Benoit and wrestlers in general

**Arnold HamNegger** · 06-29-2007, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stickman

Good job Arnold.

I agree that heroes should be found elsewhere and everything you said.

But one thing I could add too is that aspiring to be like Tiger Woods is much much better than aspiring to be a fictional character who you know nothing aabout other than his in ring persona. Like fuck, pro wrestlers often times don't even go by their real name. Steve Austin is a hero whether he should be or not, but come on, that's not even his name. Same with Shawn Michaels. I'd love to be as good as those guys but they are fictional characters.

At least movie stars play fictional characters but are always interviewed as the person they are. The only time you see a wrestler not in character is on Off the Record on TSN. Idolizing people on tv is one thing, but for "grown ups" like us on the board to be pissed off and shit is lame.

Yeah, it's also unfortunate that the only time it becomes public with what their real name is and who they are as a real person, is when their life comes to a tragic early end. That's got to be such a toll, living your life in a profession that thrives on keeping your true identity behind a curtain. I can see how to some, reality becomes scued with the persona. Making a relationship work, raising a family and everyone being happy in that little bubble at home must be so incredibly difficult, if not impossible. The demands on their bodies, their minds, their time definitely don't seem worth the paycheck and fame IMO. I honestly don't know how they do it. I can look at myself honestly and say that I couldn't. If I tried, I'd be just another tragic story myself.

When you put it all out on paper, it seems even more ridiculous to idolize these people, because the idolization, money and fame is what fuels most of them to a tragic end. We as fans seem to just discard them when we're through, then move on to the next. Almost like a sadistic box of Kleenex.

I guess as a wrestler, if that is the passion you are born with though, you don't have much choice but to ride it out. I'd be curious to ask any of the deceased if they thought it was all worth it. To them it may be, but to their children it may be a different story. Wow, what an ironic viscious circle of life that is huh? The thing you're passionate at and what you are born to do to provide the best life that you possibly can for your family...also seems destined to take you away from them so soon.