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#1 |
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He's Here
Posts: 60,735
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Do you need to know your history before you can wrestle?
Vault frequenters know what I'm talking about here. For those who don't, there's a female wrestler who visited the Vault the other day and kept asking the DUMBEST questions (she also somehow injured her leg taking what she called a running powerslam, and no one could figure out how she did this, but this is irrelevant). (It's also irrelevant that she felt the need to explain that you don't squeeze the genitals while preforming a move.)
This girl didn't know that the War Games shows involved two rings at all times (I suppose she thought they set the other ring up just for War Games). And she thought the promotion she worked for made up the fatal four way elimination matches (the ones with tags, name escapes me right now). Also didn't know the year of the WCW/WWF merger, which was arguably one of the most important dates in wrestling history. But here's the kicker, she claimed you didn't need to know the history of the business to become a wrestler. To an extent, I guess she's right. These are not things you NEED to know. But I completely lost faith in the new generation of wrestlers coming in if any percentage of them think like this. If you're in this business and love it (IE: you don't do it just to have work, which is how she came off) you should have the respect to learn the history and not just brush it off. Am I off here? Does she have the wrong attitude or am I just being a bit over-reactive? ![]() Last edited by Xero; 06-07-2009 at 03:03 PM. |
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#2 |
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Soundly Defeated Wadding
Posts: 40,590
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I don't think it's completely necessary to know the history of the business to become a wrestler. However, I do believe you need to know the history of the business to become a SUCCESSFUL wrestler. I think it's needless to say that we probably won't be seeing that particular woman on our television sets anytime soon. Professional wrestling is an activity of passion; It has passionate fans and passionate participants. Most people do not get into it for the money but get into it because it is something that they love and respect. You earn this love and respect by first being a fan, there's no way around it. I would say most all successful pro-wrestlers of today are successful in part due to the fact that that they know their history. By keeping up on the history of the business you know what has been done, what hasn't, what works, what doesn't work, what the "no nos" of the business are, what the safest way to execute certain moves are, what is dangerous, etc.
Being a fan before you participate is absolutely invaluable. |
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#3 |
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Temporary
Posts: 15,616
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You don't need to know the history.
There are a lot of successful professional athletes that do not know a thing about their sport except how to play it. Goldberg didn't know a thing about wrestling, and he was pretty successful. |
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#4 | |
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As over as Crystal Pepsi
Posts: 21,639
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Yea, he made it farther and made more money than a guy like Nick Mondo, but 5 years from now we won't be talking about him. We'll still be talking about Hogan, Savage, Flair, HBK, etc. For his time period he was a draw that could put a few asses in a few seats. In the long run, he's a flash in the pan. |
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#5 |
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Soundly Defeated Wadding
Posts: 40,590
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Goldberg was "successful" because he was booked like an unstoppable monster in WCW that never lost. When he came over to WWE where he couldn't rely on always winning, he couldn't handle it for very long. Also, if he had known a little bit about the business before getting into it maybe he would've known not to pick fights with Chris Jericho.
Last edited by Nark Order; 06-08-2009 at 01:41 AM. |
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#6 |
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Over Like Rover
Posts: 38,444
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Nah, you don't really need to know anything if you have good teachers. I know quite a few able workers who don't really have a clue about anything besides recent-ish WWE stuff and I know some fucking terrible guys who are like encyclopedias. However, the majority of the guys that aren't really 'in the know' tend to not really have a clue about match structure and need leading (like everybody at first but these guys don't really ever seem to learn) But there are guys who are capable of being very good whilst being led. It's pretty much down to the individual.
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#7 |
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Temporary
Posts: 15,616
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But he was still made more money in wrestling then like 95% other wrestlers. Almost any wrestler would take Goldberg's career over their own. Its really been like 10 years since Goldberg was at the height of his popularity, and we are still talking about him.
Five years from now he will still be talked about. |
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#8 |
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Soundly Defeated Wadding
Posts: 40,590
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Actually McLegend, you're talking about him. We're responding to you.
