Other then the sexually suggestive aspects,does anyone have a logical explanation as to why "Professional Wrestling" such as the WWE is still popular? I cannot believe how many "fans" still think it's real when the promoters actually admitted it isn't! The last time I saw an episode it looked more like
"The Jerry Springer Show"

Because 99% of the fans of professional wrestling know its not a sport. Its the people who dont watch it that still think it is viewed as one (even GLAAD- you can read my Outsports article about that from 2002 lol). Only the Japanese take it seriously on the sports page.

Its a predetermined athletic soap opera. Nothing more. Nothing less. Thats my best description why its still one the highest rated cable program. And you can join the other gay fans of it at www.gayprowrestling.com Enjoy.

Thanks Dallas,but I honestly don't enjoy it.I think a lot of those fans are a bit scary!

Not to turn this thread political, but it's absolutely amazing what goes on on this show with no one speaking up about it.

Funny since it's a rather Republican/conservative ran company that it goes unscathed by the Christian right and political right. Considering how much they go after more liberal shows, all this one does is perpetuate stereotypes to the extreme......and the sexual acts are 10 times more blunt than on Desperate Housewives and what not.

I know- and they know a good majority of its audience is tweens or teens.

I am also surprised that the domestic violence to women and the pure treatment of women as sexual objects is pure grounds for dismissal by the conservatives....

I used to watch it like crazy as a kid but grew apart from it as it got crazier and more soap opera-ish

I mean, my big deal used to be- would the British Bulldogs finally win the tag-team title from Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine?

My father was a high school wrestling coach for the better part of 30 years. Shows like this make his blood boil, mainly because it has NOTHING to do with the sport of wrestling. I, on the other hand, find it homoerotic...gee, I wonder why? I mean, the parading about, the costumes, the high drama...it makes the Pride parades look like a church social! By the way, Charlie Haas is a hottie! Love that last name!

[ July 22, 2005, 01:59 AM: Message edited by: millerbeach ]

Actually that isnt true. The Family Research Council led a crusade against the WWE a couplle years ago, resulting in a lot of major companies pulling their sponsorship of the programming. But all it resulted in was more publicity for WWE and other sponsors taking the place of the ones who left. They also made wrestling characters mocking the FRC calling them the RTC or Right to Censor.

Basically what killed the old days of just wondering who was going to beat who was the internet. Everyone spoke more freely of what happened behind the scenes. Also the then WWF admitted in court that it was entertainment, to avoid paying money to the state of NJ's sports commission. Oddly some states still lump pro wrestling into a state run commission with boxing, just to get the money. Other states realize its dangerous so they keep this type of regulation intact, requiring doctors and so forth at events. Its real blood, kids! Might be self inflicted wounds at times, but its their blood you see on tv.

There are a lot of smaller wrestling shows that appreciate the actual wrestling aspect and less of the entertainment, so it might make your dad happier miller, even if it is still predetermined. Also a lot more collegiate and olympic wrestlers are becoming sports entertainers, which helps shed more light on the amateur sport (Kurt Angle, Shelton Benjamin, Charlie Haas, Brock Lesnar). Also as I mentioned, it is a very respectful business in Japan and is treated as a sport still (but they dont have the shocking story lines like we do in the US).

But youre never going to have one or even two hour matches like they had even up to 10 years ago. The average viewer's attention span is real short. So they go for the shock value and end up with 10 minute matches. Back in 1890, people were ok with sitting outside watching two guys wrestle for two hours to a draw. That wont happen in 2005.

And I do realize Im in a gay minority appreciating pro wrestling, but I get 4-5000 visitors a month to my website, so we're out there But I know the majority of people think like eddie does.

Since it is all over mainstream news now since it involves UPN, I suppose you all saw the Mohammad Hassan character had to be removed because it was part of a terrorist characterization. I ask this--how is that different from watching a season of 24 on Fox? Why was Hassan more demeaning to Arab Americans?

American TV is way too sensitive these days. I recall the time in wrestling when all-American Sgt Slaughter became an Iraqi sympathizer during the 1st Gulf War and nobody was up in arms over it other than the fans who bought the whole story.

The wrestlers on tv dont go home and decide to wear ski masks and plant Al Qaeda cells to spring up at the local arena. Just like the actors on 24 dont either when they call it a day. This is also why this thread should move to the TV section

Dallas,you'd have to have a really dirty mind to think like "Eddie" does!

I do, baby

Some wrestling event went on sale this morning here in Tampa. Bucs tickets also went on sale. At my work (we are a ticketmaster outlet), there were WAY more people there for the wrestling tickets than Bucs tickets! I was in disbelief. I thought actor wrestling (I refuse to call it professional) had died... obviously, I haven't been paying attention.

No, its actually the Bucs that have died

Raw is scheduled for Tampa the end of August so thats probably what its for. 20,000 people want to be on tv to show off their poorly made signs.

Here were the recent cable ratings. Note the two hours of WWE Raw are seperate on Monday, but both in the top 10 Cable Nielsen Ratings

Oh and Raw is on its 636rd weekly episode tonight. Longest running show of all time. So long Simpsons. Bang bang Gunsmoke. Vince McMahon kicked you all to the curb.