Wrestling.net.au

Break It Down
By Manny Tsigas

Introductions

In the Woody Allen film Hannah and Her Sisters, intellectual painter Frederick (played by Max von Sydow) scoffs to his wife Lee (Barbara Hershey), "Can you imagine the level of a mind that watches wrestling?"

Oh if only I wasn't some cretinous wrestling fan. Only then could I suggest Frederick go fuck himself.

Well, Freddy, would my "level of a mind" be so bold to say that you and I aren't that different? That we both immerse ourselves in something that appeals to an acquired taste? That we both love something not all classes of people understand? That we both sacrifice many hours and countless dollars to be surrounded by a culture that appeals to various people for various reasons?

On the other hand, Frederick’s right. I am a fool for loving something that can at times be the purest of puerile entertainment. But when professional wrestling is done right - with intriguing characters, a powerful storyline, fever-pitch crowd atmosphere and (most importantly) intense, yet majestic in-ring ability - I believe it can send a shiver down the spine of a quadriplegic.

Professional wrestling has always been part of me. Many, including Frederick, suggest I should get that checked out. And at times I think they’re right. When I was six I got in trouble for cutting a promo by “Rowdy” Roddy Piper I’d memorised towards a girl in my class. Around the same time my mother threatened to disown me when I told her I wanted to be a wrestler.

For the record, I do miss her cooking.

Now, nearly 20 years later my family uses the same arguments. Yes, Ma, I know wrestling is staged. You're right, Dad, how could I still be watching this? I have a degree. Anyone with a degree in journalism can't possibly be a moron.

When I first started working as a journo for SBS last year, I received stunned looks from some of my co-workers when they found out I had a thing for the squared circle. And some still give me the same air of acknowledgement they'd give the village idiot.

French philosopher Roland Barthes was onto something when he wrote: "There are people who think that wrestling is an ignoble sport. Wrestling is not a sport, it is a spectacle, and it is no more ignoble to attend a wrestled performance of Suffering than a performance of the sorrows of Arnolphe or Andromaque."

I don't see why wrestling fans - or ANY fans for that matter - should feel the need to defend what they find entertaining. I say this because when I finally out myself as a wrestling fan, it's usually followed by a rushed, half-assed explanation of "why". And it never does the trick.

- "Wrestling is a unique counterculture that teeters on the border of artistry and insanity."

- "The wrestlers put their physical and personal well-being aside (more than any other form of entertainment) just to hear me gasp."

- "I enjoy pissing away my money on 30 generic pay-per-views a year and a stack of black t-shirts with words like “ass”, “hell”, “damn” or “bitch” written on them."

I guess the main thing wrestling has taught me is to be more accepting of what people find entertaining. Recently I was on the receiving end of one of those rushed, half-assed explanations from a fan of Dancing with the Stars. Sure, I hate that show, but who am I that he needs to explain himself to me? Ironically when I revealed my love for professional wrestling to him, I was met with the whole “village idiot” thing I mentioned earlier.

At least by writing this column I’m talking to people who “get it”. As I said before, wrestling appeals to different people for different reasons. Some like the characters, the stories, and the technical prowess of the wrestlers – others just like the outrageousness, the spectacle, or simply staring at muscle-bound behemoths.

The subjects of my columns will be pretty random, but they’ll always somehow be connected to wrestling. And part of how it works depends on your responses, so I encourage you to write in and let me know what you think (good or bad).

In fact, you can start by telling me what it is that you like about wrestling. How long have you been a fan? Why do you waste so much time watching it? And what got you into it in the first place?

Manny Tsigas is a journalist for SBS World News Australia, and a lifelong wrestling fan. When he’s not watching, reviewing and obsessing over films, he also enjoys music, writing, anime, videogames, stand up comedy and anything to do with the 1980s.

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