Children of the WWE

[Guest wrestlingbs]

You see them on the street, in bars, sitting in the stands.

 

They wear "FOCK FEAR", "Piece of the'Kish", and HHH cross shirts.

 

They think HHH deserves everything he has gotten, and turn off the tv if a match goes over 20 minutes.

 

I'm talking about WWE(F) fans. Solid WWE fans. Fans who have watched week after week without question. Fans who don't listen to the internet, or care if Vince thinks Raw is the better show. Fans who don't know or care about TNA, WCW, ECW, or the indies.

 

It would be too easy to label them marks. After all, most know it's all fake. It would be too easy to label them casual fans, since they watched with such devotion for such a long time. They rest somewhere in the middle between complete morons and arrogant know-it-all "smarks" who think heaven lies somewhere in a puro ring in Japan.

 

I myself probably rest somewhere in the latter catagory, since I know it's fake and have been critical of the WWE. But what I want to know is, do you think their position on the WWE is as valid as any regular smart mark? I know it all depends on what you like, but with all the embarassing ideas, backstage backstabbing, and blantent displays of ego, is it right to be critical of the WWE? Or do these Children of the WWE just have a more relaxed mindset?

[Jack_Bauer 0]

Everyone's opinion is valid. EVERYONE.

 

We may not agree, but someone is gonna defend WWE at every turn. Human nature ya see.

 

Of course it's right to be critical. There's no point in sitting back and being all 'this is great' when you think it's awful. It's criticism for the sake of criticism that annoys me and a lot of smart marks seem to do this, Scott Keith is the PREMIERE example.

[buffybeast 0]

Everyone's opinion is valid. EVERYONE.

Everyone's opinion may be valid but not always correct.

[Jack_Bauer 0]

NOBODY'S opinion is correct.

 

That's why it's opinion.

[justsoyouknow 0]

At first I thought that this was a piece of fan fiction about children that come out of cornfields at night wearing WWE shirts to kill innocent townspeople.

 

I guess I was wrong.

 

The WWE used to be infallible in my eyes...that is, of course, up until I realized that they were recycling the same old shit, week after week. It turns out that the WWE was wrong, and evil.

 

I used to be a "Child of the WWE". I owned a Stone Cold shirt and a Kurt Angle shirt. I wore them in public approximately once, then I realized what a tool I looked like.

 

As far as whether or not their opinion is valid...it all boils down to this: you know those guys you see at baseball games with their scorecards, that know every single fact about every single player, and like to talk strategy and all that jazz? Those are the equivalent of Smarks. Take a look around the stadium and you'll see that there are far more people that are simply there to enjoy the game. These are the equivalent of the marks. They don't make the game their life, they just make it a PART of their life. The marks outnumber the smarks. Fact of life.

[Guest JericholicEdgeHead]

Well over the last 5 years or so Vince has forced his idea that WWE is an action adventure/comedy show and NOT wrestling that more than likely a lot of today's fans are "Children of the WWE" in which they watch for the skits and shock elements and DON'T watch for the wrestling.

 

I honestly think I fall in the catagory of a last of a dying breed that loves the wrestling aspects of the show rather than the "entertainment". Sad but true.

 

So I guess Vince is starting to get what he has always wanted, fans who watch WWE as an adventure/comedy show.

[Adam 0]

Yep, but we are still going to be critical, and no one is going to stop us. We have our opinions, and we would like them to be heard. We might not always be right on the money the entire time, but we love the sport and want it to flourish. The fact is that some of the crap that has been on RAW lately is almost unwatchable.

[Jack_Bauer 0]

Correction Chosun.

 

The MAJORITY of EVERY RAW show has been poor. Vince isn't givin a damn though. So hey, I give up on RAW if Unforgiven is bad.

[Guest Coffey]

I like this thread and the idea behind it, however I don't really have anything useful to add to to it. I mean, what can I possibly say?

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

But, for every 8 "Children of WWE" that exist, there exists at least 1 "Children of the IWC." My nephew, only 8, enjoys the MATCHES more than the skits. I sat him down next to me once to watch the Super X-Cup show, and he left the room during the interviews and the videos and told me to call him when a match was happening.

