|
Post by Edge of Insanity on Jul 7, 2021 5:00:59 GMT -5
So when you are a fan of someone, and then you find out that they are a how horrible a wrestler is in real life, does it change your fandom of them? And I dont mean a Benoit situation, or any criminal stuff like being a pedo or anything.
|
|
|
Post by Viking Hall on Jul 7, 2021 5:32:58 GMT -5
There's no arbitrary answer for me. Does it affect how I feel about them? Probably. Does it mean I'll stop watching them? Often, no.
But like everything, there's exceptions to the rule.
|
|
|
Post by KAMALARAMBO: BOOMSHAKALAKA!!! on Jul 7, 2021 7:39:20 GMT -5
It can be tragic for people involved in real life. However, just as a fan watching them it eventually becomes more of an annoyance. Like you could get really into a match and then whatever they did just pops into your mind.
I know the OP said not to include Benoit, but whenever I watch a match he’s involved in, that’s definitely in the back of my mind.
|
|
nisidhe
Hank Scorpio
O Superman....O judge....O Mom and Dad....
Posts: 5,732
|
Post by nisidhe on Jul 7, 2021 15:27:12 GMT -5
Once upon a time, kayfabe was kept so tightly that you did not know _anything_ about a wrestler's private life: you didn't know whether they were married, had kids, what they did when they weren't on the road. The secrets within the wrestling locker room generally stayed there. If you were a wrestler up until the late 1990s (at least), that part of your life was yours and yours alone. You rarely discussed your life outside of wrestling, and then only in passing.
As the lines became blurred between wrestling characters and the people who played them (I believe Dwayne described the Rock as himself dialed up to 11), there came much more interest in not just the wrestlers, but also the guys and women who had lives away from the ring. The subculture that grew out of the indies brought with them the expectation that who they saw in the ring was who they would get after the matches. The community that built up around the indie promotions was one where everyone knew just about everyone else, and knew everyone's business - not necessarily healthy for those who have ended up getting the most attention - for example, the kerfuffle among some female fans when it became clear that Dean Ambrose was dating Renee Young irl. And sometimes, that sense of "knowing" someone can have serious consequences - consider Sonya Deville's stalker woes.
It isn't necessarily healthy for the long-term growth of pro wrestling, either - when too much personal info gets out there about someone, it can impact their ability to draw and make money. And it does interfere with fans' ability to lose themselves in the narrative of the match or the feud. That suspension of disbelief, essential to wrestling's ability to entertain, is not something that can be demanded outright of viewers. There can be, as I've learned, too much light let in on the magic.
|
|
|
Post by James Fabiano on Jul 7, 2021 18:17:47 GMT -5
It's....complicated.
For some reasons I didn't put so much weight on wrestlers being model citizens or people I could idolize.
Certain actresses/actors and singers I like? Yeah. Wrestlers? Not so much.
It depends on what they did IRL. Benoit is obviously the "gold" standard in this field.
Also if a wrestler or such was rude to me or to people I know, I will pretty much not tolerate that, as you know.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2021 18:20:05 GMT -5
Once upon a time, kayfabe was kept so tightly that you did not know _anything_ about a wrestler's private life: you didn't know whether they were married, had kids, what they did when they weren't on the road. The secrets within the wrestling locker room generally stayed there. If you were a wrestler up until the late 1990s (at least), that part of your life was yours and yours alone. You rarely discussed your life outside of wrestling, and then only in passing. As the lines became blurred between wrestling characters and the people who played them (I believe Dwayne described the Rock as himself dialed up to 11), there came much more interest in not just the wrestlers, but also the guys and women who had lives away from the ring. The subculture that grew out of the indies brought with them the expectation that who they saw in the ring was who they would get after the matches. The community that built up around the indie promotions was one where everyone knew just about everyone else, and knew everyone's business - not necessarily healthy for those who have ended up getting the most attention - for example, the kerfuffle among some female fans when it became clear that Dean Ambrose was dating Renee Young irl. And sometimes, that sense of "knowing" someone can have serious consequences - consider Sonya Deville's stalker woes. It isn't necessarily healthy for the long-term growth of pro wrestling, either - when too much personal info gets out there about someone, it can impact their ability to draw and make money. And it does interfere with fans' ability to lose themselves in the narrative of the match or the feud. That suspension of disbelief, essential to wrestling's ability to entertain, is not something that can be demanded outright of viewers. There can be, as I've learned, too much light let in on the magic. I mean that’s happened in all forms of media. With social media, your not wondering what someone is up to 20 years after highschool, you can see what they ate for breakfast. With wrestling it hits harder as there’s always a thin line between the character and the performer. A guy might mention he has a wife and kids in passing in a promo, then a month he’s in a love triangle angle. I think wrestling is missing larger than life characters and gimmicks. Wrestlers these days as good as the matches are just feel like guys I could have gone to highschool with, back in the day there was Hogan, Flair, Piper, Million Dollar Man, Rude, Perfect, the last thing you thought about was these people having families because the thing that mattered is what they did in the ring and the storylines they were telling.
