I hear tell that wrestling is fake.

[Kane Knight]

I really think this is something we need to sort out once and for all. People dismiss wrestling as fake, then wonder why some idiot breaks his buddy's neck with a piledriver.

The problem with the "fake" label is less that it's false, and more that it tends to carry a footnote that it's safe. I mean, wrestling is staged (Which means it's fake inasmuchas being predetermined and the like), but injuries are very real. However, culturally (In the states at least) dismiss it as nothing more than soap-opera ballet.

And there are a lot of backyard-ballett related deaths, I know. But seriously. Soap Operas had their share of crazed fanatics, even though it was WELL known they were fake. This condemnation didn't really change much for soaps, why would it for wrestling? Clearly, it didn't as we've still got people hurting themselves.

Honestly, we need to wake the fuck up culturally, because the retard you save might be your son. Now, I don't care if two people knowingly get into a ring and perform wrestling moves in the backyard--It's stupid, but it's their lives. However, I've seen even intelligent people dmississ wrestling moves because the consensus seems to be that fake means they can't hurt people.

I've mentioned a couple of times on here that I've been a dummy in women's self-defense courses before, because I knew how to take a fall. Never got one of those cool foam idiot costumes, but that's beside the point. Even in padding or trained, something as simple as a staged fall can hurt. I know. I've fucked up and landed wrong. Now, I don't think anything like that would kill someone (Unless it was off a cage or onto a concrete surface or something), but extend that to moves which are normally performed by strong men maneuvering guys who know how to land. If a fall can be botched, expand that to a piledriver (And we KNOW they can be botched) or a DDT or a spinebuster or a suplex. The guy doing the move not only has to be strong, but needs expert help from the other guy. Hence assholes like Holly who can make someone look bad by going dead. And I haven't even gotten into the "high-rent" district. Most of these moves are staples...Or were until banned in the WWE.

I cna't asay the mentality is entirely unjustified. We treat it as fake, and the guys do these moves on each other, they must be harmless, right? It makes sense, even if it's not true.

The problem is it's the nonbeliever who are most problematic. Mainstream America, who says that it's fake, who dismisses it, who's never watched a match where someone was legitimately hurt or had to read about a painkiller-addicted wrestler dying in a hotel. It's difficult, however, to convince someone already predisposed to not believe in wrestling.

So what's the solution? I really think we should pay attention to the fact that many injuries do happen because of this "wrestling is fake" notion, and pro wrestling takes the blame in a way no "don't try this at home" disclaimer (Like the WWE aired only a couple of years ago) will ever diminish.

Open to suggestions (Short of breaking someone's neck with an improper piledriver).

[Mr. Nerfect]

I agree with that 100%. Fake is such a damaging word. Staged, planned, choreographed, etc. are much better terms.

People consider it "faker" than movies apparently, which is why it can be such a risk as you said.

I don't know, maybe we can give seminars or something.

[Pepsi Man]

Mick Foley and Kurt Angle should come out and explain this somewhere. Foley due to all of his legit injuries inside the pro wrestling ring, and Angle, because he's got credibility from winning the Olympic gold medal with a broken freaking neck.

[Skippord]

That was 100% right KK

[TheNamelessOne]

Amen brotha

[Dave Youell]

Anytime I tell someone i'm a wrestler and they laugh and say it's fake, I tell them to get in a ring and take a few chops and bumps for a bit then come back to me.

Wrestling is what it is, entertainment.

[Jalapeño]

I'm going to go watch a scripted movie, it's a Jackie Chan flick where he beats up a lot of people. But it's cool, I know it's only a movie.

























ZOMG Wrestling is fake!!!!

[TerranRich]

KK, you're basically preaching to the choir here.

I have friends that prefer UFC over WWE because it's "real". I then turn on them and dismiss UFC as being barbaric and that I prefer my violence to be staged and not "real" in the sense that people are really trying to beat the shit out of each other. I tell them about how I watch it, sometimes for its storylines and plot twists, but mostly for its athleticism and the guys' talent.

One of these friends, John, told me that he stopped watching wrestling when it became a "soap opera". I then politely informed him that it had always been a soap opera, since the 80's. Even during the Attitude era, it was definitely a "soap opera" in his sense of the phrase.

