Wrestling Roundtable #56 12/17/11 Part 1 - Character Vs. In-Ring Skill

Guests Delirious & Grizzly Redwood join the panel to discuss what's more important in pro wrestling and what draws more money - someone's character/charisma or (perish the thought) a wrestling match? Hosted by Eric Santamaria.

* The views expressed on The Wrestling Roundtable® are solely those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of any other entity, person or organization *

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[hamburgeler84]

In response to the question "Can two guys have a drawing match with no real backstory?" I believe they can completely. To me, I love the story that is told in the ring. The match itself becomes a character when done right and a whole story in and of itself. I think a great example of that is Hart vs Austin in their I quit match. That match is a beast and created a new era in wrestling.

[WrestlingRoundtable]

@hamburgeler84 I actually agree with your premise but not your example, as Austin/Hart was the culmination(though not the end, heh, if that makes sense) of months of great storytelling. My example would be old ROH; back in the day(can't believe there's "old ROH" now!), I wouldn't buy ROH VHS tapes to keep up on their storylines...cause I didn't give a fuck! But, if I found out AJ Styles Vs. Bryan Danielson was the main event of the next show, I was there! No story needed.

-E

[MICKLEFIELDRUSS]

you guys faces when Delirious is talking is comedy gold...btw Eric...you are an fantastic anchor man/presenter for this program...unlike so many others today in tv/internet....funny, informative, knowledgable, likable and upbeat.....keep up the great work guys...love ya work ...cheers and regards Russ from England :D

[WrestlingRoundtable]

@MICKLEFIELDRUSS Thank you very much for everything.

-E, Wrestling Roundtable

[RollandDynasty]

I agree with everything Delirious said. 

[TheyCallMeTheSwede]

I got to admire Delirious for actually staying in character the whole time.

[Nertrender]

to me wrestling is pretty much all character and story the question is where this is taking place. I believe that the heart or the drama should be portrayed in the match but sometimes the matches are prepared for and strung together with other things. If a match is an entree than the prematch stuff is the aroma whetting your appetite. And, not all entries have strong aromas.

[RandomMindz]

You mention how "they don't sell T-shirts of wrestling moves" 5:07 but what about (alright perhaps bad example...) Morishima's Back Drop Driver?

[ChiTownMan100]

in that aspect. The same thing sorta applies for Rock/Hogan before WM X8 when they stood in the long for the longest time without saying a word and the fans went absolutely apeshit. Now Hogan is not known for being the best in-ring worker but did they fans really care about that? Absolutely not! They wanted to see Rock vs. Hogan. Two of the biggest names in WWE history going @ it one on one. That is the point I'm trying to get across.

[ChiTownMan100]

@BattleBall Eh? Don't know if I agree with that last part but I degress. ITA with what you are saying but my point is what if it were any two guys that you put in that segment then it wouldn't have been so epic. The reason why it was so huge was because Undertaker and Triple H are two of the biggest names in the WWE today. Both are veterans and have been in the business for a long time. Don't get me wrong there are two of the best wrestlers as well. Not taking anything away from them

[hatchetman4206667]

@UzumakiSonic619 luckily enough, no he isn't lol he just really believes in kayfabe

[fagbert]

@reh629

Indeed. By way of illustration: Warrior was a great "character" wrestler who gets shit on for his wrestling. Yet if you look at Warrior when he was on the big stages -- against Rick Rude at SummerSlams '89 and '90, against Hogan at WMVI, against Savage at WMVII and Summerslam '92 -- he upped his game and had matches we all still talk about (although Warrior vs. Rude at SS'89 has become a forgotten classic). Clearly he understood that, at the big shows, you must bring it in the ring.

[HanleyIsWatchingYou]

I definitely think that it's the characters that draw more. But the best performers in wrestling history are the wrestlers that could get their character across in the ring without a microphone in their hand.

[reh629]

remember all angles end in a match, not a debate, a pose down, or a skit.