Bleacher Report - Articles by Angelique Smythe

A Beginner's Guide to Pro Wrestling

Angelique Smythe — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:00:11 -0400

At some stage of our fandom/obsession with wrestling, we have all been beginners, some of us started as children, others as teens and a select few start as adults (If you cannot tell I started watching as an adult).

Slowly as we watch and join in discussions, there becomes a few things that are referenced on forum boards, in conversations and in articles, for which there is a presumption of universal knowledge. I myself have been guilty of it on occasion.

This article and the slide show which will follow will take you through a journey of the basic knowledge items and terms, those that are tossed around with expectation that all wrestling fans have some knowledge of what is being discussed.

This article will focus on terms often bandied about. The Slideshow on will focus on famous incidents.

This not meant to be the world’s most comprehensive list this is meant to be a beginners guide.

So let’s start the article:

Promotion:

This is the organization/company, which organises matches. Wrestlers will often be linked/contracted to one promotion. Some current American promotions are: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Total Non-stop Action (TNA), Ring of Honor (ROH) Dragon Gate USA and Shimmer.

Superstar:

Male wrestler in the WWE promotion.

Diva/Knockout:

Female wrestler in WWE (Diva) or TNA (Knockout)

Tag Team:

2 or more wrestlers who compete as a team. Some famous tag teams: DX, The Fabulous Freebirds, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, The Dudleys (Team 3D) and The Hardyz.

Kayfabe/Work:

To start with if you didn’t know wrestling is scripted, not fake. Scripted. The term for the storylines is Kayfabe, it can also be called a work.

For example: In 2002 Triple H and Shawn Micheals had a great feud. This was kayfabe. In real life, Shawn and Trips are best friends (by the way, the best feuds usually have either an element of truth or are between best friends).

Shoot:

This is when something real occurs, also known simply as breaking kayfabe. There have been several notable shoot incidents. One of the most notorious was called the Madison Square Garden Incident, where four friends off-screen (two of whom were feuding with the other two on screen) had an in ring celebration to say farewell the two who were going to the opposition promotion in 1996.

Shoot-fight:

This will normally occur in the ring as a part of a normal match but will become quiet real very quickly. Many fans at the time of the fight will not instantly be able to tell it is real, there are a couple of famous shoot-fights.

Bob Holly beating the living daylights out of Matt Cappotelli in the ring, on purpose. But most probably the most famous modern era shoot fights occurred between Matt Hardy and Edge over Edge’s affair with Matt’s shoot girlfriend Lita.

Mark:

Can be used as a verb, adjective or a noun. Basically it means in its simplest terms someone who still believes wrestling is real, however most fans still have someone they “mark out” for.

This is the wrestler whom for whom you sit through 2 hours of boring stuff to watch them cut a 2-minute promo.

Smarks will often use the term mark as a bad thing, personally I believe if we cannot be marks for the duration of the show, or for at least one wrestler, then stop watching, there are other channels.

Smark:

A phrase to describe a fan who enjoys pro wrestling despite or because they know that it is staged, as well as generally knowing the "ins-and-outs" of the company and knowing many things about the industry.

Originally a smark was a smart mark, someone who knew enough to know it was scripted but was still able to enjoy it.

These days’ smarks tend to be people who think they know everything and tend to look down on the average fan.

Spot/Spotfest/Spot Monkey

Spots are pre-planned moves or move sets, which are designed to get a particular audience reaction or determine the pace of the match.

A spotfest is a match which consists mainly or entirely of spots, normally with little to flow between moves and no logical transitions these are also normally gimmick matches, ie Table, Ladders and Chairs.

A spot monkey is someone who is more known for high-flying moves with little to no mat wrestling. See Jeff Hardy.

Jeff Hardy is extremely talented however his abilities on the mat are very limited, put him on a ladder and wow, but the man is a spot monkey and should be proud of that (no way I would do what he did at summerslam).

Booking/Booker:

Not to be confused with Booker T. Booking is the process of which matches and their outcomes are decided. It covers how long a match should be, who wins and usually the manner in which they win.

For some wrestlers this would also include what spots are to occur during the match, for the older more experienced wrestlers they are usually just given a time and an ending and will often just go out and perform.

Younger guys may need to work through the match before going out. The booker is usually a writer of the show, and if we are lucky, they are former wrestlers.

Bury:

Just like it sounds, to kill someone’s career. The issue with this term, is a lot of people confuse burying with losing. Burying usually occurs when someone due to booking is booked in a series short or squash matches.

Heel:

The Bad guy: The guy who will insult fans, cheat to win, and act like a jerk.

Face:

The good guy, this is the person who normally wins cleanly, polite to fans (plays to the crowd).

Tweener:

Morally ambiguous wrestlers, who can neither be defined as bad or good. Often guys who still get cheered despite displaying heel tendencies (as an example, cheating) are also called tweeners.

There is so much more I could cover and I may do a second part based on the suggestions I get in the comments.

Thanks for reading.

WWE Stars' Weight Being Commented On

Angelique Smythe — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 09:00:07 -0400

The arguments about the weight of divas is coming up again. This time it is Stephanie McMahon-Levesque's weight in the spotlight.

Stephanie came out after Raw on Aug. 24, 2009, to join the rest of her family in wishing her father a happy birthday. Although Stephanie at no time was expecting to be on camera, people are still criticizing her weight.

Now as we have not seen Steph on screen in about six months (except in one scene behind the tinted glass of a car window) I was just happy to see the footage of Steph enjoying a special night with her father and the rest of her adult family.

People are automatically assuming Stephanie has gained weight, at no time in an article I have read have I heard mentioned the possibility of another pregnancy (hey, for the past four years, every time Triple H takes time off-screen Steph ends up pregnant) or that it was just a bad choice of dress (as a female who is err...well endowed, the wrong dress draws congratulations from people who haven't seen me in awhile).

Everyone was outraged when speculation had Candice Michelle being fired due to weight gain, but because the person, who may have gained weight is Stephanie McMahon-Levesque, there is no outrage. Double standards are rife in wrestling as we all know. But when when it comes to weight both males and females cop it.

In the recent weeks since Matt Hardy has returned from injury, he has been lambasted by wrestling pundits about being unfit. Matt had abdominal surgery approximately eight weeks ago, was cleared for workouts about five weeks ago and due to his brother's leaving rushed back to TV three weeks ago and in the ring two weeks ago.

Give the man time to recover and get back in shape, if in six months he is still not ring ready, then start commenting.

Also Nick Dinsmore (aka Eugene) was apparently let go because he did not look to be in shape.

Has Mr McMahon never met Paul Wright (The Big Show) or Glen Jacobs (Kane)? While I do love Kane as a character no one can deny that Glen is a large man, but guess what, I don't care.

I watch WWE, not to just admire the physiques of the wrestlers but for the action in the ring, please don't get me wrong, I drool over the way Trips fills out his jeans and to be honest Ted DiBiase Jr. can bend over and pick something up in front of me anytime, but that is not the only reason I watch.

The simple fact of the matter is weight should not be an issue, it should come down to the ability to entertain.

Should Stephanie's possible weight gain even be an issue? Hell no.

The lady works behind the scenes in an office and in a production truck but even if she was on screen every week, it should not be an issue.

The only people someone should be talking about their weight with is their doctor, and possibly their family.

DX Not Putting Over Legacy?

Angelique Smythe — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:00:03 -0400

I know I said my next article would be a basic guide to pro-wrestling and I will still do that, but this is response to the amount of forum threads I have seen whining about Legacy being buried.

In the last almost 6 months since No Way Out, Legacy has usually faced at least one member of the McMahon faction per week, Either through direct competition or through interference. Through their "fearless leader's" excessive use of them as cannon fodder, their WWE stock has seemingly gone down.

A few weeks ago, HHH got sick of their interference when they once again cost him a chance at the title, and put himself in a handicap match against them. Lots of people myself included expected HHH to win that match. He did not.

In the aftermath in the ring HHH got a mic and said "Ouch, well that hurt" many people have taken that to mean he was being sarcastic.

I took it to mean, "well I didn't expect it to go like that or for me to lose" (yes, I know it is all planned) this was the perfect point in which to bring Shawn Michaels (HBK) back and re-form my favorite tag team of all time. D-Generation X.

There has been alot of speculation that with the return of DX, Legacy would be buried. On the night HHH and HBK were first in the ring in 8 months they copped a beat-down, to the point of where they took off HBK's boot and hit both he and HHH in the head with it. Legacy then had the last words as they left ringside.

At SummerSlam, Legacy lost their match against DX, but I will not deny that (I can't; there are published results) but I do reject the premise that Legacy were buried by DX. DX came close to losing more than Legacy and DX really sold the match as believable.

So basically if you think DX hasn't put Legacy over go pull your head out of your ass and look again.

HHH is a 13 time world champ who is a 14 year veteran of the WWE. These two guys, while they have youth, they do not have experience. HHH took a beat down from them, then admitted he could not handle them alone.

Trust me...that put them right over to start with.

Then on the night DX were to return to RAW, they had Legacy do a beat down and gave them the final word.

Then on the first PPV match which was the official in-ring reunion they had Legacy come so close to winning many times. Personally I think Legacy will beat DX and I think it will either happen on Raw this week or next.

People need to stop thinking that someone needs to win to be put over, so long as Legacy gets a win in the series of matches, that will put them over.

A couple would be better, but I see them getting the one and moving on...can also see DX moving on pretty quickly considering there are three heel tag teams and 2 face teams, so we will see.

But honestly if you think DX did not put over Legacy at Summerslam, I suggest you climb down out of your ivory tower and watch the match with your eyes open this time.

Is the WWE Destroying Their Own Credibility?

Angelique Smythe — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 08:38:40 -0400

I am a longtime WWE fan but I have noticed since the cruiserweight division was disbanded, that certain matches have been occurring more regularly, and to be honest, I find that they are making programming unwatchable.

The matches I am talking about are the cruiserweights going against the heavyweights…and worse, still winning.

I have long subscribed to the theory of "while we know wrestling is scripted it should not look fake." Having Kane go up against Mysterio and lose (and not just once by fluke, but multiple times and cleanly) is killing the program we love.

It is becoming hard to defend watching WWE to those on the outside (non-fans) because simply put I am not entirely sure if I understand why I watch it anymore.

I will give a few examples of match-ups I see as being issues:

Kane vs. Mysterio: How many different ways can Kane lose to someone one-third his size?

Chavo vs. Hornswoggle: This is just embarrassing.

Big Show vs. Cena: Okay, not as bad. I mean, serious props to Cena being able to lift Big Show over his head, but still Cena should not win every time.

Khali vs. Mysterio: Again, a one off fluke victory I may buy, but not every meeting this year bar one.

Now here are a few match-ups I have loved recently:

Cryme Tyme vs. Hart Dynasty: Both teams have one big guy, one little guy, and can make the match either strength or speed, and when they change it up it is great.

HHH vs. Cena: OK, so the kids don’t like to have to pick a face to cheer for, but these two can have good matches against each other…right up until Legacy interferes.

HHH vs. Orton vs. Cena: Look I don’t care how often we have seen this main event combo (apparently for the PPV’s that combo or a variation of it is 24 times) the reason we keep seeing it is because it works. OK so bring in a forth non-Batista component occasionally to spice things up.

Jericho vs. Mysterio vs. Hardy vs. Punk vs. Morrison: Honestly, set a match with any two or more of these guys and it will tear the roof down. Why? Because their styles complement each other’s. Give him 6-12 months and you will be able to add Tyson Kidd to these matches.

Kingston vs. Bourne: Again, their styles work well.

Natalya vs. Eve: an example of what a good Diva’s match can look like. OK so the end was bad but the rest of the match was great.

What is the difference between those I don’t think are credible matches and those I love?

It is simple; those I love and watch for are believable matches. Someone Trips size taking on someone Cena’s size is believable, someone Trip’s size taking on Mysterio makes him look like a bully.

Not to mention the headache it would give creative in trying to figure out who should win. So it is even worse when the match booked is Kane vs. Mysterio or Mike Knox vs. Mysterio, or really anyone Vs Khali.

While in pro wrestling, the outcomes are predetermined, we the viewers, still want to see something that is believable and watchable, surely with the great array of talent the WWE has that should not be too hard to arrange.

This Week's Raw and Why Matt Hardy Should Be in a Title Hunt…Any Damn Title

Angelique Smythe — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:50:48 -0400

Let me just say, "Wow." If Vince McMahon wished to send shock waves through the WWE viewers, especially the marks, he did a good job of it. The announcement that Donald Trump had “bought” Raw, had me double checking both WWE and Trump corporate Web sites, just to make sure it was legit.

Opening the show with an Intercontinental Championship match was great. Jericho and Mysterio are both technically wonderful to watch and fun for the general observer. It was a fast-paced match, but what else would you expect from those two?

The decision not to award the belt to Triple H in the Fatal Four Way is, to my way of thinking, the correct decision. While I have heard grumblings from across the IWC about there being—yet again—a Triple H-Orton battle for the belt, I loved the fact that they had all four former champions battling for the belt.

Finally, I get to see the Hart Dynasty vs. the Colons, but then Worthless…err, sorry, Priceless interferes. Come on. That could have been a great match…

Oh, apparently they are on Superstars this week. It's a shame I am in Australia and don’t get Superstars.

Edge vs. CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy. I thought, to be honest, this match would have been a little better than it was. I think Punk was genuinely injured, so that may have had something to do with my displeasure over the ending, although Edge getting pinned is better than Jeff getting pinned.

I am so glad Tommy Dreamer retained, even though I was 50-50 on this one. I love Christian’s character, but at the same time I want Tommy to get a decent title run.

The 10-man over-the-top rope Battle Royal—seriously try saying that 10 times fast—to determine the No. 1 contender was interesting. The win for Triple H here was not unexpected.

Hey! Trips and Orton are in a feud people. Deal with it.

As a Triple H fan, I am loving the thought of watching Orton get a beating. The issue with this battle was the speed with which Matt Hardy was eliminated.

Matt Hardy has been with the WWF/WWE since 1995, and on the roster full-time since 1999—excluding a brief period, which I think most know about—yet the highest belts Matt has held were the United States Championship and ECW Championship. Matt, from what I have seen, is a good worker, definitely good in the ring, but is reduced to doing favors for the general manager in order to get a United States Title shot.

Matt, less than 12 months ago, was the United States Champion. Six months ago he was the ECW Champion, but he now needs to do favors to get a spot in a Fatal Four Way that he loses. Fine, all wrestlers have some loses—not Triple H, but hey…

Hardy was eliminated first from the Battle Royal. The man is on a losing streak from Hades. Given there is nothing happening with the Jeff feud, Matt is basically left to be a lackey, and not the brightest one either.

This is demeaning to Matt and his fans. I am not a massive Matt fan—nor, for that matter, am I a Jeff fan—but there just seems to be something off with what is currently occurring. Most wrestlers don’t go from United States and ECW Champion to jobber in less than six months.

Come on, WWE. You gave the title back to someone who lost it in a seven-minute squash match, but you can’t put Matt Hardy in a decent match.

What To Do With a Vacant WWE Title

Angelique Smythe — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:35:58 -0400

The fans of the WWE at the moment are at a crisis point. We love our favorite "Superstar" but at the same time are frustrated with the lack of choice.

We see the same matches week after week, and if you like someone outside that, then you just watch hoping for a glimpse of your Superstar.

The WWE has a wide variety of talent (although they are releasing quite a few Umaga, Mr Kennedy, and some developmental talent as well) but they are not putting them to their best uses. Current rumors have Batista with an injury, however, he still won the WWE championship last night, resulting (if what the rumors state are true) in a problem for the writers of the WWE, they now need to look at giving the title over to someone else.

Will it be Cena, Orton, or someone new?

I personally am hoping for the someone new angle, if just to mix it up. I would love to see Matt Hardy wearing the belt, he has done his time, paid his dues, can actually move in the ring, and is very capable of great mic work.

Do I see this happening? No. What I see happening is the furthering of Ted Dibasie Jr. or the return of Triple H.

Ted Dibasie Jr. has a new film coming out later in the year and is expected to have a face turn prior to the release to allow him to promote the film; this would be the perfect place for that turn to occur although it may be a little reminiscent of Evolution in 2004.

Also, is Dibasie Jr. ready to main event at this stage? I don't think so. He is getting there and with each week his face side is being exposed, but at the moment he is just not a big enough name to carry the title, I think we may see him as the runner up in the battle for the belt but hopefully not wearing it just yet.

MVP lost the US title last week will he replace it with the next one up. No. MVP is great, good moves in the ring, can use the mic and is building popularity with the crowds. But as yet he does not have the following for the WWE title, I expect he will have a one on one title rematch with Kofi within the next two or three weeks (30 day rematch clause) and take back the US title.

Will this be the night of return for Triple H? I hope so. (I have to admit I am a Triple H mark and have been for more years then I care to count.) But I do not want to see Triple H come out and win the belt his first night back.

It would mean he has not gone a show without the title and again, as a Triple H fan, I like that idea, but as a WWE fan it does not appeal to me. Personally I am still hoping to see Stephanie come back as Raw GM for a new McMahon-Helmsley era. Simply because it would be fun to see the fall out, and how it would work 10 years later. (Also it would get rid of Vickie, something I am not opposed to.) But I just don't see it occurring, not tonight anyway.

So that leaves the question of who becomes the new WWE champion. I really see it as a battle between John Cena and Randy Orton.

They are the two big names within RAW at the moment, and let’s face it, WWE is not exactly letting a lot of fresh talent come up through the ranks at the moment.

Orton has just came off a six-week (seriously has it only been six weeks? It seemed longer) run as champ, while Cena has not held the title for six weeks so I think we will see another Cena run, at least for a few weeks until Triple H makes a return and becomes champion at The Bash.