The question that has more answers then I would care to count and more responses then one could imagine continues as I have more responses to share. Instead of continuing to blabber on and on I will get to the responses for this part of the series:

Question: Will pro-wrestling ever be respected by main-stream media?

Jon Couture: As it currently stands, pro wrestling isn't considered a "real" sport in America by the average sports fan.  Its not as respected as MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL by sports media. Although I will say that PW has made great strides in recent times.  ESPN covering events such as Wrestlemania and Daniel Bryan's retirement was a huge step forward.
WWE has been letting outside media in the backdoor more today than they ever have in the past. The days of living kayfabe could be over and I feel that would be a huge implication of maybe gaining some acceptance from the main stream.  Admitting angles and characters are all a work is key to un-allowing people to resort to that "its fake" mentality.  Reality shows such as Total Divas, Breaking Ground, Ride Along and Table for Three help ease the transition.
All that being said, I don't see PW ever totally being accepted and competing with the likes of, say, the NFL in this country.  And to be honest, I am okay with that. PW was founded on a "carny" mentality and I think it should stay that way.  Its why listening to alternative music is cooler than listening to pop music.  Its why seeing a great indie film is usually better than the Oscar nominations. PW may not be liked by everyone but at some level it should be respected by everyone.  Especially today's product that has evolved to so much more than jacked up good guys vs. dirty bad guys.  It is performance art at a very very high level.

Jeff: I think it will be respected as a form of entertainment, but not as a sport. I think this has to do with the way the wrestlers are presented. They have some interesting nicknames and some wear some outrageous outfits.

Daniel: I believe that pro wrestling will not have the respect by mainstream media because of the farfetched storylines from the past. The only reason how I can see mainstream media respecting WWE is if someone famous dies, hogan Rock cena, or when wrestlemania hits.

Big Gold Belt Show: Wrestling will be respected by mainstream media by the moments in which it deserves to be. There are three types of moments that mainstream media truly respects the world of pro wrestling. First, pro wrestling easily garners attention from the media when it makes a positive impact. Feel good, inspirational stories (e.g., Daniel Bryan's ascension) and charitable impacts (e.g., Make-a-Wish, breast cancer fund raising, Connor's Cure) are easy material for media outlets. Second, and much more desirable fodder for mainstream media are pro wrestling moments of creative transcendence. These days, these moments tend to occur in moments of realism integrated, when lines are blurred between reality and fiction. CM Punk's "pipebomb" (and subsequent match against John Cena at Money in the Bank 2011) and Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter's "real American" storyline entering WrestleMania 29 stick out as recent examples. The Roman Reigns saga has potential to enter that spectrum, depending on how much they are willing to let a heelish Roman off of his leash. Third, and the most impactful type of pro wrestling media coverage stems from pop culture crossover. A WWE appearance by Dwayne Johnson will always get some headlines. Stephen Amell wrestling at Summerslam - very noteworthy and worthy of a headline. It amazes me that WWE does not have at least two or three non-Rock celebrity appearances of true creative significance. Kathy Lee and Hoda breaking wine bottles over each other's rear ends does not count!

Raw Attitude Podcast: ​No, wrestling will never be fully respected by the mainstream media because so many people still have the idea in their heads that wrestling is simply "that fake thing The Rock used to do." Whereas other organizations have the broad appeal of the masses (e.g. -- NFL, MLB, NBA), wrestling caters to a very niche audience, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. We do occasionally see pockets of mainstream acceptance (ESPN covering "WrestleMania 32," TMZ breaking the story of Lana and Rusev's engagement), but other than that, the only coverage you're probably going to see from major media outlets is when the next former WWE personality dies far sooner than he/she should have.

GT: Probably not , they mock it all the time, and they're too ph to give wrestling attention

Through the Ropes: Well, In England, Japan, Mexico Everywhere bar the States, Its respected as if its a real sport, but America has turned it into a pantomime with supernatural storys and thats what has spoiled it for America


For more from those above: 
bgbgroup.tumblr.com/
www.smarknmark.com/
throughtheropes.wix.com/wrestling

Taking a break from the normal series of flashing back to the old post on Sunday's like I have been doing every couple of weeks. But now before heading back to the way we've done things I figured on trying something a little new and using this series on a different.

