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Something They Can’t See: The New Kayfabe

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WWE Triple H Stephanie McMahon Motorcycle

It is quite common nowadays for a certain negative observation about wrestling fans to come from the wrestling talent themselves. Not a criticism, more a prevailing observation. With the veil removed and less illusion and mystery surrounding the business, cynical fans will first see the negative in something (an angle, a character, a match, etc.) which leaves the possibility of something being successful or even interesting less likely. This attitude leaves a bad stench that surrounds wrestling discussion, usually living outside of the kayfabe universe wrestling seeks to create. As a fanbase, we can be cynical perhaps because we have to take everything we see and hear with a grain of salt. We cast doubts as to whether things that are promised or possible will happen. That doubt leads fans to treat the business with as much disdain as appreciation.

Getting back to how this affects the perception of fans among the wrestlers, I recently had the opportunity to speak with a performer who, during a match, saw his opponent demonstrate his frustration with the current climate among wrestling fandom. In my conversation with current indy star Mike Orlando, he spoke of how, when he faced Ryback, the former Intercontinental Champion changed the direction of the match simply to out-think fans, clashing the real universe with the kayfabe one.

Talent does love what they do and loves when it’s appreciated as well. At the core of the business, the mark of a successful wrestler is to garner a reaction whether as a face or as a heel. However, in any line of work, when what you do isn’t appreciated it is easy to take issue. So amidst the growing cynicism towards wrestling and the talent from fans, it feels like only a matter of time before the talent lashes out. Clearly, criticism of talent for a ‘poor’ match or a ‘weak’ skill set reflects that at times fans believe they know more about wrestling than the talent themselves. In their defense, it is easy to think that; fans have been widely exposed to what goes on behind the scenes through shoot videos and social media, leading to that the belief that they know more than the talent.

Whether in kayfabe or not, when talent is pushed to a limit, they will look at their mentions on social media and get fired up. For instance, within the past few months, a comment was directed at Cody Rhodes on Twitter suggesting that his brother was ‘nothing’ as a wrestler, when in actuality that couldn’t be further from the truth. The problem is that, from some fans’ perspective, a wrestler is only as good as his or her last match. However, in actuality, their best match doesn’t stop being significant because they don’t have the same rank or stature now than when they did years earlier. From Cody’s perspective, Goldust’s current booking has no bearing on what his past accomplishments, having been an Intercontinental and tag team champion. Goldust’s character pushed the envelope of what was and wasn’t taboo in its prime, tapping into a persona that made a number of people feel uncomfortable.

It is sad to think that our believing we know more than those that are part of the planning, the work, the preparation and the sacrifice to make something effective can lead to us easily and dismissively casting it aside. When it gets to that point, talent is more than justified in pushing back. Sure, professionals are in a position where they should expect to be faced with criticism and have to deal with it. However, the problem is thinking that, when you see their response, you understand their plight and their state of mind when they respond, or what other factors go into their response. In the case of Cody Rhodes, his family was insulted and his brother’s career accomplishments weren’t even acknowledged.

Heels such as Kevin Owens and Baron Corbin are recognized for their rather clever and witty comments expressed on social media. In a number of cases, Corbin has mocked fans for believing they knew more than the Lone Wolf. In these instances, the critics have felt they are justified, maybe because they have watched wrestling longer than the former NFL player. However, in his responses, he is being consistent with his character in the kayfabe universe, while at the same time pointing out the stigma that so many fans are accused of: that they believe they are knowledgeable and informed enough to know who is and isn’t justified to be in their current role. Other performers frequently point out how Corbin has been quite active in wanting to know more about his current profession and is committed to getting better at it. They say he is constantly inquiring about how to improve and what he needs to work on both inside and outside the ring. Fans’ attacks him are ill-informed because they have no idea how committed he is to getting better. Does he get frustrated if things don’t work well? Who wouldn’t, considering it is all done under a microscope?

