Because life has consequences…
I know you can’t put Jeannie back in the bottle but pro wrestling at its finest is gladiators in dramatic, physical, emotional battle where winning and losing is only a part of the story. Just because you don’t get your hand raised, doesn’t mean you are not a winner. Just like real life. A great wrestling match is about the journey, not just the final destination. And not every story has to end in a three count to be a satisfactory outcome.
If the referee stops a match because a wrestler is absorbing too much punishment or is perceived to not be able to continue, going forward, wrestlers will protect themselves and start to construct their battle plans for matches in a more logical fashion. I know that no fan ever pays money to watch a referee make a decision but if both fans and wrestlers alike know that a referee can make that final decision, I think that both groups will benefit.
Fans will get new outcomes… some they’ll like and some they’ll hate. But, it might foster some water cooler talk, which pro wrestling hasn’t had since Rock and Austin left. The wrestlers will have some added physical protection, especially early in their careers as referees will stop many more matches with the younger guys, who are more prone to put themselves in an injurious position.
And the wrestling industry gets some fresh air in its lungs, which it needs terribly right now. This doesn’t fix wrestling but it’s an important step that can bridge the gap between wrestling and its chief rival, fan apathy.
Let’s talk about it…kevinfsu90@yahoo.com or twitter @rohkkelly. Thanks!
