Why do some wrestling fans have to meet criteria to be considered "real" wrestling fans?

Question

What ever happened to a casual interest in something, that one does not take so seriously?

Example: If I am a fan of the singer Rihanna, do I need to own all of her CD's?

If I am a fan of Triple H, do I have to own all of his memorabilia?

Answer 1

I think you're a good wrestling fan and not just because I LOVE YOUR AVATAR. Sorry, had to get that out. Some fans who feel they know more than casual fans want to consider themselves elite. I don't know why exactly.

Answer 2

If you watch wrestling every week, and you really care about it, then you're a fan.  I don't think you need to be able to turn the sound off, and call the match yourself, as if you were Jim Ross. You don't need THAT much technical knowledge of the sport to simply be called a 'fan'.  When a football fan watches MNF, do they need to recognize a 2- Deep Zone, or know what "8 Men in the box" mean, in order to be a Cowboy's fan?? I think not.  The same standards should be applied to any wrestling fan, that's only fair.  IMO, most everyone on here, who doesn't rip wrestling, and who is NOT a troll, IS a fan.  So give yourselves a BIG round of applause! >:D

edit: The Iron Sheik's finisher = The Camel Clutch

Answer 3

It's a matter of choice, that's all. People probably have strong likes for their superstar(s), so they will go out their way to get anything that relates to their pro wrestler(s)--if that means getting all of their pro wrestler(s) products. Others have likes as well, but wouldn't go out their way to get each and every product of their pro wrestler(s), but will cheer for their superstar(s) like a number 1 fan.

Answer 4

but a least you know a song or two. there are people who call themselves wrestling fans that cnat even tell you what HHH finisher is called

Answer 5

IMO a real wrestling fan is the one who loves to watch wrestling whether it is WWE or TNA and enjoyed this from his Heart.

Answer 6

good point everyone's always bring how many years you've been a fan someday we'll make it to a high amount of years we just haven't seen all these matches other people have it's not a big deal it's all something we like

Answer 7

Think what most people call real wrestling fans are those who knows and understands the wrestling history and wrestlers in past promotions but it's going to be a heated debate untill wrestling fans get a 24 hour wrestling network like we have for Pro and College Football.

Answer 8

Technically, there is no such thing as a "real wrestling fan".

And a lot of people need to stop acting like other people aren't for not being obsessed or into agreement about who the best wrestlers are. People don't have to buy or own everything related to anything to be a fan of it. Professional Wrestling, like all other sports, have fans that are into it a lot, and some into it a little. There is no "true" or "real" fan out there, and people need to stop acting like there is.

Answer 9

I totally agree with you. We don't need to know every aspect of wrestlers personal and professional life to be a good wrestling fan. What ever happened to watching it and liking a person? That means you're a fan. Now I sort of think people try to buy all the merch, know all the stuff about them, etc-To compete with others to show they like him more. Although, I'm not sure if that proves it because the person without all that junk could like them more.

I think people should stop making a fuss about it, watch it-and enjoy every minute of it. :)

Answer 10

If you like someone for your own reasons not just beacause everyone else does your a real fan

Answer 11

In wrestling; some people use the term "real" as in a hardcore know it all old school wrestling fan who can answer any question from any inquiry.

So say you just watch it every week because you enjoy it, You aren't considered a "real" wrestling fan, but still a fan.

Answer 12

No.  The "real" wrestling fan is a name given to "smarks" or "smart marks"  Really, it's just a feeling of "elitism" that makes people who like wrestlers from all over the world downplay the people who like only the WWE.

The big problem here is that even the WWE labels its own fans as "casual wrestling fans."  And therefore leads to the belief that you're not a "real fan."

So the "criteria" isn't to own everything of a wrestler or of a federation...  it's to be well-versed in what you know about wrestling.  Start watching smaller federations (not just TNA, but even smaller...  like ROH, CZW, JAPW) and go to independant wrestling shows.  Learn about the wrestling in Japan and Mexico, and study the moves to the point where you could pretty much play-call the matches yourself.

But even then, I don't consider that being a "fan" anymore...  to me, at that point you're an "aficianado."  At least, that's what i consider myself.

In reality, the people I call "real" fans are the people that have studied a federation so much that they can tell me stories about the earlier years, as if they happened yesterday.  So start learning about Triple H, and where he came from, and why he's where he is in the federation today...  you don't have to have all of his action figures, but if you know all about the character, then I'd consider you a "real" fan, rather than just a "casual" fan of his.

Make sense?

No?  Good.

Because the ranking system is different for every "smark" "real fan" and "aficianado" and really in the end, the ranks don't matter.  All that matters is who and what you like.  Who are we to tell you otherwise?

Answer 13

you have a point..i'm also kinda baffled why some people tend to set standards when it comes to being a wrestling fan, that they even categorize fans from authentic ones to marks.. i honestly don't conform with it since being a wrestling fan, i believe, is a matter of choice, its not like you'll have to audition for it & if you passed, that's the only time when you'll be allowed to indulge yourself in the pleasures of being a wrestling fan.. i must admit that i tend to be open about how long i've been a wrestling enthusiast when i'm asked, but that doesn't mean that i consider myself a genuine wrestling fan or something to that effect.. all wrestling fans for me are equal, regardless of how long they've been watching wrestling or how many wrestling memorabilia or souvenirs they have..