People tend to dismiss wrestling because it's a "soap opera" and the violence isn't "real". Well I'm glad the violence isn't real and what would wrestling be without storylines? The fans would have no reason to care about anybody.

It's hard for these types of people to imagine that people watch wrestling for the stories then tell inside the ring. When they ask what the means, I just tell them that they'd have to watch it with an open mind and without judgment to find out.

[Destor]

When some asks me at a show if wrestlings fake I always say step in the ring and find out, we kick his ass and move on, he's then forever kayfabe. As far as the topic goes, staged is the word I would use.

[Hired Hitman]

Originally Posted by Jalapeño I'm going to go watch a scripted movie, it's a Jackie Chan flick where he beats up a lot of people. But it's cool, I know it's only a movie.

That is what I usually say.

[Kane Knight]

Originally Posted by TerranRich KK, you're basically preaching to the choir here. I have friends that prefer UFC over WWE because it's "real". I then turn on them and dismiss UFC as being barbaric and that I prefer my violence to be staged and not "real" in the sense that people are really trying to beat the shit out of each other. I tell them about how I watch it, sometimes for its storylines and plot twists, but mostly for its athleticism and the guys' talent. One of these friends, John, told me that he stopped watching wrestling when it became a "soap opera". I then politely informed him that it had always been a soap opera, since the 80's. Even during the Attitude era, it was definitely a "soap opera" in his sense of the phrase. People tend to dismiss wrestling because it's a "soap opera" and the violence isn't "real". Well I'm glad the violence isn't real and what would wrestling be without storylines? The fans would have no reason to care about anybody. It's hard for these types of people to imagine that people watch wrestling for the stories then tell inside the ring. When they ask what the means, I just tell them that they'd have to watch it with an open mind and without judgment to find out.

When comparing real and fake violence, I'd rather my kids see something that I could explain was staged over something that was done with violence with the intent to hurt.

Otherwise, I'm not that concerned either way. I mean, I'm not really IN to people beating the shit out of each other, but the concept of combat as a test of prowess itself isn't really all that bad to me. However, I could see why someone would prefer the scripted storytelling over the real bludgeoning. I definitely don't get why someone would stop watching wrestling when it became a soap opera...Hello...BECAME?

I'd personally draw the line at armed combat. Knife fighting, first blood, anything that uses weaponry. or has a more specific intent. I mean, a steel chair in wrestling is fine. First blood? Hell, blading looks nasty, but it's something done willingly and is calculated to look bad but not do damage (Unless you're Michaels, you'll need a transfusion).

I spar with my friends a lot, with fake weapons and bare hands. Even "fake" sparring can be dangerous, but it keeps you in practice and it can be fun. Especially watching this "badass martial artist" try and escape a full nelson...Almost makes me wish I was on good terms with the guy right now...I'd love to start screaming "BAH GAWD! MASTERLOCK!" to rub it in. I busted open a friend's face good once, just because he slipped as I was moving in. It's a calculated risk, but this shit can be dangerous, even when dealing with "professionals..." Or ameteurs with training. My circle of friends has another advantage...Most of us are at LEAST CPR certified, and several of us have training in emergency response. Not that I'm justifying it as safe, but we know the risks we take, and we know how to minimise the risks.

The real thing can be dangerous, but at least the UFC is treated as real, so the dangers are treated as real. My friends and I sparring is treated about as real as wrestling, and so I'm horribly concerned with the disregard. "You mean you'd be okay with your kids beating on each other with Kendo Sticks?"

Yeah, I guess so.

[Kane Knight]

Originally Posted by Jalapeño I'm going to go watch a scripted movie, it's a Jackie Chan flick where he beats up a lot of people. But it's cool, I know it's only a movie.

I usually cite things like Predator.

"Oh, and THAT'S not fake? You mean there are aliens out there hunting us for sport?"

[Corkscrewed]

I just say "it's not fake, it's scripted; there's a difference."

That's all.

[Kane Knight]

Then you chop them and scream "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Right?

[Favre4Ever]

And elbow drop my coat.