of this show on RAW soon enough, and you can almost be GUARANTEE that the title will change hands on RAW or on a "Pay Per View"...but certainly not on their home show.
Either bolster this "brand" or admit it's a sham.
One tournament does not a brand make.
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Fantasy Booking...and a new game debuting!
What is it we love about Pro Wrestling?
For some it's the action. For some it's the "characters". For some it's the story telling.
I remember when I first discovered "Dirt Sheets" like the Observer and the Torch. Man I LOVED finding out things I couldn't possibly know from just watching the weekly TV shows.
I remember using the basics of "Dungeons and Dragons" to play a wrestling fed. I kept stats, I had champions, I had super cards, etc.
Then I found OTHER Pro Wrestling role playing games ... Some were on PC, some used dice...I'm rather sure I've played them all.
I LOVED them all.
Why? Because I love deciding who works and who doesn't. And what stories we tell. And what kind of action there will be. Any maybe even what kind of "behind the scenes" drama there will be.
We all do it, in our own way.
Go on Twitter, look up ANY pro wrestling feed, and read the comments when RAW or SmackDown is on. Every one has an idea of what they would do differently. Or Better.
The WWE put out a Role Playing game YEARS ago.
Oh man I LOVED that game. I played it for hours at a clip.
LOVED it.
There was a dice-and-card game called Rasslin' that was put out by Avalon Hill.
My friends and I played it when we were in our Twenties...and 20 years later I taught my SON to play.
You see...we're all smarter than Vince and Hunter. We all can spot Indy Talent when we see it.
I'm not making fun. Many of us WOULD make better decisions.
So when it comes to Fantasy Booking, right now I have 2 passions:
1) If you are into wrestling "sims" that you play on your PC, look into Grey Dog Software's TEW (Total Extreme Wrestling). They put out a new version every 3 years or so, and it gets better and better every time. VERY detailed. If it happens in pro wrestling, it can happen in your game.
2) If you want some "interactive role playing" , we are launching the Sheer Wrestling League very shortly! This works the opposite of TEW. Instead of you being the Booker and controlling everything, you are the Wrestler and it's your job to Get Over. You might do it with Backstage Politics, you might do it with great Ring Work and you might do it with a little of Both.
So I will be running 2 wrestling leagues...one via TEW for playing "solitaire" and one called SWL where I can interact with others.
Why?
Because I LOVE fantasy booking.
For some it's the action. For some it's the "characters". For some it's the story telling.
I remember when I first discovered "Dirt Sheets" like the Observer and the Torch. Man I LOVED finding out things I couldn't possibly know from just watching the weekly TV shows.
I remember using the basics of "Dungeons and Dragons" to play a wrestling fed. I kept stats, I had champions, I had super cards, etc.
Then I found OTHER Pro Wrestling role playing games ... Some were on PC, some used dice...I'm rather sure I've played them all.
I LOVED them all.
Why? Because I love deciding who works and who doesn't. And what stories we tell. And what kind of action there will be. Any maybe even what kind of "behind the scenes" drama there will be.
We all do it, in our own way.
Go on Twitter, look up ANY pro wrestling feed, and read the comments when RAW or SmackDown is on. Every one has an idea of what they would do differently. Or Better.
The WWE put out a Role Playing game YEARS ago.
Oh man I LOVED that game. I played it for hours at a clip.
LOVED it.
There was a dice-and-card game called Rasslin' that was put out by Avalon Hill.
My friends and I played it when we were in our Twenties...and 20 years later I taught my SON to play.
You see...we're all smarter than Vince and Hunter. We all can spot Indy Talent when we see it.
I'm not making fun. Many of us WOULD make better decisions.
So when it comes to Fantasy Booking, right now I have 2 passions:
1) If you are into wrestling "sims" that you play on your PC, look into Grey Dog Software's TEW (Total Extreme Wrestling). They put out a new version every 3 years or so, and it gets better and better every time. VERY detailed. If it happens in pro wrestling, it can happen in your game.
2) If you want some "interactive role playing" , we are launching the Sheer Wrestling League very shortly! This works the opposite of TEW. Instead of you being the Booker and controlling everything, you are the Wrestler and it's your job to Get Over. You might do it with Backstage Politics, you might do it with great Ring Work and you might do it with a little of Both.
So I will be running 2 wrestling leagues...one via TEW for playing "solitaire" and one called SWL where I can interact with others.
Why?
Because I LOVE fantasy booking.
Friday, August 11, 2017
Hatin' on Roman
When fans used to boo John Cena, I "got" it. I thought he was a bit much. Every promo was a 10 minute diatribe about America or Good versus Evil...and it always included his speaking really loudly. It was as if the WWE had shoved Cena down our throats and fans had enough of it.
And if/when the fans help Cena was "holding someone down", they got even madder.
This is NOT to say that he isn't/wasn't talented. Actually, I think fans forget how freakishly strong Cena is. Or how agile he is (despite his girth!). Cena is a decent ring worker, but his presentation makes you want to root against him some days.
With Roman...I don't believe this is parallel. When Roman started getting pushed, fans saw another Cena coming and started booing. So they were booing ahead of the curve. And that's not cool.
And it didn't help any when a guy already out of favour with the fans beats the Undertaker.
It certainly isn't going to convert the haters.
But why the hate?
Roman is good looking, but the girls don't exactly swoon over him.
His move set is good. He's not "bad" in the ring by any standard.
He's paid his dues. It's not like he was pushed as a rookie because he was Samoan.
Why do fans hate on Roman?
Maybe because he isn't Daniel Bryan., or CM Punk, or whoever else the WWE Universe wants pushed at the moment?
Maybe it's because of his cool confidence and mediocre mic skills? That maybe be for fringe haters, but not overall, right? Confidence IS cool....and there are plenty of WWE Superstars who's mic work is only average. (Admittedly far fewer these days than in years past)
I think we can agree that fans don't hate Roman per se. They hate the push that the character gets.
It seems equally obvious to me that a heel turn would appease the WWE Universe. Is it what's "best for business"? Maybe. Braun Stroman was brought in a sheer monster, but fans cheer him when he wrestles Roman. fans cheer him! Are they cheering Braun because he's awesome, or sheering him because they hate Roman?
If we can't determine this...if we can't determine if Roman is better served working as a Heel...then every Heel we put against him gets cheered. What good does that do for business? If you don't have defined Heels and Faces, you don't have feuds. You don't have a story to tell.
