Select Next Article by Category
WE ARE A PROUD UGO AFFILIATE SINCE 1999

Support Our Sponsor: PWI!
===========================
CHECK OUT OUR AFFILIATE WRESTLING NEWS SITE - THE FASTEST GROWING PRO WRESTLING SITE IN 2008! (click on logo)

|
Ask the Editor
ASK THE EDITOR: Why do wrestlers in WWE refer to wrestling as "the business" and not "the sport"?
Apr 2, 2008 - 3:17:05 PM |
|
By Wade Keller, Torch editor
Mark Dinatale of Los Angeles, Calif. asks: Wade, I am sure this has been asked before, but it's something that bothers me. Why does every on-camera person in (especially) in the WWE refer to wrestling is "this business". To me it downplays what they all do as performers. You never hear the NFL say "this business." I would think that referring to it more as a sport would make it seem more legitimate. Even referring to it as "sports entertainment" all the time is better that "this business". I know for tax purposes you can't call it a sport, but does that hold true for promos and such. What if you watched a movie and every 15 minutes someone in the movie looked at the camera to remind you, "it's just a movie" it would take you out of the moment. Just a thought.
It's long been a bone of contention with me. I think it sounds odd and does break suspension of disbelief a little. They're not totally alone as I've heard many pro athletes say regarding their sport, "This is a business," but usually it's in the context of a contract squabble or trade rumor that could send them away from their current teammates.
I think the term "the business" is in part born out of a desire to avoid the backlash of calling it "a sport." When wrestlers say that, I think they worry that it's just going to start an argument with someone who rolls their eyes and says it's not a real sport. Also, there's a badge of honor a lot of people in pro wrestling wear by saying any chance they get that they are in a business, meaning they're not "marks." There are even people I've talked to this weekend who didn't get emotional during the Flair farewell because it would have been like being a "mark," which sadly within wrestling is often considered the lowest form of human being - the people who are the targets of their marketing and buy into what they do.
Vince McMahon may have amplified it when he didn't want the WWF to be grouped in with "those rasslin' promoters" back in the 1980s. With a straight face - for marketing reasons and to set the bar for himself high - said during the early WrestleMania years that he wasn't competing with the NWA or AWA, he was competing with Disney and other forms of entertainment. So to refer to himself as "pro wrestling" would have been admitting he was in the same group as those small time, regional, old geezers running "pro rasslin'" companies.
Also, I think part of the problem is it doesn't sound right to say, "When I got into sports entertainment…" because, although nobody in WWE wants to say it to the McMahons, that term is just one of the most stupid sounding things in almost any context, especially when a pro wrestler is called a "sports entertainer" in the context of the show. It's one thing to put that down as your occupation on a tax form, but on a wrestling show it's the equivalent of someone in a baseball movie, during movie dialogue, referring to themselves as an actor. No, during the movie, they're a baseball player. And during a WWE TV show, they're "pro wrestlers."
Think of your favorite actor talking about why he or she got into acting. Would you rather hear, "I first got into professional acting when I…" or "I first got into the industry when I…" Using the term "industry" makes it seem like a cold, calculated business decision, whereas using the term "actor" makes it seem like a choice of passion, love, and art.
The term "the business" and "the industry" is thrown around so much that I don't think anyone in pro wrestling hears it the same way a fan or a non-fan outside of "the business" hears it. But it is an odd term in the context it's used. If I never hear the term "sports entertainment" and especially "sports entertainer" used on a wrestling show again, I'll be happy. I don't know, though, if we'll ever get back to pro wrestlers referring to themselves as getting into "pro wrestling" rather than "the industry" or "the business" because that stigma is always there that if they say they got into "pro wrestling," people are going to think they are trying to pull a fast one on them and are pretending it's real. It's just an odd linguistic challenge with no easy answer for everyone.
Download Audio Sample:
For more BREAKING NEWS on WWE, TNA, ROH
visit our affiliate: JASON POWELL'S PROWRESTLING.NET
For UFC AND MMA NEWS & BLOGS
visit our affiliate: MMATORCH.COM - now featuring the MMATorch Daily Audio Update!
REACT TO THIS STORY IN OUR FREE PWTORCH FORUM
PWTORCH VIP SIGN-UP INFO - NO ADS, EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
|
Ask the Editor
Latest Articles by Category |
(c) 1999-2008 TDH Communications Inc. - All rights reserved.
|
|
LATEST PRO WRESTLING TORCH NEWSLETTER #1040 (18 PAGES)

This issue begins with a cover story by Wade Keller looking at the final scene of SummerSlam and why it's bad for WWE not in and of itself, but due to the context it's put in... In-depth coverage of the WWE SummerSlam PPV including Keller's match report with star ratings and the newsletter-exclusive Roundtable Reviews and Reader Reax... Jason Powell's "Page 2 Buzz" with scoops and insider analysis on Mick Foley, TNA's expiring contracts, and more... Bruce Mitchell's Memo further reviews the latest Ric Flair DVD... WWE Newswire, TNA Newswire, and ROH Newswire with insider news, big story analysis, and notebook tidbits... Plus Keller's reports on Raw, Smackdown, and Impact, the Top 5 Stories of the Week, and more... PDF EXCLUSIVE features include the Jon Mezzera's Weekly Hits & Misses and Greg Parks' look at SummerSlam and Smackdown...
