Select Next Article by Category
WE ARE A PROUD UGO AFFILIATE SINCE 1999

Support Our Sponsor: PWI!
===========================
CHECK OUT OUR AFFILIATE WRESTLING NEWS SITE - THE FASTEST GROWING PRO WRESTLING SITE IN 2008! (click on logo)

|
Guest Editorials
EDITORIAL: What happened to shades of grey in pro wrestling being okay? (with Reader Poll)
Mar 18, 2008 - 2:54:23 PM |
|
Editor's Note: At PWTorch.com we strive for our content whenever possible and practical to be original and unique (i .e. not published on other sites), therefore Guest Editorials submitted to PWTorch. com should be submitted only to PWTorch. com. If you submit a Guest Editorial for consideration, please state at the top of your editorial that you submitted it only to PWTorch. com. For more details on submitting Guest Editorials, check out a detailed submissions guide following today's Guest Editorial below.
GUEST EDITORIAL
By Jadran Mandekic of Rijeka, Croatia, PWTorch.com reader
Some people want clear cut heels and faces. I was reading this week's Raw feedback and once again I can't belive how people are complaining about not knowing who the faces and who the heels are.Torch reader Maynard Damon asked if Chris Jericho was a heel suddenly and is The Big Show suddenly a face? I ask everybody: Does it matter?
To me, wrestling is at it's best when it emulates reality. In the real world, what would I be? Would I be a heel or a face? I mean, I could cheat on my girlfriend and then break up with her, leaving her completely devastated, and then a half hour later I could go out and help an old lady cross the street. What am I then? Am I a heel or a face? In life everything is relative; why can't it be in wrestling?
People are complaining about TNA, and they say there are no clear cut heels or faces, but I don't understand why is it important? People with no wrestling knowledge, who are not wrapped in a wrestling bubble and don't care about wrestling terminology, watch the show and decide who they like, and who they don't like. The members of the NWO were heels in terms of storyline, but they often acted in a manner that made the people like them. Why is it so hard to grasp for some people? There are people doing bad things all around us, but they have a way of making themselves likeable and there are people who are considered to be good, but have skeletons in their closets. Clear cut good guys and bad guys exist only in comics, cartoons, and stupid action movies.
Wrestling was at its best (or most watched at least) in the late-'90s when it turned more toward the reality of the characters or, as Vince put it at the time, shades of grey. Did it really matter if Steve Austin was a heel or a face? Austin would beat up an innocent referee or an interviewer because he was pissed off, and at the same time fight the good fight against an evil manipulative promoter. And Steve would not do it because he was a heel or a face, he would do it because he was fighting for himself and to hell with everything else. Was Steve a heel or a face? Judging by his success and WWF's overall success, it didn't matter. Why should it matter today?
If the storyline is good, believable, mind stimulating, and the characters are entertaining, knowing who the good guy and who the bad guy is isn't the most important thing. Sure, there will always be characters who we will cheer for because, despite all of their flaws, they are generally “good,” but we do not need to define them clearly as faces or heels. They could also sometimes do the “bad” thing, but if we understand their motives it will not instantly make them the ultimate bad guys. Or maybe WWE should bring back another evil clown character to make it simple for us. [Vote in the Poll Below on this issue.]
You are invited to submit a "Torch Guest Editorial" for possible publishing on this site in future days. For submission guidelines and the current email, click here.
Download Audio Sample:
For more BREAKING NEWS on WWE, TNA, ROH
visit our affiliate: JASON POWELL'S PROWRESTLING.NET
For UFC AND MMA NEWS & BLOGS
visit our affiliate: MMATORCH.COM - now featuring the MMATorch Daily Audio Update!
REACT TO THIS STORY IN OUR FREE PWTORCH FORUM
PWTORCH VIP SIGN-UP INFO - NO ADS, EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
|
Guest Editorials
Latest Articles by Category |
(c) 1999-2008 TDH Communications Inc. - All rights reserved.
|
|
LATEST PRO WRESTLING TORCH NEWSLETTER #1040 (18 PAGES)

This issue begins with a cover story by Wade Keller looking at the final scene of SummerSlam and why it's bad for WWE not in and of itself, but due to the context it's put in... In-depth coverage of the WWE SummerSlam PPV including Keller's match report with star ratings and the newsletter-exclusive Roundtable Reviews and Reader Reax... Jason Powell's "Page 2 Buzz" with scoops and insider analysis on Mick Foley, TNA's expiring contracts, and more... Bruce Mitchell's Memo further reviews the latest Ric Flair DVD... WWE Newswire, TNA Newswire, and ROH Newswire with insider news, big story analysis, and notebook tidbits... Plus Keller's reports on Raw, Smackdown, and Impact, the Top 5 Stories of the Week, and more... PDF EXCLUSIVE features include the Jon Mezzera's Weekly Hits & Misses and Greg Parks' look at SummerSlam and Smackdown...
