The appeal of Pro Wrestling as a hybrid Sports/Theatrical event is very old. Even as far back as the 1880's, different Vaudeville Theatrical circuits would book a well known Wrestler or Boxer as a featured, between big bouts 'Act.' In some cases, such as the Russian Lion, Georges Hackenschmidt, the appearance would include some ex-positional poses that demonstrate particular holds. He also might do some more standard types of "strongman" stunts, being that he was the Most Perfectly Developed Specimin of Manhood in his day and certainly among the Strongest Menaround, period.
Others like the Mighty Polish Wrestler/Strongman,Stanislaus Zbyszko did exhibition Wrestling using other wrestlers to demonstrate holds, escapes and maneuvers. He would also have at least some example of pure strength, for he was known for being a Strength Athlete before his Ascendency to World's Heavyweight Wrestling Champion.
We had a lot of Boxers and Wrestlers doing Vaudeville Gigs as a sideline to their ring careers. Names like John L. Sullivan, James J. Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons and even the Manasa Mauler, Jack Dempsey took a turn or two at this show business* So now, down to more recent times, we find that NBC was sold a bill of goods by the WWF(World Wrestling Federation) to do a network Wrestling Show on Saturdays(and later some Fridays). They weren't at the total control. So Much of the content was left up to the WWF President, one Vince McMahon, Jr.
Well, being a viewer who had been in the Wrestling business, marginally as a real under-card, prelim type guy, my own view of the Weekly Shows was probably just a little different than yours.
First off, let's say that they were on to something when the WWF initiated this Network Show. At the show's inception, the advertising raved about its being "...the 1st Network Wrestling Show in over 30 Years!", and they were right. Secondly, they did provide us(the viewing audience)with some really good, exciting Matches. They were really "getting over" with the public, as my observations of our daughters, Jenn and Michelle (14 & 11 respectively), and they were beginning to take some interest.
One thing that "The Old School Wrestling" was always proud of was that the appeal of their Wrestling Cards, be they at N.Y.'s Madison Square Garden, Chicago's International Amphitheatre, or even a small town venue like Washington Park, Michigan City, Indiana or the Waverly Beach Ball Room, Beloit, Wisconsin;no matter where, the crowd was always representative of a wide cross section sampling of people from all walks of life.
And they all rooted or hooted for various Wrestlers for some various reasons, based on the WRESTLER'S OWN RING PERSONA, not one handed out to him by the "Mr. Big Shot",Super Promoter. In this case, Mr. Promoter seemed (and still seems)more interested in carrying on some silly Soap Opera type of storyline involving the goings-on between the Wrestlers and their various Mgrs.,Stooges, Girl Valets, Entoureges, etc.! As a problem, the matches were too often interrupted while in progress for a commercial break. And one could wonder, just what we missed!(If indeed, Anything!) A new format should be found in which the commercials could be done in segments where there is ample time to disburse the important sales info in between interviews or some silly "Flower Shop" or other bit of non-wrestling nonsense segment.
Another point,and a very important one is to quote the Bard of Avon, "...It is the Play that is the Most Important Thing!", That's right, the Matches be they Broadcact or Live, In House are the most important thing; and not the individual Wrestlers, not the Ring Announcer's Personality and certainly not the Promoter.
Let's hope that we do again get a network wrestling show again that Mr.Network and Mr. Big Time Wrestling Promoter apply just a few common sense ideas to its itinerary.
They might be surprised about those viewers, of Viewers, of whom Mr. P.T.Barnum said that "..there's a _________born every minute!" Wrestling Fans don't fall into that category!
NOTE:* Possibly the most unique and thrilling Act was that of Martin"Farmer" Burns, who would go through a real hanging of himself, complete with the standard hangman's noose and the trap door drop. He survived it time and time again due to his tremendous Neck Development.
