What is the Relevance of Sports Entertainment in America?

a look at sports entertainment

 

 

-Gregg MartinezIII
      Growing up in the 80’s I was a fan of wrestling. Superstars of the WWE (WWF at the time), were exaggerated characters that one could love or hate. The market the wrestlers or the industry targeted at the time was “poor white America”. I say that with no prejudice meant. I just remember seeing the audience; one that looked a lot like a Jerry Springer stage. Wrastlin’ is what they called it. The showmanship and athleticism on display is often overshadowed by the predetermined outcome of this soap opera. As the industry grew, so did the venues, the commercialism and the target audience. WWE owner Vince McMahon realized as his product grew, that the storyline must be relevant to the time. Many youngsters like me could watch this programming and see A-list celebrities, music of the time and characters that would in their own way, help America cope with things that were and are happening in real world events. Though not all storylines of wrestling are relevant or meaningful, great stories are told and the acting is something to consider as great.

      Why or how is the acting great? Well, think about a match you have seen in the past. Full grown, often juiced men in tights run around a ring and beat the crap out of each other. How often though do you see a black eye or a broken bone? As the shows are often pre recorded and shown for the television audience, lines must be carried out in front of thousands of live, screaming fans. A body must be strong enough, loose enough and willing to take a hit or a fall. Think on that for a moment.

      Now think about who is watching this production; Kids and parents watch wrestling. It is a sometimes racy and provocative product. A bunch of men in little clothing sweat and grapple each other. But why do millions tune in each week for Monday Night Raw or Friday Night Smackdown? The reason is simple and maybe even surprising. It is the stories of victory and failure. It is the little guy coming up through hardships. It is the political and often racial hardships that our country grows through made simple for understanding by over exaggerating theatre.

            I had stopped watching WWE for about ten years. Recently, events in my life have put me back into the story. Today I saw a re-run of Monday Night Raw. Rey Mysterio Jr. (a Mexican American who stands 5’6”), was in the ring with 2 white wrestlers and a black wrestler name B. Truth. I didn’t know the story as I have been back into the WWE for just a week or two, but what I saw was shocking. The story of the two who are inevitably going to meet is based on racism. B. Truth wants a title shot, as does Rey. B. Truth though seems to keep getting the bad end of the deal. He feels as if it is because he is black. The two white men in the ring (forgive me I don’t know what their names are), were debating who between the two, deserved it more. One made a remark to Rey Mysterio that he is nothing but a “Day Laborer”. If that didn’t scream racism, it certainly was me maybe reaching…. I can’t say that I was though. But Rey stood strong. B. Truth walked away scheming his next attack on the “white” characters and it broke to a commercial. In the end, Rey won a match that put him in line as the #1 contender to fight the champ, John Cena. Cena is portrayed as an ex US Marine, who preaches good morals and work ethic. It is interesting to see how the drama plays out. You can though, look at any walk of life in 2011 and see how real it is. And as B. Truth might say… “and that’s the TRUTH”.

      Has Sports entertainment put you in a position where it helped you bond with family? Has it taught you something in reflection to real life? Do you think it is all fake and wish you had the remote when it is on? Let me know. 46forum.com wants to know how this applies to you.