INFO ON SUBSCRIPTION TO NEWSLETTER AND AD-FREE VIP SITE
DOWNLOAD RECENT (5-10-08) SAMPLE OF PWTORCH NEWSLETTER (PDF)
|
| Articles Grouped by Category |
 |
| Torch Today |
| PRIORITY DRAFT TRADITION CONTINUES: Which ten wrestlers would you start a promotion from scratch with? |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/29: Kowalski fundraiser, WWE lawsuit update, Midway Q&A on TNA video game, ROH Notes |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/22: Results Wanted, Austin return date, Batista comments on Cena match, Kofi and DDP interviews |
 |
| WWE News |
| WWE News: A YouTube video puts new spin on Shawn Michaels-Chris Jericho saga |
| Ratings News: John Cena surgery a success, estimated time out of the ring determined (w/Keller's Analysis) |
| Ratings News: USA replay audience added to live Sci-Fi audience makes up for drop in rating |
 |
| TNA News |
| Interview Highlights: Chris Jericho talks about Guitar Hero, Reinventing his Character, Short Tights |
| TNA News: Details on Gail Kim's reasons for leaving TNA come to surface this week (w/Keller Analysis) |
| TNA News: WWE legend Mick Foley agrees to terms with TNA, set to debut as soon as September (w/Keller Analysyis) |
 |
| ROH News |
| Interview Highlights: Roderick Strong on his stint with TNA, lagging promo skills, indys working together |
| 7/25 ROH in Toronto: "That show was the first thing to make me proud to be a wrestling fan in a LONG time." |
| ROH News: Lance Storm interview on working with ROH wrestlers and injuries in pro wrestling |
 |
| Other News |
| Torch Indy Weekend Preview: Steen in IWS, Shiozaki in FIP, Delirious in Elite Pro |
| Torch Indy Weekend Report: Sabin & Shelley, Lynn, Jake Roberts, ROH results |
| ETC. News: Jesse Ventura in talks for a court show, according to TV Week (w/Keller Analysis) |
 |
| PPV Reports |
| CALDWELL'S WWE SUMMERSLAM REPORT 8/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV |
| KELLER'S WWE SUMMERSLAM REPORT 8/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV event |
| KELLER'S TNA HARD JUSTICE PPV REPORT 8/10: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of event - Samoa Joe vs. Booker T in cage |
 |
| TV Reports |
| 8/28 TNA IMPACT Review by Wilkenfeld: Sting steals the show |
| CALDWELL'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 8/28: Nash vs. Angle, Sting speaks, Jarrett teases return, Knockouts in main event |
| CALDWELL'S ECW TV REPORT 8/26: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of WWE's Sci-Fi show |
 |
| Arena Reports |
| 8/24 WWE Smackdown in Canton, Ohio: Triple H & Undertaker vs. Khali & MVP, R-Truth vs. Carlito, Michelle vs. Maryse |
| 8/24 TNA in Wichita, Ks.: Samoa Joe vs. A.J. Styles, Morgan vs. Kip, Knockouts Title Match, Lethal vs. Dutt |
| 8/24 WWE in Bethlehem, Pa.: Cody & Ted vs. Cryme Tyme, Jericho & Kane vs. Cena & Batista |
 |
| MMA / UFC Coverage |
| UFC News: Paul Heyman comments on Brock Lesnar's controversial post-fight antics last Saturday |
| KELLER'S UFC 87 LIVE PPV REPORT; On-site ongoing coverage of Lesnar's second UFC fight, full card coverage |
| UFC 87 PREVIEW: Fight analysis, predictions, odds for Lesnar vs. Herring, GSP vs. Fitch, Huerta vs. Florian |
 |
| KELLER'S TAKE |
| VIP - KELLER: More crazy G.M. ideas for WWE to consider (PWTorch Newsletter #1037) |
| KELLER: An overhaul is in order for Raw before ratings drop further - several specific suggestions |
| KELLER: McMahon Returns for That? Nothing Funnier than a DUI! Let Me Shift So You Can Hit Me! |
 |
| MITCHELL'S TAKE |
| MITCHELL'S BLOG: Notes From the 2008 NWA Fanfest - Ric Flair |
| WWE News: Flair's departure from WWE amicable, nostalgia convention circuit could be next |
| VIP - MITCHELL'S MEMO: DVD Liner Notes Part 3: Nature Boy Ric Flair - The Definitive Collection |
 |
| MCNEILL'S TAKE |
| Ready To Roll! McNEILL previews WWE SummerSlam |
| Rap It Up: McNEILL previews TNA Hard Justice! |
| VIP - MCNEILL FACTOR: Twenty Years of Summerslam, part two |
 |
| CALDWELL'S TAKE |
| CORNER CUBE TUESDAY 8/26 - Raw delivered highlights, but was heavy on filler |
| CORNER CUBE MONDAY 8/18 - Shawn Michaels showed strength, not weakness by not attacking Jericho |
| CORNER CUBE WEDNESDAY 8/13 - Finally, Matt Striker has found his calling with ECW on Tuesday nights |
