tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1546665963755719151.post102655594832492965..comments2023-07-15T07:17:49.535-04:00Comments on Professional Wrestling in U.S. Popular Culture: Interview with Chris MichaelsSam Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233749268141980625noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1546665963755719151.post-45670419143602954582014-09-15T09:50:55.164-04:002014-09-15T09:50:55.164-04:00And, of course, those are people who you know are ...And, of course, those are people who you know are motivated by a certain drive to be in the industry, since it's not a hefty income driving them in. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but there's a great study of an indie wrestling league as workplace culture and looking at the motivations for involvement and relationships among the wrestlers on the indie circuit: Fighting for Recognition--https://www.dukeupress.edu/Fighting-for-Recognition/index-viewby=subject&categoryid=73&sort=newest.htmlSam Fordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17233749268141980625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1546665963755719151.post-60538029923840487932014-09-14T11:48:35.060-04:002014-09-14T11:48:35.060-04:00I find it fascinating listening to those who never...I find it fascinating listening to those who never did break it big, but had a long respectable career n the business, as these are the vast majority of wrestlers. Timothy S. Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05759704121030358820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1546665963755719151.post-26193840176562722002014-09-14T10:52:58.432-04:002014-09-14T10:52:58.432-04:00I agree with you, and this is what surprised me du...I agree with you, and this is what surprised me during the interview. I see it not only as a valuation for his work, but also a validation. He has been wrestling for a long time, and wrestled some pretty heavy hitters over the years. <br /><br />His body has definitely paid the price, and so have many others in the wrestling field. He is a sweet guy who has a passion for wrestling, and he is also very family minded as he was busy with his young children during my several calls. His daughter wanted his attention during our final chat. <br /><br />Also, we get an insight on how the wrestling industry has changed on his local/regional level, based on his remarks. Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12968260885055118833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1546665963755719151.post-84220378154312455752014-09-14T08:27:34.648-04:002014-09-14T08:27:34.648-04:00Thanks for posting this, Gary. I have known Chris ...Thanks for posting this, Gary. I have known Chris for a decade now. His passion for performing in front of an audience speaks to wrestling's draw on a local level--not just for the audience but for the performers as well. We know that Chris hasn't gone through all that he's gone through for the massive payday. There's obviously something that he enjoys about it past monetary reward. On the other hand, this interview points out the desire to receive some sort of value and compensation for his work--that Chris isn't only going to wrestle if he can get a check with many, many zeroes after it--but that he also doesn't want to be wrestling without any proper valuation of the work he's done and what he's sacrificed for his body to be able to perform for--and entertain--an audience.Sam Fordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17233749268141980625noreply@blogger.com