WWE: The generation of entertainment

“The following contest is scheduled for pin fall. Making his way to the ring, weighing 330 pounds from Houston, Texas, it’s “the UNDERTAKER”…. DINGGGGG….and an abominable lull descend around the arena….”

Sounds familiar? It certainly is for the kids of the 1990s and till date as well. Yes, it is the most coveted cash rich sports event of the world, the World Wresting Entertainment (WWE). During our childhood days we used to be ardent fans of the superstars who had acquired a God like cult status in our naive minds. However as time progressed, we sensed something is wrong. Yet our fervor and penchant for the merciless bashing prevented the doubting sparks to fan into flames. One fine day, a 12-year-old fan of this sports entertainment got his beliefs demolished, his worries turned into stupid naivety and his affinity for WWE got burned to the ashes. Reason- the secrets of the biggest sporting entertainment programme got exposed by none other than the superstars themselves. When the same faces, who bore the brunt of the knockout punches, or the fiery finishing moves, now declare that those were nothing but a farce, the poor 12 year-old-chap could not hide his disappointment.

So how does this happen basically, the industry thrives upon a big hoax and yet rakes in the moolah every single time the show goes live! It is a vast network involving the wrestlers, the referees, definitely the management and last but certainly not the least, the commentators. (Remember JR, Jerry ‘the King’ Lawler). Yes, those guys whom we thought were the disinterested party in the entire set up, they actually have the most critical role to play in this showbiz game.