The Sixth American Art Form

It's been said there are 5 original American art forms. Jazz and Baseball are the big two. The problem is, Professional Wrestling is nowhere to be found on that list of five. It's my contention that professional wrestling is one of the great, original American art forms. More on that later.

First, I want to ask why Professional Wrestling isn't on the list of great American art forms. So..why? Is it because professional wrestling is seen as soap opera for rednecks? Is it because it's "fake"? Is it due to some of the ridiculous gimmicks pro wrestling has produced over the years? Is it Hornswoggle? Maybe it's all of the above. Whatever the reason, I think pro wrestling…excuse me, "Sports Entertainment" has been unfairly maligned as "base", "stupid", and "lowest common denominator". I believe wrestling has been so misunderstood that it doesn't get the credit it rightly deserves.

Pro wrestling is most certainly an incredible art form…when done well (which isn't always the case). When you can put two great workers together who know how to tell a story, know how to sell (show the effects of maneuvers or holds throughout the match), and know how to truly WORK, magic happens. See Austin vs. Rock, see Midnight Express vs. Rock n Roll Express, see Flair vs. Dusty. When the performers know how to manipulate an angle, get heat, and talk people into a building (or buying a ppv...or WWE Network. It's only $9.99 ya know!) it's MASTER storytelling. Not to mention calling a match in the ring. It's like two ballet dancers going over the basic story beforehand and then going out on stage and improvising. Not going to happen. Pro wrestlers, however, do it on a nightly basis. They not only have to call their moves on the go, but they have to think on their feet (literally) and keep eachother relatively safe.

Pro wrestling is an art form. It's an AMAZING art form. If you're reading this blog post, chances are some match or angle in wrestling elicited some deeply emotional response in you at one time that hooked you for life. That's what great art does. It effects you, it draws you in. Two performers go into a ring and tell a story with movement that makes you want to follow the story through to the end. If pro wrestling isn't one of the great American art forms, then perhaps we need to rethink whether the others are worthy either.

 

Travis

SpotShowWrestling

 

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