The Diary of a Pro Wrestling Fan (Ch. 4): The IWC and Its Stupidity

We are all very different. We look different, sound different and all are from different places.

However, if you are reading this, then chances are you are a fan of pro wrestling.

In the first chapter of this series, I reminisced about how I became a fan of pro wrestling. In the second chapter, I talked about how I discovered pro wrestling was scripted, and the predigest that the sport and it's fans go through.

In the third chapter, yesterday, I discussed how I discovered TNA Wrestling and the IWC.

Why am I back so soon? Because I had already finished and decided to be aggressive with this.  

So sit back, relax, and reflect upon your journey of fandom to sports' red-headed stepchild, professional wrestling.

Today will serve as my rant on this small online group of pro wrestling fans, the group we know as the Internet Wrestling Community (IWC).

This group critiques every move that both WWE and TNA make. If a segment goes wrong, we'll let it be known. If somebody is receiving a push they don't deserve, we let it be known.

And the most common practice in this group, and I'm also guilty, is if one of our golden boys are mistreated. In this case, we go absolutely crazy.

However, as much as we think we could run a wrestling promotion, most of us could not (including myself).

The golden boys that we profess need pushed immediately aren't always fit for the bright lights of the WWE. Take Daniel Bryan, for instance.

Bryan is perhaps the best pure wrestler in the world today. But what we fail to realize is, the WWE could care less about wrestling skills. They are focused on being an entertainment company. Just look at The Miz.

Miz's in-ring skills are average at best, but the guy has a great work ethic and is one of the best in the business as far as mic skills are concerned.

Quite frankly, how would the WWE not push a guy like The Miz? He fits the WWE mold to a tee.

Back to Bryan. Unlike Miz, Bryan is just average on the mic. He lacks charisma and to be honest, looks like a complete nerd. Yes, there, I said it.

He's a great wrestler, but many great wrestlers are on the independent scene, because the WWE isn't looking for wrestling skills.

So Bryan, quite simply, doesn't fit into the WWE's mold. He would much better fit in TNA, Ring Of Honor or some independent promotion.

Now, should the WWE brand themselves as an entertainment company more than a wrestling company?

Well, it's probably a smart move.

All of us will always refer to the WWE as a wrestling company, no matter what they do. But to be accepted into the mainstream, they have to branch out.

We have all realized by now, that pro wrestling isn't accepted by the mainstream culture. What is accepted is entertainment. I mean, isn't that what wrestling is in the first place?

If the WWE were to stay with a rather small audience, and push all the great wrestlers, how would they stand out from every independent promotion in America?

As much as we hate to admit it, the WWE is obviously doing something right. After all, Vince McMahon is a multi-billionaire.

Can anybody name who owns Ring of Honor?

Probably one out of every five on this website. And this is the most hardcore group of fans you'll ever find. So, Ring of Honor obviously doesn't appeal to average fan, the WWE does.

Another thing that bugs me is how we go on and on about WWE's PG Rating.

The PG Rating may not appeal to us. But we are the hardcore fans. If you want violence, watch Ring of Honor. The WWE strives to be different and with all the success they've had, who are we criticize a multi-billion dollar company?

Well, we don't really have the credentials to, but we do anyway.

With a PG rating, the WWE is trying to draw kids. Because kids equal money. Just think logically about it. 

When a kid goes to a show, they will need to be accompanied by an adult. That means somebody is buying an extra ticket. 

When the kid goes to the show, they will want food and drinks. The adult will also need something to eat and drink. So there is your extra concession stand money.

Oh, and don't forget the kid will want that new John Cena shirt too!

The point being, when a kid goes to a show, a lot more money is likely to be spent. Also, with a PG rating, the WWE is able to draw more sponsors. Like Mattel.

Of course, a bigger sponsor, will once again make you more money.

At the end of the day, do we know that a TV-14 rating will solve all of WWE's problems in the first place? 

TNA has a TV-14 rating, and they are far from perfect. The same can be said for many other promotions.

Now that I've angered 75 percent of my readers, I turn the stage over to you guys.

Did this make you think differently? Am I wrong and misguided with this whole rant? Or have you been preaching the same thing before reading this?