Guest Downhome Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 I have been doing a bit of research, polling, and other means of investigation. I have talked to many new, young fans of Pro. wrestling and I have learned something that I didn't really expect. When I say young, I mean 12-14 year olds and the such, just so you know. Anyhow... ...I have just been asking around who they like, what styles they like, etc... and I have found out that the majority of these fans do NOT enjoy guys like Benoit, Eddy, Flair, and other guys in this grouping. Now I'm sure there are many who do not feel this way, and I'm sure many are HERE at Smarks, but I know many who DO feel like this. I ask them about them, and they say they find them borring, uninteresting, and just plain bad. They tell me they hate their styles, they can't stand their matches, and just just plain out despise their talking. Overall, they just don't like them period, lol. Do any of you guys know young fans like this? The type who hate the "workers", but are crazy about guys like Test, Goldust, The Big Show, etc... I don't know, but if there are more like the many that I have spoken with lately, then I am very, VERY worried, lol. Sincerely, ...Downhome...
Guest TheSmarkzone Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 Test is a worker. He's just a big worker.
Guest Big McLargeHuge Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 Yeah I do. The type of guys who would prefer Austin's brawling style in his endless string of matches with Taker in 99 as opposed to his brilliant run with Bret. Yeah, I know these guys. They like violence, not 'art' (if you can call it that). What can I say? Vince has trained the audience well. Oh and Test is GOD.
Guest Anglesault Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 Test is a worker. He's just a big worker. who happend to put on subpar matches. Remember, do not confust "effort" with "workrate"
Guest RickyChosyu Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 I think most kids are Hardy Boy marks. That's just from what little insight I've gathered in the matter. And seeing as Flair is generally respected by people who actually have some knowledge of wrestling's history, most kids who see him just think "old" and move on. Not Hogan though, he's a cartoon; cartoon's don't age. My little sister (14) hates Booker T. with a passion. I've never figuered out why, though.
Guest Jobber of the Week Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 I'm probably one of those kinds of fans. I started watching in January 99 and my two favorite guys were probably Mick Foley and The Rock. Rock was basically a jobber post WM15 but I loved to watch and listen to his promos. Now he seems a bit more of a showboat than a wrestler, but anyway... I think the more unique styles are going to eventually get over thanks to RVD. The crowd pops like a mofo for him. Benoit's problem is he can't talk and he's always booked as a heel. The only way to get fans to draw to him as a heel is by making him go over so many guys that people say "Damn, he kicks ass."
Guest TheSmarkzone Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 My little sister (14) hates Booker T. with a passion. I've never figuered out why, though. I had a talk with her.
Guest bps "The Truth" 21 Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 IF there is a thread that RVD hasn't been mentioned in yet...you can bet I'll bring it up (still trying to work it into the NAsh threads) Anyway... THIS thread is the reason I am solidly in RVDs corner for a push to the top. he's got exactly what the youth wants...if they like the Hardys...they like RVD...you know? Alot of viewers in the youth bracket got the "F" out when Hogan won the title. And they have done nothing to win them back. HHH and Taker? Old News. The Rock? Only around for a few weeks Angle? SUre...if they would stick with it..he should have accross the board appeal But they need RVD or Edge to mix in with the top guys to attract youth and expose them to different workers. And you know where my vote goes.
Guest TheSmarkzone Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 I really, really, really try to at least respect all wrestlers, even if I don't care for them. But there is always ONE guy who just drives me absolutely nuts and I can't help but hate him with a passion. First, it was The Godfather. Then it was Scotty 2 Hotty. Then it was K-Kwik. Then it was the Bossman. Now it's Booker T.
Guest MarvinisaLunatic Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 Uh..the only thing that worries me is that a kid that looks to be 8-10 years old calls Rico a Homo time and time again, and he wasn't copying anyone else saying it (at the house show I was at anyway). I don't know where the kids parents were, but If I said something like that back when I was 8-10, id be eating soap for a week. I don't really have a wrestler that drives me crazy per se. I guess its Mark Henry, but I think watching Mark Henry is painful for just about everyone.. And Im all for the new guys to come in, but I do think there needs to be at least a balance of veteran talent.