My cousin, 12, is the same way. He'll watch the skits, and laugh when they're funny, or go "that was pretty cool" when a good promo has been cut. But he pays close attention to the matches. His favorite wrestlers, when he was 9, were Nash and Goldberg. Now? Jericho and Eddie.

 

Of course, I had a huge helping hand in all of this, as I'll go on and on to both of them about how it's the match that actually brings the money, because if there was a show with nothing but the skits and the brawls, nobody would watch. A good promo can make you laugh and raise the ratings, but a good match can make you sit back and go "damn, I wish I was a wrestler."

 

...man, I wish I never let my ex borrow my taped copy of Rumble '03...now I'll have to buy the DVD to show my young'uns a REAL great match (Angle/Benoit).

[Guest wrestlingbs]

I like this thread and the idea behind it, however I don't really have anything useful to add to to it. I mean, what can I possibly say?

Yeah, good point. i just see these people and think "Am I an idiot for being critical or are these guys idiots for not getting tired of the WWE?"

[Jack_Bauer 0]

I have to say I disappear for promos and skits and stuff now and go back to watching when something is happening and that's why I find RAW to be bad. I find myself 'sitting on my hands' for most of the show and sometimes, I don't even get ANYTHING. There IS some funny shit that I enjoy, but other than that RAW has become a joke in my opinion.

[Guest Coffey]

Actually, there is something that I want to say. I don't really know how well it will tie into this thread, but I'm going to say it anyway.

 

It's not any new news that's groundbreaking or anything. Something, I'm sure, most people have thought of, but I just wanted to put it into text.

 

Professional wrestling is a joke.

 

That's it. That's the statement. Think about it. When you meet a new person, is one of the first things you tell them "I'm a wrestling fan. I've been watching for years!" Probably not. I know that personally, I don't like to talk about wrestling at all. Today, at work, my Aunt (who is my boss) was talking about the episode of Survivor that she watched last night. I was laughing at her and just joking around and she retaliated with "You have a lot of room to talk Mr. WWF for 21 years."

 

Then my co-workers started asking me about wrestling. Why I watched, etc. It was awful. If you try to explain puro or lucha to a mark, you might as well start talking to the wall.

 

Me: "I watch a lot of Japanese wrestling nowadays because I'm more into the sport of the business than the soap opera type storylines."

 

(Now, that didn't really sound smark did it? I didn't think it did. Even talking to someone not in the know, that would make sense, right?)

 

Co-Worker: "Why do you watch foreign wrestling?"

 

Me: "I just told you. It's more like a sport overseas. The WWE is pretty much a joke nowadays."

 

Co-Worker: "What's the WWE?"

 

Me: "They used to be the WWF..."

 

Co-Worker: "Oh, Stone Cold, I got'cha."

 

I walked away after that.

 

Now, I don't think that I am better than anyone. I just happen to follow wrestling a lot more closely than a lot of people do. I consider it a hobby. Well, it's not a good thing when you don't like to talk about your hobby.

 

Remember when the last wrestling boom happened? You could buy D-X, nWo or Austin shirts in almost every store. Even the better stores. I was still in school back then, and people just suddenly were wrestling fans. Of course, they all tried to act like they have been fans forever...when they were just straight lying.

 

Them: "Steve Austin kicked his ass!"

Me: "Yeah, you remember when he was Stunning Steve Austin?"

Them: "What!?"

 

It became the "cool" thing to like. Suddenly, I didn't want to like it anymore.

 

So, when watching wrestling, I have two phases:

 

Phase 1: Wrestling is popular. Everyone likes it and talks about it. However, I feel uncomfortable talking about it with people who don't has as much knowledge on the subject as myself. Not because they are a mark and I am a smark, but a big reason is because I don't even realize the vocabulary I use when talking about it. A "mark" doesn't know what a "mark" or a "smark" is. The don't know what a "bladejob" is or what I'm talking about when I say "they went home early." You know what I mean? I almost feel embarassed about it.

 

The internet made me that way.

 

Phase 2: Wrestling isn't popular. No one talks about it or admits to liking it. Of course, I don't either, so it's like a "secret hobby." I almost feel embarassed about it.

 

So, both phases involve me being embarassed to admit that I am a wrestling fan. Why is that?

 

Well, I think a good reason is because the way that wrestling is perceived.

