Different opinions can be enlightening, and the topic that I am doing to discuss today will produce a barrage of different views.
If you know where to look you can find some pretty intelligent people on the Internet. Their wrestling knowledge is fairly deep and they have a good grasp of what is going on. That said, let's discuss something that even the intelligent wrestling fans on the Internet can't even agree on: The influence of the Internet on the wrestling business.
Do we, as Internet fans, overrate ourselves? I think so. Let's bring some facts into play here, as you all know I'm not big on theories without backing. In the United States 8% of families are connected to the Internet. That is approximately 5.7 million families or 24 million people. Obviously that is not everyone who has Internet access but it is the only number available.
Now, out of those 8% how many people do you think are wrestling fans? Not a whole helluva lot but still a substantial number. From these numbers let’s draw a few conclusions, shall we?
ü The Internet Community makes up a small minority of wrestling fans
ü Most wrestling fans have no clue what is going on in wrestling
ü Both WWF and WCW realize this number
Looking at the conclusions that I have it would seem like the Internet fans TOTALLY overrate themselves. Not so fast. We DO have an influence and we DO have a voice. I think part of the reason for the current WWF “adult” direction is due to Internet fans. People in the business listen to what we say and they check out the webpages (hopefully not Scoops). The Internet is usually anti-WCW, pro-WWF, and very pro-ECW. ECW was the originator of the adult gimmicks and programming (others were before them, but none have had the success) and McMahon saw this and used it.
With the bristling and hostile wrestling world in a state of resurgence and feds looking to capitalize on this resurgence, the Internet becomes a tool of unlimited usefulness. All one must do is walk into a chat room and listen to some of the ideas that get spouted out on a regular basis. People are not stupid and neither are promoters. Hell, RogueBastard of the Smack Down predicted that Undertaker would admit to burning and killing his parents months ago. It finally happened on RAW last week. It was late in coming but it DID happen.
How much of an audience do us “smart marks” make up? Probably about 5% of the crowd in a WWF/WCW event. In an ECW or Indy event I’ve heard the number is far higher. The feds know us, recognize us, and listen to us. Yet, they do not cater to our wants just yet. Perfect recent examples of catering to the marks include Austin’s “firing”. Personally, I think it is an excellent angle with tons of potential. How believable is it? Let me put it to you this way: As I was walking down the hall in school on Tuesday people were discussing how RAW would be WITHOUT StoneCold on it from now on. And the Internet fans think THEY are influential?
In closing, be proud that you are one of the few informed fans in world. Think of yourself as the wave of the future, because as the Internet becomes more widely used the more of us there will be. I don’t know if that is good or not. I like my wrestling the way it is right now and don’t want much to change. Think on what I have said and mail me your comments.
