Smackdown

My wife and I got my Dad tickets to go see WWE Smackdown for his birthday/Christmas.  I would also go with him, you know for company.  He can't go by himself.  Dad is a huge fan of the 'rastling.  Watches it religiously.  Since before Hulk, Andre, and the WWF Dad would watch.  With the advent of the VCR he could "tape it" and watch it later, and now with the DVR and Dish network he is set up.

Yes, we used to bug him with the "is it Real" questions, and how stupid the conversations were.  Over the years I have made peace with the authenticity, and have embraced the entertainment value.  Whatever that value may be, my Dad is entertained by it, and that is all that matters.  Right?  I think it is great that he has something that is his joy.   The last several trips to Texas that I have made have involved several hours of watching 'rastling with my Dad.  Like anything on TV if I watch it long enough I get into it, or just get used to it. 

I went into this WWE "project" as something for my Dad, and I wanted to go into it with a good attitude.  I love my Dad and want to support him, the way he has supported me all my life.  I was going to enjoy going to the 'rastling matches, if it killed my sensibilities.  At first I was going to make a joke of the whole thing, but then I realized that, this is something that my Dad is into.  So, I can't make a joke of something that is part of my Dad, no matter what I think about it.

After going to see the WWE, I have made some changes to my thinking.  A) The people that go to watch are just as diverse as any sporting event involving a winner and a loser.  I saw everything there.  All walks of life, and yes I wanted to document it all on film, but that would make me and A-hole.  One can throw classifications around all day, just be careful that you don't get hit by them yourself.  "People who live in glass houses -shouldn't throw rocks"  The average 'rastling fan is there to be entertained.  And you know what?  It is entertaining.  The fans love it and the WWE spoon-feeds them what they want.  It is like the most base  common denominator entertainment, but it works, and works well.  Is it simple, yes -but it works.  I cannot hate on these people because of my system of entertainment.  They love what they love, and it is to be entertained.  Plain and simple.  Don't judge.

2)  I was entertained.  I had a great time.  Do you know how cathartic it is to Boo the villain?  Cheer the hero?  I found out that clapping or chanting someones name they gain strength and can whoop anyone.  It is amazing, I think the next time someone needs CPR, I'm just going to clap and chant their name.  This multi-million $ enterprise sells a great product, and they do it a lot.  They are playing a show almost every-other night.  I am impressed with this business.  Not a fan, but I was entertained.  I would go back.  It is base, simple, and no matter the authenticity it is pure.  Pure entertainment.