Friday, September 30 2011
WWE’s Heels—the Jerks, Cowards and Miscreants—vs. Corporate Hedonism
Mainstream culture's failure to examine professional wrestling seriously -- in this case, workplace safety issues -- lets the WWE get away with all kinds of ridiculous villainy that no other media organisation could. And pocket a tidy profit while doing it.
Thursday, May 26 2011
When Superheroes Die
The death of Randy Poffo, aka Macho Man Randy Savage, once again revealed the dark history of professional wrestling. A history replete with drug abuse, murder and suicide. In this essay a writer and fan explores the varied reactions to Savage's death; a death which created more questions than answers.
Wednesday, March 30 2011
Homophobia Is Alive and Well on TV at the WWE
With the WWE's biggest event of the year on the horizon, fans and sponsors might want to take a closer look at its blatant homophobia and reconsider the wisdom of handing over their money to a bigoted and retrograde institution.
Thursday, March 25 2010
Beyond Barthes: Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker, Wrestlemania XXV
If any wrestling match has crossed over to the emotional realm, it's the epic bout between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker, but is it enough to bring sensitivity to professional wrestling?
Monday, January 4 2010
Yes, TV is art. Can we talk about wrestling now?
TNA's live broadcast against WWE on January 4 could be a turning point for American TV wrestling. One shot alone won't make it through the WWE's bovine skull, but at least someone's started firing.
Tuesday, September 22 2009
Killing the Pain: Mourning the Death of Andrew “Test” Martin
Did my cheers contribute to his eventual demise? Did my persistent taunting and raging encouragement urge him to push himself too far, breaking his muscle and bones that ached with a pain that would not shrink?
Tuesday, July 21 2009
In the Wrestling Ring with Ric Flair, Where ‘Evil is the Natural Climate’
Ric Flair epitomizes Roland Barthes' 'perfect bastard', adopting a cowardly and devious state of jerkdom, elevating his coarse existence into some quasi-mythological state of being.
Sunday, January 1 1995
Wrestling: A Pictorial History by David Hofstede
David Hofstede presents wrestling from its early days of genuine competition to its current offerings of circus-like performances, but throughout the book he shows a deep respect for the sport.
