BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) HUMAN CHESS
The little things like working over one body part the whole match to make your finishing move that much more impactful. Stuff like knowing when to tease a finish just right to get the crowd on the edge of their seats. There is just so much that goes into it that it’s hard to explain in one paragraph. When professional wrestling is done right the matches are pure art. Most fans just watch it and cheer, but I don’t think most people don’t understand they’re being manipulated. It’s not just punch, kick, punch, kick. If you watch the greats or even those who have a grasp on match psychology then you’re set for life. The match tells a story. How well you tell a story in the ring is what separates wrestlers and legends.
(THREE) SACRIFICE
You can say its “fake” or “choreographed”, but at the end of the day the injuries are there. There comes a certain sacrifice that only professional wrestlers understand. On one hand you’re on the road just as much as a Top 40 rockstar. You’re away from your family, sleeping in unfamiliar places, and just working the road. That’s a lot of toll on someone. Then on the other hand it’s bump after bump, move after move. It’s wear and tear that’s much worse than a measly 16 or so game NFL season, that’s for sure. The wrestlers on TV get paid well enough. Some more than others, but it’s aliving. Still, I’m sure at least 90% of those on TV today were fans before getting in to the business. You have to respect what they do, if not turn the channel.
(TWO) CHILDHOOD RELIVED
Most wrestling fans were fans at a young age. When you’re a kid and you’re a wrestling fan things are different, way different. You see things with awe in your eyes and cheer on your favorites as if you life depends on it. It’s so easy to get caught up in it. It’s there every week for you to watch and live through. As an adult I see the business side of things way clearer than I did before. I understand the ins and outs of things. There is still that moment when something special happens and you can’t help but turn into that 8 year old kid watching on a Saturday morning.
(ONE) THE EXTRAVAGANCE
I love the extravagance of professional wrestling. I enjoy the over the top characters, the loud mouths, the gaudy costumes, the fireworks, the gimmicks, and basically the whole experience. I actually like the storylines they use. It’s lame most of the time, but there are points where your mind is simply blown by what goes on. A good storyline can carry so much. A good promo can save a show. The personality of professional wrestling is the heart of wrestling. I’ve been to more concerts than I can count and I have been to professional sporting events. Nothing comes close to the buzz of a wrestling crowd.
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