Whether or not to turn Roman is a discussion entirely to itself, but the booing tells a story: Fans want to dictate who gets pushed. Not necessarily who they like or don't "like", but who they want to see near the top. It's a phenomenon WWE booking hasn't had to deal with very much in the past (other than the Cena Syndrome) and it remains to be seen how they react to the next "bad ass" the WWE wants to push.
Thoughts?
Share here or at @SheerWrestling
And if/when the fans help Cena was "holding someone down", they got even madder.
This is NOT to say that he isn't/wasn't talented. Actually, I think fans forget how freakishly strong Cena is. Or how agile he is (despite his girth!). Cena is a decent ring worker, but his presentation makes you want to root against him some days.
With Roman...I don't believe this is parallel. When Roman started getting pushed, fans saw another Cena coming and started booing. So they were booing ahead of the curve. And that's not cool.
And it didn't help any when a guy already out of favour with the fans beats the Undertaker.
It certainly isn't going to convert the haters.
But why the hate?
Roman is good looking, but the girls don't exactly swoon over him.
His move set is good. He's not "bad" in the ring by any standard.
He's paid his dues. It's not like he was pushed as a rookie because he was Samoan.
Why do fans hate on Roman?
Maybe because he isn't Daniel Bryan., or CM Punk, or whoever else the WWE Universe wants pushed at the moment?
Maybe it's because of his cool confidence and mediocre mic skills? That maybe be for fringe haters, but not overall, right? Confidence IS cool....and there are plenty of WWE Superstars who's mic work is only average. (Admittedly far fewer these days than in years past)
I think we can agree that fans don't hate Roman per se. They hate the push that the character gets.
It seems equally obvious to me that a heel turn would appease the WWE Universe. Is it what's "best for business"? Maybe. Braun Stroman was brought in a sheer monster, but fans cheer him when he wrestles Roman. fans cheer him! Are they cheering Braun because he's awesome, or sheering him because they hate Roman?
If we can't determine this...if we can't determine if Roman is better served working as a Heel...then every Heel we put against him gets cheered. What good does that do for business? If you don't have defined Heels and Faces, you don't have feuds. You don't have a story to tell.
Whether or not to turn Roman is a discussion entirely to itself, but the booing tells a story: Fans want to dictate who gets pushed. Not necessarily who they like or don't "like", but who they want to see near the top. It's a phenomenon WWE booking hasn't had to deal with very much in the past (other than the Cena Syndrome) and it remains to be seen how they react to the next "bad ass" the WWE wants to push.
Thoughts?
Share here or at @SheerWrestling
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Brand Awareness and WWE
Brand (noun) - a kind or variety of something distinguished by some distinctive characteristic.
I was listening to Podcast today with Eric Bischoff, and they spent a few minutes talking about the various brands that the WWE supports.
Can you name them?
RAW....SmackDown....NXT...205 Live.
Wait...205 Live?
Yep, Forgot about them, didn't you?
I bet lots of folks did.
That's not a knock of the talent, the production, the staff....none of it.
It's a knock on the positioning of the "brand".
After a fantastic Cruiserweight tournament...complete with aerial action and purple ring ropes ... the 205 guys started showing up on RAW! In fact, for the last 2 months the Cruiserweight champion and any of his top contenders arrive on RAW each week to battle for glory.
So what does that do for the 205 Live "brand"?
It makes it non-existent. It's not a brand. It's a roster at best, and it's a pool of talent in reality.
Ok, work backwards up the list.
NXT? Yes, it's a brand.
WWE's effort to capitalize on the Indy scene and offset Ring of Honor's momentum created a good show, stocked with great talent. A good mix of new(er) guys honing their skills and older guys who need to get back in the limelight. It has an Indy look and feel to it, and when talent gets moved up to the main roster it feels like a big deal..
#Success
Ok, what about SmackDown?
Different roster, different colors.
But how does it differ from RAW?
What is it about the television show that warrants considering it a 'brand'?
When you answer that question, don't talk about what you like about the show or what you like about specific talent. Try to focus on if/how the entire presentation is different from RAW.
You won't be able to share very much.
Again, that's not a knock on the talent...they work very hard.
The production is great.
Talking Smack was a cool avenue while it lasted.
But is it a "valuable brand"?
Pretend for a moment it's 1999 and WCW is still around.
When a wrestler moved from WWE to WCW, or vice versa, it mattered.
When wrestlers move from RAW to SmackDown...it's not a big deal.
In fact, some folks see SmackDown as being "lesser than".
Is that their brand? "We're more exciting and less valuable than RAW".
That's not a good value prop, is it?
Ring ropes and lighting don't make for distinguishing characteristics.
Red vs Blue....that's not a brand differentiation.
What we have here are 2 nights of wrestling, 2 rosters of wrestling, 2 Pay-Per-Views a month.
It's good for the fans in way of content (we can discuss "how much is too much" another time), but it's not 2 brands.
What WOULD make RAW and SmackDown differentiated brands?
Years ago, an idea was floated around to pack SmackDown with the Luchadores/Cruiserweights.
(this is back when Rey was there, Eddie Guerrero was there, etc).
That would be something, no?
RAW could be Heavyweights and Smackdown could be acrobatics.
Or what is RAW featured blood, sex, swearing (read: Attitude Era) and SmackDown did not?
SmackDown could be the more family friendly show.
What if only 1 of the 2 shows had a Women's division?
Or a Tag Team division?
Don't these 4 ideas all constitute real DIFFERENCES?
With more and more fans reading newsletters and listening to podcasts, they're more educated.
Many are as interested in the "business" as they are in the matches.
And when they are told that RAW and SmackDown are different brands, they roll their eyes.
We don't have to give up on the presentation of different brands, but let's talk the WWE into being honest about it. Give us real differentiators, and give the fans a reason to care if/when a worker changes "brands".
Thoughts?
@SheerWrestling.com
I was listening to Podcast today with Eric Bischoff, and they spent a few minutes talking about the various brands that the WWE supports.
Can you name them?
RAW....SmackDown....NXT...205 Live.
Wait...205 Live?
Yep, Forgot about them, didn't you?
I bet lots of folks did.
That's not a knock of the talent, the production, the staff....none of it.
It's a knock on the positioning of the "brand".
After a fantastic Cruiserweight tournament...complete with aerial action and purple ring ropes ... the 205 guys started showing up on RAW! In fact, for the last 2 months the Cruiserweight champion and any of his top contenders arrive on RAW each week to battle for glory.