Goldberg was large athletic guy #456. Nothing more, nothing less. His booking is what got him over. His gimmick was that he won every match. I'm sure many guys would kill for a gimmick like that, however; the more educated guy would know that such a gimmick could not last forever. DON'T GET ME STARTED ON HOW AWFUL GOLDBERG WAS! |
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#9 |
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Over Like Rover
Posts: 38,444
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Not just anybody could have been successful with that gimmick. Goldberg's look, intensity, power, facials, mannerisms etc played a BIG part and he was capable of having red hot matches with the right guy. However, he was not exactly 'Superworker' and was very much in the right place at the right time
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#10 |
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Soundly Defeated Wadding
Posts: 40,590
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He was also capable of one of the most famous wrestling botches of all time that ruined Bret Hart for the rest of his life.
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#11 |
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MVP Mark
Posts: 16,451
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Maven proved you do not need to know anything about wrestling. And for his short time he was a successful wrestler.
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#12 |
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Over Like Rover
Posts: 38,444
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#13 |
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wekasauce
Posts: 106,935
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What are you talking about, ask any "casual" fan and they probably know who Goldberg is.
Anyway, like someone else said, many sports athletes don't know the history of their sport and are still great. Many musicians probably don't know their history entirely and are successful as well. crossrine |
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#14 |
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Soundly Defeated Wadding
Posts: 40,590
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I don't know. I don't really like to give Goldberg much credit for anything really. Maybe it's unfair but I always hated him and thought he was a huge waste of space. More importantly, he was an insult to guys that were actually talented that deserved a push much more than he did. Of course he had to have some sort of charisma but he still only had a fraction of the charisma that most in WCW had at the time he was big. Pretty impressive growl he had I guess. However; he was known for being stiff in the ring, was told multiple times to soften up, and then injured one of the greatest of all time due to said stiffness.
Sure I'm bitter but my bitterness does not come without proper justification. |
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#15 |
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He's Here
Posts: 60,735
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Can't believe anyone is defending Goldberg, to be honest.
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#16 |
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wekasauce
Posts: 106,935
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I'm not saying Goldberg deserves to be remembered, but it's downright silly to say he will never be thought of again.
crossrine |
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#17 |
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Soundly Defeated Wadding
Posts: 40,590
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Yeah, for real. I thought Goldberg being awful was just a fact of life.
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#18 |
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wekasauce
Posts: 106,935
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#19 |
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He's Here
Posts: 60,735
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#20 |
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MVP Mark
Posts: 16,451
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Goldberg basically carried WCW for awhile. People would watch a whole Nitro just to see him. He will always be remembered.
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#21 |
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Over Like Rover
Posts: 38,444
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#22 |
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Soundly Defeated Wadding
Posts: 40,590
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If Goldberg was with Vince from Day 1 then he wouldn't have won every single match and wouldn't have gotten anywhere near the following he had for being "unstoppable".
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#23 |
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Doin' It Right
Posts: 35,461
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I never liked Goldberg when I was younger because I thought he was Stone Cold rip-off.
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#24 |
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EATER OF HOT POCKETS
Posts: 14,340
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As far as the actual question goes, I think you don't need to know the history of the business to be a wrestler. However, when you look at the success stories of wrestling, it seems that many more of the biggest names knew and respected the history of the business. However I'd say this goes hand in hand with whether you have a passion for the business. People without that (Re: Goldberg, Warrior, even Lesnar to an extent) just don't seem to care enough about knowing the history, and, surprise, don't really last too long.
My answer to the question "what do you need to be a successful wrestler" would ultimately be "passion for the business." And if you have passion, you're going to know and respect the history. Goldberg and Warrior succeeded for a while without it. Guys like Michaels, HHH, Edge, Matt Hardy, and yes, even Cena are where they are because of passion for the business, and the knowledge and respect for its history that came with it. |
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#25 |
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One and only
Posts: 2,368
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While I do believe that having a knowledge of your profession's histroy is benefitcial, it is by no means neccisary.
