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[Worthintendo]

Can someone explain to me why people who aren't fans of pro wrestling always seem to go straight to calling out for being fake?

At work the other day, during one of my breaks I was channel surfing and saw WWE Raw was on, so I decided to watch it for a few minutes. Shortly into watching it someone else comes in to the room and starts going off at me for enjoying Wrestling, telling me its fake like its some sort of revelation that I have not ever been told. He seemed to passionately hate the fact I was watching it. And just wouldn't let up until I gave in and changed the channel (I know I should had told him to get stuffed as I was there first). Even after I changed the channel still got grief from him about how Wrestling is fake and UFC is miles better cause its real.

I just don't get why Wrestling seems to bring out a lot of hate for people who don't care for it, its no more fake then something like your regular TV sitcom or a lot of reality shows. Sure they pretend its real, but again the same applies to other shows on TV.

The thing that really gets me about it all, is calling Wrestling fake is a huge disservice to the Wrestlers who train for years for something they are truly passionate about. These guys do put their bodies on the line to perform a craft they love. I have very good close friend who wrestles for a local promotion, he's injured himself a few times, theirs nothing fake about the dislocated knee he had at all. Yet despite Wrestlers like Mick Foley, Terry Funk, Daniel Bryan and many others almost killing themselves for it, yet people think its fine to go off at it being fake, shows a complete lack of respect or understanding for what these guys.

And even if you are able to put up a good argument as to why its not as fake as people think, people will still say its scripted and stupid and for kids. I think a big part of it is people fail to realise how much work and effort goes into it all. The fact that they can make it look as some what realistic as they can and without actually hurting each other is kind of amazing, anyone can beat the crap out of someone else, but to make it look like you are doing it, without actually doing so, that takes real skill.

I understand not everyone needs to like what everyone else likes, but why is it with wrestling people seem to enjoy going out of their way to try to make themselves look smarter by saying its fake.

 

[Log4Girlz]

Big sweaty muscular men fondling each other. They can't respect that. Have to demean others with the "fake" accusations.

 

[MThanded]

It's basically a soap opera with fighting. I think at this point most people know it's fake but enjoy it for the drama. I don't follow wrestling much any more so I'm sure someone more informed can chime in.

 

[Escape Goat]

Big sweaty muscular men fondling each other.

Yes, please. I love UFC but those cats can really fight.

 

[Forkball]

Wrestling is just a live action superhero comic.

 

[Hours Left]

A lot of people feel empowered by disparaging other people's interests. It's an easy power trip.

It's best to ignore those people. When they stop getting reactions from their remarks, they will realize what they think about other people's interests isn't important.

 

[Seraphym]

My stock answer is movies are fake, and yet people still watch them.

Perhaps your work colleague went on about it, as they knew it was going to get a response.

 

[Log4Girlz]

Its like the rap/hip hop ghost writer controversy. Who the fuck cares.

 

[Marvel]

Proud of my love the WWE, oh and it's better than Fencing.

 

[elrechazado]

Because it's juvenile and contrived and hard for some people to see why adults spend their time emotionally invested in something that tries to recreate the real drama of competition and sports, as opposed to the real thing.

 

[Ban Puncher]

I give them the Dr. Death response.

 

[Boogalogist]

It's still real to me, damnit!

 

[The_Poet]

Its entertaining in a soap opera, theatre kind of way. Havn't watched it in years myself.

 

[Kyzer]

Its like the rap/hip hop ghost writer controversy. Who the fuck cares.

You're clearly still thinking about it and brought it up even though it's not the same or relevant at all #butthatsnoneofmybusiness

 

[Radec]

Its not Wrestling, its Sports Entertainment™.

 

[jgminto]

Because it's juvenile and contrived and hard for some people to see why adults spend their time emotionally invested in something that tries to recreate the real drama of competition and sports, as opposed to the real thing.

Man, what sports are you watching?

 

[Neo Child]

Well my brother is a wrestler and in his words it's acting, it's a performance - a show to entertain people. And it does.

He says it's an excuse to wear crazy outfits and act stupid.

 

[Amagon]

Its not Wrestling, its Sports Entertainment™.

 

[Mr.Wreckless]

Its like the rap/hip hop ghost writer controversy. Who the fuck cares.