So what does that do for the 205 Live "brand"?
It makes it non-existent. It's not a brand. It's a roster at best, and it's a pool of talent in reality.
Ok, work backwards up the list.
NXT? Yes, it's a brand.
WWE's effort to capitalize on the Indy scene and offset Ring of Honor's momentum created a good show, stocked with great talent. A good mix of new(er) guys honing their skills and older guys who need to get back in the limelight. It has an Indy look and feel to it, and when talent gets moved up to the main roster it feels like a big deal..
#Success
Ok, what about SmackDown?
Different roster, different colors.
But how does it differ from RAW?
What is it about the television show that warrants considering it a 'brand'?
When you answer that question, don't talk about what you like about the show or what you like about specific talent. Try to focus on if/how the entire presentation is different from RAW.
You won't be able to share very much.
Again, that's not a knock on the talent...they work very hard.
The production is great.
Talking Smack was a cool avenue while it lasted.
But is it a "valuable brand"?
Pretend for a moment it's 1999 and WCW is still around.
When a wrestler moved from WWE to WCW, or vice versa, it mattered.
When wrestlers move from RAW to SmackDown...it's not a big deal.
In fact, some folks see SmackDown as being "lesser than".
Is that their brand? "We're more exciting and less valuable than RAW".
That's not a good value prop, is it?
Ring ropes and lighting don't make for distinguishing characteristics.
Red vs Blue....that's not a brand differentiation.
What we have here are 2 nights of wrestling, 2 rosters of wrestling, 2 Pay-Per-Views a month.
It's good for the fans in way of content (we can discuss "how much is too much" another time), but it's not 2 brands.
What WOULD make RAW and SmackDown differentiated brands?
Years ago, an idea was floated around to pack SmackDown with the Luchadores/Cruiserweights.
(this is back when Rey was there, Eddie Guerrero was there, etc).
That would be something, no?
RAW could be Heavyweights and Smackdown could be acrobatics.
Or what is RAW featured blood, sex, swearing (read: Attitude Era) and SmackDown did not?
SmackDown could be the more family friendly show.
What if only 1 of the 2 shows had a Women's division?
Or a Tag Team division?
Don't these 4 ideas all constitute real DIFFERENCES?
With more and more fans reading newsletters and listening to podcasts, they're more educated.
Many are as interested in the "business" as they are in the matches.
And when they are told that RAW and SmackDown are different brands, they roll their eyes.
We don't have to give up on the presentation of different brands, but let's talk the WWE into being honest about it. Give us real differentiators, and give the fans a reason to care if/when a worker changes "brands".
Thoughts?
@SheerWrestling.com
Sunday, August 6, 2017
That Doomed ECW Return
Ok, I'm willing to admit it.
When ECW first made it big...when Paul Heyman got the wrestling world to know about that Bingo Hall in Philadelphia...I wasn't into it.
I didn't "get" it.
Quite frankly, I was one of those mainstream fans who turned my nose up to it.
I was in my early/mid twenties, big fan of WWF/WCW, and wanted to see more of the Japanese and Mexican competitors. But chairs? and Strippers? and a bunch of guys I never heard of who wrestle in jeans and t-shirts?
No thanks.
*Pause* I'm not saying I was 'right'....I'm saying that back then that's what I was saying.
Over the years, and long after it's demise, I got learn more about all the people and parts that made up ECW. Remember, it wasn't until ECW was on it's last leg that the internet exploded, and soon after we had shoot interviews, biographies, compilation DVDs, etc.
I understood what Paul Heyman was trying to do. I understood Raven's appeal and how an ECW show tried to offer a little something to everyone. Well, except for Hullk-a-maniacs and guys named "Bischoff".
So now, when I look back at WWE's effort to bring the brand back, I DON'T say "oh good, it failed" and I don't say "how could it fail with such a large machine behind it?".
I say "Man they went about that 100% the wrong way."
The ECW brand should have been brought back exactly as it left: With all the originals in place. In a dingy Bingo hall somewhere.
Why? Because 200 loyal, rabid fans is better than 1000 casual fans.
ECW fans tool the product to heart. They came to the arena every month. They bought T-Shirts. They sought autographs. They looked for the wrestlers in the restaurants after shows. They spoke with them, and felt like they were making friends.
They were loyal devoted fans who took every match and every character personally.
When Vince attempted to roll the brand back out, he stocked the roster with his own players and he took the shows to larger arenas. It didn't look like ECW, it didn't feel like ECW. Just because a guy got hit with a cane or Heyman showed up on camera...it wasn't ECW.
And since it wasn't the same look and feel, you brought your Smackdown fans to ECW and said "here, check this out," And the fans were apathetic. They had no vested interest in it. How was it different? What did it matter?
Casual fans "sometimes" buy merchandise and "sometimes" come to the shows. And over time...they go away.
So, in my analogy above, your 1000 casual fans come and go.
They don't talk up the product, they don't look for more merchandise and they don't tell their friends how amazing the brand is.
The ECW originals may not have been created in Titan Towers, but they had a legacy. They had history. And the fans felt like a part of that history. Resurrecting it in it's original form would have not only brought back rabid fans, but those fans could have brought ratings to a small TV market.
Yes, I know TV is expensive.
So start small and local...and grow it.
Get those ratings up, and expand on it.
Loyal and rabid fans keep your base in place.
The product fans were given on Sci-Fi network could have been called ANYthing.
It wasn't ECW.
Vince tried to do it "bigger" and "better".
Instead, it failed.
With no reason to get behind it, casual fans ignored it and original fans scoffed at it.
You got less instead of more.
#Fail.
A true "return" of the original ECW product could have catered to a niche' market that wouldn't go away. A market that would not only tune in and buy merch, but would serve as brand ambassador. THEY would have been the grassroots movement ECW needed to go national.
Heyman's vision, Vince's resources.
The make-believe "Brand Split" that WWE fans are given these days might have looked completely different. The third brand would truly have been unique. The bastard son that fought to be bigger and better than it's rich siblings. It might have altogether changed how we looked at WWE rosters. Because when a WWE competitor DID elect to go to ECW...or when an ECW star got so big he HAD to be a part of RAW...it would have meant something. It would have given validity to the move.
For a guy who didnt care of ECW in it's original form, I yearn for what could have been. I feel bad for the loyal fans who's intelligence was insulted by the sequel...and for the "originals' who didn't get to be a part of the Big Stage effort.
Thoughts?