We often watch talent through a small lens, but our perspective needs to be broadened because all these performers are constantly striving to, ultimately, become more successful at entertaining the paying public. And when they elicit a response from you, they ultimately have struck a chord. Whether they are liked or not, they are committed. One of the most polarizing wrestlers in WWE is, without question, Roman Reigns. It is, of course, easy to question, challenge, jeer or cheer a character that fills a great deal of television time, and on-screen Reigns doesn’t try to play up either the cheers or the jeers. He simply tries to remain in character, a character that is far from heelish, despite what at times appears to be the kind of heat that should be bestowed upon the most despised villain. However, when talent breaks character, for instance on social media, it is simply because the outpouring of criticism they receive isn’t rational or justified. This became apparent when Reigns commented upon the belief of certain fans that he didn’t ‘sacrifice’ enough. Reigns pulled no punches as he highlighted how he has spent countless days, weeks, and months away from his family, how his sacrifice goes beyond the ring. Is this kayfabe? No, it’s very real, but it plays into his kayfabe character. He has the support of management because they know he is committed to being better. And he is eliciting a reaction, and for that he really should be commended, not condemned. The same could be said about John Cena, who has faced the same love/hate reaction that Reigns does, in his case over the past decade. While Cena has endured criticism for a lack of character change, moveset, and for being ‘super,’ he takes it all in stride. He acknowledges the criticism but states that the fans’ passion is always welcome. However, what if that passion was perceived as being disrespectful?

There will be a contingent of fans that will no doubt say that they are justified in criticizing how they see fit that they pay for the product so they are free to share their views. And we couldn’t agree more, but what tends to be forgotten is that unless we have stepped in the ring, taken a bump, attempted to generate a reaction with everything we say and do, then we in all fairness we can’t see what they see. Our awareness of what goes into a match is limited to what those in the business have made us aware of, and even that will vary depending on whom the talent is and their unique experiences. Anyone that has seen a film that lifted the veil to show what happens behind the scenes in wrestling has seen that the sacrifices they make are real, whether that is watching Mick Foley receive 25 shots to the head while handcuffed or seeing another wrestler pulling shards of glass from his skin. Their commitment truly is unparalleled.

During the 1980s and earlier, fans exposure to the truth behind the kayfabe was minimal at best. They jeered or cheered, but it was much purer; there wasn’t a need to know the truth or the need to try to outthink what we were watching as if they were predicting the end of a suspenseful movie. Fans today want to know something before it happens, yet they also love the element of surprise. Their rather critical nature is rooted in the abundance of information they are exposed to on a day to day basis. They believe they know more because things they believe to be truthful are widely shared.

However, what if everything we believed to be the reality of things, wasn’t? What if everything fans had been made aware of was a deliberate effort to reinforce the belief that fans of today do ‘know it all?’ Part of the breaking of kayfabe is to stay a step ahead of those in the audience, and those watching on some form of a device. In reality, it doesn’t break kayfabe at all, but establishes a new one.

Some talent are doubtless insulted, but not because audiences are tougher to convince or more particular about what they like or don’t like. Rather, it’s completely justified to be insulted if someone tells you they know better what you have committed your life to better than you do. It is much like the child that believes they know more than their parent, or the employee that feels they know more than their employer. You can’t claim superior knowledge when you aren’t walking in the shoes of those you are watching. Is questioning what we watch, when it has to do with what happens in a match, justified? Truth be told, no, not really. The talent are given parameters of what to do, and the decision of who wins or loses isn’t something the talent needs to be chastised about. And in the end, more than likely they know something we don’t. That, is their new kayfabe.


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Opinion

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS: WWE Bash In Berlin Immediate Reactions

Join DJ and Tunney for their immediate reactions to WWE Bash in Berlin. For the latest, greatest and up to datest, ALWAYS #UseYourHead and visit THECHAIRSHOT.COM

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Opinion

AJ’s Top 3 Favorite SummerSlams

AJ is back with his annual opinion article, and this time the SummerSlam buzz got him wondering about his personal Top 3.

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It’s been a while since I have done any form of writing and SummerSlam is this Saturday. Of all the SummerSlams I’ve seen over the years; which ones are my favorites? While it’s not a revolutionary idea, I figured everyone loves to debate favorites of well, anything. Don’t worry though because this isn’t just going to be pure recency bias. I’ve watched the majority of them so with the ones I put on the list, it hit me more in some way shape or form whether it was story, a really good match or it just felt like a solid event.

At least this proves WWE is trending in a good direction for me, when it gets the ol’ brain juices flowing just because a show is around the corner!

