The Exploits of an Angry Internet Wrestling Fan

I've been a fan of pro wrestling for as long as I can remember.  My dad, my uncles, and my Grandpa all watched wrestling, and we'd cal leach other on the phone weekly to discuss the goings on of the squared circle.  As i got older, my interest grew, to the point where I attend the biggest show of the year, Wrestlemania, annually now (THANKS FAE) and try to watch wrestling in some form a few times a week every week.  With the rise of these internets (yes, nets, plural) message boards and websites dedicated to talking about, covering and dissecting pro wrestling sprung up, to the point that talking about it became a lucrative business for places like The Wrestling Observer and Pro Wrestling Torch that report on the goings on of the wrestling biz 24/7.  These sites each have message boards, where paying members can talk amongst themselves about their favorite characters, best matches, and what they feel they can improve on.  And, for the most part, everyone can think of something they want to improve.

Sir, we were far too angry to think this through.

Wrestling being unique, in that it's a television show you can direclty interact with, it tends to attract a certain element.  Without going into all the aspects of such a person, I'll provide a sort of anecdote - the man they call 'sarge'.  Sarge is a nice enough guy, and by enough, i mean to my knowledge he's still alive, so he hasn't pissed anyone off too bad.  The angry black man stereotype is real, and alive in Sarge.

Artist rendering of Sarge.

On one of the call-in wrestling shows I listen to (dedication) he's a frequent caller, and he spends most of his air time complaining about John Cena and Triple H.  He's not unique in this, as these two are some of the biggest IWC (internet wrestling community) targets.  John Cena made the mistake of being a cornball, a goofball, and not going away, so he he'll have vitriol spewed his way till forever.  It's almost a shame when a guy doesn't do anything unethical or illegal and is villified, but he's stinkin rich and loves his job, so he'll be fine.  The other target is Triple H, of, as Sarge calls him "Triple-H-son-in-law" drawing attention to the (not entirely crazy) idea that one of the main reasons for Triple H's success both in the ring, and outside of it, is result of him marrying Stephanie McMahon, daughter of Vince McMahon, owner of the WWE.  Sarge very rarely calls into these shows to ask any type of question, but to complain about the state of affairs, and the two previously mentioned individuals.  It goes something like this: "guess it's time for me to do a heel turn (i'll explain) , cuz that cot dayum triple-h-son-in-law done just took over the whole show, killing everyone else's push, so he can be the focus, and everybody's afraid to step to him, and then you got John Cena over here, tellin the same jokes, doing the same moves, I can't wait till some new talent shows up cuz this is getting worse week after week after week, but until then, I'm watching (name a promotion that's internet only with a lower production value) cuz they know what they doin'!"

"So it's agreed - they hate us equally."

 It's venting.  It's admitting frustration.  But it's also being closed minded and having an agenda.  Rarely does he acknowledge the good things that happen (it's happens, but it's rare) the matches or segments he enjoys, or the things he looks forward to.  And it's bad for the community as a whole, because it limits discourse, and takes away from the posters/ callers that want more information, or really talk about what they've seen in a constructive manner.  It also gets to the point where "Sarge" becomes a persona separate from the person, as seen (heard) every time he claims he makes a "heel turn" a phased use when a "good guy character commits and act that instantly (or over time) makes them a "Bad guy" character.  Cheating on your wife and sending her the sex tape is a heel turn.  Telling kids you've never met that Santa isn't real is a heel turn.  Being an ass on a show and taking valuable time away from it is just that, being an ass.

At this point, he's so swept up in in, he gets into fights. On the internet.  With people he's never met.  In the interest of privacy, I won't post that.  But to give you an idea, he's accused people of being fags and card carrying klansman.  In the same breath.  Jokes are jokes, but him homophobic slurs and rants were so bad, he was kicked out of more than one forum, one of which I invited the guy too.  And he wouldn't apologize for his outbursts, so that ban still stand.  Including a standing "didn't see your number in the queue" suspension on A certain awesome wrestling call-in show that happens wednesdays @ 5:30 central time that I don't think will be lifted soon.

Listen - It's Good.

It's fun to talk wrestling, argue wrestling and hell, every now and a again bitch over wrestling, but when you become a gimmick in a world you aren't really a part of, the fun stops altogether.  And having such strong opinions on things you only have a modicum of knowledge about just pisses other people off.