NOVA'S TND #2: Would You Go Back?

[Lucas_Nova]

NOVA’S TND #2


WOULD YOU GO BACK?

Inevitably, I have fallen off the wagon. Every Monday and Friday (yes, it’s me watching the blue brand) are my test, my white whale and as expected I was not strong enough to say no. So, here I am once again ready to type away my sins of the week and ready to seek redemption and be forgiven for indulging in this addiction. My name is Nova and I’m a wrestle-holic. Today I’d like to confess to the following…

THE INNOCENCE AND THE LOVE

My stand this week isn’t one of anger at the draft or love of a superstar, my stand is one of honesty and curiosity. My addiction has led me to question why I love wrestling and whether I really do, or if I simply enjoy being a cynic. I came to WWE (secretly, WWF but Shh) as a young child, around 5 or 6, after pestering my parents for cable TV, if you really want to imagine this, it’s the UK we’re talking here, I came across this thing, this entity of childhood imagination of good vs. bad. I knew nothing of it but I knew I loved it and I knew I wanted to be part of it. My friends were the key in this, it felt like I was let in on a secret and I was willingly subjected to something from my childish mind’s eye of conquering evil. A time when I was genuinely angry at what the TV was displaying when Yokozuna defeated Bret Hart, cheering when the Heartbreak Kid realised his childhood dream (forgetting that only a few years prior I was routing for the best of the best, when the cynic in me was dead and the innocence was very much alive.) HBK’s dream was now firmly my dream and nothing would stop it or so I thought. The dream wasn’t one that instantly died, for years I’d rein act winning the WWF title while my opponent (my friend) was laid out. While the innocence of childhood was still firmly locked inside me, I didn’t see this as ‘sad’ or the act of a ‘loser’ I was the good guy saving the wrestling world from the tyrants, how could anyone not love me for this? How could anyone not love wrestling?

I was supposed to be the new Shawn Michaels, what happened?

INNOCENCE IS DEAD, LONG LIVE CYNICISM

Years had gone by and I was right on track to be ‘the new HBK’ a term I would later roll my eyes at and look down at any wrestling fan who would use it. Until then I was the future superstar and saviour of the WWF the one that arenas would cheer for and when I overcame adversity, feel the same way I did. All this was not just a dream it was set in stone, it was going to happen. That was until; I encountered those who did not see wrestling the same way I did. To me wrestling was it. The feeling when I was brutally told wrestling was ‘fake’, ‘FAKE!?’ was paramount to cruelty. How could Shawn Michaels jumping off a ladder onto Razor Ramon be ‘fake?’ Did these cynics know what had happened? It was clear they did. I hated these people, these people just did not get it, and they didn’t really understand what wrestling was all about. Unfortunately, this was not the case, it was me who didn’t really understand I came to terms that not only were there no Santa Claus but on top of that, wrestling was indeed, ‘fake.’ My dream of replicating HBK at Wrestlemania 12 was shattered along with my love for wrestling, and believe me I did love it.

That was that, I was done with wrestling, it had lied to me and I could not forgive. Time had gone by and I had not watched wrestling, nor did I have any intention of doing so. However, the same friends who had shared my love in the childhood years were still discussing all things wrestling; only something was different, very different. I thought to myself, do they not know it’s ‘fake’ and it’s ‘sad’ to watch wrestling at our age. The thing was they did know it was ‘fake’ but to them, it was by no means ‘sad.’ They were not talking like we would years prior but there was a different tone to their conversation, one of knowledge and wisdom with underlining cynicism. They were not merely saying ‘It’ll be so cool if Shawn Michaels finally won the title’ instead they were saying ‘the belt should be put on Austin, he’s over with the crowd and is great at playing a face’ what were they talking about? ‘Face?’ ‘Over with the crowd?’ It’s redundant to say I was intrigued (hmmm) So for the first time, with my newly acquired inside knowledge that same feeling came back, if not a little differently, no longer was it about good vs. bad, but I was in the world of heels, faces, bookings and storylines. If the title wasn’t put on the goody there and then it no longer mattered because I knew I was in store for this feud to continue in which I could witness another classic, well hopefully. The anticipation I used to feel was back I was no longer routing for ‘good’ the innocence had died, instead I was routing for who the belt should be put on, who was the man to carry the company, what would be the best booking. My love was reborn and stronger than ever, but the love was not that of a young couple falling for each other, it was the same love of a married couple who have argued for years but ultimately love each other as much as they did since first laying eyes on each other. When I felt the booking was wrong I was angry, the same anger years prior at Yokozuna, only now the baddies place had been taken by the bookers. By this time I was fully baptised into the world of heels and faces, good vs. evil just wasn’t on the agenda. My love was restored, however, just like the old married couple; I was given the gift of cynicism.

I was finally beginning to understand the inner workings

GOODIES & BADDIES VERSUS FACES & HEELS

With the knowledge of the inside workings of the wrestling business (yes, I’d even realised it was a business by this point) I was ready to throw myself back into this addiction I had previously kicked. My love was now with the storytelling, both in the ring and the soap opera themes on the outside of it. My appreciation was no longer with the ‘goodies’ I was no longer routing for them to win every match. Instead I was always waiting for the Rock or Chris Jericho to cut a promo. My appreciation was now with those who knew how to work a crowd not simply those who got the high pitched screams. It was confirmed, the love and excitement I felt when I first got addicted was back, and no matter how old you are, if you’re bitten you’re infected. The next couple of years of my wrestling life were spent arguing with my friends about who the belt should be put on; who was the man to lead the WWE into the next generation of fans ready to have their innocence stripped away like me not that long ago. It no longer mattered about good vs. evil nor was it about face vs. heel. It was about knowing the workings of business, it was about knowing what was right for the wrestling world and what booking would elevate the industry to an even higher reaching and the creation of gimmicks and which of the young crop would succeed at the highest level, it was exciting and glorious and it didn’t matter it was ‘fake’ because the excitement was real, and that’s what was important. It was like a being a kid all over again.