|
|
|
Post by "Gizzark" Mike Wronglevenay on Jul 7, 2021 18:56:07 GMT -5
I like to think I have a hard line about it but the truth is it is almost never a conscious decision. Some folks I can get past whatever it is. Some I can't.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2021 18:59:44 GMT -5
It depends.
Their political beliefs/controversial opinions for example? Couldn't care less.
If they sexually assaulted someone for example? Absolutely.
|
|
|
Post by The Rick Jericho on Jul 7, 2021 19:01:04 GMT -5
3 biggest people I could think of in terms of entertainment are.
Bill Cosby R. Kelly Chris Benoit
Have people successfully separated the man from the entertainer?
Or is it simply just too hard?
|
|
|
Post by Edge of Insanity on Jul 8, 2021 3:01:44 GMT -5
I like to think I have a hard line about it but the truth is it is almost never a conscious decision. Some folks I can get past whatever it is. Some I can't. I feel the same way, its weird i guess.
|
|
|
Post by jimmyjames on Jul 8, 2021 3:26:13 GMT -5
The closest for me would be the Huckster. Everything about that video was foul and while I've put it behind me the truth is that if I see old clips of him or matches I will think of it and honestly won't be as excited. Growing up he was one fo the few wrestlers I knew and as a child of the 80s, him along with Mr. T for a lot of us were the be all of everything and to see that video; talking about your daughter having sex while you're having sex with your best friends wife, while he is filming and talking you is disgusting. Then had on the racist crap and, I'm sorry that's something you can't get over.
|
|
Mozenrath
FANatic
Foppery and Whim
Speedy Speed Boy
Posts: 121,204
|
Post by Mozenrath on Jul 8, 2021 3:40:54 GMT -5
It depends on a lot of things, and is a case by case basis.
For me, yeah, it honestly always at least dampens the enjoyment, and I think also it is influenced by proximity. Namely, I could watch a Wild Pegasus match and be able to just pay attention for the most part, outside of wincing at head blows. Chris Benoit matches with Woman at ringside? Not happening. It's too much even now.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2021 6:48:39 GMT -5
3 biggest people I could think of in terms of entertainment are. Bill Cosby R. Kelly Chris Benoit Have people successfully separated the man from the entertainer? Or is it simply just too hard? I can still listen to an R. Kelly song and watch a Chris Benoit match. I will never forget what they did and I think it's a damn shame that they wasted their talent like that.
|
|
|
Post by Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) on Jul 8, 2021 7:50:22 GMT -5
There's no arbitrary answer for me. Does it affect how I feel about them? Probably. Does it mean I'll stop watching them? Often, no. But like everything, there's exceptions to the rule. Pretty much this for me Everything depends but it is a case by case basis. Like Tessa after all that shit came out about her and her response to it, instantly turned me off her title reign
|
|
|
Post by cassonova on Jul 8, 2021 8:00:18 GMT -5
To an extent it changes how I feel as a fan. Like, I can watch old matches and not necessarily feel too bad, unless there's something really cringe in there. On the other hand, I don't want to see anything "new" from them. I appreciate their ring work, but they don't need current adulation.
|
|
|
Post by sportatorium on Jul 9, 2021 0:01:28 GMT -5
It's often best to appreciate the art more than the artist.
|
|