Is it better to be a mark?

**Marc the Smark** · 04-26-2004, 01:43 PM

JOHN DALY: WOULDN'T IT BE SIMPLER TO BE A MARK
By: Various Writers
4/25/2004 12:20:00 PM

A couple weeks ago on NWA/TNA, there was a match between Jeff Jarrett and James Storm which turned into a brawl through the crowd. At one point, Jarrett was about to hit Storm with a chair. A female fan in the audience grabbed onto the chair to protect Storm. I don't believe this was a case of a fan who was planted. I don't believe this was the case of a fan who had a little too much to drink. What I believe I saw was a 100% legit "mark".

Now it's important for those of you reading to understand that I'm not being derogatory in my labeling of this fan. I actually think it's great. Part of me is honestly jealous. With the invention of the internet, and the overall disregard of kayfabe in the public eye, marks have become all but extinct. Now I'm sure most of us could argue all day over whether the internet has done more harm than good to the wrestling business. It's a complicated topic by itself, but regardless of your opinion, I ask one question... Wouldn't it be simpler to be a mark?

The term "ignorance is bliss" is a phrase that is usually used in a less that flattering context. However, in the case of wrestling fans, isn't it true? Think about it? Would any of us have enjoyed Hogan vs. Andre at Wrestlemania 3 nearly as much if we were consumed with concepts like "work-rate"? Would the formation of the original NWO ever had nearly the impact if fans were privy to, and cared about, contract negotiations?

There is a reason why many of us look back at wrestling from the old days so fondly. Was it really so good back then? Maybe, but there's another explanation... We believed. I believed that Hulk Hogan was seriously injured by King Kong Bundy prior to Wrestlemania 2. I believed that George Steele was in love with Elizabeth. Heck, I even believed Kamala was a cannibal (although I may have not known what that word meant at the time). It was a very simple concept? Wrestling promotions would deliver a product. We either enjoyed it or we didn't, but we judged the product on the merits of the product itself.

A lot of people would argue that it's up to wrestling promotions to "make us believe". This is a very good point. I think that all wrestling fans, deep down, have at least a little trace of "mark" left in them. Otherwise, they probably wouldn't still be interested in watching at all. But isn't that part of the problem? There really is only that "trace" left for many fans. "Smart" fans have become so passionate over the "behind the scenes" stories of wrestling, that I believe they've let the mark inside them become smaller and smaller.

Now I know my opinions may sound a little odd considering that you're reading this column on a wrestling news site. I admit that I'm a 'smart' fan. I have that unexplainable compulsion for that 'behind the scenes' wrestling news. Some people have referred to that phenomenon as the 'the sickness'. That's a very accurate term. We, as wrestling fans have become far removed from the same audience promotions catered to even just seven or eight years ago. I completely understand why guys like Vince McMahon have such negative feelings toward fans like us. We've made their job that much harder. At the same time, we're a loud and increasing demographic which can't be ignored. But once again, I'll go back to my original question? Would't it be simpler to be a mark?

In the old days, when a large monster-like wrestler walked to the ring and demolished a popular smaller wrestler, we recognized the larger man as a threat, and worry about the health of the smaller man. Now, we complain about "heat" been stolen. In the old days, when a 'good guy' came to the ring, we'd cheer. Now, we make snide remarks about how much of an a**hole the guy is backstage. In the old days, we didn't know or care about salaries, backstage demeanor, backstage politics, bookers, or buy-rates. Again, we cared about what we saw in front of our eyes.

Today, it's become harder for us to honestly judge the quality of a product by the product itself. Because of this, many of us have become less of fans and more of critics. The reality is that this will probably not change. In fact, it will probably get worse. Many of us may feel that we're closer to the product these days. I feel that we've drifted farther from it.

Now I'm not saying we should just suddenly 'dummy up' and forget that wrestling is fake. That's impossible. But ask yourselves a question? Why is it that we don't scrutinize other forms of entertainment this way? I'm a HUGE fan of the television show '24'. Yet I don't let actor salaries, network executives, and Hollywood gossip sour my thoughts on the program. I judge the product on what I see of it, one hour a week. Why can't we take that approach to wrestling? I think we can. I think we should.

So, the next time you're at a wrestling event and see an actual mark, think twice before making fun of them? They're most likely having a better time than you are.

(1wrestling.com)

I think this article is right on. What do you think? I wish "kayfabe" had never been broken, and when I'm watching wrestling I wish I were 10. It's not only that we're "smarter" now, most of us anyway, but now we also analyze more. And the more things we analyze, the less we can enjoy.

