It's been long, really long since I wrote anything. So right now, I was just bringing myself to write something. And the topic which was fresh on my mind was Pro-Wrestling. I always wanted to write something on this great business/art/form of entertainment.
Firstly, let me tell you that I have utmost respect for the amazing artists who go to the ring and perform their art/skill whenever and wherever they get a chance. When I say artists, I include WWE Wrestlers, TNA Wrestlers or no longer functioning WCW and ECW roster as well as the North American regional promotions to the artists from their poorer neighbours who have added the Lucha Libre style to wrestling as well as the European and the Asian (All-Japanese) wrestling promotions.
Wrestling is an Art. You can debate on it however you want, but this is my opinion. I do not want this to be an education on how the business is conducted, so let me just stick to the Art thing. You have 2 wrestlers and they have developed their characters. Generally, one will be the nice 1 (babyface) and the other will be a villain (heel). Now, they have to tell a story.. a story of characters and keep the audience glued to the match, their every move... and slowly, but surely reach the climax. Don't watch TNA, but yeah... watch Smackdown and see the first wrestling match which will always be pro-wrestling in it's purest form. Just like when you fight, there will a phase where you get beat up and then the other guy beats up.. and the way you fight will tell a lot about your character and strenth. That is exactly what these great artists need to express every outing. During this , they also need to take bumps and do moves but in a safe manner. They need to sell the pain (act out the pain) that they are receiving. They need to build-up towards the climax for which the audience is waiting for. And all this in a limited amount of time. They need to coordinate their moves just like dancer move in a group dance or the musicians will perform in an opera or how the singers need to be in tune with each other. All this takes utmost dedication and years of practice.
One common thing which I (every wrestling fan ) hear is "Wrestling is Fake". I used to get pissed before but not at all nowadays. I just smile and keep quite. To each his own. Even I will never understand the level of pain and sacrifice these wrestlers do to just do something that they love and which entertains us. I have no idea why Jeff Hardy will jump from a 20 feet ladder or Mick Foley will fall down from 20 feet to the announcer's table or Shawn Michaels and Undertaker carry on wrestling, taking bumps and giving their best for 20 years. Of course, they have practised a lot, most of the furniture is stunt furniture and it is choreographed but the pain is not very less or absent. Pain is there although they have trained themselves to do the moves safely. Mistakes have ended people career. If you don't believe me, check why Bret Hart quit wrestling. Injuries have changed people's career. If you don't believe me, check Owne hart and Steve Austin's match and how Steve's broken neck affected his wrestling. Even through all the injuries, these people keep themseleves motivated to go on fighting. If you don't believe me, check the following link for Micke Foley's list of injuries: http://sahirhussain.tripod.com/id7.html . Enough said. Don't watch wrestling, ridicule us (the fans) but please acknowledge the workers and give them their due respect.
A slight dig on cricketers here. I was scoffing when I heard Dhoni speaking about travelling around India during IPL (some 44 days). These wrestlers, espcially WWE Wrestlers, travel every week(all around the year) around different parts of North America and work House Shows (other than the Televised events) and still need to keep their physical condition topnotch. I wonder what they would have to say to Dhoni and CO.. The only leisure time they get is during year-end and as and when they get injured and cannot perform. Before you state steroirds, please check the current roster. You will get your answer.
So that's it from my end. It is not exactly passionate as I would have liked to, but anyways just my way of dedicating my love towards this wonderful business/art/entertainment. I wish I have put some light on the passion of the workers which was my intention. I wish that the next time you see your cousin or your friend watching wrestling, you don't insult the wrestlers by saying "Wrestling, it's fake, isn't it?".
