tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1897648734607335225.post7930465763568627419..comments2024-03-28T18:33:38.457-04:00Comments on Ringside at Skull Island: Whose House Is This?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1897648734607335225.post-91193350964487332892011-04-10T09:20:55.677-04:002011-04-10T09:20:55.677-04:00MAwrestler: I agree with your definition of real ...MAwrestler: I agree with your definition of real wrestling. I believe Josh's complaint is less about real wrestling itself than the use of the word "real" to criticize (or, in some cases, simply express lack of interest in) the kind of wrestling he likes--beautiful, muscular jobbers like Rio Garza and Alexi Adamov getting their asses handed to them. He occasionally objects when I state a preference for more evenly matched competition (real or choreographed), but I think he realizes, too, that I'm only explaining my preference and not dictating taste to others. My impression is that BGE and other purveyors of the stuff I love offer a variety of product, appealing to a variety of tastes. I can usually rely on labeling if I want to avoid squash jobs (which I do like at times), but his (other) complaint is that such labeling can be misleading when he and others are looking expressly for squash matches, since labels like "hunk bash" and "jobber" are used to promote products that are not what squash fans are looking for, and perhaps now it's a bit harder to find good talent who are satisfied in their role as jobbers and willing to stick with it for the long haul.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03931398523674902390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1897648734607335225.post-72326797728682674002011-04-10T07:23:48.182-04:002011-04-10T07:23:48.182-04:00While your commentary provides us with many useful...While your commentary provides us with many useful applications of nuanced understandings, Joe, I don't think it addresses Josh's objection to the use of the term "real" in any viable way, nor do I find his objection clear or very realistic. I agree the term "real" is relative. All pro wrestling is and has always been fixed, but to 'real' fans the current WWF brand of pro wrestling isn't 'real,' as was they believe the 'real' wrestling of the Classic 70's and 80's. Clearly, that relative distinction means only that the 80's style involved more wrestling holds and body contact, whereas the punching, acrobatics, and theatrical squabbles of the McMahon brand is not comparable, however popular, and therefore not 'real.' <br /><br />My position is simple: To me "real" means competitive wrestling, to whatever end--sporting victory by rules, or the absence thereof as in genuine NHB; sexual or else erotic domination.<br /><br />In that sense amateur/collegiate/Olympic wrestling is real as is a private match to determine who takes it up the ass. So is the latent eroticism of NHB Productions, uniquely captured by the current 7 match marathon of Mikey Hanlon and Max Anderson.<br /><br />I admit I don't even enjoy most 'real' amateur wrestling, but compared to it and combat foreplay, most other forms of wrestling venues you discussed, I would say, are not 'real.' Rather they contain some entertainment element of a script about the outcome. But I enjoy several of them nonetheless, especially classic 80's stuff epitomized by Kevin Von Erich.<br /><br />At the same time, I'm realist enough to know that not everyone shares my definition of 'real.' And I'm not certain I understand Josh's complaint. Certainly, a squash match could be either scripted (and theatrically believable nonetheless) or 'real' in my sense, to the same effect. In the former it would be a simulated domination, with real affect; in the latter, actual domination, with one guy getting the shit beat out of him being put in one excruciating wrestling hold after another. In Josh's complaint, then, which is real? I suspect the reality of both the affect and the actual makes the term 'real' not very usefull. I don't agree, but I suspect the argument over these niceties is what your blog is all about.<br /><br />MAwrestlerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com