I thought for my blog I would talk to a wrestling fan, just to see what they see in wrestling. This fan has seen more Southern wrestling and has probably forgot more than most folks in the business now will ever know. His name is not listed per his request. I am honoring that request. For the reader we will call him Long Time Fan (LTF, because I am too lazy to type the other out).
When do you remember first enjoying pro wrestling? LTF replies that he remembers being 9 or 10 about a half a century ago. Needless to say, scanning this long period of time pro wrestling as society has changed and evolved(or devolved depending on your outlook).
Who were some of the stars you remember from this era? He replies that he remembers Jackie Fargo & Len Rossi. Fargo and Rossi’s career spanned many years.
Have you ever worked on a show either as a wrestler or behind the scenes help? LTF says he helped put up rings for a guy named Bobby ,who was also a referee for promoter Nick Gulas. Since then as fans of wrestling, he says his family has helped shows with their video production.
Being a manager myself, I asked this fan, about managers back then. “Gentleman” Saul Weingeroff was his favorite. Weingeroff, as this fan tells me wore cheap suits and used a cane. Weingeroff was not about using the dreaded fireball as well.
LTF also told me back then(before cable) the only show he was about to watch was the Nick Gulas’ NWA. He remembers that one time Gulas had a big show slated for Chattanooga. Once getting there, only to find out that the show was sold out. He tells me that Gulas was at the ticket office and invited their family to come in an sit on the stage without charge. This is a revelation as Gulas was famous for his cheap ways. Then again, I am sure if any owner could sell out a show nowadays they would be ok, with this action by Gulas. That is if any show now could sell out.
Long Time Fan (LTF) sums up by saying as he and his family go to shows now a days. He tries to find something good in the shows. Some are better than others, he says. He tells me that attending wrestling shows are his way(and others for that matter) to relieve stress.
I asked what he likes and doesn’t like about the current product. The good is that there are wrestlers who can use every emotion they and the fans have. The words he used was “work their magic” which I think is a great statement. He likes seeing the show have good workers who can tell a story and take the fan along for the ride. Unfortunately, nowadays he says shows are littered with untrained guys who not only cannot wrestle but they also will tell anyone they know, usually a girlfriend/rat or wife the finishes of the matches. He knows because these women TALK! Untrained wrestlers are the biggest turn off, number one , bar none. As he mentions about attending a show where the urinal is a sink(this is the famous Flea Market show), which is so ridiculous you almost cannot believe its true, but this author has been there(low point without a DOUBT). He also states about these untrained guys missing spots(no surprise there) and the fact they are working in jeans, t shirts and tennis shoes. Oh and shot callers here is some wisdom for you: If a heel does their job right, a fan will come back hoping to see them get their but kicked the following week. I know that is the way I think unfortunately some shot callers should not be shot callers, they should listen to people who actually respect the business and have a mind for the business. Such people actually know what works and what will draw a crowd. He reminded me a few times that wrestlers with no training and are allowed to work is the WORST!
I am sure all those things are issues that anyone who understands and respects wrestling HATE in any show(that allows such behavior). I would like to thank him for his recollections. This might be the first in more discussions with fans. Its my hope that someone who is running a show or owns a show reads this and heeds the bad signs included.
My name is Bradley Caine, you can contact me on Facebook or email me at bcinalabama@gmail if you have questions or such.
3 comments:
Ridiculous, and absurd, yet its true that many southern indy wrestling show allows untrained workers to pubically be seen in a show. Maybe when fans demand refunds during a show the promoters will start thinking about the way they run their show. I agree with LTF about how wrestling has changed over the years to where it has fallen downhill as a product in the industry. Kayfabe may have been broken, but there is still millions of fans that hasnt been around the sport who could one day be sitting in those seats. Why spoil it? Why give the fans for free what we pay to learn? Stupidity at its best I guess.
I am thinking of doing another blog with the "kayfabe or not to kayfabe". Nowadays I have heard guys in the business say "Oh yeah kayfabe" like it is a bad thing, then they wonder why fans who attend the shows don't pop for them. I got a blog about this coming, I can feel it !
Ive only been around this business for about 7 years. I LOVE it, once its in your blood you cant get it out. It makes me sad to see shows that let untrained wrestlers in the ring in front of fans. LTF has hit the nail right on the head, someday there will be new fans in those seats who havent been disillusioned by some of the shows out there, and I hope that these new fans get to come across the shows that have real workers, ones that have that magic and that truely still love this business...
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