|
Post by Ganon83 on Aug 15, 2013 22:50:33 GMT -5
I'm not that shocked about the "non-issue" the boys probably feel/felt. Because of Patterson its been that way for a while at least, and I don't doubt for a second there wasn't at least one gay in the locker room over the last 20 or so years we don't/didn't know about simply because the boys didn't care and they never came out about it. Without getting into politics, wrestling is very liberal on social matters like this. Add that with a changing society that becomes more tolerant by the day, and it becomes a matter of when, not if.
|
|
Allie Kitsune
Crow T. Robot
Always Feelin' Foxy.
HaHa U FaLL 4 LaVa TriK
Posts: 46,865
|
Post by Allie Kitsune on Aug 15, 2013 23:04:38 GMT -5
From his tone in the interview I think that this is the least big deal to Darren Young of anyone. Everyone is like OH THIS IS SUCH A BIG THING but Darren Young is like "hey man yeah I'm gay whatever" Even the interviewer is like OH HOLY SHIT THANKS FOR SHARING SOMETHING SO BEAUTIFUL and Young is just like "ye its chill" It's for the best that D-Young doesn't want to make a huge deal out of it. He just wants to live his life and be the same PTPer he's been. He's Darren Young, He's Gay, He's a WWE Wrestler, but he doesn't want to be known as "Darren Young, the gay WWE wrestler", he just wants to be known as "Darren Young, Mr. No Days Off, Primetime Player" (and once he leaves WWE, by his real name).
|
|
Chainsaw
T
A very BAD man.
It is what it is
Posts: 90,480
|
Post by Chainsaw on Aug 15, 2013 23:23:46 GMT -5
I was actually touched by the outpouring of support on Twitter for Darren today. A lot of it seemed pretty sincere, too.
|
|
The OP
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
changed his name
Posts: 15,785
|
Post by The OP on Aug 15, 2013 23:26:41 GMT -5
There shouldn't be any mention of it or character tweak at all. The point is that it shouldn't become someones identity. Michael Cole never introduces Randy Orton as "the Viper, Randy Orton... of course Orton leads an entirely normal lifestyle, everyone would like to show their support for Orton who is, of course, straight". If they can't show Darren Young without giving a nod to his sexuality it'll never change. I see your point, but at the same time it would be weird for one of WWE's wrestlers to be the subject of a TMZ report that's getting a lot of positive attention and for them to not mention it. I think a tactful way to do it would just be to have Cole or whoever say something like "Darren Young's gotten a lot of attention lately from a TMZ report. Many are now commeding Young, who's clearly not afraid to just be himself and be honest about who he is. You can see that report on wwe.com"(might as well put it on their own website and get some traffic out of it, right?). "And speaking of Darren Young, he's got his work cut out for him tonight against his opponent blah blah blah" and then just start talking about the match. That's what I would do. I'd also start booking him as a babyface ASAP, as this has endeared him to a lot of people. A bunch of people who I know couldn't give a crap less about pro wrestling are posting about it and giving him kudos on Facebook and stuff.
|
|
Allie Kitsune
Crow T. Robot
Always Feelin' Foxy.
HaHa U FaLL 4 LaVa TriK
Posts: 46,865
|
Post by Allie Kitsune on Aug 15, 2013 23:30:08 GMT -5
There shouldn't be any mention of it or character tweak at all. The point is that it shouldn't become someones identity. Michael Cole never introduces Randy Orton as "the Viper, Randy Orton... of course Orton leads an entirely normal lifestyle, everyone would like to show their support for Orton who is, of course, straight". If they can't show Darren Young without giving a nod to his sexuality it'll never change. I see your point, but at the same time it would be weird for one of WWE's wrestlers to be the subject of a TMZ report that's getting a lot of positive attention and for them to not mention it. I think a tactful way to do it would just be to have Cole or whoever say something like "Darren Young's gotten a lot of attention lately from a TMZ report. Many are now commeding Young, who's clearly not afraid to just be himself and be honest about who he is. You can see that report on wwe.com"(might as well put it on their own website and get some traffic out of it, right?). "And speaking of Darren Young, he's got his work cut out for him tonight against his opponent blah blah blah" and then just start talking about the match. That's what I would do. I'd also start booking him as a babyface ASAP, as this has endeared him to a lot of people. A bunch of people who I know couldn't give a crap less about pro wrestling are posting about it and giving him kudos on Facebook and stuff. I'm OK with turning him face, as long as they don't break him and Titus up.