Just like a turbulent marriage, however, my love was about to be tested yet again, in the form of Wrestlemania 25. Don’t worry I’m not about to jump of course and go on a rant, but April 5th was like being told wrestling was ‘fake’ all over again, this time I would not desert wrestling but I was old enough now to question it. That night I lost faith in wrestling. Sure, I’d not always agreed with the bookings in previous years but I was always confident, no, certain WWE knew better and that down the line I would witness an innovative piece of booking that would make me sit back and like Ron, simply proclaim ‘damn!’ Wrestlemania 25, however, was an exception. I’m talking about Randy Orton not having the belt put on him. That night I was questioning my love and faith in wrestling for the first time in years. Just the like the first time I was cheated by wrestling I had questions circling my head. Why wasn’t the belt put on Orton? Does WWE care more about keeping one man happy or the fans? Has WWE lost it?

Once again I was left questioning my faith

So now I am in a quandary, I know I still love wrestling but I don’t know if I can trust it. The cynicism wrestling fans gain when they lose their innocence is expected and part of the course. The question I am asking myself is ‘am I a happy wrestling fan?’ Was I happier being naïve and innocent and genuinely being excited when the ‘goody’ defeated evil? Or am I happier as a cynical fan, ready to criticise the business when I disagree with a booking, where as a kid I would simply have faith in the good guy eventually prevailing. Where can I place my faith now, as a cynic and a wrestling fan with knowledge, not innocence? The questions I ask myself and I ask you to ponder are these; do you wish you could go back to the innocent days? When were you were truly happiest, as a wrestling fan?


My name is Nova and I’m a wrestle-holic.

[Martin Riggs]

HELLO, Nova! Welcome out of that shell!

I thought this was brilliant. A really good look at your wrestling 'career' and the struggles we all go for. There were maybe one or two spelling mistakes, but overall your grammar was fine, spelling was fine, structure was spot on, the pictures kept it lively!

I'd say, you've just stepped up MASSIVELY in my books. Well fucking done.

[Sean_Taylor]

I do sometimes wish I could go back to the golden eras and be just a regular dumb fan. I think if you don't wish that every once in a while, you'll probably leave wrestling all together soon. Very thought provoking and well paced. Good job.

[The Maz]

Hey Nova, this was an enjoyable column. Your words really flowed together well which is something that does not always happen. I guess we all question our desision to be wrestling fans and since I have joined in the forums, I have realised I am not the only one who has drifted in and out of love with the product. I think it is interesting that no matter how bad a period of time is for a seasoned smark, there are hundreds of new young fans being captivated by the magic of it all.

[Brilliant]

Bravo on the column. Looks nice, good spacing, some pics/headers to break up the monotony.

While its a fairly common topic, its always interesting b/c no 2 people have the same journey.

As for the ponderance: I dont read rumors or really care whats going on "behind the scenes". I dont frequent news/gossip sites but I obviously do read boards. The only news I care to know is injuries. So, Im able to watch most shows with an air of innocence. I enjoy my way, keeps things simple and fun for the most part. Still didnt keep me from being disappointed in WM though.

[Stinger]

Good read Nova, and a definite improvement over your last outing, so very well done.

I'm quite happy as a wrestling fan, I could care less about going back to being an "innocent fan". If anything, the Internet and wrestling sites/forums have most likely kept me a fan far longer than I probably would have been if I never came on to these sites.

Solid stuff, looking forward to your next one.

[Lucas_Nova]

J-Boom- Thanks man! Appreciate the positive feeback! I'ts good to hear I've got on your radar so i'll try no to let you down! (note: If i fail you can reclaim your feeback) Oh, and structure was one of the main things I was focusing on this time so cool to hear it was spot on.

Sean- I completely agree, I do often look back and remember how cool it was to truely be suprised, even these days when something I wasn't expecting comes about I get that nostalgic feeling. When Jericho returned (obviously, knew it was coming but not that night) I was sitting there with a childish grin. Thanks for the positive feeback too!

Mazza- Yeh, the flow of my sentences was one thing my previous column got picked up on so like the structure I was aware of that, so thanks for noticing the effort. It is good to know there will always be kids out there who will believe in the magic of wrestling, it's a comforting thought that for every cynic there's an innocent out there.

Brilliant- anyone who uses 'Bravo' in their feedback is someone i'll certianly listen to! Like i said, structure was my main focus in this one, so i thought the best way to break up big paragraphs would be to spice up the presentation with colour and pics. I like your approach to wrestling, I do miss the genuine suprises that are now all to rare for me.

Stinger- Thanks man! I'm always looking to improve column by column so it's cool for someone like yourself to take the time to not just read but notice the difference between each column. I do enjoy reading the rumours but at the same time I do wish i could stay away but even if i went away from the rumours and inside scoops I will always have that cynicism and knowledge of the workings the youngs kids don't so i think innocence is dead in me!

Thanks for your time and words, guys. All feedback good or constructive is welcomed and appreciated!

[Leonard]

Hi there Nova. Sorry I'm late to the party, but I just wanted to let you know that I thought this was a great improvement over your first outing, in that ideas were elaborated much more throughout. As for if I would "go back," I don't think I would. Much like Stinger, these "gossip" sites keep me interested. In fact, when I got back into wrestling in 2006, I just read the gossip sites, then later eased back into the actual product. Weird, right? Anyhow, good job, sir. Keep improving!

--Leonard