3. Know-It-All Fans (Who Know Nothing In Actuality)
In the old days, wrestling fans could easily be slipped in to one of the following two categories:
The ‘Mark’ – A FAN that believes everything is exactly as it is presented in pro wrestling.
The ‘Smart Mark’ (or ‘Smark’) – A FAN that knows the secrets of business and how it all works.
However, this is no longer the case. Today, traditional marks are almost extinct, but this does not, as many falsely seem to believe, mean that every wrestling FAN is now a certified smark.
Of course, it is now common knowledge that pro wrestling is not a competitive sport. An appreciation for quality booking, effective heel work and mastery of RING psychology are all hallmarks of the 21st century wrestling fan, as is the use of formerly insider terms like ‘heel’, ‘babyface’, ‘kayfabe’, ‘work’, ‘shoot’, ‘heat’ and many others besides. In fact, there is a handy glossary of these (and other) terms available to you on Wikipedia. It’s really not that hard to read them and apply them to wrestling discussions with your friends.
Simply knowing these terms (and using them correctly) does not make you a wrestling insider, nor does it make you ‘smart to the business’ – it simply makes you a fan in the modern era. Nothing more.
The truth is that a GREAT DEAL of wrestling is still a work and that vast, vast portions of the wrestling business are still shrouded in secrecy. If you watch a match and can’t tell who is leading the dance, or if you believe that simply reading dirtsheets makes you an insider, think again – you aren’t a smark. You’re just a modern day mark.
Anyone can tell that Dolph Ziggler is a FAR better wrestler than John Cena. However, you’re closer to the inside if you can explain WHY John Cena is the champion and Dolph Ziggler isn’t. Answers on a POSTCARD, please…
The arrogance of some modern fans is simply astounding. They honestly seem to believe that an artform as complex and enduring as wrestling can be understood and fully comprehended after a watching a couple of years of WWE Pay Per Views, or buying a ringside ticket to ROH’s LIVE STREAM.
Maybe, instead of acting like you’ve got this wrestling game all figured out and complaining about it all the damn time, you should just sit down, SHUT YOUR MOUTH and enjoy the damn show for once.
via www.whatculture.com
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