Guest bps "The Truth" 21 Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 In all seriousness...I was talking to my friend today (OK...so hes not a kid..but he doesn't watch wrestling...so same difference)... anyway...I was telling him about Flair vs. Steamboat in 89 and how after Steamboat made Flair give up to the double chicken wing he worked Flairs arm in the subsequent match to set him up for it... ...and how Flair would work the leg so he could utilize his figure-4... and how the whole thing ended with Flair cradling Steamboat after his leg gives from being worked over. He thought that was just brilliant storytelling and something that he could easily get into. The point is...some jerkoff kid in an Albert t-shirt...this all means nothing to him. I'll say it again: Hogan made wrestling popular...Flair made it an artform. Damn Vince McMAhon on this one I guess...his choices have led to a lack of education...thats the problem here IMO.
Guest Downhome Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 Hogan made wrestling popular...Flair made it an artform. That should be like, the official quote for the entire sport of Pro. Wrestling. Also, jus for the record, I never said that I didn't like Test, I just find it odd that they would like him over say, Benoit or Eddy.
Guest bps "The Truth" 21 Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 My problem with Test is his getting pushed whitout being over. Which happens every couple months. He tries real hard...has a big moveset... but he doesn't really know when to use it or how to put a match together... He tried to wrangle Brock at KOTR...it wasn't all that successful. If he were over and getting pushed...I'd be cool with that.
Guest Jobber of the Week Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 Damn Vince McMAhon on this one I guess...his choices have led to a lack of education...thats the problem here IMO. Well, we also haven't seen any storytelling of that level since, what, 95? I think somewhere along the line a bunch of casual fans came in and made Vince a bunch of money. The problem with many casual fans is they only care to watch a wrestler enter to his music and leave to his music. I know how it works. I remember back in the mark days where after two guys would take to the ring I could go off and play a computer game or something because everything I wanted to know about the match could be told by who's music was playing afterwards. Casual fans WILL pay attention to in-ring product if it contains moves that keep them awake. Restholds, bearhugs, and working the arms these are not. Try things like chokeslams and spinebusters as well as RVD's entire offense. Also, sick bumps help too, which is why Shane McMahon matches are remembered so fondly.
Guest Flyboy Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 The point is...some jerkoff kid in an Albert t-shirt...this all means nothing to him. They make those?!
Guest evenflowDDT Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 The point is...some jerkoff kid in an Albert t-shirt...this all means nothing to him. They make those?! That's what I said. Actually, if you think about it, I like Benoit but why SHOULD younger kids? Younger kids, as has been mentioned earlier in this thread, are more interested in wanton violence (because "it's cool", and they can't get it anywhere else) or "full packaged" guys with a lot of personality like The Rock. With the possible exception of 4 Horsemen (which I really don't know about, but I'm just throwing it out based on what I've heard), Benoit hasn't really had any personality. Ever. And when you have kids that don't care about technical wrestling, there's nothing in him for them to appreciate. I really don't know why you're so worried about it, as kids will be kids. They'll either grow to appreciate technical wrestling, or stop watching. Either way is really fine with me, as I'll admit, even though I like technical wrestling, I was still pretty bored by last year's Benoit/Angle ultimate submission match, which is probably the longest technical match the WWF has had in years. As long as they balance it out, and give the kids what we want, and me what I want, I could care less. I mean WWE is a business, they do have to cater to everyone... or at least the highest denominater (sp?).
Guest Razor Roman Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 When I was 12-14 I thought the Ultimate Warrior was great, Ric Flair was inferior to Hulk Hogan, and Cactus Jack was evil. Now I know Warrior sucked, Hulk Hogan is inferior to Flair, and Foley is Good. 'Nuff said.
Guest humongous2002 Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 It's all about the WWE marketing machine brainwashing the fans that don't know better. Why you think Hogan is still being cheered even though a petrified turd could run circles around him in the ring, answer WWE marketing machine of doom. I remember when I was 12 and watching wrestlemania 3, for the Hogan/ Andre match and being so dissapointed with it because the match actually put me to sleep, meanwhile I remember watching the Steamboat/Savage match and rewinding it to watch it a couple of more times b/c I just couldn/t believe how amazing these 2 guys looked in the ring for the same event.Good thing I wasn't too simple minded to get caught up in the Hulk-a-crap hype, because that's all that he is hype and nothing else. If the average 14 year old watches WWE for Test, Albert, Brock then they should tryout watching the Mr. Olympia because they got muscles too and they do their poses all the time and i personally think it's more entertaining that watching a Test v.s. Brock classic.