 

I was watching a show the other day, and this guy was talking about Mike Tyson joining K-1. Anyway, long story short, he was making fun of Tyson and said that "He has almost hit the bottom of the barrel. The only place he has left is the WWF."

 

Of course, still no one acknowledges them as being the WWE. That's not the point though. The point is, in all facets of the real world, pro-wrestling is perceived as a joke. At least here in America. Seeing as how I live here in America, I guess it makes sense to be embarassed about it.

 

It's sad really.

 

"Hey Coffey, did you see that Ms. Hancock dancing on the announce table last night? Who'boy, lemme tell ya..."

 

Man...

[Jack_Bauer 0]

In the UK, it has a secret fanbase. The fans that dont watch it untill someone admits that they do.

 

In 98, EVERYONE admitted it.

[Guest webmasterofwrestlegame]

Yeah even up until 2002 it was pretty popular here in the UK.

 

Now its gone back to 1997 levels - people just don't know what its all about when I wear a WWE shirt in public now.

[Jack_Bauer 0]

I have not seen ONE person with a t-shirt these days.

 

THIS is how people see the great sport*cough* of professional wrestling.

 

Smackdown makes me watch, RAW doesnt.

 

Kinda makes me realise that the brand split could fuck WWE up good and proper.

[razazteca 0]

Hey when Raw's new "talent" is Jonathan Coachman, it's time to look for entertainment elsewhere.

[Jack_Bauer 0]

Im giving them a chance on the PPV. They better deliver at least ONE GOOD MATCH !

 

If not, im through with RAW.

[Guest Coffey]

That's not fair. Look at the card! The only matches that even have potential to break *** are Orton/HBK (not happening) & the 3-way Dance (won't happen either).

[Guest vex_hecubus]

Just a few things to say...First to the initial post of this thread, you said:

 

"I myself probably rest somewhere in the latter catagory, since I know it's fake and have been critical of the WWE.

 

This is one thing I've often said for many many years. Yes the gimmicks and storylines are faked and figments of some think-tanks perverse obsession. However to say that the acts these individuals put on on a regular basis, are not...Ok so they sell a few things here an there, it helps draw the match along...But to say a superplex off the top of a steel cage, or leaping off of a steel cage onto a table below is fake...Is the absolute factor of stupidity....This isn't The Looney Toons, if you drop an ACME anvil on someone, they will get hurt...If it's so fake explain to me why various wrestlers have to constantly go under the knife to correct physical problems, such as neck injuries? You can't fake injuries...Actually you can however but the sheer number of wrestlers injured shows it's not "fake"

 

Now onto the second statement I wanted to address:

 

"When you meet a new person, is one of the first things you tell them "I'm a wrestling fan. I've been watching for years!" Probably not."

 

Granted normally when I meet a new person the first thing I tell them is "Hi!" or some other type of greeting. However if the topic turns to interests and hobbies, I will openly discuss my interests in Professional Wrestling...Why hide that which you love and are interested in? Sure they may not like it or agree with your interests...But who cares if they don't appreciated it, just say you like it because you find it interesting...I mean look at how many people watch day time soap opera's?

 

As for the work environment I guess it varies from company to company and the people employeed. At the peak of employment at my office I remember about 10%-20% of the staff were openly avid wrestling fans, and a bit more of a percentage were "closet" wrestling fans.

 

In closing of my most excellent and bodacious written essay I, Vex Hecubus, Esquire have this to say...Pro Wrestling is about 80%-90% "fake" but it's that other percentage that really counts. And don't deny your love for the industry most excellent dudes and dudettes...Embrace it! Embrace the industry and say it loud and say it proud...I love wrestling! *air guitars*

[Guest TheBigCalbowski]

I was once one of these children of the WWE, but over the last couple years, I've evolved. However, I have no problem with letting anyone know I'm a wrestling fan. Hell my cubicle at work is decorated with PSD cutouts of wrestlers. I got like Benoit, RVD, Styles, Lyger, etc. Quite a range. And no one gives me any shit about being a wrestling fan at all. However, I'm always prepared if they dare to question me cause I've got enough intelligence to shut them up. As for wearing wrestling shirts in public, I treat them just like any other shirt I own. I wear them when I feel like it. Usually decided by whatever is at the bottom of a pile of clean shirts.

[Guest Coffey]

It's easy to say that you "love wrestling" on the internet, behind your computer, at a community full of other people who follow the same hobby.

