Shining a Spotlight 04.21.11: Appreciation

Losing Stars

The recent death of Elizabeth Taylor was a big example of how the attitudes of someone in their later life can be overwhelmed by the feelings on their death. Younger people who only knew Taylor by her multiple marriages and personal struggles were reminded of the incredibly gorgeous and talented star she had been in her prime. Ditto for Michael Jackson; we had become so used to treating the man as a figure of ridicule and derision that it was easy to forget how in his prime he had been the biggest star on the planet. His death ironically did more to redeem Jackson’s image and legacy than any concert tour, reminding people of the genius he was, letting them gloss over his behavior and possible criminal acts. Fans of Doctor Who have been rocked by the death of Elisabeth Sladen, who played the popular Sarah Jane Smith character, seen as an icon of the series and many fans (like me) have been torn at the loss of such a wonderful woman.

The sadly large death toll of wrestlers in the last several years has been a cold reminder to fans of the costs the life brings about in people. In many cases, guys are seen as better than they were following their deaths. I remember how Test and the Big Bossman didn’t exactly have huge followings in life but after their deaths, lots of people were suddenly falling over themselves talking of how great the guys were. The fact is that it’s hard to speak ill of the dead, even if you didn’t like the guy, just doesn’t feel right trashing them after that.

There are exceptions, the most notable being Chris Benoit. He’s the reverse as his sad end has clouded so much of his career. I know people say “look at the work, not the artist,” but it’s harder as Benoit poured so much of himself into making it all look real and that led to the brain damage. The same is for the Dynamite Kid, a brilliant worker but also a ruthless bastard outside the ring and sometimes hard to find sympathy for, even if he’s in a wheelchair now. On the other hand, folks have been able to look past Shawn Michaels” arrogant attitude in the past and involvement with Montreal to recognize his career when he retired (it helps that Shawn has been up front lately over how much of an asshole he was).

Fans get used to stars being around a while, seeing them as something we can all count on so it’s a shock when they leave us for some reason or another. Taylor was one of those people you’re so used to having around that being without her was jarring. The same with Jackson, Walter Cronkite and so many others. Edge may not have had the same longevity but he’s been a big star for so long that to think of WWE without him was hard and that’s what makes a lot of fans put his career in a good light. It can be hard given how so many fans put criticisms of the business over enjoying it.

Appreciation

Fans (and this isn’t just for wrestling) can be rather short-sighted and myopic in enjoying things. The Internet has just added to this, short attention spans and snap judgments all too common in various forms of entertainment. Wrestling is even greater as far too many fans (and I’ve been guilty of this mentality myself) make snap judgments, not giving characters or storylines a chance to develop but deciding instantly they’re not worth our time. Sometimes you need hindsight to fully understand things for better or worse, it’s hard to really judge when you’re in the middle of the events. As a history major, I fully understand that concept; you have to have some space and time before you can properly see how things are.

A lot of guys do have respect and admiration as they work today. The Undertaker is a good example as I’ve written of how the man is seen as a real icon and leader by the guys backstage, all respecting his influence. I’ve even heard people speak nice of HHH having a smart mind for the business while Vince McMahon still has some great respect even from those like Bret Hart, who have ample reason to hate him. It is telling how so many wrestling radio show guys share the common statement that the workers they admire the most come off as selfish jerks while the ones with bad reputations are the friendliest and open guests. There’s still a line between what we fans think we “know” about wrestling and what really goes on which often makes it harder to judge a guy properly.

The recent “50 Greatest Superstars” DVD WWE put out last year sparked a lot of debate on the placement of the entries that pointed to some of that respect and appreciation. Most notably was Hogan being all the way at #23 as tons of guys went “I don’t like Hogan but he should be number one,” that despite all he’s done to wrong fans, Hogan was the WWF in the ‘80’s and helped form wrestling as we know it. WWE’s DVDs have been a good way for fans to appreciate workers and even companies of wrestling. They did good praise of the AWA and WCCW for their success and even point out how WCW offered great stuff at the beginning of the Monday Night War that fans could love. The recent DVD on the Big Show had me really sympathize with the guy and how hard it is for someone his size to do things we take for granted.

It can be a two-way street, of course. The recent books of Mick Foley have painted him in a somewhat more arrogant and selfish light and shifted opinions of him. That goes even more for Bret Hart as I’ve seen quite a backlash against him for such poor moves as turning a dinner for his father into a tirade on some author putting him low on a list of Canadian wrestlers. John Morrison has taken a bit of a hit for being so outspoken over Melina being left out of Mania as that’s behavior that the guy should be smarter about. But too often, fans are a bit taken by the “now” to fully realize how much a star means. For too many, he’s taken for granted as with Edge while others have that bias because of some quirks of the fanbase.

When the day comes when Vince McMahon leaves us (although knowing Vince, I wouldn’t be surprised if he outlives us all), I think a lot of his detractors will be forced to admit that while he may have ruined a lot of the “good old days” feel, the man brought wrestling to a level of success it never would have seen without him. Cena may be trashed by many but I think years from now, he’ll be respected more for his skills and star ability. For HHH, I’ve already seen a shift in the last few years as fans may still complain about him being in the spotlight so much but also respecting him for his great matches and bringing up others at times. A lot may happen that can change such opinions, of course; after all, right up until the last weekend of June, 2007, Benoit was held as the shining example of what wrestling should be. Which reminds you all the more how you should look beyond your cynicism to enjoy things now.

I know I’m down on TNA a lot (although compared to others on 411mania, I’m downright upbeat) but I think it’s necessary as some form of alternative to WWE is needed and ROH isn’t at that level. I remember how fans were calling for WCW to just pack it in and end it only to regret losing the competition as WWE stagnated badly afterward. For all its faults, TNA is providing something else for wrestling fans and there are people trying to make it work. Should that leave us, a lot of fans will no doubt look back it at more fondly, especially how in ’05 they were really tearing it up with action.

The IWC can be sardonic and arrogant and rather snotty at times. Far too often (and I admit to guilt on that too), we become critics, forgetting what made us fans, our love for wrestling and the guys doing it. But most of us can still have the heart to feel bad when a performer leaves us for one reason or another. The outpouring of respect for Edge after his announcement proves that as well as the passing of Larry Sweeney. We can still appreciate these guys but one hopes we can do this more as they’re still active rather than when their time is done. Too many of us get wrapped up in what’s going on so we don’t see how great these guys are and how much they truly mean to us until it’s too late. It’s a human trait and one that crosses to sports and entertainment equally. Maybe in a way Edge may be able to help some of us look past our cynical sides and see and appreciate the workers today while we still have the chance rather than regret it later.

Summation

It’s easy for us to take for granted the risks and dangers wrestlers put themselves through. The long road trips, the pressures of performing, the risk of injuries, we can brush it all aside and be judgmental of whether or not they’re good enough by some criteria we use. It takes a wrestler retiring or even dying for us to realize how much they meant to us as real fans, not critics but people who love the business. Maybe Edge leaving can remind us of how precious time is, that all wrestlers are fighting the clock until they have to hang it up and we should ignore stuff that annoys us and robs us of our pleasure. Most importantly, we should appreciate guys like Cena, Undertaker, HHH, even Sting or Hogan while they are around. Because when they go, it’s a big hole and one that can’t be filled with more moments by them. Appreciating these guys is great but realizing their impact while they’re still around is better than missing it when they’re gone.