“It’s Not Wrestling, it’s SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT.”

That’s what Vince McMahon says at least. I’ve even heard that he’s banned the word WRESTLING from commentary. People ask: How can he ban the word wrestling when what the people are clearly doing is wrestling? This creates all sorts of arguments among the internet folks and the guys that are “in the know,” doesn’t it?

Depending on who you talk to, you get totally different ideas. And while we’re at it, let me ask you – What do you think?

Some people think it’s about being modern, and moves, and high spots. Others think it’s about being Old School! Others think it’s an art form about passion. Some people think it’s about blood and guts and hardcore! Some think it’s all about comedy!

And then there are others who gasp dare to call it “Sports Entertainment!”

So what business are we in?

Every one of those above people CALLS it wrestling. But they’re all different. Do you know what I’m saying? I mean, the marquee says “Wrestling.” So what business are we in?

And more importantly, what business are we REALLY in?

Because let’s put it all on the table for a second. It’s not real, right? So can’t it be anything you want it to be?

Now, the wrestling business has evolved over the years. And we always hear about how you have to change with the times, right? So it would be really important to find out though, HOW it’s changed. Because people tend to leave the change at surface level – “The styles changed, the speeds changed, the productions changed” – yes, I agree. And that’s surface level. The arguments will go on forever that way.

“It’s not the 1970’s anymore! The business evolved!” And it’s usually an attempt to justify high spots, or flips, or comedy, or any number of things. “You’re just old school! You don’t know what you’re talking about! You’re trying to hold the young guys back!”

So if we’re going to use the phrase, “The Business has evolved,” we’ve GOT to determine what that actually means. So that way we have an idea, right?

So what’s the first thing we have to figure out?

Well we have to figure out first what makes a GREAT worker. Not only just today but historically. So forget moves, forget sports entertainment. Forget everything for a second. What makes a GREAT Worker?

Well from all the experts, a GREAT worker means you’re able to “Suspend the Audience’s Disbelief.”

What does “Suspend The Audiences Disbelief” mean?

Well you ever go to the movies, and you know you’re watching a movie, and then suddenly you’re sucked into the plot? You actually emotionally start to hate the bad guy and cheer or the good guy, and you can feel every twist and turn?

THAT’S “suspending the audiences disbelief.”

Which basically means, in wrestling terms, you want the audience to picture what’s happening in the ring as REAL. Does that make sense? And at the very least, you want them to be LOST in the emotion of it and caught up in the illusion. That’s where the big memorable moments come from. That’s where the iconic pictures come from. That’s where your childhood comes from.

Now, in the early days, this was done through KAYFABE. Meaning THE AUDIENCE WAS NOT IN ON THE JOKE. Which meant the wrestlers presented the matches AS REAL.

Which we all know, is no longer the case anymore. The cats been out of the bag for a LONG time, hasn’t it?

So here’s the biggest change that’s happened over the years, and it’s the change that isn’t talked about. It’s not the moves. It’s not the speed. It’s not the production. It’s not the style.

The biggest change is that the audience no longer perceives wrestling as REAL, and WILLINGLY goes to the events ANYWAY.

Does that make sense? And why do they go?

To get carried away in the moment. To forget their lives for a while. To be entertained.

Wrestling’s come a LONG way from outright Deceiving the public by saying it’s real. Now, instead, going to the wrestling show is not too much different than going to a movie or a theatre. They are going to WILLINGLY suspend their disbelief – IF… and this is a big IF… IF the talent is GOOD ENOUGH TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

Imagine going to a play and the actors on stage are so terrified of the reviews of the play, that they CATER THE EVERY WHIM OF THE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE.

The actors are no longer in charge. They’re just puppy dogs begging for approval.

The argument here isn’t that wrestling has to be one way or the other, the argument here is that the talent needs to remember who’s in CHARGE. The talent needs to remember that people paid and came to see THEM. And yes, give them what they want – but also you can’t let them dictate what it is you do.

So in order to suspend disbelief, here’s what needs to happen.

Lets go back to a movie example.

The things in the movie might be exaggerated and far fetched and hard to believe some time, but a good movie typically sets up its plot, and sets up its RULES for it’s little “universe.” And then it DOESN’T break them.

You don’t go to a serious dramatic horror movie and suddenly in the last 45 minutes it becomes a hilarious Harold and Kumar go to White Castle coming of age adventure.

Sure, there’s plot twists. But what I’m saying is a good movie establishes it’s own rules up front and STICKS with it for the remainder of the movie. That’s how the audience suspends their disbelief. Because they’re not taking out of that “World.”

And that’s where wrestling needs to get to. It’s not about one style is better than the other. It’s just that a promotion, or a match, needs to establish their own RULES as to what wrestling is for THEM and then STICK to it.

That’s where a lot of talent goes wrong. They’re the actors hoping for a good review, rather than the professionals helping the audience suspend their disbelief.

So they break their OWN rules. Not “Wrestling’s” rules.

One second, they’ll be rooted in realism. Then the next, it’s totally absurd. Then the next, it’s entertaining comedy, then the next, they want to be taken seriously as the Rock vs Hulk Hogan. It doesn’t work and it doesn’t get over because the talent never establishes the rules to their movie up front, and then even when they do, they keep breaking their own rules.

I’m not saying you can’t be creative or add humor, or that you HAVE to be old school, you don’t have to be anything. This business can be whatever you want.

All I’m saying is that in order to get to the next level as a professional, the talent MUST take back control, and they must establish their own rules to their own game and stick with it.

It would be out of place to go to a sad romantic film, and then the conclusion of the film is that an army of clowns come out and start randomly pieing each other in the face.

It’s hilarious. I’d personally love to see it. But it stops it from being a “GREAT” movie, you know what I’m saying?

So what business are we in?

I don’t think it matters – as long as you realize that the whole purpose of wrestling is to create an experience for the fans to help them suspend their disbelief.

As a matter of fact, I’m going to leave you with another Vince Quote. We started with “It’s Not Wrestling, it’s Sports Entertainment.” Do you want to know another one?

He goes, “The purpose of this business is to put smiles on peoples faces.”

So there it is – interesting to think about, is it not?

If you’re interested in more of my take on how the wrestling world works, you’re more than welcome to join my free Facebook group called the Inner Squared Circle. It’s a community of like minded talent all looking to take it to the next level in the business and we post photos, memes, quotes, matches, videos, exclusive interviews, etc. It’s for TALENT ONLY though, both wrestling talent and ancillary talent. So if you’re just a fan, it’s nothing personal, I’m still your friend, but you wont get access.

Until next week, I’ll see you on the Inner Squared Circle!

Twitter: @InnerSquaredCircle

Instagram: @InnerSquaredCircle

Facebook Group: Facebook.com/groups/innersquaredcircle
Facebook Page: Inner Squared Circle