#3: 2022 (Ol’ Brock Lesnar Has A Farm)

r/Wrasslin - when did Brock lesner begin his farmer and cowboy gimmick and when did he stop doing the gimmick ? is it worth watching I believe it was 2021 but not sure when he stopped the gimmick
Starting off the show, we get Bianca looking for a rematch against Becky from last years SummerSlam and it was better than the 21 second affair that everyone claims was a squash. This time Bianca holds her own and beats the Man in a fairly decent match, good way to get the event started. Next up is the heat seeking missile, Logan Paul against the former heat seeking missile because, well he wasn’t cut out for it and wasn’t a guy in everyone’s eyes, The Miz. After they had their blow off at Mania with Logan coming out on top which… isn’t awful, I just don’t like Logan Paul because he has that dude bro aura and swagger to make him more hateable than any other person on the card. Which I suppose is his gimmick…so…kudos?

First Championship match is for the US Championship and it’s as expected that in Theory, he should never beat someone to the caliber of Bobby Lashley which is no surprise. Dominik and Rey still back when Dom wanted the good fight against the Judgement Day before joining them later. The former Colts players, which they hammered it dahn in this match up showed that the canal swimming, trash talkin’, podcastin’, current RAW Color Commentatin’ goofball we all love, Pat McAfee came out on top again Bum Ass Corbin.

Usos putting the Street Profits on lockdown in the penitentiary since I believe this was peak Bloodline with the belt collecting and running all of WWE. Liv beat Ronda Rousey which isn’t astonishing but it’s not something people had on their bingo cards for anything with WWE so it was a nice little shock factor. The most memorable part of the night is obviously the Main Event, Lesnar brings the tractor, Roman catching the Microphone and Brock stands on top of the vehicle. Damn good match that showed off what they do in the ring since Roman caught his stride as the main bad guy and Brock… liked people after all of this? That is still a weird statement in my head. Brock being a good guy people person. If Liv wasn’t on bingo cards for wrestling, that is not on bingo cards in any aspect of life really.

That is more of the event that had solid matches and story going for it. No weird double count out, multiple people involved, 5 tag matches on the card. Things made sense and weren’t convoluted, had shocking moments that were great to see like Liv actually getting a title defense and there were the results we all expected at the time like Theory losing in 4 minutes to Bobby Lashley.

#2: 2009 (Are You Ready for The Return?)

10 Greatest Summerslam Entrances in WWE History - GameSpot
This event wasn’t that strong. It was strong with the star power involved in 2009 with guys like Rey Mysterio as Intercontinental Champion, Orton and Cena for the WWE Championship as it was becoming as stale as month old chips and CM Punk was facing Jeff Hardy before he ultimately returned to TNA at the beginning of 2010 after this PPV. For me, it’s not so much of the show itself, it was more of the memories because the Balai as our friends Chris Platt and Rey Cash like to call my brother and I, we were just coming back into wrestling and we were TNA Fans. We didn’t watch WWE that much really, it was just what came on after another channel had old ROH shows before they moved to three hours and swallowed the 8pm Eastern Slot. No, the reason why this has so many memories for me is three main reasons. First, Orton and Cena. They have had their rivalry since the beginning it seems, being each others foils like Hogan and Piper before them and there had to be a stipulation where if Randy was Counted Out or DQ’d, he’d lose the championship regardless. This was prime Viper Randy and the obvious joke we had of Super Cena where he very rarely lost, unless it was SummerSlam surprisingly enough.

Number two reason was CM Punk and Jeff Hardy. Hardys known for the Ladder and TLC matches in the past and this being the penultimate match for this feud and it was a banger of a match. If you didn’t know Punk before, it was a great introduction to his wrestling. I used to like Punk a lot because of this match because he could talk, wrestle… and not insanely personal with things in wrestling. In all seriousness, this was a great match. Ultimate risks, high reward for Punk grabbing the World Heavyweight Championship and he was given his next feud because of the final boss of SmackDown at that time. Thanks, Teddy Long.

The main and final reason though why this match gave me the memories flowing back is more of the fact that one of my closest and longest termed friends of 23 years, also loves wrestling. Back when we were younger, he’d do MoCap videos on YouTube with his figures. We’d have friends come over for parties at his house and we’d do the one thing WWE always told us not to do and that was try it at home. He was always stronger than me, I was always more charismatic. He had the power aspect and did things with brute force, I could talk my way out of trouble with parents if we did something wrong. There was always one thing that our respective mother’s always called us though… it’s on the tip of my tongue… oh right, ‘Degenerates’.

