Wrestling with Popularity

Professional wrestling has long been the “red headed stepchild” of sports, you either loved it or hated it, if you hated it you’d call it “fake” and “phony” and if you loved it you didn’t dare tell your friends for fear of becoming a social leper.
However in this day and age, with the advent of cable television and the internet, it has become popular with the mainstream public. Another reason is the transition that wrestling made from the “family entertainment” of the 1980’s to a more edgy, adult orientated, storyline driven sports soap opera. “..In the old days of wrestling, there used to be good guys and bad guys. It was black-and-white. Now it’s all shades of gray, and that’s definitely a reflection on society.” Says wwe representative Jay Andronaco. It could be argued that if wrestling reflects society then it must be real because we (society) are real.
In addition to the edgier plots and attitude is the crossover appeal. Many wwe stars have gone on to excel in other areas of entertainment and indeed politics. Former wwe star Jesse Ventura served a term as Governor of Minnesota. Stars such as The Rock (Walking Tall, Doom), Steve Austin (The Condemned, The Longest Yard), Roddy Piper (They Live) and Bill Goldberg (Universal Soldier: The Return, The Longest Yard) have starred in blockbuster movies and many stars, such as John Cena and Chris Jericho draw their personas from the music they listen to.
According to Niall Hogan, a lifelong wrestling fan and proprietor of Wrestlingmania, a shop in Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre that sells wrestling merchandise, wrestling goes through “cycles of popularity” and at the moment we’re at “the peak of a cycle”.
Mr. Hogan also attributes the popularity of wrestling, and wwe in particular, in this country to the “over saturation” of the US market and wwe’s “development of the European market” As it stands wwe now runs about two shows a year in this country.
The popularity of wwe has lead to the opening of several wrestling promotions in the country, Irish Whip Wrestling, NWA: Ireland, Celtic Pro Wrestling, No Limits Wrestling and Ulster Championship Wrestling who all offer star struck Irish youngsters the chance to fulfill their dreams and become professional wrestlers.
The evidence is undeniable wwe has sold out the point every time it’s played there in the last three years and attracted over 25,000 people to the RDS in 2005. Recently wwe has introduced an Irish character to their Smackdown roster, Dave Finlay from Belfast, a stalwart of the old British circuit, carrying a shillelagh and decked out in a green and black outfit with Shamrocks and Celtic symbols on it, his addition is proof of wrestling’s popularity in Ireland. The last time wwe played the point I bore witness to a roof blowing ovation when Finlay was introduced.
For further proof one can point to the fact that several IWW wrestlers have received wwe tryouts over the last few years, most notably Seamus O’Shaunessy who appeared on wwe TV last year and was subsequently offered a job starting in developmental league Florida Championship Wrestling, Seamus also appears in the film, the escapist, and has appeared on “Podge and Rodge”, he appears to be Ireland’s best candidate for a wwe career.
In summation it is my conclusion without a doubt that wrestling is on the rise, no longer will we cower in shame or hide our hobby from a harsh society, the “red headed stepchild” just got a bleach job.

A Talented Showing

On the heels of the successful International Students’ Day, the canteen of Dun Laoghaire College of Further Education once again played host to a celebration, this time however it wasn’t food on the menu but musicians.

The students of SE6C, headed by project manager, Brian Sheridan, who was also the MC for the proceedings, organized a talent show for the students of the college. The contest which featured six diverse acts, was judged by tutors, Gemma Cox, Philip Thompson and Niamh Crowley. The judges all offered words of wisdom to the contestants following each performance.

Clara Byrne, who also played at the International Students’ Day, was up first, covering Britney Spears’ hit “Toxic” in her own bluesy style.

That was followed by double act Kevin and Jono who performed the Stone Roses track “I wanna be adored”, the judges didn’t seem keen, but I thought they did a good job, and I hate the Stone Roses!

Next was uber talented guitarist Jack Quinn who wowed the crowd with an unusual over handed playing technique.

Then we were treated to the lone electric guitar act of the show, Anthony Donnelly, who performed a self penned number called “It‘s cold outside”, eerily reminiscent of Radiohead in their heyday, this was my favourite. Judge Gemma Cox called it “Haunting”. He should have gotten more points for writing the song himself but then that’s not the way of the mainstream music business, is it?

Then came the comedy portion of the show, Veronica Heywood, came sauntering on to the stage, the scarf around her neck looked like it was about to come to life and do its best impersonation of a boa constrictor but alas it wasn’t to be. She said something unintelligible and walked back off the stage as the audience howled with laughter and the judges nervously looked around perhaps searching for Jeremy Beadle!

The final act was Terry Rukenya, who soulfully belted out the Leona Lewis hit “Bleeding Love”, a capella. “Star Quality” remarked Gemma Cox.

This was followed by the raffle with proceeds going to charity. A few suspicious eyes were looking the way of principal Michael Condron as his ticket was pulled for the second time and I laughed myself hoarse when Marc Cassidy was booed upon his ticket being drawn, by Ruain O’ hOgain of all people! PJ7’s Francis Lomax (who does not wish to be quoted) was heard to say “This is the worst raffle ever”

Then came the announcement of the winner, drum roll, Clara Byrne, she came back on the stage and played the show to a close with, once again, “Toxic” by Britney Spears. Very well organized and executed SE6C should be very proud. All in all a very enjoyable afternoon of fun