Perception is reality...

I'm relieved to finally get a chance to hash out something I've been thinking about for the past few weeks, but haven't been able to because of school oriented projects. You see, I'm getting my second bachelor's degree in Political Science, to go with my History degree. This doesn't seem to be a big deal, or have anything to do with wrestling, but I'm gonna tell you something that you might not understand at first, and that a lot of "smarter" people will have issue with: I like politics, and I like wrestling.

Now, you're sitting at your desktop computer, or at Starbucks with your laptop, and you're saying "JJ, so what?" Here's the deal: I like politics for the same reasons I like wrestling. Now, the first thing you're thinking is that politics and wrestling are absolutely nothing alike. Wrestling is a bunch of oiled up, oversized men in spandex beating each other up (no matter how fake you think it is, I know people who can show you the cuts and bruises), and politics is a bunch of stuffed shirts spouting off about issues and taking bribes.

Well, you're right, and you're wrong. See, wrestling is a lot more than just the athletic competition, and politics is a lot more than hot air. They're performances that require you to be participants. Can you imagine a political rally without the crowd seated behind the politician? How about a wrestling show with no crowd? It's done. Watch C-Span at 4 in the morning to see someone making a speech to the janitor so it can be said that they took a stand on an issue, or some of the "infamous" empty arena matches, the most recent being The Rock vs. Mankind during the Super Bowl halftime show. It's a possibility, but I promise you it's not as entertaining.

That's because both wrestling and politics rely on crowd participation. But they don't stop there, they also actively manipulate the crowd as well. You don't believe me? We all know the easy example in wrestling, it's the bad guys. Back in the day, every show had a villain who wouldn't let the fans touch him, followed by the hero who high fived as many fans as possible. Who's going to cheer for the guy who just blew past him, when the other guy took the time to high five you?

Politics is just the same. