WWE/TNA: Five Things That the Internet Wrestling Community Has Dead Wrong

Since the internet came into existence, there has been an ever-growing group of fans labeled the Internet Wrestling Community. These fans are the most passionate, and in many's eyes, the most intelligent group of wrestling fans around.

As a group, we critique everything the WWE (and TNA to an extent) do. From John Cena being the anti-christ to a six-sided ring magically fixing all of TNA's problems, the IWC has some odd ideas about the landscape of pro wrestling.  

The problem is, this group isn't always right. In fact, often wrong about what we see. At the least, we need to realize that opinions are opinions and not facts. 

Over the course of this slideshow, I will list five things that the IWC doesn't have right. These are no doubt going to create some controversy, and I welcome that.

Without further delay, let's begin! 

Note: This list is not any particular order.

Violence in Pro Wrestling

A couple of months ago, Randy Savage died after presumably having a "medical event" while driving, skidded over a median and hit head onto a tree.

This may have related to his wrestling career, or maybe not, but this disturbing report would come out a few days later.

It states that over twenty-five percent of the wrestlers who performed at WrestleMania VII have died. Trumping the number players who played in that's years Super Bowl (none) and the champions of boxing (two.)

This is nothing short of tragic, and shows just how much of a toll wrestling takes on your body. Granted, many of these deaths were due to other reasons, but many were related to their tenure in pro wrestling. 

This leads me to a slightly different, however related topic; The WWE protecting it's wrestlers.

The banning of chairshots to the head, blading and many other violent acts have been banned in the WWE because of similar stats, and it's change in rating (PG). 

Us known as the Internet Wrestling Community (IWC) has strongly disliked said changes. We want blood, chairshots and over all, admittedly or not, we want violence.

Problem is, these wrestlers aren't stuffed dolls or superheroes, they are human beings, just like us. Their bodies can only take so much, before it gives out on them.

I don't think any of us want to see another Chris Benoit, do we?

His severe head trauma, which resulted from chairshots to head and other violence, ended up in the tragic way it did.

Although we want to blame Chris Benoit, it was really the fault of all the head trauma, that turned him into the monster he was during his final days on earth.

To put things bluntly it was, in a way, the fault of all of the violence in pro wrestling.

The dramatic changes that I mentioned earlier, would gradually take affect after Benoit's death.

So, we may want violence, but wouldn't we rather have wrestlers have a better life after wrestling?

If you watch the NFL, you'll know about the stance they've taken on concussions as of late. Because of research, and troubles for former NFL players post career, they banned many hits that were legal beforehand.

The scary thing about it is, according to these statistics, the post-career troubles for wrestlers dwarfs that of former NFL players.

Next time you ask for a chairshot to the head, or plead for the revival of blood in the WWE, just think of the frightening problems it has created in the past. So why, with more knowledge now than ever, should we repeat the horrors of the past. 

For us, it's just for pure enjoyment. Is it really worth it?

The Six-Sided Ring

Let me begin, by saying that I am in favor of the six-sided ring in TNA. However, do we really think it's going to solve all of TNA's problems?

The six-sided ring was something different and made for more exciting wrestling. Guys like AJ Styles, Amazing Red and others thrived in this environment.

When Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff removed the ring, I was disappointed, but I didn't see it as TNA's downfall. Not even close.

Something as elementary as adding two sides a wrestling ring isn't going to make or break your company's direction. It took away an element that made TNA different, but it wasn't as if they lost AJ Styles. 

While I agree with them, the IWC had a major overreaction here. In my opinion, the four-sided ring isn't among TNA's major problems. 

It's just a ring.

Randy Orton

Randy Orton always creates controversy in the IWC. We are split down the middle concerning him, half supporters, and half critics.

 Since his gimmick change in 2007, he has often been compared to 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin.

In reality, Orton is not in Austin's league.

With his monotone voice and limited in-ring style, Orton is flat out boring and robotic. 

His promos are always talking about punting somebody in the head, and most of his matches are five moves of doom style. 

Yet, the IWC considers him the anti-Cena? 

No, he is John Cena 2.0, as far as booking goes. Then, we get to backstage politics.

Randy Orton is to blame for both Mr. Kennedy's release and Kofi Kingston's de-push. Before anybody tells me that this isn't proven, the proof is in the pudding.

With Kennedy, he has shown his dislike for Orton via Twitter. You see, when Orton got injured, Anderson responded by tweeting some uncomplimentary things about "The Viper."

In Kingston's case, go back, watch the video and read Orton's lips. He acts as if he hasn't botched a move himself.

Other things are just icing on the cake, like not fulfilling his military commitments and infamously trashing his hotel rooms.  

John Cena

John Cena's gimmick is stale, that is a fact. Even Cena's biggest fans do not deny that.

Perhaps we should look beyond wrestling though. 

First of all, it's been well documented that Cena has went to bat for Evan Bourne and Zack Ryder in the past. While the results have yet to come to fruition, he did give the effort.

So with that, don't compare Cena to Hulk Hogan. Hogan never did anything to help younger talent.

Cena has the busiest schedule in pro wrestling. He is always at live events, house shows, charity events, or something of the sort.

His passion for the business is very rare, yet often overlooked. He connects with the fans like few others can. Heck, he even embraces his haters. 

I believe that once Cena retires, we will begin to realize what all he has meant for the WWE. It's just sad that we cannot respect this man for the hardwork he puts in 365 days a year to better the company. 

The Marketing of the WWE/PG Rating

Recently, the WWE has come under fire for it's removal of the 'wrestling.' 

Many have said that it's rather dumb to put a ban on the word, and even change the name simply to WWE. 

I happen to disagree.

The WWE is trying to expand into other fields and become more of a global product. To do so, they can't stay under the stigma that the word wrestling creates.

A stigma?

As wrestling fans, we know that wrestling is looked down upon by most. They box it into being a fake sport, while in reality it is entertainment. So, how does marketing of what it truly is hurt?

Wrestling is entertainment that takes much athletic prowess. Basically, that's what the WWE has been calling it.

Now to shift topics; the PG rating.

Part of this lies heavily on the topic I first discussed, violence in pro wrestling. However, I am going to take another look on this as well, as I've described many times before.

Kids mean more money.

When they go to a WWE event, they must have at least one adult with them. That's one extra ticket sold.

As a result, you'll also buy more inside the area (i.e. food, merchandise, etc.)

At the end of the day, drawing to the younger audience is a must. The WWE is going to have to have an audience in 20 years, and that's what this era serves as. It had to happen with the fallen popularity of wrestling after the 1990's. 

Shameless Promotion; the Enigmatic Generation of Wrestling

To read more articles from myself and many other Bleacher Report alumni, visit the Enigmatic Generation of Wrestling.

Thanks for reading.