Has the internet spoiled wrestling?

[Guest carlito is cool]

The internet hasn't certainly spoiled the enjoyment of pro wrestling for me. It basically does what tv magazines do for soaps gives away the endings before they play out on tv. While the internet does have its advantages when it comes to the wrestling industry i just wish it wouldn't give away as much information as it does. Since ive started reading wrestling sites on the net around about 2001 ive found watching it alot less enjoyable. Anyone else found this?

[Guest Dave7g]

I'm a little from column 'A and a little from column B'. I like to know whats going on behind the scenes etc. And that takes the excitement away from angles etc, that can be easily identified as such from the internet Guru's (i.e Matt Hardy/ Edge) I know some people who believed that angle all the way because they don't care to read wrestling sites, and they would have enjoyed it a lot more.

Although to be fair Wrestling sites don't give away results of matches or angles at all untill they happen, so really until a show has actually happened and is done, Meltzer or Shearer or Keller know just as much as we do.

 

So I don't think I could live in a world without TWO, other forums and the Wrestling Observer, although once upon a time I did, and I did look forward to watching Raw or Superstars an awful lot more, but that could be because nowadays WWE TV is horrible.

[Guest MrFill]

I'm more of a wrestling Mark, so for me, knowing what's happening in the feud doesn't bother me.

 

I'd rather watch a great match and know that one person has been chosen to be a winner than have a long drawn out feud which ends in a couple of average matches.

 

This is one reason why I enjoy TNA so much, it's got lots of wrestling in it. If I could get RoH, then I'd watch that more regularly too.

[Guest The B-Man]

See my problem with your question is quite simply you can chose not to go to these site that give this information away.

[Guest Kaedon]

The internet has ruined wrestling by giving access to too much so called "insider info". Its not so much the spoilers but the "rumors" than end up becoming true. Once you have lost the ability to just be able to sit back and root or boo someone just for the fun of it, you have lost the ability to be a real fan. People take this stuff way too seriously. If they dont like something the WWE does they want to bitch endlessly about how the WWE is losing it and how they dont listen to the fans and blah blah. If you kept it simple, like a kid, youd just stop watching, but no, the IWC has a habit of being a breeding ground for people who complain and do nothing but complain.

[Guest Danny Styles]

the web has educated fans.... some things are bad... some slow

[Paul 584]

The internet has ruined wrestling by giving access to too much so called "insider info". Its not so much the spoilers but the "rumors" than end up becoming true. Once you have lost the ability to just be able to sit back and root or boo someone just for the fun of it' date=' you have lost the ability to be a real fan. People take this stuff way too seriously. If they dont like something the WWE does they want to bitch endlessly about how the WWE is losing it and how they dont listen to the fans and blah blah. If you kept it simple, like a kid, youd just stop watching, but no, the IWC has a habit of being a breeding ground for people who complain and do nothing but complain.[/quote']

 

 

So if its that bad: dont visit the sites! :P

 

I like to know what happens backstage. I like to know whats happening. I dont see what the point is of coming to a website to complain about internet wrestling web sites. :lol

[Guest Nemesis Enforcer]

It has not spoiled it for me, I have known since I was 9 years old its all fake so I don't see what difference knowing whats happening backstage etc... makes, I can still watch it just for the enjoyment of whats happening on screen just as well

[Guest MrFill]

There is a simple answer:

Stay away from websites which will contain spoilers or stories about the backstage goings on.

 

If you don't read about it, you won't know about it.

 

Before I moved to the US 2 years ago, a friend of mine was a COMPLETE Mark, he didn't read any websites, he knew that it was scripted, but he never knew what the goings on were about.

 

It's that simple really.

[Guest Nemesis Enforcer]

There is a simple answer:

Stay away from websites which will contain spoilers or stories about the backstage goings on.

 

If you don't read about it, you won't know about it.

 

Before I moved to the US 2 years ago, a friend of mine was a COMPLETE Mark, he didn't read any websites, he knew that it was scripted, but he never knew what the goings on were about.

 

It's that simple really.

Very well put MrFill... couldn't have said it better if I tried!

[Guest Kaedon]

There is a simple answer:

Stay away from websites which will contain spoilers or stories about the backstage goings on.

 

If you don't read about it, you won't know about it.

 

Before I moved to the US 2 years ago, a friend of mine was a COMPLETE Mark, he didn't read any websites, he knew that it was scripted, but he never knew what the goings on were about.

 

It's that simple really.

 

 

Is someone a mark if they dont read the websites?

 

 

Darkstar- I am simply voicing my opinion. Next time you complain about something, remember your own advice.

[Guest MrFill]

Is someone a mark if they dont read the websites?

No, because you can still be a Smark and not read the websites.

 

He was an admitted Mark because he deliberately avoided information about the goings on, backstage news and anything like that.

 

He also didn't know any of the wrestler's real names - he believed that Kevin Nash and Scott Hall were other "stage names" just like Deisel and Razor Ramon.

 

He enjoyed it by being a Mark, which was his choice.

[Guest Kaedon]

No, because you can still be a Smark and not read the websites.

 

He was an admitted Mark because he deliberately avoided information about the goings on, backstage news and anything like that.

 

He also didn't know any of the wrestler's real names - he believed that Kevin Nash and Scott Hall were other "stage names" just like Deisel and Razor Ramon.

 

He enjoyed it by being a Mark, which was his choice.

 

 

Is a "mark" a bad thing?

[Guest MrFill]

Is a "mark" a bad thing?

Not necessarily, but coming to a forum like and reading a lot of the threads would immediately make a you a Smark.

 

A Smark is (by definition) a Smart Mark - if you know anything about the goings on backstage of the wrestling, then you're a Smark, if you know about the Montreal Screwjob (other than Wrestling With Shadows) then you're a Smark - if you know wrestler's real names, then you're a Smark.

