What if kayfabe still existed? - would it work today?

Papa Shango

Do you think Wrestling would be better or worst off if Kayfabe was still around? And when i mean Kayfabe, i mean in full swing ala pre 1990s.

Miakal

I think the general Western response to this question is that kayfabe had to be broken for the evolution of wrestling.

There was a time when a wrestler really WAS that wrestler. He lived, breathed, and sh*t as that wrestler. It was a part of being who he was.

I think back in the day wrestling was more for children and hence the reason for kayfabe. Kids couldn't see these guys as real people, it would've ruined the whole thing.

And now we don't have characters like that anymore which is another problem altogether.

Most wrestlers tend to keep kayfabe to a degree. For example, you see Mick Foley, or Triple H, or Stone Cold on Conan O'Brien and they'll make jokes about their character and they'll also mention how they are going to kick their opponents ass at the next PPV.

Bouchie

Old guy I know who still thinks wrestling is real. He must be like the only one left in the world. To quote:

"that guy must be some tough 'cause he just took a beating and he's still standing."

I kid you not.

HellKat

I still think that kayfabe still exists today, very strongly with the mark community. I think that's where it is the strongest. Most people are either Smarks (smart marks) or just smarts.

Support Your Local Indy Wrestling - BITCH!!

Papa Shango

Eh.. 'Smarks' are just marks with a computer.

I cant see how you say Kayfabe is still around. We get shows like Tough Enough, Warnings which claim its only entertainment and shouldnt be tried at home, People breaking character left right and centre after the cameras stop rolling at shows etc.