Support NeoGAF

[Evening Musuko]

I don't have a problem with it being fake, i do roll my eyes when people get excited about X wrestler being undefeated for X amount of time, quite the acomplishment that is.

Sorry, but that's how i see it.

Can you bet on wrestling matches even?

I can't get invested in a sport with fake champions. Yes they are magnificent athletes, but knowing it's all staged kills it for me.

You can bet on wrestling matches in some places, yes.

And the reason why people tend to get involved is because of storyline purposes. You're not really watching to see someone win, you're watching because of the story. You get to know these characters and their motivations and you want to see them succeed or fail in their plans. it's really no different to watching a TV show or a movie.

Or even sports.

 

[kiguel182]

Maybe it speaks to how bad the writing/scripting has become (or maybe it's really really good in a "we've believably shoehorned him into a situation we never anticipated and if your not heavily involved in the backstage politics you probably would have never known" kind of way? I dunno) but to me, as someone who admittedly has only gotten back into it the last year or so, all the writing was on the wall for bryan to take wrestlemania. Ever since Summerslam (i believe it was SS) where hbk and the authority screwed him over and orton cashed in his contract immediately after bryan won, it seemed like the powers that be were trolling fans being that his following was so huge. So from that moment i kind of figured he'd definitely get a legit comeuppance and what better place then wrestlemania where that following could swell even more going into they're biggest event of the year to help sell it. So yeah, the way i saw it, it all looked painfully obvious and the idea that there was even a possibility that he wouldn't even get the chance to legitimately regain and hold onto the title just seems like kind of ridiculous writing/booking given the outpouring of support he had been consistently getting.





Goldust never bothered. The only thing that bothered me on any kind of "sexual" level was Val Venis and the Mae West/Mark Henry angle. Both were a lil too overt in how they were handled but again, the attitude era

We all thought the logical conclusion was him winning the Rumble and winning at Mania. It seemed that it was their plan since SummerSlam but the truth is that it wasn't.

That's why that was real and why people say what they say about Bryan and all that story.

But, even if that was their original plan, the truth is that just getting to that point was a huge struggle for Bryan and it would always be a victory.

They aren't chosen to be champions just because so the wins aren't fake per se. They are going up in the card and all of that.

The stories might be fake but a lot of what we see has real repercussions and, for me, that's part of the fun.

I don't subscribe to the whole "I watch it because it's dumb" argument. I like it way more when they come up with stuff that has a real emotional impact like this whole Bryan saga (even if it wasn't their initial intention). Dumb wrestling can be fun but I rather have it good.

 

[KissVibes]

I don't have a problem with it being fake, i do roll my eyes when people get excited about X wrestler being undefeated for X amount of time, quite the acomplishment that is.

Sorry, but that's how i see it.

Can you bet on wrestling matches even?

I can't get invested in a sport with fake champions. Yes they are magnificent athletes, but knowing it's all staged kills it for me.

Do you ever root for a character and get excited for a plot development or their growth?

 

[Evening Musuko]

Flopping is far more disingenuous than wrestling ever could be.

Pissed that Mexico got eliminated but those dudes would have done the same shit if they could.

This is why I don't watch much sports these days. You can't expect me to take a game seriously when you have deception being accepted in a "real" sport.

 

[RoadHazard]

I think it's because wrestling fans talk about it like it's for real, and to us outsiders it just seems really silly.

 

[Marvel]

I think it's because wrestling fans talk about it like it's for real, and to us outsiders it just seems really silly.

Children yes, most adults no.

 

[The Elite]

I think it's because wrestling fans talk about it like it's for real, and to us outsiders it just seems really silly.

Most wrestling fans don't talk about it like it's real. At least the ones I know. Most talk about the backstage stuff and how it works into the product we're getting on screen.

Maybe kids talk about it like it's real but most adults I've spoken with don't.

 

[Perspicacity]

I think it's because wrestling fans talk about it like it's for real, and to us outsiders it just seems really silly.

