You Wouldn't Know Art If You Were In A Steel Cage With It
You can say that professional wrestling is a complete waste of time. Not a sport. FAKE. For rednecks and hillbillies only. You could say any or all of that. But you'd be wrong. Oh, sure. You're entitled to your opinion. But, you'd still be off base.
It IS a sport. It DOES take talent - more than you'll ever know. Are the matches "predetermined"? The endings, yes. A few of the moves that take place during... sure. But, the fact remains, it IS a performance art. An art that requires the utmost in athleticism, intelligence, trust. And people all over the country - no, the WORLD - are watching it every single night of the week. Why? What's the attraction? Why do folks flock to it on TV and in arenas everywhere?
I'll tell you how it started for me. It goes back to that "art" thing. I've been a fan for a long time. For as far back as I can remember. So many people that I know hearken back to seeing Hulk Hogan beat the Iron Sheik for the belt on 1.23.84. Jimmy Snuka losing to Don Muraco (yes, he DID lose before the leap) and then leaping on him from high atop the Steel Cage at Madison Square Garden. But not me. Before then, it was wrestling on the SuperStation. National Wrestling Alliance - "The MAJOR LEAGUES of Professional Wrestling". I'd read about it in magazines and be intrigued by results and storylines from all across the country and wish that I could watch it more. I'd sneak it on the tube against my mothers' requests and I'd watch on TBS and see Gordon Solie interviewing Paul Ellering and the Road Warriors, immediately before Hawk & Animal would walk 10 feet to the ring from the broadcast podium and annhiliate Mike Jackson and another skinny white fella in a singlet. I'd be scared just looking at those guys (the Road Warriors... and I guess, Mike Jackson's pasty skin tone... but I digress). Dusty Rhodes. Magnum T.A. Buzz Sawyer. Ronnie Garvin. Jimmy Garvin. Ivan and Nikita Koloff. The Freebirds. The Funk Brothers. The Von Erichs. The Rock N' Roll Express. The Midnight Express. Roddy Piper. Bob and Brad Armstrong. Wildfire Tommy Rich. And of course Ric Flair. With Tully Blanchard, Ole and Arn Anderson, it was always a treat to watch them. The Four Horsemen. To see Flair talk on the microphone was always spectacular. Always believable. You never knew what he'd say next. And, the content of the interviews and the close proximity of the ring usually meant a brawl would take place and as a viewer, you would indeed be enthralled. Captured. Engaged. In love with the spectacle. The sport. Instantaneously.
To me, it was so different from anything else. It was unique. Still is. You just have to know where to look. Because nowadays, it seems that those who don't really know, immediately equate Wrestling with World Wrestling Federation...er...Entertainment. But those who DO know, know that's like watching "Reservoir Dogs" on network television. Watered down. Hollywood-ized. Blah.
Oh sure, the best wrestling to watch still has an element of entertainment to it... but not 4 hours each week of nothing but 2 minute matches sandwiched in between corporatized muscle men with microphones, reading the same script for 4 weeks straight - sort of that "repitition will get the point across thing" - to sell more PPV's every month.
No, the best of the best - the 100's of independent federations all over the world - features promos by the wrestlers, and then, solid matches that consist of actual wrestling technique, acrobatics, dexterity, charisma. They work because they're real. And that's because you're REALLY trusting your opponent. You're REALLY trusting yourself. You're REALLY trusting the BUSINESS. The original intents of the business. You are being TRUE to what has made wrestling live, thrive and grow every single day for 100's of years. You're close to home. THAT is what it's all about. THAT is why some of my favorites - Corino, Daniels, Styles, Low Ki... are names that YOU may have never heard. But I know who they are. So do the REAL fans of Professional Wrestling. Those who are passionate enough to care. To search for heroes with credibility - not "indy cred" per se... but values, morals, personal beliefs that they follow... NOT the trail of receipts attached to a giant checkbook in New York.
They travel together, share life's golden moments together. Things that no one else outside of the businss would or could understand (the travel, the pain...) To that end I guess they're similar to circus folk. Are they "carnies" though? To a certain extent, I suppose. But, that's such a negative intonation, isn't it?. Maybe a bad choice of words, in hindsight. A carny will work you to get your money, all the while putting you over and building you up before cutting off your legs and stealing your wallet. Wrestlers will also work you and at the end of the night WILL get your money - but they'll give you what you've paid for and do it gladly because they love what they do. Again, they're like a family. A fraternity. Oft times, they have many friends amongst those that they work with. Not many outside of it. In my opinion, this is most likely to stay away from those who just don't "get it". To stay close to those who appreciate and understand what could possibly motivate a person to put their body on the line several days and nights a week. To push themselves to and past physical and mental limits for an occasional "high spot" that may make the crowd "pop" - or not. To sweat, bruise and yes, bleed. Oh, do they bleed. All for a paycheck? No. For the love of the game.