Twitter = @SheerWrestling
When ECW first made it big...when Paul Heyman got the wrestling world to know about that Bingo Hall in Philadelphia...I wasn't into it.
I didn't "get" it.
Quite frankly, I was one of those mainstream fans who turned my nose up to it.
I was in my early/mid twenties, big fan of WWF/WCW, and wanted to see more of the Japanese and Mexican competitors. But chairs? and Strippers? and a bunch of guys I never heard of who wrestle in jeans and t-shirts?
No thanks.
*Pause* I'm not saying I was 'right'....I'm saying that back then that's what I was saying.
Over the years, and long after it's demise, I got learn more about all the people and parts that made up ECW. Remember, it wasn't until ECW was on it's last leg that the internet exploded, and soon after we had shoot interviews, biographies, compilation DVDs, etc.
I understood what Paul Heyman was trying to do. I understood Raven's appeal and how an ECW show tried to offer a little something to everyone. Well, except for Hullk-a-maniacs and guys named "Bischoff".
So now, when I look back at WWE's effort to bring the brand back, I DON'T say "oh good, it failed" and I don't say "how could it fail with such a large machine behind it?".
I say "Man they went about that 100% the wrong way."
The ECW brand should have been brought back exactly as it left: With all the originals in place. In a dingy Bingo hall somewhere.
Why? Because 200 loyal, rabid fans is better than 1000 casual fans.
ECW fans tool the product to heart. They came to the arena every month. They bought T-Shirts. They sought autographs. They looked for the wrestlers in the restaurants after shows. They spoke with them, and felt like they were making friends.
They were loyal devoted fans who took every match and every character personally.
When Vince attempted to roll the brand back out, he stocked the roster with his own players and he took the shows to larger arenas. It didn't look like ECW, it didn't feel like ECW. Just because a guy got hit with a cane or Heyman showed up on camera...it wasn't ECW.
And since it wasn't the same look and feel, you brought your Smackdown fans to ECW and said "here, check this out," And the fans were apathetic. They had no vested interest in it. How was it different? What did it matter?
Casual fans "sometimes" buy merchandise and "sometimes" come to the shows. And over time...they go away.
So, in my analogy above, your 1000 casual fans come and go.
They don't talk up the product, they don't look for more merchandise and they don't tell their friends how amazing the brand is.
The ECW originals may not have been created in Titan Towers, but they had a legacy. They had history. And the fans felt like a part of that history. Resurrecting it in it's original form would have not only brought back rabid fans, but those fans could have brought ratings to a small TV market.
Yes, I know TV is expensive.
So start small and local...and grow it.
Get those ratings up, and expand on it.
Loyal and rabid fans keep your base in place.
The product fans were given on Sci-Fi network could have been called ANYthing.
It wasn't ECW.
Vince tried to do it "bigger" and "better".
Instead, it failed.
With no reason to get behind it, casual fans ignored it and original fans scoffed at it.
You got less instead of more.
#Fail.
A true "return" of the original ECW product could have catered to a niche' market that wouldn't go away. A market that would not only tune in and buy merch, but would serve as brand ambassador. THEY would have been the grassroots movement ECW needed to go national.
Heyman's vision, Vince's resources.
The make-believe "Brand Split" that WWE fans are given these days might have looked completely different. The third brand would truly have been unique. The bastard son that fought to be bigger and better than it's rich siblings. It might have altogether changed how we looked at WWE rosters. Because when a WWE competitor DID elect to go to ECW...or when an ECW star got so big he HAD to be a part of RAW...it would have meant something. It would have given validity to the move.
For a guy who didnt care of ECW in it's original form, I yearn for what could have been. I feel bad for the loyal fans who's intelligence was insulted by the sequel...and for the "originals' who didn't get to be a part of the Big Stage effort.
Thoughts?
Twitter = @SheerWrestling
Saturday, August 5, 2017
WWE's Main Event Ladies?
I grew up in an era where women's wrestling was little more than a break in the action. The WWF had 3 or 4 women on the roster at a time.... 2 of whom might wrestle early on the card....and they got virtually no TV time.
It was a time when the Fabulous Moolah was the Queen of all women's wrestling. Mainstays like Lelani Kai and Velvet McIntire was almost always one of the 2 women wrestling in the "women's match". You could name all the WWF women's wrestlers on one hand and have fingers left over.
In the mid 80s, Wendi Richter brought the spotlight to the women's division, but her competition was still incredibly limited. The Jumping Bomb Angles brought women's tag team wrestling out of a dark corner...but again facing minimal competition in the 12 months they were around.
In the 90s the WWF once again tool a cue from Japan and tried to regenerate interest, with Alundra Blayze (Madusa Micelli), Bull Nakano and Bertha Faye...but not much more. But this time, Women's matches were appearing on some Pay Per View events, but sparingly.
In the New Decade (2000's) women's wrestling started becoming a larger part of the roster. Not only did Chyna become an Icon in the division, but Lita, Trish Startus, Gail Kim and Jackie Moore were 4 of many women's wrestlers getting exposure. They appeared on RAW as well as the Pay Per View events.
More and more women were making their way to the roster, but by this time, the women were playing a dual role: not only were they 'competing' but they were positioned as sex symbols. Almost all of them had a similar career arc in the WWE: debut as a "personality", get in an argument with an established star, start performing in the ring, win the Women's title, lose the women's title. Also: post for a calendar, use your body to distract a male superstar and some cases get an offer to pose in Playboy.
This is in no way meant to be demeaning. The women worked hard, and in many cases got to enjoy a lot of fame and fortune. But when you look at their work-rate....their ability to put on a competitive and convincing match....there were still a lot of hurdles. For every Trish, Lita and Gail that worked hard at their craft, there were Divas who struggled to be convincing. hair pulling, clawing and slapping made up a large part of their repetoire, and ultimately even the best of the bunch were seen as eye candy first, competitors second.
Far too many women passed thru this era to name them all, but I want to be clear: they all worked hard. But the WWE was clear that they were being marketed as models. As Divas. As sex symbols.
Recently, the WWE rounded up a crew of Divas who are as talented in the ring as they are beautiful. Charlotte (Ashley Flair), Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Paige, Asuka and Bayley are good examples. Nattie Neidhadt, a WWE mainstay, returned to the forefront. For the first time in a long time, the women actually impressed the crowd with holds-and-counters. Submissions and Reversals.
And while it's refreshing to see them taken more seriously, we have a new problem now: the WWE regularly positions these women as Main Eventers. Their matches have closed out episodes of RAW and gotten featured status on Pay Per Views.