LOL at this. Plenty of people care about that.

 

[elrechazado]

Man, what sports are you watching?

Futbol, the nfl, etc.

I'm obviously not talking about staged, pre-determined competitions like the nba and wwe.

 

[WanderingWind]

Futbol, the nfl, etc.

I'm obviously not talking about staged, pre-determined competitions like the nba and wwe.

I just wanted to say that this is my favorite post of the day.

 

[Zombine]

Its not Wrestling, its Sports Entertainment™.

Woo woo woo! YOU KNOW IT.

 

[Aiii]

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

Discussion over.

 

[happypup]

Big sweaty muscular men fondling each other. They can't respect that. Have to demean others with the "fake" accusations.

That is why I love it.

Seriously though good wrestlers are mad talented. To be able to pull of some of these high impact stunts without seriously hurting themselves or others is amazing by itself. Yeah it is fixed, the wrestlers know who is going to win, and how to finish the match, but they still have to hit these spots, jump off of ladders, and throw each other around all without getting anybody hurt, it is fun to watch.

We still get to speculate on who will win, but we don't do it based on talent, but on where we think the story is going.

 

[British Monsoon]

Because it's juvenile and contrived and hard for some people to see why adults spend their time emotionally invested in something that tries to recreate the real drama of competition and sports, as opposed to the real thing.

Why would anyone watch, say, a Rocky movie that tries to recreate the real drama of competition and sports, as opposed to the real thing?

 

[elrechazado]

Why would anyone watch, say, a Rocky movie that tries to recreate the real drama of competition and sports, as opposed to the real thing?

Perhaps because rocky doesn't wear jorts.

 

[Grizzlyjin]

I never understood this until a guy I worked with explained it to me. It's like watching a play where people beat each other up. There is drama and big displays of athleticism. Most of the adult fans that watch it know its "fake" but that isn't why they watch.

I'm not personally into it myself, but I've noticed quite a few people I went to school with are. When you talk to some of the modern fans, you'll understand a little better.

It makes more sense than watching something like Hardcore Pawn or whatever other TruTv show, at least in my mind.

 

[Dead Man]

Because it's juvenile and contrived and hard for some people to see why adults spend their time emotionally invested in something that tries to recreate the real drama of competition and sports, as opposed to the real thing.

So you've never enjoyed a sports movie? Ridiculous post.

 

[Aiii]

I never understood this until a guy I worked with explained it to me. It's like watching a play where people beat each other up. There is drama and big displays of athleticism. Most of the adult fans that watch it know its "fake" but that isn't why they watch.

Decent description yeah. It's a bit of theater and a bit of athletic performance art, like gymnastics or professional dancing I suppose.

 

[theaface]

Obligatory:

Many others have already pointed out why they find it entertaining. Regardless of the entertainment factor, it is still CLEARLY a very demanding job that the wrestlers do, and that deserves a healthy amount of respect.

 

[Rivitur]

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

 

[Dead Man]

Obligatory:

Many others have already pointed out why they find it entertaining. Regardless of the entertainment factor, it is still CLEARLY a very demanding job that the wrestlers do, and that deserves a healthy amount of respect.

Obligatory Didn'treadlol.gif

 

[JordanN]

I use to watch wrestling. Can't see it the same way again.

Still makes for some great gifs though.

 

[elrechazado]

So you've never enjoyed a sports movie? Ridiculous post.

You missed the juvenile part I see. Face paint, bad costumes, hackneyed dialogue, contrived personas - no I don't like Adam sandler's longest yard remake but I liked Rudy.

I grew up loving the wwf - and that lasted about until puberty and the onset of more rational thought and developed taste. Now I can enjoy more legitimate entertainment like the wire, breaking bad, and my little pony friendship is magic.

 

[MrCunningham]

 

[Alpende]

I like watching it once in a long while. Can't imagine myself watching it every week or so... It's fun, over the top and enjoyable.

 

[Into]

The wrestling business secretly loves the fact that this is the thing most people harp on when it comes to wrestling. Because its far more preferable that people yell "fake!" rather than point to the absolute destruction that the business has done to so many individuals, either who hit the grave early, live a wretched sad life today, fucked up on drug abuse, addition to pain killers and the list goes on.