 

The only way to remain a Mark is to avoid any news sites and forums which contain Smark discussions.

[Guest Kanenite]

Your dam right, the internet has spoiled Wrestling. But I can't get enough of it

[Guest Kaedon]

Not necessarily, but coming to a forum like and reading a lot of the threads would immediately make a you a Smark.

 

A Smark is (by definition) a Smart Mark - if you know anything about the goings on backstage of the wrestling, then you're a Smark, if you know about the Montreal Screwjob (other than Wrestling With Shadows) then you're a Smark - if you know wrestler's real names, then you're a Smark.

 

The only way to remain a Mark is to avoid any news sites and forums which contain Smark discussions.

 

I was misinformed about what a smark is, I thought a smark was someone who THOUGHT they were reading the "inside story" and "backstage news" and then based their views of wresting off of that and what they read on boards along with, of course the shows themselves.

[Guest MrFill]

I was misinformed about what a smark is' date=' I thought a smark was someone who THOUGHT they were reading the "inside story" and "backstage news" and then based their views of wresting off of that and what they read on boards along with, of course the shows themselves.[/quote']

There are levels of Smark-dom.

 

The basic level is just the basic knowledge, but it goes all the way up to the writers who believe they know what they're talking about, but 99% of it is rubbish.

 

You and I are both Smarks, as is everybody else on this forum who reads the wrestling parts.

[Guest Kaedon]

There are levels of Smark-dom.

 

The basic level is just the basic knowledge, but it goes all the way up to the writers who believe they know what they're talking about, but 99% of it is rubbish.

 

You and I are both Smarks, as is everybody else on this forum who reads the wrestling parts.

 

 

I dunno I dont consider myself a smark at all. I've never let anything I've read here or anywhere else influence my opinion, thats my one definition of a smark. I think a smark is also some person, like you said, who actually thinks what they are reading is true. I'm not a smart mark, Im just a wrestling fan. Just because I might know something doesnt make me smart. :thumbsup

[Fidel Cashflow 130]

I dunno I dont consider myself a smark at all. I've never let anything I've read here or anywhere else influence my opinion' date=' thats my one definition of a smark. I think a smark is also some person, like you said, who actually thinks what they are reading is true. I'm not a smart mark, Im just a wrestling fan. Just because I might know something doesnt make me smart. :thumbsup[/quote']

You are a smark. If you don't believe in kayfabe, you are a smark.

[Guest Kaedon]

You are a smark. If you don't believe in kayfabe' date=' you are a smark.[/quote']

 

I still look at wrestling, pretty much, like I did when I was a kid. My opinion on wrestlers other than "boo" them or "cheer" them hasnt changed. Benoit was, is, and always will be a wrestling god in my eyes.

 

Actually I can name one time where my opinion changed, it was on Bret Hart. After reading Floeys book, Flairs book, and Brets own words, my opinion of him as a person has drastically changed. I used to look up to him as a role model believe it or not, but not its Benoit:D

[Guest PHIZZLE]

So if its that bad: dont visit the sites! :P

 

 

Really that sums it up for me I don't think anyone is forcing you to visit sites like these

 

Unless Kam has some compromising pictures of you :lol

 

he has a picture of me wearing a Busted T-shirt thats why I'm here :lol

[Guest Slim Jim]

I still look at wrestling, pretty much, like I did when I was a kid. My opinion on wrestlers other than "boo" them or "cheer" them hasnt changed. Benoit was, is, and always will be a wrestling god in my eyes.

 

Actually I can name one time where my opinion changed, it was on Bret Hart. After reading Floeys book, Flairs book, and Brets own words, my opinion of him as a person has drastically changed. I used to look up to him as a role model believe it or not, but not its Benoit:D

 

You see, even reading Foley's book kind of gets you into smarkishness as it lets you in on the insides of the buisness. I'd say a mark is just someone who enjoys watching the show, where as a smark enjoys watching, and finding out about the show.

[Guest HulkFearsAustin]

Yes, very much so. There aint no going back now, once you've found out about all the backstage stuff and that its 'fake', there aint nothing you can do anymore. If it was as easy as turning off the computer, i would, but it isnt.

[Guest Kaedon]

You see' date=' even reading Foley's book kind of gets you into smarkishness as it lets you in on the insides of the buisness. I'd say a mark is just someone who enjoys watching the show, where as a smark enjoys watching, and finding out about the show.[/quote']

 

 

But who says what Foley, or Flair says is true? I mean Flair really just made comments, Foley was commenting on the event itself. I agree with what Flair says and what Bret has said in the press has reinforced it. Does that mean anyone who reads his articles is a smark? If they let it affect their opinion of him as a wrestler, than yes, id say, but if its just thought or belief on anyone personally then I dont see how you are a smart mark. I love Bret's matches, and I always will, his as a person is a different story.

[Fidel Cashflow 130]

But who says what Foley' date=' or Flair says is true? I mean Flair really just made comments, Foley was commenting on the event itself. I agree with what Flair says and what Bret has said in the press has reinforced it. Does that mean anyone who reads his articles is a smark? If they let it affect their opinion of him as a wrestler, than yes, id say, but if its just thought or belief on anyone personally then I dont see how you are a smart mark. I love Bret's matches, and I always will, his as a person is a different story.[/quote']

 

Being a smark doesn't mean you let people talk you into believing somethine, being a smark is seeing it for yourself. Just knowing that wrestling is a work classifies you as a smark. But true smarks are the people who watch wrestling to be entertained by people trying to convey that they are fighting. Doing this you realise who's crap and who isn't, it's quite easy once you take the kayfabe blinders off