Wrestling is a very unique form of entertainment. It has elements of sport, art, and drama which have made many people like me lifetime fans of this incredible industry. One of the most fascinating parts about this industry is the various perspectives one gets when it's talked about. For example, you have perspectives from the casual fans, kids, elderly fans, hardcore fans, etc. Nothing is more interesting or in many cases, humorous, than to have people of completely different generations and fan bases banter about the world of professional wrestling.
Recently I spoke to my girlfriend about the state of WWE today. I asked her, "Who would you consider the top guy in the company? Who can you see holding the WWE/World Championships?" Her answer was the following;
*John Cena
*Triple H
*Randy Orton
*Edge
Surprisingly, she had no mention of Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, or Batista. In her opinion, if all four of those guys above left the company, their ratings would plummet, merchandise sales would drop, and arenas would be emptier. I found this hysterical simply because I think she has some very valid points, but it proves that with casual fans such as herself, only a few names are relatable to the product as a whole. This I would imagine is the sole reason the WWE is pushing so hard for new superstars and new faces for their company.
Another example of our different perspectives is this; I can't wait to see how Jack Swagger does as the new World Champion. Her response to seeing that outcome on Smackdown this past Friday was "I don't care about him. Who is he? He doesn't have any business being the champion. I hope Edge beats him!" For the record, she is a massive Jeff Hardy fan, but doesn’t watch TNA. >.<
My grandparents are 79 and 81 years old. They watch Monday Night Raw weekly and put money into WWE’s pocket with merchandise and PPV purchases from time to time. Once again, the perspectives from them as fans are hysterical and interesting at the same time. For example, Randy Orton's face turn became more legit in my eyes when my Grandfather stopped booing him and wishing for his "Face to be re-arranged". Slowly he started turning his anger to the "Legacy boys", and occasionally shouted at the screen, "Come on Randy! Go get em' boy! Beat the crap out of them!"
You see, I never thought he would have this reaction last year. The build-up he and Triple H had leading up to their WMXXV match had him calling for Randy's head. And here we were a year later, and it's like he completely forgot. A classic example of many wrestling fans, especially those who don't read "backstage" or “insider” news. His innocence to the product is something I'll always remember when it comes to this business, as it's an example of how many kids act watching today as well. He went through a change with hating Christian back in TNA as well, to loving him all the way up through his second stint in WWE. Granted, he knows it's pre-determined, but many times he's emotionally pulled in, as he was with TNA for a time back a few years ago.
My Grandmother is a bit of a different story. She loves to read. And while she and my Grandfather watched a lot of wrestling back in the 40's and 50's, she never was a die-hard fan. That is, up until about 3 years ago. As they both started to watch on a regular basis, they loved the "soap opera-like" entertainment that wrestling had to offer, and still does. It started with TNA, and grew to WWE. She's read books including "The Death of WCW" and biographies from Bret Hart, Chris Jericho, Ric Flair, Ted Dibiase, and Edge. Her knowledge of the business has grown and many times a conversation we have goes like this;
Me- "So what do you think of the constant title changes from people cashing in their MITB briefcases?"
Her- "It's a change, but there are too many title changes lately. Too much back and forth."
Me- "I agree, I try to just enjoy who has the belt, especially if it's the first reign, just to see how they do."
Her- "I know that but the belts just don't mean much anymore. It's like their swapping every month, I miss the year-long or close to it stuff."
Me- "I can't argue with that. But look at CM Punk; he's become a great heel and that started with his second run cashing in."
Her- "Well you know I can't stand him. Never did when he was a babyface, and I especially don't now. I don't like him making a mockery of God. That's not right and I'm not surprised hearing that Shawn Michaels wasn't thrilled with the angle to begin with.
Me- “Well, I don’t know about that but what about TNA? That’s changed a lot hasn’t it?
Her- “TNA is filthy and classless, I can’t believe how much it’s changed in the last two years."
Me- “TNA and WWE are geared towards different audiences, which makes it all the more interesting. I would have never personally thought that my perspective would change on a company so much.”
Her- “I’d rather watch a funny midget when WWE is having a bad night, than TNA with all their slutty girls and bad language.”
Basically, she really notices a lot and it's so much fun to sit there with someone who is two generations ahead of me, and talk about a form of entertainment that has changed so much over the years. She’s definitely not afraid to speak her mind.
Change is all around the world of professional wrestling. Everyone will have their insights, their opinions, and their perspectives. Wrestling is different from sports in many ways but none clearer than the fact that individual superstars are what make wrestling tick, whereas in sports, superstars are loved, but the passion is with the team. Players come and go, some more revered than others. But in wrestling, if it's not for some superstars, people wouldn't even tune in.
This is the challenge that WWE and TNA both face today. Who are their future stars? Who will step up? Chances will have to be taken, and as for TNA, the same goes for them. Who is their face? It can't be Hulk Hogan forever. AJ is also beyond thirty years old which many people don't realize. Yet these questions are what keep fans like me interested. So many people say they stopped watching wrestling years ago for many reasons, but specifically because of people like the Rock and Steve Austin. They were larger than life to many, and were household names to fans across the globe.
To move on to the next chapter in their storybook existence, WWE has to continue to prepare for life without the likes of Triple H, Rey Mysterio, Dave Batista, and the Undertaker within the next few years. Shawn Michaels is already gone. I'm rooting for both of these companies, TNA included, to improve and evolve into the next chapter of their respective histories. Maybe only one will, or possibly both. Either way, what makes wrestling great is that everyone will see things differently. Debates will rage on forever, and new hall of famers will show themselves. What perspective won’t change? That wrestling is, no matter how you look at it, simply fascinating.
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