tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1546665963755719151.post6437690620272010005..comments2023-07-15T07:17:49.535-04:00Comments on Professional Wrestling in U.S. Popular Culture: Shush, don't talkSam Fordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17233749268141980625noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1546665963755719151.post-39362737203128424992014-09-29T20:11:13.058-04:002014-09-29T20:11:13.058-04:00I think that Tunney was in the book to show an exa...I think that Tunney was in the book to show an example of what the typical regional promoter was and how he acted towards "poacher promoters." Freedman showed Tunney's character. He also gave balance and contrast to the character of Wildman. <br /><br />Also Tunny was a thorn in the side of The Wildman throughout his career and promoting days--trying to put him out of business, so Freedman brought this out as being typical for the regions. Later in the book Freedman brings out that both the big (Tunney) and small promoters (Wildman) were both lost in the squeeze of McMahon; kind of like showing an end to an era. Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12968260885055118833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1546665963755719151.post-9299125171076138512014-09-29T00:59:22.605-04:002014-09-29T00:59:22.605-04:00As I am read more of Freedman's "Drawing ...As I am read more of Freedman's "Drawing Heat," I am a little surprised that Tunney made it into the book at all. I feel like the book almost could have started in chapter three when the Wildman was introduced. What do you all think was gained from adding the encounters with Tunney to the book? Apart from creating a strong image of a wrestling promoter for the Wildman to break, and the fact that the two of them were rivals in the territory, I don't (yet) see a whole lot of relevance to Tunney's existence-- at least as far as the book goes. What do you think?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05347940786457522285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1546665963755719151.post-56494775219562658532014-09-28T18:58:39.908-04:002014-09-28T18:58:39.908-04:00I also found it interesting in that The Wildman...I also found it interesting in that The Wildman's prediction of McMahan taking over nationally, even back in those days. Tunney wanted him out of the business, even though Wildman's business model was not hurting Tunney in any way; Tunney was just being greedy-geographically and physically by taking his workers, and complaining to the "commish" about his Battle Royals, as well as TV exclusives. No way is Wildman's outlier areas with a draw of 400 fans killing Tunney. Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12968260885055118833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1546665963755719151.post-26957566382625756722014-09-24T13:16:03.762-04:002014-09-24T13:16:03.762-04:00I particularly appreciate the juxtaposition betwee...I particularly appreciate the juxtaposition between Tunney's concerns about breaking kayfabe and The Wildman's...and Freedman's question of exactly what would have been lost had Tunney broken kayfabe...and the lack of understanding, perhaps, as to what brought wrestling fans there in the first place. On the other hand, you can understand the Tunneys as someone, at this time period, who still had a business and a reputation that they worried about losing, whereas Wildman's renegade nature meant there was little there to risk, anyhow.Sam Fordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17233749268141980625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1546665963755719151.post-79329005757079844392014-09-24T11:18:42.498-04:002014-09-24T11:18:42.498-04:00The silent treatment does make sense. If Tunney ga...The silent treatment does make sense. If Tunney gave any impression that wrestling was not a legitimate sport, this may have had ramifications (at least in his mind). I'm not sure how wrestling was governed in Toronto, but if it was regulated by a boxing and wrestling commission, acknowledging it was pre-determined may have resulted in a fine.<br /><br />All that said, I find it interesting how Freedman suggests that none of this would have mattered to much of the audience.Timothy S. Richhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05759704121030358820noreply@blogger.com