No they talk about characters and motivations as part of the story, or about the real actors portraying the characters and the real people who are behind the production... like you would about any show.

 

[Lothar]

I think it's because wrestling fans talk about it like it's for real, and to us outsiders it just seems really silly.

Wrestling fans talk about it like people talk about any show on TV. Search for youtube videos of reactions to Game of Thrones deaths. Fans were screaming and crying. You would have thought real people actually died.

Most people comment on fictional stories as if they actually happened. Because if you can't suspend disbelief, there's no point of even watching.

 

[TsuXna]

Fake or not fake, still entertaining.

 

[Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!]

I dint think that Vince McMahon spending the last 20 years deliberately turning wrestling into a joke has done it any favors in the eyes of people who dont watch it

 

[Slayven]

Most people I know that hate wrestling pretty much hate all sorts of things. The world just pisses them off. Anything they don't like is either dumb or sucks.

Every laid back person I know is at the very least, ok with it, even if they don't watch.

Sad way to live

 

[SuicideUZI]

Anyone who says it's fake is missing the point. No one including the wwe is trying to claim it's a real fight and people aren't watching it to see a real fight, people watch it to be entertained.

 

[hbkdx12]

We all thought the logical conclusion was him winning the Rumble and winning at Mania. It seemed that it was their plan since SummerSlam but the truth is that it wasn't.

That's why that was real and why people say what they say about Bryan and all that story.

But, even if that was their original plan, the truth is that just getting to that point was a huge struggle for Bryan and it would always be a victory.

They aren't chosen to be champions just because so the wins aren't fake per se. They are going up in the card and all of that.

The stories might be fake but a lot of what we see has real repercussions and, for me, that's part of the fun.

I can get behind this. You've offered me more insight than i previously had.

I don't subscribe to the whole "I watch it because it's dumb" argument. I like it way more when they come up with stuff that has a real emotional impact like this whole Bryan saga (even if it wasn't their initial intention). Dumb wrestling can be fun but I rather have it good.

I too enjoy an engaging storyline/feud but it seems like their in kind of short supply these days. The more drawn out and engaging stuff seems to only coexist between the same handful of people (Trips, bryan, cena, orton, etc) which thus makes it less engaging (especially when it all seems to relegate itself to "lets have cena on top because...reasons") otherwise it's a feud that takes place just to push the next PPV. Even when i jumped back in, stuff like Robert Del Rio and Dolph Ziggler going back and forth for the world title was engrossing and now they're both basically D-tier who don't offer anything in regards to a storyline. AJ and Kaitlyn was engaging as well although that felt like it overstayed it's welcome but i blame that on the lack of divas talent (whatever happened to kaitlyn btw?). Hell, even watching Ryback and John Cena go at it for a couple of months was cool but now Ryback is basically D-tier too. The same say that Wyatt will get buried now that his feud with Cena is over. But that's all a rant for different thread.

 

[BronsonLee]

I dint think that Vince McMahon spending the last 20 years deliberately turning wrestling into a joke has done it any favors in the eyes of people who dont watch it

 

[Deleted member 47027]

Some of you should watch this, it explains everything on how wrestling works
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eE9D6Oq510

 

[strobogo]

Wrestling is for god damn queers, kids, rednecks, and god damn queer redneck kids.

 

[Marvel]

Wrestling is for god damn queers, kids, rednecks, and god damn queer redneck kids.

 

[Evening Musuko]

Children yes, most adults no.

Not even most kids these days. My little brother and sister are 12 and 10 and they've known it's just entertainment from the get go and they've been watching for years. I was the same way too. You'd be surprised at the amount of kids who talk about who's getting pushed or who's turning face. I honestly can't remember the last time I've met a kid who thinks it's "real".

 

[alterno69]

You can bet on wrestling matches in some places, yes.

And the reason why people tend to get involved is because of storyline purposes. You're not really watching to see someone win, you're watching because of the story. You get to know these characters and their motivations and you want to see them succeed or fail in their plans. it's really no different to watching a TV show or a movie.

Or even sports.