INFO ON SUBSCRIPTION TO NEWSLETTER AND AD-FREE VIP SITE
DOWNLOAD RECENT (5-10-08) SAMPLE OF PWTORCH NEWSLETTER (PDF)
|
| Articles Grouped by Category |
 |
| Torch Today |
| PRIORITY DRAFT TRADITION CONTINUES: Which ten wrestlers would you start a promotion from scratch with? |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/29: Kowalski fundraiser, WWE lawsuit update, Midway Q&A on TNA video game, ROH Notes |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/22: Results Wanted, Austin return date, Batista comments on Cena match, Kofi and DDP interviews |
 |
| WWE News |
| WWE News: Jakks Pacific claims WWE lawsuit dismissed; WWE to continue suit |
| WWE News: A YouTube video puts new spin on Shawn Michaels-Chris Jericho saga |
| Ratings News: John Cena surgery a success, estimated time out of the ring determined (w/Keller's Analysis) |
 |
| TNA News |
| Interview Highlights: Chris Jericho talks about Guitar Hero, Reinventing his Character, Short Tights |
| TNA News: Details on Gail Kim's reasons for leaving TNA come to surface this week (w/Keller Analysis) |
| TNA News: WWE legend Mick Foley agrees to terms with TNA, set to debut as soon as September (w/Keller Analysyis) |
 |
| ROH News |
| Interview Highlights: Roderick Strong on his stint with TNA, lagging promo skills, indys working together |
| 7/25 ROH in Toronto: "That show was the first thing to make me proud to be a wrestling fan in a LONG time." |
| ROH News: Lance Storm interview on working with ROH wrestlers and injuries in pro wrestling |
 |
| Other News |
| Torch Indy Weekend Preview: Steen in IWS, Shiozaki in FIP, Delirious in Elite Pro |
| Torch Indy Weekend Report: Sabin & Shelley, Lynn, Jake Roberts, ROH results |
| ETC. News: Jesse Ventura in talks for a court show, according to TV Week (w/Keller Analysis) |
 |
| PPV Reports |
| CALDWELL'S WWE SUMMERSLAM REPORT 8/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV |
| KELLER'S WWE SUMMERSLAM REPORT 8/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV event |
| KELLER'S TNA HARD JUSTICE PPV REPORT 8/10: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of event - Samoa Joe vs. Booker T in cage |
 |
| TV Reports |
| 8/29 WWE SMACKDOWN: Parks's Coverage of the CW Show |
| KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 8/28: Sting finally addresses speculation, Nash vs. Angle, Beautiful People vs. Taylor & Roxxi |
| 8/28 TNA IMPACT Review by Wilkenfeld: Sting steals the show |
 |
| Arena Reports |
| 8/24 WWE Smackdown in Canton, Ohio: Triple H & Undertaker vs. Khali & MVP, R-Truth vs. Carlito, Michelle vs. Maryse |
| 8/24 TNA in Wichita, Ks.: Samoa Joe vs. A.J. Styles, Morgan vs. Kip, Knockouts Title Match, Lethal vs. Dutt |
| 8/24 WWE in Bethlehem, Pa.: Cody & Ted vs. Cryme Tyme, Jericho & Kane vs. Cena & Batista |
 |
| MMA / UFC Coverage |
| UFC News: Paul Heyman comments on Brock Lesnar's controversial post-fight antics last Saturday |
| KELLER'S UFC 87 LIVE PPV REPORT; On-site ongoing coverage of Lesnar's second UFC fight, full card coverage |
| UFC 87 PREVIEW: Fight analysis, predictions, odds for Lesnar vs. Herring, GSP vs. Fitch, Huerta vs. Florian |
 |
| KELLER'S TAKE |
| VIP - KELLER: More crazy G.M. ideas for WWE to consider (PWTorch Newsletter #1037) |
| KELLER: An overhaul is in order for Raw before ratings drop further - several specific suggestions |
| KELLER: McMahon Returns for That? Nothing Funnier than a DUI! Let Me Shift So You Can Hit Me! |
 |
| MITCHELL'S TAKE |
| MITCHELL'S BLOG: Notes From the 2008 NWA Fanfest - Ric Flair |
| WWE News: Flair's departure from WWE amicable, nostalgia convention circuit could be next |
| VIP - MITCHELL'S MEMO: DVD Liner Notes Part 3: Nature Boy Ric Flair - The Definitive Collection |
 |
| MCNEILL'S TAKE |
| Ready To Roll! McNEILL previews WWE SummerSlam |
| Rap It Up: McNEILL previews TNA Hard Justice! |
| VIP - MCNEILL FACTOR: Twenty Years of Summerslam, part two |
 |
| CALDWELL'S TAKE |
| CORNER CUBE TUESDAY 8/26 - Raw delivered highlights, but was heavy on filler |
| CORNER CUBE MONDAY 8/18 - Shawn Michaels showed strength, not weakness by not attacking Jericho |
| CORNER CUBE WEDNESDAY 8/13 - Finally, Matt Striker has found his calling with ECW on Tuesday nights |
