Based on some of the feedback that I have received over the past week, I think that there are many people who might perceive that I am anti-NHL hockey. For many, they have never been challenged before about the validity of their sports entertainment of choice, and I can understand how that might rattle someone (I felt the same way at eight years old when people started to show me the inconsistencies in wrestling). I think today will be the last time that I will talk about hockey ... not because I am re-thinking what I believe to be true, but I don't think that professional hockey would survive if it were exposed. Hockey isn't as solid as pro wrestling.
I fully respect the ATHLETES involved with professional hockey, it's the corruption of their system that I can't stand - and to me, someone outside the influence of hockey, it is so transparent, it's sickening. I can appreciate the years of training, dedication and hard work that it takes for hockey players to even reach a point where they are considered for a shot at the big leagues. The minor leagues vs. the pros is the same model that we recognize in wrestling, you work the independents and put in your time, hoping to attract the attention of the WWE and be considered for a spot in the industry's top company. It's very much the same. I have been disappointed to see that a number of professional writers cannot distinguish between the ground level of the business (the players) and the power of the business (league administration). The challenges that have come back to me have knocked not only my industry, but the abilities and sacrifice of guys like me who have committed their lives to this craft. This unobjective, biased media view of wrestling reflects why a movie like "The Wrestler" will never be fully appreciated
As I pointed out last week, the media has always had a fascination with professional wrestling and I think if you dig deep enough in every territory, you will find at least one significant expose in the local papers. Probably the most significant event in recent memory was the February 21, 1985 edition of 20/20 where John Stossel sought to prove that wrestling was fake. With confessions from a wrestler named Eddie Mansfield, Stossel confronted David Schults, who was being groomed to be the main event villain at the first Wrestle Mania just months later -- everyone has an opinion about how that turned out. (I have posted the link of the Stossel-Schults confrontation on my Facebook page). But despite the negative press, and arming the public with "all the facts", Wrestle Mania was still a success and the business has endured 25 years since then.
There has always been an objective eye looking at wrestling, holding it accountable -- the same can't be said for professional hockey. The media has supported hockey in their market, despite the sleight of hand and despite the disrespect that the American-interest driven league has shown to Canadian franchises and fans. How can one dispute some of the points that I raised last week -- so far, nobody has come forward with an explanation for what the NHL has done ... just the challenge that I am wrong and that my arguments are "nonsensical".
I guess the point is this -- and this will sting a little. Pro wrestling's fans are better than pro hockey's fans. Wrestling fans know what their business is about, they are exposed to the business side of the wrestling game, and yet they still love wrestling. They know intimate details about wrestlers' lives away from the ring (they know that wrestler X isn't really from Parts Unknown), details of their contracts, and have access to inside information via the underground wrestling newsletters and the internet -- they see and hear all about the wrestling game, inside out. Yet, they still line up to get their tickets and take their seats. As I pointed out last week, Wrestle Mania starts to unfold in January -- fans watch the programs on television, but they're also looking behind the curtain through every avenue available to learn every detail about what's happening, how it'll happen, and why. Read any wrestling fansite or messageboard and you will see the speculation about every proposed direction that the WWE plans to take. Even with all of this, fans still like their wrestling.
Would hockey survive under the same circumstances? If the league was more overt in their messaging, if Bettman was less ambiguous last week in Toronto to say -- it will be Toronto vs. Phoenix in this year's Stanley Cup final would fans in other markets still support their teams, whole heatedely -- for the love of hockey? Would fans care about the arena games (house shows), or only the final (pay per view)? I don't think they would ... I think that the league manages itself in a manner to appear on the up and up because they recognize that the hockey fans would not support the league if they knew that there were business interests (money) and not player effort (talent) deciding the outcomes of each hockey season. How exciting would it be to see hockey storylines written more like wrestling? For example: If the two finalists were determined, and every game they played now affected whether or not they would retain their spot ... I think that would be exciting. What about number one contenders games to see who would face the top ranked teams? The possibilities are endless and could spice up the game.
The same debate waged within the wrestling business in 1989 when Vince McMahon officially declared to the New Jersey State Senate that wrestling was "entertainment", not an "athletic contest". Now, twenty years after that admission, the WWE is still in business on prime time television, having beaten every other promotion and chased them out of business. Funny, how even with this tidbit of information, the media still challenges the legitimacy of the business the same way that it always has, with the same arguments ... wrestling is fake, its scripted, its choreographed, blah, blah, blah. How much clearer can the industry be about what it is? This is a matter of public record. The business is what it is ... that doesn't dismiss the ability required by individuals to excel in this environment.
For hockey fans - if you believe, no explanation is required. Any challenges to the contrary, no explanation will do. HOCKEY IS REAL ... sure it is. Oh ... and be good, because Easter is just around the corner and you want the Easter Bunny to come to your house, don't you?
One lonely radical, making rational arguments is not going to change the opinions of a nation and take down an international congolmeration - however, that's not my interest either. My hope was to stimulate some conversation among the folks within the wrestling business tasked with securing some media attention for their efforts and at the same time challenge the media to explain why wrestling is not afforded coverage with the same consideration as other sports and entertainment offerings in their markets.
Wrestling will survive with its fans knowing the truth ... hockey will survive with their fans blindly following a lie.
Vance Nevada