What is your definition of 'IWC'?
 

I am interested to know how each of you view and define the Internet Wrestling Community. There's no right or wrong answer here either, I just think we all have different opinions on it.

Like my random Mick Foley thread a couple of months ago, there is a reason behind this, so I'll thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Muties

Thanks for your input in the discussion sir

It's people who read the dirt sheets and watch the programming as a critic more than as a fan. But they're not always qualified to be a critic so sometimes their opinions are a little silly.

Or to put it another way, professional wrestling is a big inside joke, and the IWC strives to be in on the joke.

Internet Wrestling Cult

IWC = TPWW

Typically... its the group that wants to be over analytical of each and every facet of the show wanting to seem, look, and sound smart about what they are watching. While it is okay to pick apart different parts like the supposed "humor" that wrestling tries to put out as to whether it is funny or not, the noticeable botched moves and the such... some just push it to the extreme and that is where the IWC typically step in and assume that role.

So yeah there are varying degrees of the IWC, the extreme is what is above. Then you have the middle ground with those that read the rumors, the dirtsheets, and anything else they can find but won't still over analyze the show. They'll dislike it but they won't be overly bitter about it overall.

People who frequent wrestling forums to say the following lines -

'Fire Russo!' (regardless of how well TNA are doing)
'push ____!' (usually a cruiserweight with no charisma )
'HHH is holding ____ down!' (probably not true)
'Turn ____ heel!' (usually Cena)
'TNA should sign ____' (obscure indy guy who wont make any difference)

IWC are basically knowledgeable fans who read the sheets and know everything about a wrestler before they ever debut in WWE or wherever

ECW's audience at the ECW Arena were full of these kind of people

A bunch of fat virgins who live in their parents basement and have their mom drive them to show. a.K.A ROH fans.

IMO, the IWC is the Internet Wrestling Community - a bunch of wrestling fans who discuss the sport / (insert whatever the WWE calls it) online. And because of the immediacy, interactivity and cheap nature of the medium, get to read and discuss breaking news, and any other tidbits before the casual, non-internet wrestling fan does. What qualifies as news is subjective, as most of it is restricted to gossip and rumors.

There is a new breed of IWC: the IWC Hipster/IWC Counter-Culture:

They bitch, moan, and talk down to the general IWC population. They act like they are above the IWC and aren't a part of it despite being heavily involved with the IWC.

THEY DO IT IRONICALLY

This 100 times.....

funniest and best post in this thread. :eek:

This, exactly.

True this and when they actually get worked, ooooh, man, they work that keyboard something fierce.

This is good, thanks guys. So let me throw another one at you. Would you consider someone who does the same thing as say Supreme suggests but do not visit wrestling 'dirt sheets' and forums and only put their views on social media like twitter and/or facebook part of the IWC?

Kane Knight is the IWC.

No, IWC could stand for Insider Wrestling Community, you gotta be interested in the behind the scenes shit to be a member of the IWC.

The IWC is you,me,and anyone else that likes the sport so much that they take the time to log on to TPWW and discuss it. This includes facebook,twitter,and any other spoiler or dirt sheets out there. They do this more now then anytime before. But I believe that you'll find these types of fans in many different areas. Comic books,movies,every sport,tv,celebrity gossip and more.

This is probably the worst thread I've ever read on TPWW. Honestly.

Little Jimmy's

Nah it's definitely Internet Wrestling Community. Who's to say the people who don't post on forums aren't interested in behind the scenes action either? I'm trying to get a point from both views here, not arguing with you :)

I guess the point I'm trying to find is, is the IWC really a minor percentage. It's fine if we are, no harm in it at all. Or is it bigger than what it's given credit for? And also are those who dislike being painted as an typical IWC member more protective of the 'exclusivity' than they like to give on.

I wrote an essay on cult fandom and wrestling, focusing on the IWC. I used TPWW as a major source.

I will re-read my essay, to see if there is some substance amongst the BS, and see if there is anything "relevant".

I'm not arguing either just stating there is a difference in wrestling insiders aka The IWC and die hard wrestling fans who discuss on twitter or facebook or even markish wrestling forums. From my friends who are die hard fans none of them have an interest in the behind the scenes drama like I do. They may be smart to an extent but they don't understand simple things about the business such as the idea of a booker, or even that a wrestler doesn't decide if he is face or heel etc...

I've got a friend who has been a wrestling fan since the days of Bruno and he has no idea half the shit I know about the way the business works and he has no interest in it either when I bring it up, it's too much for him to comprehend it seems. Either that or he wants on some level to belive its real so he will just limit his knowledge to what he see's on TV.

I use smark and the IWC interchangeably. The IWC are the ones who analyze storylines, follow backstage news and are much more critical on a technical level. Not technical as in the ring, but the product in general. The IWC is the diehards of the diehards.

"The members of TPWW unite in their mock and ridicule of these 'marks', one member sarcastically remarking 'gotta love American trash'".

My favorites. Lots of them here too.

C-Fed gets a shout-out in the essay: "Indeed, there is even a section of the forum in which members can create their own completely original characters and write their very own shows about them"

It's crazy that someone would call you out when you're being a negative whiny cunt.

I haven't even posted much in here in like a month. Remember when I said I was done for now? Yeah I wasn't kidding.

That's crazy. I don't think I've called someone a negative whiny cunt in like a month.

I still don't even get what that has to do with what Steele said or me agreeing with him anyway.

I think the basic point of my essay (written in 2007) is (this is not a quote):

The IWC likes to feel "exclusive" and position themselves opposite of "marks", and for the past few years opposite of the very product they watch. They use their insider knowledge, terms, and historical knowledge of wrestling to discuss and dissect the programming. Suggest what they would do, how they would change it, and so forth.

But paradoxically, what they all strive for is a moment in which they "mark out". Where they don't necessarily know what is going to happen, or the talent draws them in like "the old days" and they forget the outcome is fixed. So while positioning themselves as anti-"marks", they all want to return to being a "mark", if even for a brief instant.

Which leads me to add onto that with today's changes...

James Steele is right, and an IWC Counter-Culture has arised where they look down on the IWC as well. I think they mainly also want to return to "watching without thinking" and like to throw around terms as "INSIGNIFICANT" and "MOOT" to describe what the IWC wants. They want to "STOP LIVING IN THE PAST" and appreciate the present product for what it is.

I could have not put it any better myself.

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