Why is this a problem? 2 reasons:
1) Despite the high level of talent, there is a large POOL of talent...so when you divide them over 2 shows (RAW and SmackDown) you are back to the same match ups each week.
2) Despite the high level of talent, the fans collectively do not view them with the same level of stardom as their male counterparts.
Is this a "sexism" issue ... or is it true that the female superstars just do not generate the same level of interest? Is this a "glass ceiling" issue ... or is it true that a percentage of the female superstars just are not as fluid or athletic as the male stars they are being compared to?
This isn't to pain them all with the same brush. I don't think I've seen anyone quite like Charlotte Flair before. And Sasha Banks is even more amazing. But Nia Jaxx is no Chyna, and Eva Marie is...well, she's gone. But you know what I mean.
When the women Main Evented RAW it was novel, and it was nice. But when the SAME 3 women Main Event RAW again a month or so later...it's not so novel and it's not so exciting. It's not ANYthing like watching Roman facing Stroman. Even is Sasha Banks was your very favorite WWE Superstar, do you want to watch her wrestle Bayley more than once? How many more time will a women's wrestle switch from face to heel to face to heel depending on which of her fellow Divas has the title?
The WWE women's competitors are more physically competitive than ever before. They're dynamic and they deserve the TV time they get. Never before has there been such a great blend of beauty and talent. But I'm not convinced that the FANS are convinced that they are Main Eventers. I'm not convinced that the fans think they are as interesting and awe inspiring as their male counterparts.
It's not a glass ceiling. It's a reality check.
The fans want to see them wrestle...but they aren't ready to call them the stars of the show.
Thoughts?
It was a time when the Fabulous Moolah was the Queen of all women's wrestling. Mainstays like Lelani Kai and Velvet McIntire was almost always one of the 2 women wrestling in the "women's match". You could name all the WWF women's wrestlers on one hand and have fingers left over.
In the mid 80s, Wendi Richter brought the spotlight to the women's division, but her competition was still incredibly limited. The Jumping Bomb Angles brought women's tag team wrestling out of a dark corner...but again facing minimal competition in the 12 months they were around.
In the 90s the WWF once again tool a cue from Japan and tried to regenerate interest, with Alundra Blayze (Madusa Micelli), Bull Nakano and Bertha Faye...but not much more. But this time, Women's matches were appearing on some Pay Per View events, but sparingly.
In the New Decade (2000's) women's wrestling started becoming a larger part of the roster. Not only did Chyna become an Icon in the division, but Lita, Trish Startus, Gail Kim and Jackie Moore were 4 of many women's wrestlers getting exposure. They appeared on RAW as well as the Pay Per View events.
More and more women were making their way to the roster, but by this time, the women were playing a dual role: not only were they 'competing' but they were positioned as sex symbols. Almost all of them had a similar career arc in the WWE: debut as a "personality", get in an argument with an established star, start performing in the ring, win the Women's title, lose the women's title. Also: post for a calendar, use your body to distract a male superstar and some cases get an offer to pose in Playboy.
This is in no way meant to be demeaning. The women worked hard, and in many cases got to enjoy a lot of fame and fortune. But when you look at their work-rate....their ability to put on a competitive and convincing match....there were still a lot of hurdles. For every Trish, Lita and Gail that worked hard at their craft, there were Divas who struggled to be convincing. hair pulling, clawing and slapping made up a large part of their repetoire, and ultimately even the best of the bunch were seen as eye candy first, competitors second.
Far too many women passed thru this era to name them all, but I want to be clear: they all worked hard. But the WWE was clear that they were being marketed as models. As Divas. As sex symbols.
Recently, the WWE rounded up a crew of Divas who are as talented in the ring as they are beautiful. Charlotte (Ashley Flair), Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Paige, Asuka and Bayley are good examples. Nattie Neidhadt, a WWE mainstay, returned to the forefront. For the first time in a long time, the women actually impressed the crowd with holds-and-counters. Submissions and Reversals.
And while it's refreshing to see them taken more seriously, we have a new problem now: the WWE regularly positions these women as Main Eventers. Their matches have closed out episodes of RAW and gotten featured status on Pay Per Views.
Why is this a problem? 2 reasons:
1) Despite the high level of talent, there is a large POOL of talent...so when you divide them over 2 shows (RAW and SmackDown) you are back to the same match ups each week.
2) Despite the high level of talent, the fans collectively do not view them with the same level of stardom as their male counterparts.
Is this a "sexism" issue ... or is it true that the female superstars just do not generate the same level of interest? Is this a "glass ceiling" issue ... or is it true that a percentage of the female superstars just are not as fluid or athletic as the male stars they are being compared to?
This isn't to pain them all with the same brush. I don't think I've seen anyone quite like Charlotte Flair before. And Sasha Banks is even more amazing. But Nia Jaxx is no Chyna, and Eva Marie is...well, she's gone. But you know what I mean.
When the women Main Evented RAW it was novel, and it was nice. But when the SAME 3 women Main Event RAW again a month or so later...it's not so novel and it's not so exciting. It's not ANYthing like watching Roman facing Stroman. Even is Sasha Banks was your very favorite WWE Superstar, do you want to watch her wrestle Bayley more than once? How many more time will a women's wrestle switch from face to heel to face to heel depending on which of her fellow Divas has the title?
The WWE women's competitors are more physically competitive than ever before. They're dynamic and they deserve the TV time they get. Never before has there been such a great blend of beauty and talent. But I'm not convinced that the FANS are convinced that they are Main Eventers. I'm not convinced that the fans think they are as interesting and awe inspiring as their male counterparts.
It's not a glass ceiling. It's a reality check.
The fans want to see them wrestle...but they aren't ready to call them the stars of the show.
Thoughts?
Friday, August 4, 2017
Sure you meant Sheer?
The word "sheer" means "utter".
Which also means Complete...Total...Absolute.
Yeah...we're all about the wrestling.
Some wrestling fans get pigeonholed as uneducated, unemployed and in some case, un-washed.
I'm proud to not fall into any of those categories.
I'm a college graduate, a full time business executive ..and I shower every morning.
But as far as "hobbies and interests" go, Wrestling has always been my #1
(with music being #2. I played in more bands than I can count, and only gave it up when Girlfriend-of-Sheer became Mrs. Sheer)
How much of the week is taken up with wrestling-related activty?