Most folks couldn't possibly understand. They still think it's fake (note to those folks: the blood is as real as the sweat, regardless of how it pours), predetermined and lacking substance and/or talent. Again, they'd still be wrong.
It's art. Just like an actor taking the stage. Just like painting a masterpiece. Just like writing a classic novel. Yes, I do put these men and women on that level. If you look past the surface, you'd see it too.
I guess I should count myself as extremely fortunate to have met many men and women in the business. Famous, not so famous... world reknown, known only in their own home. Whatever. I've met and respected each and every one. I admire the honesty, self assuredness, business accumen, talent and ability to be appreciative for every opportunity. How can any of those traits be "bad" or "unworthy of your time"? Answer? They can't be. They're more than worthy. Ask yourself - are YOU doing something for a living that makes you happy? Proud? Would you do it for next to nothing? Would you do it for the simple fact that it's what you feel you're good at and MUST do? No. You probably wouldn't.
As I get set to see the fruits - if any - of my first business venture in the wrestling community, it's a dream come true. And, in my short time on earth, I've had many and had many come true. My children being born. Getting married. Being a successful performer. Owning my own company. Done them. All have special places in my heart, mind and soul. This one does too. To work with someone I've admired for years... and the other folks working behind the scenes and in the ring as well...is almost indescribable. Almost beyond my ability to put in to words, what this means to me. (Anyone who knows me, knows that being speechless is something that would nearly require having my larynx ripped asunder...)
Do me a favor. If you're of the opinion that "big time wrasslin'" isn't much in terms of substance, please remember, it can affect all types of people. Young, old. Rich, poor. Whatever your color. Whatever your orientation. Whatever your beliefs and passions. There are no boundaries to its appeal. Sport, is sport. Art, is art. And when it comes to combining the two, Pro Wrestling - especially on the independent circuit - succeeds.
Here's to all the wrestlers pursuing their dreams, passions, lives and loves - inside the squared circle. And a special tip of the glass to Pro Wrestling World 1 ... may it truly bring happiness and satisfaction to all those involved in bringing the best of the best - to those that KNOW.
It IS a sport. It DOES take talent - more than you'll ever know. Are the matches "predetermined"? The endings, yes. A few of the moves that take place during... sure. But, the fact remains, it IS a performance art. An art that requires the utmost in athleticism, intelligence, trust. And people all over the country - no, the WORLD - are watching it every single night of the week. Why? What's the attraction? Why do folks flock to it on TV and in arenas everywhere?
I'll tell you how it started for me. It goes back to that "art" thing. I've been a fan for a long time. For as far back as I can remember. So many people that I know hearken back to seeing Hulk Hogan beat the Iron Sheik for the belt on 1.23.84. Jimmy Snuka losing to Don Muraco (yes, he DID lose before the leap) and then leaping on him from high atop the Steel Cage at Madison Square Garden. But not me. Before then, it was wrestling on the SuperStation. National Wrestling Alliance - "The MAJOR LEAGUES of Professional Wrestling". I'd read about it in magazines and be intrigued by results and storylines from all across the country and wish that I could watch it more. I'd sneak it on the tube against my mothers' requests and I'd watch on TBS and see Gordon Solie interviewing Paul Ellering and the Road Warriors, immediately before Hawk & Animal would walk 10 feet to the ring from the broadcast podium and annhiliate Mike Jackson and another skinny white fella in a singlet. I'd be scared just looking at those guys (the Road Warriors... and I guess, Mike Jackson's pasty skin tone... but I digress). Dusty Rhodes. Magnum T.A. Buzz Sawyer. Ronnie Garvin. Jimmy Garvin. Ivan and Nikita Koloff. The Freebirds. The Funk Brothers. The Von Erichs. The Rock N' Roll Express. The Midnight Express. Roddy Piper. Bob and Brad Armstrong. Wildfire Tommy Rich. And of course Ric Flair. With Tully Blanchard, Ole and Arn Anderson, it was always a treat to watch them. The Four Horsemen. To see Flair talk on the microphone was always spectacular. Always believable. You never knew what he'd say next. And, the content of the interviews and the close proximity of the ring usually meant a brawl would take place and as a viewer, you would indeed be enthralled. Captured. Engaged. In love with the spectacle. The sport. Instantaneously.
To me, it was so different from anything else. It was unique. Still is. You just have to know where to look. Because nowadays, it seems that those who don't really know, immediately equate Wrestling with World Wrestling Federation...er...Entertainment. But those who DO know, know that's like watching "Reservoir Dogs" on network television. Watered down. Hollywood-ized. Blah.
