Wrestling matters?

Wrestling Matters?

With the WWE moving away from the term ‘wrestling’ and the continuing flux of criticism by ‘internet fans’  for the lack of a push for the guys who are technically gifted wrestlers. The likes of Tyson Kidd, Justin Gabriel, Evan Bourne and John Morrison are continuesly overlooked for a big push. These guys are all good workers, but they do lack a certain X Factor in their character when it comes to performing on the microphone. 

On the other hand, you have people like Mark Henry who isn’t the best performer in the ring by any stretch of the imagination, but is currently at main event level in the company due to the presence of their characters and ability to cut a promo. 

Thus, this article is going to discuss whether or not wrestling ability actually matters if a performer wants to reach the main event level. As a lifelong wrestling fan, I would like to believe in ring ability is just as important today as it always has been. 

However, there is evidence that this just isn’t the case. Over the last few years there have been ‘sports entertainers’ who haven’t received as big of a push as maybe they should have. You only have to look at the likes of Shelton Benjamin and John Morrison to more than prove this point. Both superstars were incredibly gifted in the ring and definitely have a fan base. 

Yet, both seemingly didn’t get the big push to the top of the roster. The reason for this? They don’t have the best mic skills in the business. I’m not saying that both of these superstars are terrible on the mic. I think with a few pointers both guys could have been adequate, if not good at cutting promos. But yet, with Shelton being released over a year ago and JoMo being out of favour, it looks like neither of these guys will ever make the big time. 

This is a contrast to some other wrestlers on the WWE roster who aren’t the most technically apt in the ring yet continue to be big time players in the company. Big guys like The Big Show and Mark Henry and even smaller guys such as The Miz have all been main event players. I’m not saying these guys are bad workers, not in The Miz’s case anyway, but they aren’t the most gifted workers in the company. 

What separates these guys from the others? They have charisma. They can talk. These guys command attention. Which makes me believe that in ring ability may only get you so far in the WWE, if you can’t talk, you can’t reach that next level. 

WWE is not just a ‘wrestling’ show. Far from it. It is a sports opera and should be treated as such. Being a good worker is great and is definitely an enjoyment to watch, but being entertaining on the microphone is also important in today’s business. Ultimately, if you’re not good at talking, how are you going to get people emotionally engaged in your matches?

Also, it does seem like recently there has been a bigger switch towards the better workers in the company. Guys like CM Punk, Christian, Daniel Bryan and Alberto Del Rio are all towards the top of the WWE and are all good to great workers. So there maybe hope yet. 

To Conclude, I think wrestling matters in the WWE, but I think it’s not the only thing that matters. In today’s business it is important to put on a good show in the ring and out of it. The hardcore wrestling fans will not watch the WWE, because it’s not a ‘wrestling’ show. It’s an ‘entertainment’ show and should be treated as much. But as fans, I don’t think it’s too much to ask for both.

What do you think? Does wrestling only get you so far in the business? Or is ability the only thing that matters? Feel free to voice your opinion in the comment section below. 

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Until next time, go to the Movies.

Daniel Morris.