Over the years I have seen a long list of talent come onto my TV or computer screen and I think that these guys have great talent. Then a few weeks go by and I don't see them again or months go by and the push they once had was gone. Now there was a time when I believed everyone could be World Champion all they needed was the right gimmick or storyline or just something to put them over the top. At this point I realized that not everyone belongs in the Main Event and even more not everyone can be World Champion. In this series we will explore the names that we in that ring or have seen in that ring that haven't lived up to their potential in one or another.


I will be leaving out negative habits or ideas that certain people were hard to work with and just be looking at people who I feel like had some sort of untapped potential. This isn't a rehash of the old series that I used to do in How I Would Book it, because I will not be detailing how I would push the wrestler instead it is more about there career and why they could do more.
 
​

Stayed tuned for more as this is just the beginning!!!

Back again with another birthday post to help celebrate a variety of different wrestlers and divas celebrate their birthday. I will say that to everyone else who isn't part of this post I would also like to wish them a Happy Birthday as well.


​Happy Birthday to Torrie Wilson who turns 41 years old
​

Happy Birthday to Skip "Sweet Brown Sugar" Young  who turns 65 years old
​

Happy Birthday to Buck Quartermaine who turns 49 years old
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For the first time in what seems to be a while we will be moving back to the old ways of posts and by that I mean it's been a while since I wished anyone a Happy Birthday: So as far as this post goes I would like to not only wish all of the following wrestlers a very Happy Birthday, but also everyone who shares a birthday with the upcoming individuals.


​Happy Birthday to Bob Orton Sr. who would have been 87 years old
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Happy Birthday to Adam Rose who turns 37 years old

Happy Birthday to Mike Sanders who turns 47 years old

As of this writing Rey Mysterio's current deal with AAA seems to be coming to an end and will working with fewer dates with the company as he will be focusing on Lucha Underground. The reason for him to focus more on Lucha Underground is that it's a bigger money deal and will allow him to be at home more often.

​He doesn't want work too much in 2016, because of the injury risk, which is one of the reasons he left WWE, AAA us hopeful that they will be they will be able to get him for their big shows. At this time AAA is lacking main event level talent after various departures and unforeseen issues, the year will see AAA forced to make something happen and make some new stars or fall

Admitting angles and characters are all a work is key to unallowing people to resort to that "its fake" mentality.  Reality shows such as Total Divas, Breaking Ground, Ride Along and Table for Three help ease the transition.

All that being said, I don't see PW ever totally being accepted and competing with the likes of, say, the NFL in this country.  And to be honest, I am okay with that.  PW was founded on a "carny" mentality and I think it should stay that way.  Its why listening to alternative music is cooler than listening to pop music.  Its why seeing a great indie film is usually better than the Oscar nominations. 

PW may not be liked by everyone but at some level it should be respected by everyone.  Especially today's product that has evolved to so much more than jacked up good guys vs. dirty bad guys.  It is performance art at a very very high level.

- Jonny Fashion "It's Still Real to Me Podcast"

Much like last year I tried to make it where the series could be extended as far as possible. Yes there where more questions to go through last year then this year, but the difference is I looked for more responses to get more fans involved in the post. Now sort of what I did in the past with another Guest Post as in this is only part of his response and not the entire thing, because if you want to see the entire thing you have to wait for him to be included in the series as this is just a taste.

A couple of weeks ago I kicked off the new summer series much like I did last year when I posed a variety of questions to randomly selected wrestling fans over the course of six weeks or so. Now I changed it up as this year not only did I make this the biggest fan interaction post I have ever done, but this is also fan interaction post to include to "non" or casual fans in the post. For more on this visit (here) as now we will be jumping into the post:

Question:
Will Wrestling ever be respected by Main Stream Media?


SundaySegueWrestling: In certain ways yeah as WWE his a different demographic of people. The things they do for charity are always recognized but the ability these gifted performers possess is often un-credited until someone from the mainstream steps into their world.

Kayla Belle: Depends. Indie wrestling has a long way to go but WWE is very close, what with the working relationship with ESPN. Obviously, there are going to be those people who whine about a real sports channel covering "fake" sports because they're idiots

Gina Bean: Honestly, no. There is a stigma attached to wrestling where people who don't watch believe it to be fake. Just because the story line may be pre determined doesn't mean what the athletes are doing isn't real. I have friends who enjoy watching it with me and friends who hate it. Wrestling fans who truly enjoy the sport will defend what is done in that ring, but those who aren't fans are hard to sway.