04-26-2004, 01:43 PM	#1
Marc the Smark Posts: 2,064	Is it better to be a mark? JOHN DALY: WOULDN'T IT BE SIMPLER TO BE A MARK By: Various Writers 4/25/2004 12:20:00 PM A couple weeks ago on NWA/TNA, there was a match between Jeff Jarrett and James Storm which turned into a brawl through the crowd. At one point, Jarrett was about to hit Storm with a chair. A female fan in the audience grabbed onto the chair to protect Storm. I don't believe this was a case of a fan who was planted. I don't believe this was the case of a fan who had a little too much to drink. What I believe I saw was a 100% legit "mark". Now it's important for those of you reading to understand that I'm not being derogatory in my labeling of this fan. I actually think it's great. Part of me is honestly jealous. With the invention of the internet, and the overall disregard of kayfabe in the public eye, marks have become all but extinct. Now I'm sure most of us could argue all day over whether the internet has done more harm than good to the wrestling business. It's a complicated topic by itself, but regardless of your opinion, I ask one question... Wouldn't it be simpler to be a mark? The term "ignorance is bliss" is a phrase that is usually used in a less that flattering context. However, in the case of wrestling fans, isn't it true? Think about it? Would any of us have enjoyed Hogan vs. Andre at Wrestlemania 3 nearly as much if we were consumed with concepts like "work-rate"? Would the formation of the original NWO ever had nearly the impact if fans were privy to, and cared about, contract negotiations? There is a reason why many of us look back at wrestling from the old days so fondly. Was it really so good back then? Maybe, but there's another explanation... We believed. I believed that Hulk Hogan was seriously injured by King Kong Bundy prior to Wrestlemania 2. I believed that George Steele was in love with Elizabeth. Heck, I even believed Kamala was a cannibal (although I may have not known what that word meant at the time). It was a very simple concept? Wrestling promotions would deliver a product. We either enjoyed it or we didn't, but we judged the product on the merits of the product itself. A lot of people would argue that it's up to wrestling promotions to "make us believe". This is a very good point. I think that all wrestling fans, deep down, have at least a little trace of "mark" left in them. Otherwise, they probably wouldn't still be interested in watching at all. But isn't that part of the problem? There really is only that "trace" left for many fans. "Smart" fans have become so passionate over the "behind the scenes" stories of wrestling, that I believe they've let the mark inside them become smaller and smaller. Now I know my opinions may sound a little odd considering that you're reading this column on a wrestling news site. I admit that I'm a 'smart' fan. I have that unexplainable compulsion for that 'behind the scenes' wrestling news. Some people have referred to that phenomenon as the 'the sickness'. That's a very accurate term. We, as wrestling fans have become far removed from the same audience promotions catered to even just seven or eight years ago. I completely understand why guys like Vince McMahon have such negative feelings toward fans like us. We've made their job that much harder. At the same time, we're a loud and increasing demographic which can't be ignored. But once again, I'll go back to my original question? Would't it be simpler to be a mark? In the old days, when a large monster-like wrestler walked to the ring and demolished a popular smaller wrestler, we recognized the larger man as a threat, and worry about the health of the smaller man. Now, we complain about "heat" been stolen. In the old days, when a 'good guy' came to the ring, we'd cheer. Now, we make snide remarks about how much of an a**hole the guy is backstage. In the old days, we didn't know or care about salaries, backstage demeanor, backstage politics, bookers, or buy-rates. Again, we cared about what we saw in front of our eyes. Today, it's become harder for us to honestly judge the quality of a product by the product itself. Because of this, many of us have become less of fans and more of critics. The reality is that this will probably not change. In fact, it will probably get worse. Many of us may feel that we're closer to the product these days. I feel that we've drifted farther from it. Now I'm not saying we should just suddenly 'dummy up' and forget that wrestling is fake. That's impossible. But ask yourselves a question? Why is it that we don't scrutinize other forms of entertainment this way? I'm a HUGE fan of the television show '24'. Yet I don't let actor salaries, network executives, and Hollywood gossip sour my thoughts on the program. I judge the product on what I see of it, one hour a week. Why can't we take that approach to wrestling? I think we can. I think we should. So, the next time you're at a wrestling event and see an actual mark, think twice before making fun of them? They're most likely having a better time than you are. (1wrestling.com) I think this article is right on. What do you think? I wish "kayfabe" had never been broken, and when I'm watching wrestling I wish I were 10. It's not only that we're "smarter" now, most of us anyway, but now we also analyze more. And the more things we analyze, the less we can enjoy.