Know Your Roles
Written: 1/8/09
iReason for this Writing:i
Just something I've wanted to get off my chest for a while.
Article
As I’ve said before, I consider myself much more of a “WWE” fan than a “professional wrestling” fan. Aside from the obvious glitz and glamour of the “big time”, I also prefer the “something for everyone” approach to in-ring styles that Vince McMahon utilizes over the more “niche” style employed by other organizations, such as those that are primarily based on Hardcore or Technical wrestling.
I bring this up because I feel it is important to understand that my view of sports-entertainment is likely different from the majority of “internet smarks”. I am a member of the so-called “Internet Wrestling Community”, and enjoy sharing opinions with others on message-boards, but I also often feel that many fans just don’t understand that a difference of opinion is merely that, a difference of opinion, and not some sort of evidence that the opposing viewpoint is “wrong”. To use a cliché, there’s a reason they make more than one flavor of ice-cream.
The point that I am failing to smoothly segue into is that there’s more to being a good wrestler or “sports-entertainer” than being a great in-ring performer. And while that idea is somewhat understood when it comes to the importance of charisma, there’s actually much more to it than that. Sometimes hiring someone based strictly on looks or physique can be a very smart move, not only for the merchandising opportunities, but for what they can do for those around them.
Case in point: The Big Show.
You know The Big Show, right? Around seven feet tall, around 450 pounds? The guy that so many “smarks” think should have been fired years ago.
Now, this is not meant to be an attack on Show’s in-ring prowess or promo-cutting ability. On the contrary, this is actually meant to be an argument in support of Show, to the hundreds of online posters that I have seen over the years claim that he is a waste of money and TV-time. To those, I say, you just don’t “Get It”.
Before we get into what is short-sighted about their argument, I want to go over the parts that I agree with. Yes, I will agree that the Big Show has never - and most likely will never - set the world on fire with his wrestling. I know I’ve never referred to one of Show’s matches as the “best match of the night”, and I don’t think many people have, either. I’ll also agree that he’s not the most charismatic guy in history, though I say that with the caveat that I have always felt Show played a much better face than heel; while I understand why the powers-that-be would want to keep a man of his stature heel, he’s such a likable guy, and possesses such an affable personality and sense of humor, that he has never played the “bully” as well as the “anti-bully” (the big guy who helps the little guys).
However, while I have never referred to one of Show’s MATCHES as being amazing, there are many times that I’ve thought a particular spot was not only amazing, but was something to rewind over and over. And not only were they cool spots for the sake of doing cool spots, but they served to help his opponents get over.
Remember how impressive it was when Brock Lesnar gave Show the F-5? Pretty much solidified Lesnar as being the be-all, end-all ultimate monster of the business, didn’t it? That wouldn’t have happened if the entire roster was composed of 6”, 200 pound-ers. Same goes for when John Cena gave Show the F-U, which ended-up being even MORE impressive, since not only was Cena smaller than Lesnar, but Cena’s amazing strength had never even really been mentioned up to that point; while Cena’s always been in phenomenal shape, he’d never really been portrayed as a true power-house, and that one spot added an entirely new dimension to him. And who can forget how impressive Chris Benoit looked after he single-handedly eliminated Show from the 2004 “Royal Rumble” match after six others had failed?
You simply can’t do those spots and angles with smaller men; no amount of Corkscrew Moonsaults or Suplex variations can equal the sheer visual impact that such a difference in size captures. Remember the intrigue that the build-up to Show’s match against Floyd Mayweather created? What about all the times his simple presence was welcomed just because a cocky heel wouldn’t shut-up (My favorite example being when he ejected Vince McMahon from the building)? And who didn’t completely mark-out when that super-plex from Brock caused the ring to implode, or when he interrupted that “Lumberjack” match only to take EVERYBODY out?
Same thing goes with guys like The Great Khali, Mark Henry, Big Daddy V, or any of the other “giants” that have been employed over the years. Other than when they go the comedy route with one of these guys (“Khali Kiss Cam”, Mark Henry & Mae Young, “The World’s Largest Love Machine”), these guys are not meant to be the main attractions, they are meant to make the main attractions look better. Nobody’s gonna watch ECW to see the latest “five star” Mark Henry match, but when built up as a credible threat, we feel good seeing an every-man like Matt Hardy beat him. And that feel-good moment is then permanently connected with Matt Hardy, and we remember all the other “feel good” moments we’ve had with him, and you know what, we’ll cheer for Matt even more now. Cuz despite being small, he fought his heart out, he “would not die”, he took everything the World’s Strongest Man dished out and, damn it, he still came back to win. Now that’s the kind of babyface anyone can get behind!
There’s nothing wrong with being a “stepping stone” in this industry. Sure, the “marquee name” might get all the accolades, but it’s all those around him that are helping to make the company money - these “untalented hosses” are every bit as important to the business as the brawlers, scientific-wrestlers, and high-fliers. Are there times when one is pushed too hard, or kept past their expiration date? Of course, just like there are plenty of times that they really shouldn’t even be allowed to attempt twenty-minute matches - particularly against each other - due to lack of talent and/or charisma. And can it be argued that maybe some of them are over-paid, taking money away from other, more talented workers? Well, that’s ultimately Vince McMahon’s decision, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have a place on the roster, though.
If you like your “wrestling” to be straight-up, catch-as-catch-can scientific wrestling composed strictly of guys who stand 5’8”, that’s fine. My favorite wrestlers and matches have always been of the more scientific variety. But when it comes to Vince McMahon’s version of “sports-entertainment”, there are many more roles to play.
So know your roles.
And shut your mouths.