 

It's a lot different scenario when you start talking about hobbies when you're trying to find a date, or small talk with you coach at a football practice.

 

You know what I mean? Prowrestling is frowned upon.

[Guest Coffey]

Well, I guess the people of River City: Terre Haute, Indiana are just different then. Or maybe it's just because I have more self respect than to admit that I watch WWE which presents shit like necrophilia, rape & murder...and then proceed to market toys and whatnot to kids who had to sit through that shit without knowing what's going on.

 

I wouldn't say that I'm ashamed to admit that I like wrestling. It more of a case of "not wanting to get into it" for me. I don't want to have to explain myself. I don't want to sit through the uncomfortable silence or the snickers/sneering. Hell, even if I was talking to another wrestling fan, I just don't want to have the face to face confrontation. Difference of opinion or whatnot.

 

Behind a computer is one thing. You can type what you're thinking, reread it, and make sure that it's what you want to say. Face to face however, if you say something, you can't go back on it because that would make you a hypocrite. Sometimes I've been known to say some shit without thinking about it first.

 

My mouth has definitely got me in trouble before....

[The Amazing Rando 0]

I can't stand explaining to some people why I enjoy it.

 

I have co-workers that wouldn't watch Smackdown except that Undertaker is on it...

 

and that tune into Raw every every every single week no matter what and really enjoy it.

 

I don't really care about why they do or do not like Raw... but the UT/Smackdown thing just freaks me out.

 

I have to try really hard to explain why I enjoy Kurt Angle or Benoit or Eddie or anyone else...and if i even get into Japanese wrestling or the indys...

 

that is...of course...impossible...

 

 

 

 

so I keep my opinions to myself mostly...

[Guest Coffey]

I can't stand explaining to some people why I enjoy it.

 

I have co-workers that wouldn't watch Smackdown except that Undertaker is on it...

 

and that tune into Raw every every every single week no matter what and really enjoy it.

 

I don't really care about why they do or do not like Raw... but the UT/Smackdown thing just freaks me out.

 

I have to try really hard to explain why I enjoy Kurt Angle or Benoit or Eddie or anyone else...and if i even get into Japanese wrestling or the indys...

 

that is...of course...impossible...

 

 

 

 

so I keep my opinions to myself mostly...

Pretty much what I've been trying to say.

 

You summed it up by leaving all your sentences without explanations. You just don't know what to do in situations that arise from talking about it. That's why I avoid it altogether.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

I'd just like to say that I proudly sport my Austin 3:16, Degeneration X, ECW, Raven, Rob Van Dam, Triple Threat, and Taz t-shirts in public. Hell, I want to be BURIED in either my Shadows Fall shirt or my ECW shirt.

[Jesse Badass 0]

Screw that, I wear my Bret-Hart shirt to the mall sometimes. One day I was wearing it and one of my friend said: Why are you wearing that old ass Bret Hart shirt or any kind of wrestling shirt?

 

you can wear a Magic Johnson throw-back but not a Bret Hart shirt? that's bullshit.

 

some people love movies, Music or whatever. I love wrestling and I make sure I let people know that.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Opinions can be uneducated and ignorant and therefore invalid.

 

If I ask my 5 year old cousin about the political, social, and economic situation in Sierra Leone - a place he has never even heard of - and he says "it's good", is that opinion valid?

 

In terms of giving weight to wrestling fans' opinions, it all depends on who you talk to. There could be someone who has never been on the internet before and has a better understanding of what wrestling is than someone who has spent a decade on-line. Hell, when I was 7 I had a better understanding of psychology and selling in wrestling than a lot of people on various messageboards.

[Mecha Mummy 0]

Right now, the majority of my favorite shirts are wrestling related. My Matt Hardy V1 shirt, my Raven shirt, my Spanky shirt, my Prophecy shirt, and even my E & C shirts are amongst my faves.

 

When it comes to talking to other people about it, I normally go "Well, y'see, I'm a bit of a wrestling fan" and people either humor me or talk about how they used to watch it and I can actually have an enjoyable conversation with them. And if someone says they don't like it? I shrug, say "That's cool, you have a right to your opinion" and move on.

 

*Shrugs* I do feel awkward admitting it at times but after I do I feel fine about it.