I think it'd be correct to consider NOAH, New Japan, and All-Japan the "big three" over there, right? And those three companies--for the
most part--usually present pro wrestling as a "legitimate", respectable athletic competition, right? I think
most of the Japanese fans/public would consider NOAH, NJ, and AJ the "big leagues", whereas Osaka Pro or DDT or whatever, are more of a "niche" product, sorta on the fringes of the mainstream...
If
this (YouTube clip above), however, were accepted as the
mainstream example of what "professional wrestling" is in Japan?
Then maybe Melo's argument/smart-ass comment/antagonizing question would be a bit more valid.
Again (as usual) to parallel things, to try and make my point: Unless someone can school me otherwise, I'd
assume that the majority of the guys doing cool shit, and blazing new trails in the world of hip hop music, come from America these days. But then again, so does this guy:
(I
think it's supposed to be a guy...
)
Bottom line? You're
always gonna have the totally awesome,
and the totally embarrassing, in every region; whether in music, or wrestling, or line dancing...
And you
know that Melo! Freakin' shit-disturber. I hope the moderator bans you.
Keep the big picture in mind, and always consider things
within context. And in this case, understand that the gay DDT clip isn't
supposed to represent the cutting-edge, forefront of Japanese wrestling. It's clearly presented as hokey, tongue-in-cheek (or ass?)
entertainment. I at least appreciate how the Japanese usually try to draw a very distinct, obvious line between the two.
I think Vince always trying to be
both sports
and entertainment, is what keeps anyone from taking his product seriously
as either. No matter which you prefer, it's always watered down by the other. So in the end it's really appealing to no one, on an
intense, intrinsic level. You wanna cultivate loyal, dedicated fans? Pick a direction/philosophy, and
go with it. You're never gonna please all the people, all the time.