Pulling the Tights: I don't think it will ever be respected the way it should be. It is largely due to the lack of understanding of what it takes to be a professional wrestler. Most people will never take the time to investigate what wrestlers are actually doing. It's much easier to judge and call it fake. It's truly sad that people don't see wrestlers as athletes. They are incredibly talented and put years of training into their craft.

You Call That Wrestling: Good question. So let's do a quick look at mainstream coverage the night after a PPV. I saw some coverage of Enzo Amore's unfortunate injury and that's where it started and ended. If not for that extremely bad press there would be no press at all. That being said, how do you fix it...? Sure professional wrestling is global but it's reputation will never reach a truly professionally respected level on the simple basis that it is a predetermined event. The biggest issue of them all is the close-minded inner circle in professional wrestling. The old boys club if you will... WWE has all the power and they're happy to cycle through the same playbook and because of that they have a jaded core of pro wrestling fans who are rebelling on a nightly basis insisting on change. So while I don't believe Pro Wrestling will ever find respect in the mainstream media I could go on for days about all the change we need to get it close. Three keys to mainstream pro wrestling. Shrink -Start with a legitimate drug testing program that isn't company run and report cheats publicly. We'll quickly be able to sort who the truly talented superstars are which will legitimize the athletic side of the sport and open a window into the next generation which could see more football type athletes consider pro wrestling. Shrink the travel schedule. It was the cruiserweights who changed the game for WCW and they delivered. Grow- Make wrestling FUN again We're tired of the same regurgitated crap. For pro wrestling to truly grow they need to overwhelm the fans they already have and grow from within. This is a family business and it's wrestling fanatic families who build the core of the fan base and the only way to get mainstream success is for people to care. Innovate - The companies emergency fund(the fans) is the unfortunate dictator of change in WWE and always has been. It's not until ratings hit panic levels that anything substantial happens. Fortunately they still have their least expensive advertising deal(also the fans) right guys??? Not so fast. Burn the playbook and start listening to your fans before they stop caring. While the NXT graduations are having a positive effect it's only the beginning of the long road towards respectability and the continued reliance on bad angles and force fed talents(Looking at you Reigns) are some of the biggest roadblocks for the companies future. In closing... The WWE has the power to make anything happen BUT it also has the security of never changing a thing and that's all I got to say about that.

Tracy: I don't feel like mainstream media takes wrestling seriously.  It seems to have always been ridiculed.

Tony: The idea that it will ever be respected by main stream puts it down to begin with. I think it is highly regarded in main stream media. They choose not to publicize it as much because it does not need them too.



For more from any mentioned above:
https://www.facebook.com/floodwire/
http://sundayseguepodcast.wix.com/sundaysegue
http://www.pullthetightspodcast.com/
http://youcallthatwrestling.blogspot.ca/

Though I don't have the original opening post any more as a way to refresh your memory as to what this series is about and were well go from here. As everyone knows the pro-wrestling business has gone through various changes over the course of time and some have been good and others bad it depends on who you ask though. Some say that Junior weights are putting on the best matches on the show every night while others think they are ruining the wrestling business. Then again too move away from somewhat of a touchy subject how about the idea that some wrestlers think that with the advent of the internet that has hurt the business.

​I could agree with that logic more than the latter because well I feel as though in some cases because of the internet it has caused wrestling fans to forget what it means to just be a fan and nothing else. A perfect example of this is the amount of times you hear a fan say that their favorite wrestler should be World Champion or how incompetent the booking team is. Well if we look back to the 1980's or even the middle of the 1990's the WWE especially had a wide variety of something called enhancement talents or talents who's job it was to loss.

​Now I know at least one person would say please don't tell me you expect "enhancement matches" to carry the same credibility now as they did 15-20 years ago. Well hate to break it to you, but yeah that is exactly what I am saying and how I feel because enhancement matches work if they are done right. Loveable losers deserve a spot on TV, because they have just as much to do with a successful show as the guy on top. Fact is the idea of a good enhancement or talent is a lost art and it has been for a while. I will say that around the time of the Monday Night Wars at least WWE went away from the idea of enhancement matches on the A show as Raw was more focused on the segments over the matches. However, on the other side of the coin WCW never lost the value of an enhancement taking place every now and again especially if it involved The Giant. Now there are Roles in wrestling other than that of the enhancement talent, but that is where we will start for this series as the next edition will see us taking a look back at two of the top enhancement talents in the history of WWE. I hope you enjoy!!