“That’s it. You (long pause) just made the List!”
-Chris Jericho, on just about any WWE Raw in late 2016-early 2017
As far back as I can remember, I was a wrestling fan. I can recall being a mini-lil-Phill and going to Market Square Arena to see Hulk Hogan lose the WWF title to Andre the Giant (who then sold the title to the Million Dollar Man Ted DeBiase, because “everybody has a price”). I have always said, as my wife now repeats, wrestling is a soap opera for dudes. And while it’s not the most high brow thing I watch on TV by a long shot, it’s a simple pleasure every Monday (and some Sunday and Tuesday) night.
The reason why wrestling is satisfying isn’t all that difficult to understand. The first thing is that people who don’t watch have to realize that pretty much every fan old enough to know that Santa isn’t real knows that wrestling is scripted and the outcomes are predetermined. Realizing it’s not meant to be a competitive sport, one is free to enjoy the following simple pleasures:
- The hero’s narrative guides pretty much everything, so pattern recognition leads to satisfying stories. The “bad” guys win sometimes (and sometimes they become the good guys), but ultimately every storyline ends with the hero winning. It rewards the viewer for loving the good guy.
- The use of catchphrases leads to a comfortable sense of belonging for all those who are regular viewers. I know, for example, that when I hear Enzo’s music hit that in a few moments he will be telling me that his name is Enzo Amore, that he’s bonafide G and and a certified stud, and that I cannot teach that. And the guy with him? That’s Big Cas. And he’s seven feet tall. And you can’t teach that. So many times I have smelled what the Rock is cooking.
- Once one realizes that it’s not “real” competition, there’s entertainment to be found in the acrobatics and overall skills of the competitors.
- Unlike almost every other form of entertainment, from scripted TV to sports to reality shows, wrestling has no off-season and no re-runs. Other than rare holidays or special events (like the Olympics), WWE Raw is on every Monday night.
This leads to something enjoyable, particularly in a world that is increasingly insane and complex politically and socially. Wrestling is a chance to spend two or three hours in a fictional world where everything is predicated on the story that we accept that the matches could matter (while we know that they don’t) and a world where s0me how any and all problems can be resolved by pinning another person’s shoulders to the ground for a count of three or convincing them to submit. There are colorful characters in colorful costumes. There are amusing chants and interesting character development.
It’s a simple narrative pleasure, watching the story knowing the end (essentially) but going on the journey none-the-less.