Being that I have children, and a full time job, I don't go to live shows much anymore. Maybe a local indy gig once a year to keep the experience, but there is so much free content these days that I don't need to brave the crowds. That being said, with the recent uprising of Indy Wrestling, I might start again!
So after a day of work, parenting , going to the gym and eating....wrestling still makes it into my 24 hours? I often wonder how I do it. .
But when you love something, it just sorta comes to you, right?
I imagine you are all about the wrestling, too. The plan is to use this blog to connect with wrestling fans all over the world and talk about whatever wrestling topic you care to!
If not here, be sure to hit me up on Twitter: @SheerWrestling
Which also means Complete...Total...Absolute.
Yeah...we're all about the wrestling.
Some wrestling fans get pigeonholed as uneducated, unemployed and in some case, un-washed.
I'm proud to not fall into any of those categories.
I'm a college graduate, a full time business executive ..and I shower every morning.
But as far as "hobbies and interests" go, Wrestling has always been my #1
(with music being #2. I played in more bands than I can count, and only gave it up when Girlfriend-of-Sheer became Mrs. Sheer)
How much of the week is taken up with wrestling-related activty?
- The watching of WWE products, of course.
- Listen to about a dozen wrestling-related podcasts. (many are which are listed, here.)
- Regularly play Grey Dog Software's TEW (Total Extreme Wrestling), which we'll blog about in a near-future blog for CERTAIN.
- I do the Twitter thing, of course, because I want to talk to other, like-minded fans.
- Daily use the on line news to catch results of shows I don't get to see....like Impact (now GFW) or some UFC shows.
- I've read more wrestling biographies than I can count, and I still have more to go. I love biographies.
- Years ago, my son and I invented a wrestling Board Game that we used to play every night. He's older now, and has apparently outgrown me. But I hope one day to look into whether there is still a market for board games, much less wrestling-based board games.
- Have watched more Shoot Interviews than I can recall, also. Some guys never wrote their memoirs but the 2 hours they spent with RF Video or Kayfabe Commentaries was well spent if you want to get caught up on their history!
- Rgularly rely on YouTube to watch old/classic matches, as well as some of the Japanese feds. (Does anyone remember Dragon Gate USA? Man I used to LOVE that company...when the talent was Japanese!)
- When there is time left, I might visit a wrestling chat board to ask a question or catch up on a topic.
Being that I have children, and a full time job, I don't go to live shows much anymore. Maybe a local indy gig once a year to keep the experience, but there is so much free content these days that I don't need to brave the crowds. That being said, with the recent uprising of Indy Wrestling, I might start again!
So after a day of work, parenting , going to the gym and eating....wrestling still makes it into my 24 hours? I often wonder how I do it. .
But when you love something, it just sorta comes to you, right?
I imagine you are all about the wrestling, too. The plan is to use this blog to connect with wrestling fans all over the world and talk about whatever wrestling topic you care to!
If not here, be sure to hit me up on Twitter: @SheerWrestling
Thursday, August 3, 2017
MLW's Podcast Round up
Yeah, my wrestling history dates back. Waaaay back.
But I'm a big fan of the current collection of Wrestling Podcasts that exist today.
I'm also sorta fortunate that MLW Radio, which started out as one weekly podcast, has grown into a network of podcasts, most of which are absolutely top notch.
I realize that my opinion is just one man's opinion, but I wanted to share which ones I listen to, and why.
1) Something to Wrestle - this features Bruce Prichard (remember Brother Love?!) and Conrad Thompson. Once a week, the 2 discuss "something" that happened during Bruce's tenure at WWF/E. It could be a specific PPV event (like the recent Summerslam 2000 episode), or it could be a specific wrestler (like the Brian Pillman episode). Bruce is very forthcoming. You might not always agree with him, but he's willing to tell you exactly what he saw/thought/felt. As an added bonus, Prichard does a TON of imitations that are Spot On!
Quick word of advice: If you are a fan of Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer, you'll find that one of these guys LOVE that publication, and other one HATES it. You'll learn quickly...
2) What Happened When - Conrad returns for a second show each week, this time with Tony Schiavone! Again, the topics are various, and since Tony spent 1 year working for WWF you often get his opinion of folks who did NOT work for WCW.
Quick word of advice: while Conrad is a very thorough researcher, it's not unusual to have Tony not know the answer to one of his questions. But you'll love his non-confrontational demeanor. Except for when he tells someone to eff off...
3) JJ Dillon Show - JJ Dillon and Rich Bocchini discuss events from Dillon's long past in pro-wrestling. Dillon may be one of the nicest men from the sport. Listening to him talk is like listening to your favorite Uncle tell stories. And his 40 years in the business means there is an endless inventory of stories to tell.!
Quick Word of Advice: Dillon is admittedly long winded, but it's because he's thorough and he's too polite to rush through a story.
4) Bischoff on Wrestling - Eric Bischoff is joined by Nick Haussman to share their views on today's product, as well as answer listener's questions. Given that Eric worked for WCW, AWA and WWE, he has plenty of stories to tell, and he talks business as well as booking. Conversely, when Eric does NOT like fantasy booking and when he doesn't have an opinion he doesn't fake it. He can be as curt as he is interesting.
Quick Word of Advice: Eric also has strong Political opinions, and they are diametrically opposed to Nick's. Sometimes the show wanders and has to be reeled back in.
5) MLW Flagship Show - This is the show that started it all. Originally hosted by Court Bauer (MLW's founder) and Mister Saint Laurent (MSL) they cover all the happenings of the week in wrestling. Recently, Court has taken on other projects and Rich Bocchini has taken over his half of the gig. A very objective and all-encompassing hour of wrestling each week.
6) Prime Time with Hacksaw Duggan and Sean Mooney - Yes, you are reading this right. Two very different names from the past have come together to discuss Duggan's era in the WWF. Both guys keep the show very "clean"...there's no dirt or finger pointing, but they still give a capsule of the late 80's WWF each week
Quick Word of advice: Duggan can be a little corny at times, but he also has some good stories and he's very honest with his view. .
7) Marty and Sarah Love Wrestling - Not for the serious minded! Imagine 2 of your closest friends get together each week to talk about wrestling, but they have a LOT of fun with it. Aside from being wrestling fans, both are improvisational comedians, so the show is FILLED with parodies of current wrestling stars. It's hilarious.
Quick Word of Advice: unlike the above-listed podcasts, this is NOT a show that is deep on scoops, wrestling history or dirt. It's just 2 wrestling fans having a good time enjoying wrestling.