|
|
suave
Dennis Stamp
"I only got on my knees for God and maybe to lick a girl's pussy" -Teddy Hart
Posts: 4,207
|
Post by suave on Aug 15, 2013 23:37:47 GMT -5
I don't know. Darren Young isn't really a big name, even among wrestling fans. I can't see someone from tmz recognizing him. One can work for TMZ, and be a wrestling fan. Yeah, a bunch of guys make reference to WWE or wear WWE merch on TMZ TV. They'll occasionally have someone unknown to non-fans. Like, I think Luke Gallows was on once. Same with Colt Cabana.
|
|
|
Post by King Devitt and the Woke Mob on Aug 16, 2013 0:24:25 GMT -5
very freaking cool.
super proud of the guy.
|
|
|
Post by CATCH_US IS the Conversation on Aug 16, 2013 2:18:46 GMT -5
Its not a work, and Im sure people who know him have known he was gay for a while. But to pretend the WWE didnt want to, or isnt planning on capitilizing on anything that gets them national attention is foolish. It doesn't reek of courage as this will probably be the best thing ever to happen for Darren Young in his career. He's a mediocre wrestler, void of much talent and doesnt seperate himself from the fray. What did you think would happen? WWE would fire him? Obviously not. It's the best career move he's ever made. First of all, he's a very solid wrestler, though his in-ring style is kind of dry. He's in that no-man's land between technical, power, and high-flyer, and he'd do well to pick one and concentrate on it. Second, the very notion that someone would come out as gay in order to GAIN job security is hilarious. I'd like to see that. I agree that D-Young is solid, but does he really have any strengths from he can concentrate on? By that, I mean is he obviously better at any one aspect than he is at others. Look at John Cena, who D-Young resembles, along with fellow "Cena-clone" Alex Riley. They are also "mixed bag" performers. Cena is underrated as a grappler, but is most known for his freaky retard strength and occasionally pulling weird moves out of his ass. A-Ry is also a power/high-flier hybrid, and has been able to work that into a sleek, speed and agility oriented, explosive style. Hopefully Darren can find a similar groove like that.
|
|
|
Post by Dave the Dave on Aug 16, 2013 2:22:25 GMT -5
Let's add him to the "I wouldn't have guessed but not surprised" list.
Good on him not hypibg it up. I'd love a WWE magazine cover parodying Ellen's "yep, I'm gay"
|
|
Cranjis McBasketball
Crow T. Robot
Knew what the hell that thing was supposed to be
Peace Love and Nothing But
Posts: 42,414
|
Post by Cranjis McBasketball on Aug 16, 2013 2:27:08 GMT -5
If this helps people, I'm good.
I'm in the "Who gives a shit?" category. Which, it seems Darren Young is also in.
|
|
|
Post by celticjobber on Aug 16, 2013 2:28:25 GMT -5
Here's an interview with Randy Orton about Darren coming out:
(Language Warning)
|
|
|
Post by Brother Nero....Wolfe on Aug 16, 2013 2:39:51 GMT -5
Here's an interview with Randy Orton about Darren coming out: (Language Warning) I love out-of-character Orton. I wish his character was more like him.
|
|
|
Post by celticjobber on Aug 16, 2013 2:43:30 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by CATCH_US IS the Conversation on Aug 16, 2013 2:44:06 GMT -5
Here's an interview with Randy Orton about Darren coming out: (Language Warning) I love out-of-character Orton. I wish his character was more like him. I like the idea of Orton acting more like his real self, while playing a PARODY!!! of the Viper. Like instead of doing the spastic snake mannerisms because he actually IS psychotic, he does it for the lolz. Like he'll just smirk, shrugs, and start pounding his fists for the hell of it.
|
|
chazraps
Wade Wilson
Better have my money when I come-a collect!
