So
the big story in wrestling this week, amazingly as Summerslam is on
Sunday, and I am sure there is no link at all *coughs*,
is that of Darren young coming out as gay. Which is great that he
feels comfortable enough to be himself. However as I read through the
tweets on the story, following up The Guardian’s story on the subject there
was so much negativity. Not towards Darren thankfully, this is The
Guardian after all, but towards wrestling fans. We are “@mansillo:
hill billies are not happy in fact very confused a gay man can do
anything contact sport like” and that “@EternalScot"sports"
star? Minor celeb more like” and a few others that got deleted as
well.
We
know its not a sport. We know it has predetermined finishes. We know
and quite frankly talk to the wrestlers, script writers and producers
of the shows on a regular basis. Dave Lagana (head writer for
TNA) is on the web all the time constantly checking feedback. Via
twitter and social media wrestlers talk to us from all over the
world. They are some of the most accessible, funniest and intelligent
conversationalists you are likely to find. This week I learned the
dreams of The Alpha Female, and talked Japanese wrestling with The Dark Angel, and found out who Adam Pearce would wrestle in an
Airport. Wrestling has guys like CM Punk who take their time out of
being entertaining one way, to be entertaining another and teach us
grammar.
And
yes there is the wrestling. Which we all love, because at a base
level we want to see the good guys win. At a higher level we want to
see people do amazing things,
we like blood and guts yes, but only when it means something. Sound
like a person who watches an TV drama right? That is what wrestling
is, with layered meta data with each participant. When I see Daniel
Bryan wrestle in front of a sold out crowd this Sunday at Summerslam,
if he wins the title I know I will cry. Why? Because I have seen him
wrestle all over the world for ten years, getting his head kicked in
Japan, taking on the luchadors of Mexico, putting together one hour
classics with AJ Styles and Samoa Joe, his victory will mean the
world to me because I believe in him. I do not care that he has made
me believe, I don't care that this is a concocted dramatic moment.
The sentiment is mine and others to enjoy.
Not
a real sport? I am sure John Cena whose arm looks like someone pumped
it up with an air compressor this week will tell you that injury is
as real as it gets (his second arm injury with in a year I might add), or Sheamus who had to have 6 pins put in his arm.
These people go through hell for us. So next time you see a striker
dive in the penalty area and appeal wildly when the defender never
touched him, don't complain that wrestling isn't real.
Is it a sport?
No its not, but its competition none the less, and far tougher than
any major sport to succeed in. There are about 2000, playing
jobs open in the NFL, how many playing jobs in world soccer, 5000?
the NBA has roster slots for 450 players plus all the other
professional leagues in the world. The WWE and the other large
wrestling promotions that can afford to pay full time offer about 300
jobs, world wide. If you want to do this you have to give your heart
and soul to it and that's just to make a living at it, never mind
become a star.
Pro
wrestling is not fake. Pro wrestling is what pro wrestling is, we get
it, we enjoy it, we love it. If you don't that's fine. However we had
out gay men running wrestling and we
accepted him years ago, I wonder if any other “sports” did that?
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