8) Corny's Drive Through - Jim Cornette actually has TWO shows on the MLW network, but I really only listen to this one. Cornette is joined by Brian Last and each week they spend the hour answering listener's questions. Given his long history and strong opinions, every answer is fun to listen to.
Quick Word of Advice: Cornette has no filter and he knows a lot of 4 lettered words. He also has very strong political views. You might not always agree with him, but you WILL be entertained.
9) MSL & Sullivan - What a tag team! Mister Saint Laurent is joined by Kevin Sullivan to talk recent wrestling news AND recap Monday Nitro episodes! It's a great 50-50 split, allowing the listener to get insight on what Kevin was thinking in the late 90s as well as today! For a guy in his late 60s, Kevin is very tuned in to today's product(s) and has a lot of ideas to share.
Quick Word of Advice: Kevin will often recount a Baseball or Boxing story to make an analogy. But he's referring to things that happened in 1960. Or 1860.
MLW Network hosts MANY more shows than what is listed here, but you would need a LOT more free time to listen to any more of them!
(Note - there are also many wrestling podcasts NOT affiliated with the MLW network....some of which I even listen to! We can talk about them the next time around...)
But I'm a big fan of the current collection of Wrestling Podcasts that exist today.
I'm also sorta fortunate that MLW Radio, which started out as one weekly podcast, has grown into a network of podcasts, most of which are absolutely top notch.
I realize that my opinion is just one man's opinion, but I wanted to share which ones I listen to, and why.
1) Something to Wrestle - this features Bruce Prichard (remember Brother Love?!) and Conrad Thompson. Once a week, the 2 discuss "something" that happened during Bruce's tenure at WWF/E. It could be a specific PPV event (like the recent Summerslam 2000 episode), or it could be a specific wrestler (like the Brian Pillman episode). Bruce is very forthcoming. You might not always agree with him, but he's willing to tell you exactly what he saw/thought/felt. As an added bonus, Prichard does a TON of imitations that are Spot On!
Quick word of advice: If you are a fan of Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer, you'll find that one of these guys LOVE that publication, and other one HATES it. You'll learn quickly...
2) What Happened When - Conrad returns for a second show each week, this time with Tony Schiavone! Again, the topics are various, and since Tony spent 1 year working for WWF you often get his opinion of folks who did NOT work for WCW.
Quick word of advice: while Conrad is a very thorough researcher, it's not unusual to have Tony not know the answer to one of his questions. But you'll love his non-confrontational demeanor. Except for when he tells someone to eff off...
3) JJ Dillon Show - JJ Dillon and Rich Bocchini discuss events from Dillon's long past in pro-wrestling. Dillon may be one of the nicest men from the sport. Listening to him talk is like listening to your favorite Uncle tell stories. And his 40 years in the business means there is an endless inventory of stories to tell.!
Quick Word of Advice: Dillon is admittedly long winded, but it's because he's thorough and he's too polite to rush through a story.
4) Bischoff on Wrestling - Eric Bischoff is joined by Nick Haussman to share their views on today's product, as well as answer listener's questions. Given that Eric worked for WCW, AWA and WWE, he has plenty of stories to tell, and he talks business as well as booking. Conversely, when Eric does NOT like fantasy booking and when he doesn't have an opinion he doesn't fake it. He can be as curt as he is interesting.
Quick Word of Advice: Eric also has strong Political opinions, and they are diametrically opposed to Nick's. Sometimes the show wanders and has to be reeled back in.
5) MLW Flagship Show - This is the show that started it all. Originally hosted by Court Bauer (MLW's founder) and Mister Saint Laurent (MSL) they cover all the happenings of the week in wrestling. Recently, Court has taken on other projects and Rich Bocchini has taken over his half of the gig. A very objective and all-encompassing hour of wrestling each week.
6) Prime Time with Hacksaw Duggan and Sean Mooney - Yes, you are reading this right. Two very different names from the past have come together to discuss Duggan's era in the WWF. Both guys keep the show very "clean"...there's no dirt or finger pointing, but they still give a capsule of the late 80's WWF each week
Quick Word of advice: Duggan can be a little corny at times, but he also has some good stories and he's very honest with his view. .
7) Marty and Sarah Love Wrestling - Not for the serious minded! Imagine 2 of your closest friends get together each week to talk about wrestling, but they have a LOT of fun with it. Aside from being wrestling fans, both are improvisational comedians, so the show is FILLED with parodies of current wrestling stars. It's hilarious.
Quick Word of Advice: unlike the above-listed podcasts, this is NOT a show that is deep on scoops, wrestling history or dirt. It's just 2 wrestling fans having a good time enjoying wrestling.
8) Corny's Drive Through - Jim Cornette actually has TWO shows on the MLW network, but I really only listen to this one. Cornette is joined by Brian Last and each week they spend the hour answering listener's questions. Given his long history and strong opinions, every answer is fun to listen to.
Quick Word of Advice: Cornette has no filter and he knows a lot of 4 lettered words. He also has very strong political views. You might not always agree with him, but you WILL be entertained.
9) MSL & Sullivan - What a tag team! Mister Saint Laurent is joined by Kevin Sullivan to talk recent wrestling news AND recap Monday Nitro episodes! It's a great 50-50 split, allowing the listener to get insight on what Kevin was thinking in the late 90s as well as today! For a guy in his late 60s, Kevin is very tuned in to today's product(s) and has a lot of ideas to share.
Quick Word of Advice: Kevin will often recount a Baseball or Boxing story to make an analogy. But he's referring to things that happened in 1960. Or 1860.
MLW Network hosts MANY more shows than what is listed here, but you would need a LOT more free time to listen to any more of them!
(Note - there are also many wrestling podcasts NOT affiliated with the MLW network....some of which I even listen to! We can talk about them the next time around...)
Sheer Wrestling....In the Beginning
The most ominous thing about a new blog or a new Twitter handle is "what will they think?!".
Not that the blog won't get read, or that the information won't be good/valid/interesting...but when it's the FIRST blog post there is no History behind it. I can be virtually anyone...or no one at all. I can be a one hit wonder. I could that Blind Date that you never call back.
But as the founder of Sheer Wrestling I've built a long history with Pro Wrestling, and I want to use this space to write about it. To "talk" about it. Your comments are always welcome. You can share so much more info here than on Twitter. I mean, 144 characters? Really?
Oh! Did I mention that our Twitter handle is @SheerWrestling ?
Ok, glad we got that out of the way...