This is not exclusive to the wrestling industry, many atheletes have no knowledge of there sports history, it can be disturbing. Another issue is that many atheltes do not follow their sport at all, many WWE wrestler don't know what is going on in TNA, ROH, Japan and vice versa. Again does that mean they won't be succesful, no, but I do think it would be to their benefit. |
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#26 |
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Over Like Rover
Posts: 38,444
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Vince knows how to build somebody properly when he can be bothered, he could have easily given him the Kane/Brock-esque push he got in WCW. Goldberg was booked brilliantly for his first year or so. Vince wouldn't have shit all over him with piss poor booking because he (mostly) does what's best for his business and with the amount of money Goldberg would have been generating for him, I doubt he'd have been in an rush to make him look like an idiot
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#27 |
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Da Gif/Pic Pimp
Posts: 13,913
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Xero, I say yes. I mean you talk about people growing up being wrestling fans then wanting to do it themselves, they were able to from learning from the past and paying dues for it. I feel that same feeling is there in WWE's newer talent, knowing that if it wasn't for people paving the way, the industry wouldn't be where it is today. Hell even Cena started in the minors before becoming what he is today, same with Edge and Orton.
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#28 |
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That's Not My Name
Posts: 9,086
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Goldberg's charisma and intensity got him over long before the streak actually took off. The streak only worked because the crowd got behind him, and they got behind him because he connected with them and worked very exciting short squashes. Yes, he benefitted from flattering booking... is that a crime? That's the fucking point of wrestling, isn't it? You build guys up to look good.
Would he have gotten over if he came out and lost every single week? Nope, but then neither would Hogan or Austin have gotten over if they hadn't been able to pick up wins over top opponents. Charisma and intangibles can get you over, but being a winner is what keeps the fans in your corner. You can't just knock Goldberg on the basis of how well he was booked... every top star in the business has been booked flatteringly at some point in their career, and usually that's what got them over to begin with. |
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#29 |
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b/c 5 is better than 4
Posts: 9,721
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It should be necessary, but I got doubts about the majority of the WWE roster could name some of the great feuds from the past, great moments, etc.
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#30 |
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We Want Sting!
Posts: 358
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It amazes me how many of you said that you don't need to know it. That is completely WRONG. I can imagine a handful of people here saying that though just because they don't have the brain capacity to pack it in there, but the history is important. Granted I do not know much about it pre 80's, but it's not like there's an unending amount of information there. Not to mention, some of the wrestlers may end up in creative positions eventually, and they say that those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it. You have to know the history in order to come up with something that hasn't been done before.
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#31 |
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wekasauce
Posts: 106,935
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You're saying that as if wrestling hasn't been largely repetitive and boring for years now. Get over yourself.
crossrine |
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#32 |
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Posts: 24,537
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I do believe that you need to know the history, and all of the infamous wrestlers and moments that make wrestling what it is today. Moments like when Big Boss Man stole Big Show's father's casket and dragged the Big Show with it, or wrestlers that have respected their past occupations by wrestling as garbage men, repo men, voodoo masters, tugboat owners, and evil clowns.
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#33 | |
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facebook.com/bloquemen
Posts: 5,452
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This is leaving out the stupid bimbos WWE hires... and guys like Adamle. I'm talking about the people who worked to get into the company. |
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#34 | |
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"Ask him!"
Posts: 10,075
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#35 |
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wekasauce
Posts: 106,935
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No, Goldberg was unsuccessful in the WWE because he didn't know Chris Jericho trained at the Hart Dungeon.
crossrine |
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#36 |
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Soundly Defeated Wadding
Posts: 40,590
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lol, yeah yeah yeah. I'll give you this. However. Jericho's best friend were Lance Storm and Benoit. Close enough
I also never said he trained there. I edited it for you though.Bottom line: Goldberg had his moments but in the grand scheme of things will not be remembered for anything more than just being a flash in the pan. |
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#37 | ||
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I am the cheese
Posts: 51,502
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Given what you've told me I don't think you cant disprove she's a worker, albiet a very dumb one. |
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#38 | |
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I am the cheese
Posts: 51,502
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#39 | |
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I am the cheese
Posts: 51,502
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Doing something that hasn't been done before? 98% of wrestling is giving the people what they expect which would be a better argument to why you need to know history. That way you know what they want in these scenerios. Shocking usually isn't what you're after in wrestling. But again, you in no way have to have it. Now the bookers need to know history imo. But not the workers. We just need to know how to work. |
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#40 | |
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Posts: 61,634
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You can call him a one trick pony, a horrid worker, and even a flash in the pan, if you want. But to say that he wasn't successful and that he won't be remembered for that success is ridiculous. |
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