Guest Fook_Hing_Ho Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 My little bro is 14, and he thinks Brock Lesnar is amazing because "he never gets pinned". He also thinks Flair is "too old" and Benoit is "boring". The good part is he likes Angle and Booker, and he hates Hogan and Taker, but I just don't see his warming up to Flair or Benoit because he's too young to care about the history of the business or is patient enough to watch a strictly technical match with few highspots.
Guest buffybeast Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 The point is...some jerkoff kid in an Albert t-shirt...this all means nothing to him. WTF? What the hell does Albert have to do with this discussion???? I am the biggest Albert fan on the planet and I agreed with pretty much everything you said except for this assinine comment. And oh yes, T&A had a T-shirt. It was a limited edition t-shirt so it wasn't available to many people. It was that special.
Guest Austin3164life Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 Vince McMahon and the WWE miseducate younger audiences to worship the bigger and lesser talented dud wrestlers. That's just how it's been. Size has always mattered in the WWF/E. Why do you think guys like Diesel won the WWF Title and guys like Mabel won WWF King of the Ring. Vince has trained the young and uneducated eye (in pro-wrestling) to like the bigger man because he exerts more violence than wrestling. For a little while in 1996-1997, Vince became smart and started pushing the smaller and more talented guys like Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, and Steve Austin. What did young and old fans get? Great feuds, sensational matches, and excellent promos in the Main Event scene. Once Vince blew out competition he became bloated, so he felt anything he put out would be ratings. Thus we saw sensless brawling matches being booked. This has been the norm since about 1999. It'll take a while before Vince realizes that bigger and more violent men aren't the solution for great wrestling.........
Guest Prince Paul Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 I am the only "smark" out of all my friends. They are in their 20's. My one friend, said he missed Shane McMahon wrestling last night. Some others, call Jericho a little douchebag, totally think Storm and Regal are no talent wastes, and pop for HHH like he's the man. THIS IS WHAT I HAVE TO PUT UP WITH TWICE A WEEK! We're the minority, and always will be. Face it.
Guest Jobber of the Week Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 The good part is he likes Angle and Booker, and he hates Hogan and Taker, but I just don't see his warming up to Flair or Benoit because he's too young to care about the history of the business Either that or, like his Hogan hate, his dislike for old men in the ring applies to everyone, and he isn't as inconsistant about his grudges as you are. Not saying you're wrong or that I don't like Flair, because I do, but, well, you know...
Guest razazteca Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 Whenever I go to my friends house, his young cousins 11 & 12 always want to challange me to a of Wrestlemania X8 on Gamecube. When I picked Lance Storm I got a response like "why did you pick him he's Canadian" then I would respond with a markish "' Cause he is from "CALGARY ALBERTA CANADA". Well it would alway end up with then alway using RVD, Scotty 2 Hotty, Rock, SCSA or basically anybody that has a strong personality. The young ones tend to look for personality while older wrestling fans tend to look for ring work.
Guest Brian Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 Well, if they just gave some people personality and momentum...
Guest Brian Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 Wait, they might get over. ::HHH arrives to save the day::
Guest alfdogg Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 Wait, they might get over. ::HHH arrives to save the day:: Best. Post. Ever.
Guest Choken One Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 Personality is what a wrestler needs to become a Important player in the business. This is why Chris Beniot will never be worth shit to Vince McMahon...Good workrate won't jack ratings up. Personality devoid stars don't sell. A average 14-17 year person will tune to UPN and see Rock-Test and go...Cool Let's watch. They turn to TNN and See Chris Beniot and Eddy...These guys give me no reason to care. Click. Back to Raymond.
Guest Brian Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 Test has personality? It took time for the WWE to develop the Rock's personality. They have to do the same for Benoit or Eddie. These guys can wrestle so well, they can do it through their wrestling. I mean Eddie oozes rudo. Benoit's a fucking savage. Why can't they work with that.
Guest Ravenbomb Posted July 9, 2002 Report Posted July 9, 2002 that's how almost ALL my friends are. Save about one, any of my friends who are wrestling fans just Looooooooooooove 'Taker or the Hardy Boyz or someone like that, but Benoit or Eddy or Kai En Tai or anyone like that? Noooooooo, they 'suck because they don't win any matches' or are boring or some stupid reason like that. These are the same people who's favorite movie changes every time the next Dr. Dolittle or Will Smith movie comes out, and think Taxi Driver is 'that stupid show on Nick at Night' I feel old just talking to people sometimes... *sigh* oh, what were we talking about?
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now