 |
| RADICAN'S TAKE |
| TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/23: McGuinness & Jericho setting standard for heels in 2008 |
| DEJ's Kevin: Covering Pro Wrestling Ohio - The Ladder Match for the Heirloom Swords Part I |
| TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/21: The man who talks poopy and defies fire can’t escape the windshield of doom! |
 |
| The Specialists |
| CAREER PATH: Christian Cage's career high point, low point, and what if he had never left WWE? |
| UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - 8/28 TNA IMPACT: What I noticed on the show that you might not have |
| MAGIC, MEMORIES AND MANIA: The Top Ten Draft Picks to Build a Wrestling Company |
 |
| Guest Editorials |
| EDITORIAL: What's wrong with Raw this year? A lot. But one core problem trumps the rest |
| EDITORIAL: Tag Team Divisions will not get over until squash matches return |
| EDITORIAL: C.M. Punk needs a prominent program to make him the star of Raw |
 |
| Torch Feedback |
| DRAFT PICKS - Batch #5 featuring top picks of Sting, Rob Van Dam, Edge, plus Danielson, Shelley, Bourne, Briscoes |
| DRAFT PICKS - Batch #4 featuring top picks of Nigel, Edge, Awesome Kong, plus CIMA, Bourne, Hogan, Ross, Kim |
| DRAFT PICKS - Batch #3 featuring top picks of Mick Foley, Brian Danielson, John Cena, plus Abyss, Shiozaki, Teddy Hart |
 |
| Ask the Editor |
| Ask the Editor: Wouldn't incorporating MMA-style holds into pro wrestling matches just be trying to be something it's not? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Have the Michaels-Batista promos crossed a line with use of insider terms, references to "jobs"? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Why do wrestlers in WWE refer to wrestling as "the business" and not "the sport"? |
 |
| DVDs - VGames - Books |
| WEEKEND DVD SPOTLIGHT: SHIMMER Vol. 18 (Kong-Busic,Del Rey-MsChif) |
| RADICAN: Al Snow discusses his wrestling career, philosophy, time in OVW, and more in new interview |
| DVD Review: ROH "Glory By Honor VI, N2" with Kenta vs. Misawa, 110307 |
 |
| Torch Flashbacks |
| KELLER'S TNA REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (8-28-03): Truth, D-Lo, Abyss, Sandman, Raven, Styles, Dusty |
| KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (8-25-03): Gail Kim vs. Trish, Jericho headlines Raw against... Shane McMahon? Linda a guest on Highlight Reel, |
| WWE Smackdown Reax #1: "This is the worst wrestling show I have seen in a long time with booking that defies all logic and common sense." |
 |
| VIP Exclusive Features |
| 8/27 VIP East Coast Audio: Impact - A show that did everything it could do to turn people away from wrestling (79 min.) |
| 8/28 Daily Keller Hotline: Analysis of lawsuit contending WWE wrestlers should be employees (5 min. free clip) |
| VIP - PWTorch Today Bulletin #12 (PDF): McDevitt comments on lawsuit regarding employment status of wrestlers |
 |
| Torch Trivia |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about Champion vs. Champion matches? |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about SummerSlam - Part 3 |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about SummerSlam - Part 2 |
 |
| Torch Instant Polls |
| POLL: What are your thoughts on the WWE Championship Scramble concept? |
| POLL: Should the TNA Knockouts women wrestlers be paid in the same ballpark as the male wrestlers? |
| POLL: Who is your pick as the MVP of the August 11 edition of WWE Raw? |
 |
| PWTorch Free Podcast |
| 8/27 VIP East Coast Audio: Impact - A show that did everything it could do to turn people away from wrestling (79 min.) |
| 8/28 Radican Audio Showcase with Burgan: Foley to TNA, HBK-Jericho capture the heart and mind, Torch Draft, more! (5 min. free clip) |
| 8/28 Daily Keller Hotline: Analysis of lawsuit contending WWE wrestlers should be employees (5 min. free clip) |
 |
| Annual Obituaries |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 1999 - Muchnick, Rick Rude, Owen Hart, Renegade... |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2000 - Solie, Albright, Duncum, Tsuruta, Blue Demon, Al Costello |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2001: Johnny Valentine, Terry Gordy, Chris Adams, Bertha Faye, Helen Hart |
 |
|
|