Throughout this semester, we have discussed a variety of topics about Professional Wrestling. Almost all of these things were brand new to me. One key aspect that we discussed throughout the entire semester was the role of the fan. In any type of show, the plan pays an important part. Loyal fans who consistently watch the show is what enables the show to continue. That's no different in wrestling. However, in wrestling the fan plays an even bigger role. They are part of the show. As Sam Ford points out in "Pinning Down Fan Involvement," fans are able to interact with the wrestlers and to become part of the show. We discussed several scenarios within the semester about certain fans who become a big part of the show. One that I can always remember is "Hat Pin Marry." Ford points out that many fans see wrestling as an off stage soap opera. This thoroughly surprised me because I couldn't believe that loyal wrestling fans would compare their sport to a soap opera. However, the comparison is very accurate. Both are scripted and dramatic.
I must say that I was confused about how fan engagement worked. It didn't really make sense to me how fans could be apart of the show. That confusion ended when we took our field trip to a WWE match. During the match, there were specific chants that the fans just knew and yelled. It made the whole dynamic of the arena so much more exciting. And the wrestlers reacted to the chants. Unlike other sports, they interact with the fans. While I never shouted out, it was really interesting to see how the major wrestling fans (even my classmates) acted within the arena.
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I'm glad to hear that the class field trip helped you with understanding this and with giving context to much of what we've been reading and discussing, Marshall. And, I think the crowd in Nashville was actually pretty tame compared to a lot of wrestling shows I've been at...Also, as you might imagine, the fans closest to the ring are often the most "into the action" (both because of the proximity and because they paid for the expensive seats, indicating that they are particularly dedicated fans...Also, perhaps, because they know how deeply their performance will impact the television taping, since they will be on camera all night, most likely to be picked up by the mics, etc. In that sense, we were extras, and they each were much more likely to have small on-screen roles.
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