Do you ever root for a character and get excited for a plot development or their growth?

Fair point, guess i never saw it that way.

And yes, flopping and diving is a huge problem in Football but i don't know what could be done to curve it. I guess replays could help but you can't replay every foul. It's clear players even practice that shit cause i've played my fair shair or football and i'm not sure i could even dive like the pros.

 

[Marvel]

Not even most kids these days. My little brother and sister are 12 and 10 and they've known it's just entertainment from the get go and they've been watching for years. I was the same way too. You'd be surprised at the amount of kids who talk about who's getting pushed or who's turning face. I honestly can't remember the last time I've met a kid who thinks it's "real".

I was like that too, I should have said very young children because when I was like 5 I thought it was haha.

 

[strobogo]

If wrestling is fake, then why did Godzilla learn the art of the Lou Thesz Press?

Why did a giant lobster do a spinning neck breaker in the ocean to Godzilla?

Why did Godzilla learn a picture perfect lady's body slam?

And you're telling me that's all fake? Real life techniques used by Godzilla himself. Nothing fake about it.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

I think it's because wrestling fans talk about it like it's for real, and to us outsiders it just seems really silly.

I don't know anyone who does this but stupid people. It's just like any other show when it comes to Internet commenters. Breaking Bad had a lot of fans, and about half of them were just brainless jerks watching for the male wish fulfillment in Walter White, but the other half were discussing the ins and outs of the show.

 

[RP912]

If wrestling is fake, then why did Godzilla learn the art of the Lou Thesz Press?

Why did a giant lobster do a spinning neck breaker in the ocean to Godzilla?

Why did Godzilla learn a picture perfect lady's body slam?

And you're telling me that's all fake? Real life techniques used by Godzilla himself. Nothing fake about it.

Godzilla invented chris jericho

 

[DMczaf]

Not even most kids these days. My little brother and sister are 12 and 10 and they've known it's just entertainment from the get go and they've been watching for years. I was the same way too. You'd be surprised at the amount of kids who talk about who's getting pushed or who's turning face. I honestly can't remember the last time I've met a kid who thinks it's "real".

This brings a tear to my eye. Our future is so bright ;_; :*)

 

[GoutPatrol]

Because if you like combat sport, your time could be used better by watching the real thing.

I would rather watch guys work together and try not to hurt each other, but look like they are, than guys really trying to hurt each other.

 

[see5harp]

Wrestling and sports is not a good comparison at all. Maybe figure skating or gymnastics only you plan the outcome and scoring before the match starts.

 

[strobogo]

All sports are sports entertainment. There is no such thing as a pure sport. Unless there is a sport that has no spectators and isn't recorded in any way.

If you think wrestling is fake, you obviously haven't seen this:

NSFW NSFW NSFW NSFW NSFW

Also, MMA is a work. It's pretty well known.

 

[Perspicacity]

Wrestling and sports is not a good comparison at all. Maybe figure skating or gymnastics only you plan the outcome and scoring before the match starts.

So exactly like figure skating.

 

[Sibersk Esto]

every time I hear this, my answer is the same every time:

 

[Lambda Pie]

Also, MMA is a work. It's pretty well known.

 

[strobogo]

 

[Lambda Pie]

 

[strobogo]

Hey, I'm sorry if the truth hurts. But, I've been dealing with "smart marks" like you for literally a decade. Continue to complain about things online, but continuing to watch the product. Ya' know what I do when I don't like the main character of a TV show I used to enjoy? I stop watching it.

 

[RP912]

Wow he's been grounded on the mat that long :/

 

[Lambda Pie]

Hey, I'm sorry if the truth hurts. But, I've been dealing with "smart marks" like you for literally a decade. Continue to complain about things online, but continuing to watch the product. Ya' know what I do when I don't like the main character of a TV show I used to enjoy? I stop watching it.

iunderstoodthatreference.gif

Wow he's been grounded on the mat that long :/

don't forget the hilarious moment that lead up to that

 

[Lumpy Onion]

I used to be that way. Always talking shit about how fake it was and how people who watched it were dumb for believing...etc. And yet I had never actually seen a match at the time. But now that I am older I see it as an entertaining spectacle that's a whole lotta fun.