Posts: 28,273
|
Post by chazraps on Aug 16, 2013 3:00:33 GMT -5
So why is this a thread? I don't get the significance... people make this stuff way too big of a deal. He's gay, okay, great. It doesn't affect his wrestling ability, or change my feelings about him. It's a big deal because he's breaking significant ground in terms of the social implications and what an openly gay performer in the world of sports entertainment represents. This is something I think a lot of heteronormative people miss about what the presence of homosexuality in the media and the significance of coming out is. I know in your heart-of-hearts someone being gay doesn't make any difference to you. Cool. But while you may be enlightened enough to recognize that who someone loves is their business, for many people worldwide that isn't the case. We're at a point in the world where plenty of people are still being killed for being gay. In other parts of the world, the supposedly more civilized ones, people are imprisoned, by law, for being gay. Think about it, imagine your government stated everyone who was left-handed had to be locked up or killed and weren't seen as being entitled to the basic human rights as their right handed counterparts. It's something a person has absolutely no control over, but it's an irrevocable part of who they are. While you may be fortunate enough to live somewhere that overt homophobia doesn't flourish in such a way, millions of people aren't so lucky. Now imagine you have the misfortune of being gay in one of those areas where homosexuality is still frowned up. Whether being "out" would make you a social outcast or a criminal, can you begin to imagine the pain of not being able to be who you are? That's why Darren Young being openly gay in a multi-national multi-billion dollar company with a significant worldwide presence is such a big deal. It sends such a strong message of acceptance and hope. People fear what they don't understand, and there's plenty of people who've never identified a homosexual beyond some alternative lifestyle boogieman of hearsay. Young being openly gay and just being there might be enough to get the wheels spinning in order for someone to open their mind, or some kindred spirit to know that they're not alone. We're fortunate enough to be at a point in history where the WWE is comfortable with an active on-air talent being openly gay. Reality is here, and it's pretty awesome. It's a courageous move on Young's part, and while your Friday morning may not be all that different, it's going to be a brand new day with an important barrier broken that will change the business for the better forever.
|
|
chazraps
Wade Wilson
Better have my money when I come-a collect!
Posts: 28,273
|
Post by chazraps on Aug 16, 2013 3:02:32 GMT -5
Of all the idiotic threads we have come through this site, this is the one that doesn't deserve to exist. Okay... Being gay is not a big deal. It really shouldn't be a big deal. I'm coming out heterosexual. Where's my thread? Because heterosexuals haven't in any way whatsoever faced thousands of years of degradation in society. Are you going to demand you have "White History Month" next?
|
|
|
Post by salsashark on Aug 16, 2013 9:26:08 GMT -5
D Young's Today Show interview, which further emphasizes how big this news is: www.today.com/video/today/52771516#52771516I have to say, I get a huge kick out of wrestlers being referred to by their real names in interviews instead of kayfabe ones, so this was nice.
|
|
Allie Kitsune
Crow T. Robot
Always Feelin' Foxy.
HaHa U FaLL 4 LaVa TriK
Posts: 46,865
|
Post by Allie Kitsune on Aug 16, 2013 9:29:57 GMT -5
D Young's Today Show interview, which further emphasizes how big this news is: www.today.com/video/today/52771516#52771516I have to say, I get a huge kick out of wrestlers being referred to by their real names in interviews instead of kayfabe ones, so this was nice. Just as an aside, I hope WWE still calls him Darren Young, and doesn't have him switch to his real name just because of this interview.
|
|
|
Post by salsashark on Aug 16, 2013 9:30:39 GMT -5
Also, I wonder whether or not this event will change how WWE books or writes gay-related angles or allusions to homosexuality from here on out. Will we ever hear another alternative lifestyle joke from Cena?
|
|
|
Post by salsashark on Aug 16, 2013 9:34:16 GMT -5
D Young's Today Show interview, which further emphasizes how big this news is: www.today.com/video/today/52771516#52771516I have to say, I get a huge kick out of wrestlers being referred to by their real names in interviews instead of kayfabe ones, so this was nice. Just as an aside, I hope WWE still calls him Darren Young, and doesn't have him switch to his real name just because of this interview. I do, too. Fred Rosser doesn't have a "Superstar"-ish ring to it, plus Darren Young is relatively established. All this said, I do hope active wrestlers are more comfortable with breaking kayfabe for sit-down interviews like this in the future and there isn't an unspoken moratorium on calling someone by their real name if you are talking away from the ring.
|
|