Oh sure, the best wrestling to watch still has an element of entertainment to it... but not 4 hours each week of nothing but 2 minute matches sandwiched in between corporatized muscle men with microphones, reading the same script for 4 weeks straight - sort of that "repitition will get the point across thing" - to sell more PPV's every month.
No, the best of the best - the 100's of independent federations all over the world - features promos by the wrestlers, and then, solid matches that consist of actual wrestling technique, acrobatics, dexterity, charisma. They work because they're real. And that's because you're REALLY trusting your opponent. You're REALLY trusting yourself. You're REALLY trusting the BUSINESS. The original intents of the business. You are being TRUE to what has made wrestling live, thrive and grow every single day for 100's of years. You're close to home. THAT is what it's all about. THAT is why some of my favorites - Corino, Daniels, Styles, Low Ki... are names that YOU may have never heard. But I know who they are. So do the REAL fans of Professional Wrestling. Those who are passionate enough to care. To search for heroes with credibility - not "indy cred" per se... but values, morals, personal beliefs that they follow... NOT the trail of receipts attached to a giant checkbook in New York.
They travel together, share life's golden moments together. Things that no one else outside of the businss would or could understand (the travel, the pain...) To that end I guess they're similar to circus folk. Are they "carnies" though? To a certain extent, I suppose. But, that's such a negative intonation, isn't it?. Maybe a bad choice of words, in hindsight. A carny will work you to get your money, all the while putting you over and building you up before cutting off your legs and stealing your wallet. Wrestlers will also work you and at the end of the night WILL get your money - but they'll give you what you've paid for and do it gladly because they love what they do. Again, they're like a family. A fraternity. Oft times, they have many friends amongst those that they work with. Not many outside of it. In my opinion, this is most likely to stay away from those who just don't "get it". To stay close to those who appreciate and understand what could possibly motivate a person to put their body on the line several days and nights a week. To push themselves to and past physical and mental limits for an occasional "high spot" that may make the crowd "pop" - or not. To sweat, bruise and yes, bleed. Oh, do they bleed. All for a paycheck? No. For the love of the game.
Most folks couldn't possibly understand. They still think it's fake (note to those folks: the blood is as real as the sweat, regardless of how it pours), predetermined and lacking substance and/or talent. Again, they'd still be wrong.
It's art. Just like an actor taking the stage. Just like painting a masterpiece. Just like writing a classic novel. Yes, I do put these men and women on that level. If you look past the surface, you'd see it too.
I guess I should count myself as extremely fortunate to have met many men and women in the business. Famous, not so famous... world reknown, known only in their own home. Whatever. I've met and respected each and every one. I admire the honesty, self assuredness, business accumen, talent and ability to be appreciative for every opportunity. How can any of those traits be "bad" or "unworthy of your time"? Answer? They can't be. They're more than worthy. Ask yourself - are YOU doing something for a living that makes you happy? Proud? Would you do it for next to nothing? Would you do it for the simple fact that it's what you feel you're good at and MUST do? No. You probably wouldn't.
As I get set to see the fruits - if any - of my first business venture in the wrestling community, it's a dream come true. And, in my short time on earth, I've had many and had many come true. My children being born. Getting married. Being a successful performer. Owning my own company. Done them. All have special places in my heart, mind and soul. This one does too. To work with someone I've admired for years... and the other folks working behind the scenes and in the ring as well...is almost indescribable. Almost beyond my ability to put in to words, what this means to me. (Anyone who knows me, knows that being speechless is something that would nearly require having my larynx ripped asunder...)
Do me a favor. If you're of the opinion that "big time wrasslin'" isn't much in terms of substance, please remember, it can affect all types of people. Young, old. Rich, poor. Whatever your color. Whatever your orientation. Whatever your beliefs and passions. There are no boundaries to its appeal. Sport, is sport. Art, is art. And when it comes to combining the two, Pro Wrestling - especially on the independent circuit - succeeds.
Here's to all the wrestlers pursuing their dreams, passions, lives and loves - inside the squared circle. And a special tip of the glass to Pro Wrestling World 1 ... may it truly bring happiness and satisfaction to all those involved in bringing the best of the best - to those that KNOW.
posted by swg11871 at 11:17 PM
2 Comments:
Georgia Championship Wrestling with Mean Gene, back in the late 70s early 80s. That was the shit. Superstar, Mr. Wrestling #2 (I still wonder who that was), Superfly Jimmy Snuka, J.Y.D., The Sheik, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Ole & Arn...the list goes on and on.
It was also the last time I could really get into it. The modern matches just don't grab me.
great website for wrestler names and bio's. I equate this site with IMDB in terms of comprehensiveness in relation to their respective genres.
http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/profiles/m/mr-wrestling-ii.html
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