As soon as we were called that, we kind of parodied the DX line. I was limber enough to do the HBK pose and do a Superkick before it became the new DDT and he would just Spinebuster people and knew how to do the water spit. So what do you think was the main reason we even ordered this PPV for his 13th Birthday? I think the two guys we were pretending to be were set to return on a tank and toss out some glow sticks. The return of DX, Shawn Michaels coming back after Mania with Triple H to deal with the Legacy problem was an amazing return for them and made everything so much fun.

So we have the solid card and this one has a personal story… what’s my number one SummerSlam? Is it personal? Well yes but not going into that. Is it a good card? To me, it was a phenomenal card! Is it memorable? Seeing how wrestling fans still mention at least three matches to this day.

#1: 2005 (Octopus in the Washer, Lover’s Quarrel and Where the F%#$ is Vickie?)

Vickie Guerrero on Rey vs. Dominik Mysterio: 'I wish I was part of it' -  Cageside Seats
Quite possibly some of the best matches I’ve seen and one that was just the most hilarious moments of overselling in wrestling history, I know why I love this SummerSlam but it’s also a really good card at the same time. Redacted beats Orlando Jordan in 25 seconds for the US Title and they made jokes about it like, he can make a coffee faster than he beat Orlando and stuff like that, it’s pretty funny. Angle getting sick of Eugene’s antics for his Gold Medal was also a great bit they had play up, the Year long feud of Randy Orton and Undertaker was still going on where Orton comes out on top this time around to get the win back from Mania, Jericho returning for the match with Cena in a whole promotional thing for each other’s groups, Fozzy for Jericho and the Chain Gang doing Bad, Bad Man for Cena leading up to a match for the WWE Championship. JBL won a 20 man battle royal on SmackDown to win the Championship…… Opportunity to face the newest member of SmackDown, Batista but the three main matches that a lot of people talk about to this day; Edge vs Matt Hardy, Rey vs Eddie for Dominik and Hogan vs HBK in the Main Event.

I have reasons to enjoy the Hardy/Edge match but it looked like a real fight, it really made us believe that Matt Hardy was going to kill Edge because real names were dropped during this tirade from Hardy. It wasn’t Edge and Lita, it was Adam and Amy. Matt was so dead set on beating the hell out of Edge that they made a situation into gold and it was a great moment for this match to happen, I believe it was also an Unsanctioned Match too which added the intensity until matt got concussed and knocked senseless that it looked like he couldn’t fight for anything but the build up was what made it seem like a marque match. It made it feel real, it made it feel awesome and it made it feel personal.

Eddie kept tormenting Rey Mysterio about Dominik not being Rey’s but Eddie’s for the summer. That’s all you heard from Eddie being the weasel he was is hanging out with Dominik, making the world believe it’s his son and what not (Let’s not do a fast forward to today where he has the mullet, mustache and everything like Eddie) but they settle this in a Ladder Match where the top of it is a document for the custody of Dominik and my god, this match is better than it should have been. I expect nothing else from Eddie because the man hated having a bad match, Dom got involved and stopped Eddie, Vickie was late and stopped Eddie. The whole match was good it was just very weird with the premise but was a great match. I wonder if Rey regrets his decision to win the match now…

Octopus in a Washing Machine… those five words have resonated with Shawn Michaels’ performance in this match, forever. It was supposed to be an amazing match up between Hogan and Michaels, Icon vs Icon it said and suddenly Hogan’s back gives out, can’t do a trilogy of matches so we can only do the one and then pull out of everything after. This match was set up to be a classic and instead turned into the most unbelievable sell fest ever. A Hogan big boot caused Shawn to tumble 3 or 4 times, getting crotched on the ropes had HBK bouncing higher than he should have, being tossed out of the ring made it look like Shawn never broke his back in 1998 from how much he flopped and flipped around like crazy. It’s bad… or maybe even good that a lot of current wrestlers watched this match that went, “I can sell like that, I want to be a wrestler” and did. So good or bad, I don’t know but for some reason this PPV has always had a place in my heart for how memorable it was.

Those are my top three SummerSlams so far but who knows, 2024 has potential to maybe bump something or at least get me to consider a shift. Should be fun to see how the show plays out! What are some of your favorite SummerSlams?

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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