 

[Spinluck]

I don't watch it myself, used to be a fan though.

But Wrassle-GAF is funny as hell.

Up there in funniness with my bros in NFL-GAF, I sometimes lurk when bored and there is nothing on GAF.

 

[trixx]

To me becauase it's fake it loses it's lustre for me. Everything is just so animated.
I don't find it as entertaining anymore as i did in the past as well. Basically same stuff to me every week.

UFC i can tolerate sometimes. Generally if I am watching with friends otherwise no.

 

[ultron87]

Wrestling would suck if it was real. People would sprint up ladders and grab belts two minutes into the match. They'd get hit with a chair once and be down for the count. Tag team matches where one guy gets isolated on the wrong side of the ring would just end with that guy getting stomped into the ground and pinned instead of struggling his way over to his partner to get the tag in. People would get pinned after a random boring suplex instead of a flashy finisher. A guy getting taken out on a stretcher or sent back stage due to an injury would be a tragic occurrence instead of an opportunity for him to run back in five minutes later to the delight of the crowd.

 

[strobogo]

UFC is the most boring shit in the world right now. Ask anyone in MMA GAF. Being real is a huge negative.

 

[Perspicacity]

don't forget the hilarious moment that lead up to that

This is some Nick Patrick shit

 

[Lambda Pie]

UFC is the most boring shit in the world right now. Ask anyone in MMA GAF. Being real is a huge negative.

it's stale as fuck, yeah.

 

[RP912]

This is some Nick Patrick shit

stache and all.

 

[Parch]

Modern WWE isn't the same so I'm not really a fan anymore, but still I understand the appeal. It's just some TV fun that can be experienced at live events. Nobody takes is seriously.

I always got a laugh at the haters who proclaim the fakeness like they're providing some sort of revelation.
"You know it's fake, don't you?"
Gee, no shit sherlock. Did you really think that wrestling fans never realized this? Who's the bigger idiot? The wrestling fan who knows it's fake, or the guy who thinks that wrestling fans don't know it's fake.

 

[trixx]

yeah fake is bad reasoning as you guys are right it wouldn't be as entertaining if it was real. Just like most shows would be if they were realistic.

I'm just not entertained by it i guess. Nothing wrong with enjoying it though. It's like how some people are not entertained by sports like basketball, soccer, football etc..

 

[PhantomHound]

This is why people watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xOcCYCFnrk

Words of the utmost wisdom.

 

[Banjo-Kazooie]

"Do you ever watch a movie or TV Show?"
-"Yeah"
"Why? Aren't those fake?"

Discussion over.

This is actually my response whenever my friends thinks it's cool to rag on me for watching WWE.

In reference to the OP's question, I don't personally go out of my way to tell wrestling fans it's fake because I'm pretty sure they're aware of that by now.

As for why I don't like wrestling, it boils down to the idea that watching sports is about rooting for an individual or team who have a genuine chance of winning a competition based on their athleticism and the thrill/tension of seeing that play out live. Sure, you can admire a wrestler's dedication or technical skill, but you just don't get that dynamic when the outcome has been predetermined.

WWE isn't a sport, so...

You are confusing actual wrestling with what WWE is doing. A lot of people in WWE aren't WRESTLERS, they are people who work out, train hard, know how to act (at least most do) and put on a good show. That's pretty much it.

 

[Wolfgunblood Garopa]

Chicks dig guys who like wrestling... I wonder why I'm single actually now that I think about it.

I did meet someone once who watched wrestling and had a girlfriend.

 

[BronsonLee]

Hey, I'm sorry if the truth hurts. But, I've been dealing with "smart marks" like you for literally a decade. Continue to complain about things online, but continuing to watch the product. Ya' know what I do when I don't like the main character of a TV show I used to enjoy? I stop watching it.

Holy SHIT