My latest column is on upgruv.com, a site of trending topics, and looks at the controversy around WWE Money in the Bank with James Ellsworth. Here’s an excerpt:
The crowd in St. Louis was hot. The people on Twitter were nuclear. Some from both groups seemed so caught up with emotion they apparently forgot that moral messaging isn’t a priority for writers of wrestling (or any form of entertainment.)
Oh, and once again, let’s try to remember that WWE’s wrestling is branded as sports entertainment.
Another thing: professional wrestling has always been built on tugging at the emotional strings of an audience.
Heels cheating is the hook. A surprise finish is the line. The eventual payoff of a story serves as the sinker to keep customers coming back. This is the tried-and-true formula for selling professional wrestling as entertainment.
The performers in a professional-wrestling ring are athletes. But they are also actors following direction. Ellsowrth interfering on behalf of Carmella wasn’t, say, Josh Rodarmel picking up a golf ball and putting it into the hole to help Natalie Gulbis win the Women’s U.S. Open. If that happens, people should shout from the hills.
Such shenanigans don’t happen in a real athletic competition, though.
The LPGA produced athletic competitions. The WWE produces episodic storytelling.
CLICK HERE for more including the great benefit and payoff coming in the Women’s division. Plus, Baron Corbin wins and a new “power couple” arrives.
