You got your reality in my rasslin'

Let it never be said that the authors behind LOL, Wresslin' aren't serious folks. We are. There are a lot of things that we think deserve to be treated with respect and realistic expectations. Video games and blogging to name two. Professional wrestling is obviously not a third.

Now, that doesn't mean we don't want quality entertainment when we tune in each week, but there's a suspension of disbelief that we are aware of and welcome. Professional wrestling exists to give us cartoon conflict that we can't get watching boxing or UFC, and we don't want to just see two guys slugging it out and every match ending in a knockout. We also don't want to see Wile E. Coyote smashed to a pulp when he rides a rocket into the side of a cliff, or Bugs to be left with a bloody stump after sticking his index finger into the barrel of a hunting rifle. These are not things that we look forward to.

So it's a little disconcerting when we came across this article a few days ago. Vince wants wrestling to be "more real." Now, the article explains that he wants the wrestlers to work a little closer so the cameras don't catch phantom punches and the similar, which is fine with us. Anyone who watches wrestling on a regular basis has seen a whif or two, and reality always comes knocking at that point to dampen your experience. But the truth is we don't want our wrestling to get more "real," because part of what impresses us is the illusion of combat without the injury, and the over-the-top nature of the storylines, plot points, and maneuvers.

Above: reality

Vince, your product isn't supposed to compete with real sports; your product is supposed to entertain. If fans aren't watching, it's not because we don't want to see unrealistic moves or want to see guys hit each other more. It's because you're not doing a good job at what you're supposed to do well. By all means, make it look better if you can, but don't lose sight of why so many of us starting watching.

And please, don't let the Great Khali win every match because that's more realistic. The man can't even use a telephone.



Come on.