 |
| RADICAN'S TAKE |
| TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/23: McGuinness & Jericho setting standard for heels in 2008 |
| DEJ's Kevin: Covering Pro Wrestling Ohio - The Ladder Match for the Heirloom Swords Part I |
| TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/21: The man who talks poopy and defies fire can’t escape the windshield of doom! |
 |
| The Specialists |
| ECW Storylines and Feuds - A look at the ECW Championship Scramble and the Finlay-Knox feud |
| CAREER PATH: Christian Cage's career high point, low point, and what if he had never left WWE? |
| UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - 8/28 TNA IMPACT: What I noticed on the show that you might not have |
 |
| Guest Editorials |
| EDITORIAL: What's wrong with Raw this year? A lot. But one core problem trumps the rest |
| EDITORIAL: Tag Team Divisions will not get over until squash matches return |
| EDITORIAL: C.M. Punk needs a prominent program to make him the star of Raw |
 |
| Torch Feedback |
| DRAFT PICKS - Batch #5 featuring top picks of Sting, Rob Van Dam, Edge, plus Danielson, Shelley, Bourne, Briscoes |
| DRAFT PICKS - Batch #4 featuring top picks of Nigel, Edge, Awesome Kong, plus CIMA, Bourne, Hogan, Ross, Kim |
| DRAFT PICKS - Batch #3 featuring top picks of Mick Foley, Brian Danielson, John Cena, plus Abyss, Shiozaki, Teddy Hart |
 |
| Ask the Editor |
| Ask the Editor: Wouldn't incorporating MMA-style holds into pro wrestling matches just be trying to be something it's not? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Have the Michaels-Batista promos crossed a line with use of insider terms, references to "jobs"? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Why do wrestlers in WWE refer to wrestling as "the business" and not "the sport"? |
 |
| DVDs - VGames - Books |
| WEEKEND DVD SPOTLIGHT: SHIMMER Vol. 18 (Kong-Busic,Del Rey-MsChif) |
| RADICAN: Al Snow discusses his wrestling career, philosophy, time in OVW, and more in new interview |
| DVD Review: ROH "Glory By Honor VI, N2" with Kenta vs. Misawa, 110307 |
 |
| Torch Flashbacks |
| KELLER'S TNA REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (8-28-03): Truth, D-Lo, Abyss, Sandman, Raven, Styles, Dusty |
| KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (8-25-03): Gail Kim vs. Trish, Jericho headlines Raw against... Shane McMahon? Linda a guest on Highlight Reel, |
| WWE Smackdown Reax #1: "This is the worst wrestling show I have seen in a long time with booking that defies all logic and common sense." |
 |
| VIP Exclusive Features |
| 8/29 Daily Keller Hotline: Sting's monumental promo on Impact dissected, full show analysis (27 min.) |
| 8/29 Mitchell Audio Show: Cena Injury, Rey's Return, Independent Contractors, Jericho-Michaels (75 min.) |
| 8/27 VIP East Coast Audio: Impact - A show that did everything it could do to turn people away from wrestling (79 min.) |
 |
| Torch Trivia |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about Champion vs. Champion matches? |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about SummerSlam - Part 3 |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about SummerSlam - Part 2 |
 |
| Torch Instant Polls |
| POLL: What are your thoughts on the WWE Championship Scramble concept? |
| POLL: Should the TNA Knockouts women wrestlers be paid in the same ballpark as the male wrestlers? |
| POLL: Who is your pick as the MVP of the August 11 edition of WWE Raw? |
 |
| PWTorch Free Podcast |
| 8/29 Daily Keller Hotline: Sting's monumental promo on Impact dissected, full show analysis (27 min.) |
| 8/29 Mitchell Audio Show: Cena Injury, Rey's Return, Independent Contractors, Jericho-Michaels (75 min.) |
| 8/27 VIP East Coast Audio: Impact - A show that did everything it could do to turn people away from wrestling (79 min.) |
 |
| Annual Obituaries |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 1999 - Muchnick, Rick Rude, Owen Hart, Renegade... |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2000 - Solie, Albright, Duncum, Tsuruta, Blue Demon, Al Costello |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2001: Johnny Valentine, Terry Gordy, Chris Adams, Bertha Faye, Helen Hart |
 |
|
|