IWC: An Analysis of the Meaning of the 'Internet Wrestling Community'.

The other day I checked my email and was happy to see that I was accepted into the B/R writing program. There was two weeks between the time I applied to write here, and when their email appeared in my inbox. My professors at my college had conspired against me, loaded me up with exams and assignments. So I didn't notice I had been accepted right away. Anyhow, I want to delve right into a subject that has me deep in thought...

Ever since I have used the internet I have often checked out various wrestling sites, and have interacted with other wrestling fans. Somewhere along the lines I was introduced to a term I had never heard before, the 'Internet Wrestling Community'. I believe it was on Eric Bischoff's website that I first encountered this odious term. He seemed to be using the term to degrade smart marks who are disenchanted with much of wrestling.

Personally, I have watched wrestling since The Days Before the Internet. Wrestling was different back in the mid-eighties. It still presented itself as a real sport. My love for it grew out of seeing muscular wrestlers and thinking comic books had come to life. I did not question the validity of the sport until my friend Matt explained some of the tricks used in the business. I still did not quite believe his explanations of wrestling being "fake". It still looked really dangerous to me.

Lets advance into the modern age, or The Days of the Internet. I do not believe there are many of us who do not recognize that wrestling is scripted. The action might look dangerous. But we accept that wrestlers are not really getting as hurt as they portray themselves to being get hurt.

Fans come on the internet to talk about the story lines presented by the different companies we all watch. Most of the criticism I see on wrestling sites is about when storytelling goes wrong, or when a wrestler is not deserving of a push a company is giving them. In return, Eric Bischoff rails against "us" as a community. And claims none of us understands the wrestling business. However, I have read tons of information from ex-wrestlers (Lance Storm) to ex- and current bookers (James Cornette). I will not claim I could be a success at booking without some real experience, but I do believe I have a decent idea what goes into making a wrestling product work and not work.

I do not believe in the "IWC". How much do we all interact with each other on a community basis? We just share our opinions about subject matters that deal with wrestling in common places. I would guess some fans have formed bonds with other fans here and there. But unlike the Occupy Wall Street movement, I do not see the so-called Internet Wrestling Community as a real movement, or even community.

Eric Bischoff was polite with me on his blog. I think he is probably a nice guy to talk to. However, I think he needs to understand that we as viewers have a right to express ourselves. And that we are individuals that are not all that closely bound together.

Should we really be blamed for wanting to learn about a sport we love?

Furthermore, should we be subject to blanket statements made by people who have vested interests in these products?

Lastly, are we really a community or just individuals with a common interest?