I don't like to talk about "myself"...but let me use this blank space to share some history and get us acquainted.
I found pro wrestling in the Mid-80s.
Ok, wait, I lied already. I FIRST found Pro Wrestling in the mid-SEVENTIES, but I it was a one shot. It was a WWF television show on my black-and-white television. I'm know for a fact I saw Mil Mascaras and I'm 99% sure I saw Big John Studd. That's all I remember about THAT afternoon.
But in the mid-90's I inherited a step-brother who was a HYOOOGE Pro Wrestling fan.
on Saturday Nights I stayed up to watch WWF programming on Channel 9. (WWOR. Shout out to Sean Mooney).
I saw the Snuka-Muraco feud.
I saw the Samoans lose the titles to Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas
I saw Bob Backlund lose the belt to the Iron Shiek, who in turn lost it to Hulk Hogan.
These are my earliest memories, but I'm in no way exclusive to old school WWF...or to ANYthing Vince McMahon and company puts out.
Every Summer as a kid I'd go to Florida to see my grandparents. This was when wrestling still had Territories. It was the only time I could see wrestling from Florida, and sometimes USWA from Memphis.
Once we got cable at home, and I found Turner Broadcasting (TBS), I leaned about the Mid-Atlantic/NWA and watched them progress into World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
Since the mid-80's there has only been 1 year that I DIDNT follow pro-wrestling.
I traded wrestling for a girl, she ultimately broke my heart, and I decided that any girl that came after her had to like pro wrestling. Well, at least tolerate it.
Mrs. Wrestling used to like it.
Now she just tolerates it.
Today I still watch the WWE product (and like you, I like some of it, I hate some of it) and keep an eye on a LOT of other products/promotions.
I'm old enough that I can go on and on, but I don't want to burn it all on the first post.
So, in closing...and just to show my age...I'm going to list my "all time" favorite wrestlers and then some quick notes about today's crop of wrestlers. (Just to prove that I CAN be objective when measuring old school versus today's product)
All Time Favorites (not really in any order):
Ric Flair
Bret Hart
Arn Anderson
Barry Windham
Muta
Goldust
Magnum TA
Rick Steamboat
Nikita Koloff
Stone Cold version of Steve Austin
William Regal
Today's inventory:
Oh man, I can go on and on.
In fact, some of the stuff I wrote above I'm going to expand into Blog entries.
PLEASE feel free to comment the blog, and connect with me on Twitter!
Not that the blog won't get read, or that the information won't be good/valid/interesting...but when it's the FIRST blog post there is no History behind it. I can be virtually anyone...or no one at all. I can be a one hit wonder. I could that Blind Date that you never call back.
But as the founder of Sheer Wrestling I've built a long history with Pro Wrestling, and I want to use this space to write about it. To "talk" about it. Your comments are always welcome. You can share so much more info here than on Twitter. I mean, 144 characters? Really?
Oh! Did I mention that our Twitter handle is @SheerWrestling ?
Ok, glad we got that out of the way...
I don't like to talk about "myself"...but let me use this blank space to share some history and get us acquainted.
I found pro wrestling in the Mid-80s.
Ok, wait, I lied already. I FIRST found Pro Wrestling in the mid-SEVENTIES, but I it was a one shot. It was a WWF television show on my black-and-white television. I'm know for a fact I saw Mil Mascaras and I'm 99% sure I saw Big John Studd. That's all I remember about THAT afternoon.
But in the mid-90's I inherited a step-brother who was a HYOOOGE Pro Wrestling fan.
on Saturday Nights I stayed up to watch WWF programming on Channel 9. (WWOR. Shout out to Sean Mooney).
I saw the Snuka-Muraco feud.
I saw the Samoans lose the titles to Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas
I saw Bob Backlund lose the belt to the Iron Shiek, who in turn lost it to Hulk Hogan.
These are my earliest memories, but I'm in no way exclusive to old school WWF...or to ANYthing Vince McMahon and company puts out.
Every Summer as a kid I'd go to Florida to see my grandparents. This was when wrestling still had Territories. It was the only time I could see wrestling from Florida, and sometimes USWA from Memphis.
Once we got cable at home, and I found Turner Broadcasting (TBS), I leaned about the Mid-Atlantic/NWA and watched them progress into World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
Since the mid-80's there has only been 1 year that I DIDNT follow pro-wrestling.
I traded wrestling for a girl, she ultimately broke my heart, and I decided that any girl that came after her had to like pro wrestling. Well, at least tolerate it.
Mrs. Wrestling used to like it.
Now she just tolerates it.
Today I still watch the WWE product (and like you, I like some of it, I hate some of it) and keep an eye on a LOT of other products/promotions.
I'm old enough that I can go on and on, but I don't want to burn it all on the first post.
So, in closing...and just to show my age...I'm going to list my "all time" favorite wrestlers and then some quick notes about today's crop of wrestlers. (Just to prove that I CAN be objective when measuring old school versus today's product)
All Time Favorites (not really in any order):
Ric Flair
Bret Hart
Arn Anderson
Barry Windham
Muta
Goldust
Magnum TA
Rick Steamboat
Nikita Koloff
Stone Cold version of Steve Austin
William Regal
Today's inventory:
- I don't hate on Roman Reigns like most others. I DO think they should turn him heel, he's got a natural heel vibe. But on either side of the book I think he's rather good.
- I think, if booked properly, Braun Strowman can be absolutely mind-blowing-ly incredible for as long as he and the WWE want it.
- I think Lucha Underground is one of the most amazing TV shows Pro Wrestling ever produced. I hope they can keep their funding, because both the talent and the production are amazing.
- I'm NOT a fan of women's wrestling. At all. That's not to be sexist. It just doesn't entertain me. For every "great" like Gail Kim, Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair there are too many others who are just average in the ring and awful on the stick. When you couple this with limited talent pool (most every fed sees the same 6 or 7 girls wrestle each other each month) it gets un-interesting, quickly.
- Doesn't Charlotte wrestle JUST like her father?! I mean .. the mannerisms! Not just the ring work.
- AJ Styles? Of course, yeah. Phenomenal.
- Kevin Owens? For a guy who doesn't "look" the part, he's entertaining as all get out.
- Have you seen Pro Wrestling Guerrilla? If you haven't, you need to. PWG was cool long before NXT was.
Oh man, I can go on and on.
In fact, some of the stuff I wrote above I'm going to expand into Blog entries.
PLEASE feel free to comment the blog, and connect with me on Twitter!
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