Professional Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle
Written By: Sharon Mazer
Published by University Press of Mississippi
Pages: 191
Price: $16.99
By Badseed
Professional
Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle was a very interesting book. Sharon
Mazer, who is now the head of the department of theater and film studies at
the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand,
originally wrote this as a thesis project, but afterwards, turned it into a
finely crafted published work that was proudly brought to the masses by the
University Press of Mississippi.
Taken from her studies at WWE Hall of Fame star Johnny Rodz’s Unpredictable School of Professional Wrestling at Gleason’s Gym, Mazer examines the art of wrestling, going beyond the WWE, WCW and even GLOW and finally giving somewhat of a say to independent wrestlers looking to make a break.
Mazer examines all the intricacies of wrestling from what it means to be a heel and a face to the role of women and the sometimes homoerotic tendencies involved in wrestling. Using many of the storylines from wrestling past, most notably the split between the Mega Powers of Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage over Elizabeth; the character of Ravishing Rick Rude and the ultimate creator of character wrestling, Gorgeous George, Mazer draws wonderful and insightful parallels between the world of professional wrestling and the art of theatrical performances. According to Mazer, there is not much of a difference between what goes on in the ring and what goes down on a Broadway stage and spends a majority of the book proving her theory.
Throughout it all, she is not just examining the art of sports entertainment from the point of view of the major leagues. Mazer examines how, just like small time players in their local productions, wrestlers also start small fighting in independent promotions sponsored by the likes of former wrestling greats like Johnny Rodz. Many of the characters, from Tommy to Vito, are highlighted to depict their struggles as they try to break into the big show. Discussions on how wrestlers train and develop their characters make this a literary version of the reality series, Tough Enough, only written in 1998, well before the concept of the show hit the air.
Examining how wrestling mirrors acting and pushing the small-time aspect of the sport, going to its grass roots, Mazer takes a decisively different look at the sport not seen in titles written by today’s stars who touch upon their early beginnings, but do so with future stardom in mind. The wrestlers in this book never really do make it. Their stories are that much more compelling.
But are they doing this for nothing. Why hurt yourself when you may not make it after all and why hurt yourself for a sport that isn’t even real? The subject of the legitimacy of wrestling is fully discussed, even harkening back to the day when 20/20 reporter John Stossel ran into Dr. D David Schultz and asked the dumbest question you could ask an athlete dedicated to his craft; is wrestling real or fake? Dumb move. Stossel deserved the smack and subsequent ear damage he received at the hands of the former wrestling star and Mazer describes the account in full detail, discussing the absurdity of the news media when it comes to covering the art of wrestling.
Mazer leaves no stone unturned, peeling back the curtain to reveal every aspect of the wrestling scene from the federations, promoters and the wrestlers to the fans, websites, and fantasy wrestling and so on. The author, herself, struggles with the notion of whether she is even a fan of the sport and discusses her participation in the circus-like atmosphere, not just from sitting in the gym and acting as a fan to help wrestlers learn how to draw heat; not just from watching Rick Rude beat a man and then kiss a girl from the audience; not just from her talks with Johnny Rodz or some of the other wrestlers and fans, but also through her interactions on a discussion forum and even her rise to the top as champion in an online fantasy wrestling league.
And it is that detail that allows this book to work on so many levels. Through her words, the reader rediscovers why they love wrestling while watching novices learn the trade and Mazer learn that she is indeed a fan. It’s always good as a fan to read someone else’s account of how they ended up loving the sport they chose to cover.
It is also an ironic read, because wrestling comes off as a jock sport, but the writing is of a highly skilled scholar, making the entire subject somewhat of a contradiction to what people believe about wrestling fans. Therein lies a bit of a problem. In truth, wrestling fans can be intelligent and can enjoy and fully comprehend the classics, but when it comes to the sport, many just want to be entertained. For that reason, readers may be turned off by the literary style, often times dry and boring, not to say the very least. Yes, even when a writer is enthusiastic in her coverage, she can and was rather dull in various moments throughout the title.
Because of this fact and because of the numerous titles involving other major stars, Professional Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle may find itself ignored and untouched. That said; readers should be encouraged to take a different view of wrestling and give the book a quick look. What will it hurt to give it a try? You may just learn something new.
For feedback, visit our message board or e-mail the author at jminners@g-pop.net.