Real athletes don't get real credit

 

By Ricky Parks
April 25, 2008

 

Is it real or fake?

 

This is what I, and many of my friends, found ourselves asking adults about professional wrestling when we were around 9 and 10 years old.

 

Now the only real question most of my friends are asking me is, “How can you watch this? It’s stupid and fake.”

 

When I was young, the only real argument for liking professional wrestling I could make was that it was “cool.” Now that I am older, I find it easy to defend.

 

After people hear it is fake they immediately think that nothing is real about it and stop watching. People don’t realize that the whole point is to entertain, which is what they do.

 

Professional wrestling is just like a television show, except it aims to be more realistic. The wrestlers know what the outcome of the match is supposed to be going in, and they go over what to do next while in the ring.

 

Some of the storylines can be ridiculous at times, but the real reason these wrestlers deserve your attention is their athletic ability.

 

Most of the people who have been turned off by wrestling have not seen the talents of A. J. Styles and Samoa Joe, and do not respect those of the Undertaker and Randy Orton. I believe people are too quick to criticize pro wrestling, and the only real things they can say is that it is “fake” or “stupid.” Sure it’s not good to cut yourself open with a razor and get hit in the head with a chair night in and night out, but that is what they are supposed to do. Entertain.

 

Now I’m sure that most people who think pro wrestling is stupid will not be turned on to it after reading this and that is not what I expect. The whole point I am trying to make is that people should not be so quick to criticize pro wrestling or people who watch it. I believe that everyone has something that they like, that not very many people agree with. Whether it is a sport, movie, television show, book or CD, just because someone likes something you do not agree with, you should not criticize them for it.

 

So the next time you are about to criticize someone about what they like, whether it is pro wrestling or not, just think to yourself, “Is there something that I like that most people would not agree with?” I guarantee you the answer will be simple.

 

Yes.