And i say that as a wrestling fan, imagine if someone who isent a fan actually looked a bit deeper into what went on in the business, "fake" would then be a insignificant and ironically enough disingenuous way to describe the business.

 

[Aiii]

For the naysayers, have you met the WrassleGAF official mascot, Zandig?

 

[Marvel]

Fake is such a poor choice of words anyway, black eyes, broken bones, missing teeth, cuts and neck injuries are common. And a lot of guys are half crippled by 35/40 or live with constant pain for the rest of their lives.

I have two friends that constantly tell me it's fake and stupid, I find it disrespectful to the boys in the bizz and my own choice in entertainment. I don't shit on them liking golf/cricket.

 

[Lambda Pie]

Because it's juvenile and contrived and hard for some people to see why adults spend their time emotionally invested in something that tries to recreate the real drama of competition and sports, as opposed to the real thing.

i'm with you, friend.

so contrived they made a midget hobo champion when they had striated, fine examples of manhood running around.

#OnlyHappyWhenItReigns

 

[Hasney]

You missed the juvenile part I see. Face paint, bad costumes, hackneyed dialogue, contrived personas - no I don't like Adam sandler's longest yard remake but I liked Rudy.

I grew up loving the wwf - and that lasted about until puberty and the onset of more rational thought and developed taste. Now I can enjoy more legitimate entertainment like the wire, breaking bad, and my little pony friendship is magic.

 

[Fushin]

If anybody tells me "it's fake" I remind them that everything on TV is fake. Usually it's the same people watching reality shows and awards shows.

 

[maomaoIYP]

Some women fake their orgasms too OP

 

[Data West]

I watch it for the pretty ladies.

 

[happypup]

Some women fake their orgasms too OP

Not with me!

Spoiler

they just laugh at me and call me names (sadface)

 

[theaface]

Obligatory Didn'treadlol.gif

Read just fine, thanks. OP works with someone who doesn't like wrestling. Not difficult to follow.

 

[Dead Man]

You missed the juvenile part I see. Face paint, bad costumes, hackneyed dialogue, contrived personas - no I don't like Adam sandler's longest yard remake but I liked Rudy.

I grew up loving the wwf - and that lasted about until puberty and the onset of more rational thought and developed taste. Now I can enjoy more legitimate entertainment like the wire, breaking bad, and my little pony friendship is magic.

LOL, as opposed to lycra? Go do something useful.

Read just fine, thanks. OP works with someone who doesn't like wrestling. Not difficult to follow.

Your post makes no sense as a reply to the OP, only to the title, but okay.

 

[PorllM]

I think it's partly left over from the early 90s when you'd be watching it as children and some idiot would think it was real and become a laughing stock.

But also, it's very easy to hate. If you watch UFC or have any background in martial arts, you will laugh at how pathetic and impractical the moves are, and of course there's the terrible OTT cheesy acting.

But at the end of the day, it's a fun bit of entertainment, you wouldn't tell someone not to watch Breaking Bad or South Park because they're not real, so if you enjoy it, fuck everyone else, it's none of their business.

Fake is such a poor choice of words anyway, black eyes, broken bones, missing teeth, cuts and neck injuries are common. And a lot of guys are half crippled by 35/40 or live with constant pain for the rest of their lives.

I have two friends that constantly tell me it's fake and stupid, I find it disrespectful to the boys in the bizz and my own choice in entertainment. I don't shit on them liking golf/cricket.

They usually mean fake in regards to the actual combat. Some people watch it actually thinking the people in the ring are in some form of combat with each other, not realising the entire thing is scripted and the moves are ridiculous dance moves that would be easy to avoid.

Of course people still get injured, it's an incredibly physical job and even if the guy throwing you across the ring isn't actually trying to hurt you, you still have to land correctly and be in control or things could go VERY bad. I have endless respect for these guys as physical actors and as athletes, just not as fighters.

 

[UncleLeo!?]

As others have said there is something entertaining about it, though most adults I know who watch it are women, so take that however you want.

 

[SolidusDave]

I only care about pointing it out when people actually belief it is real and/or that it has anything to do with fighting / that those guys are good fighters etc.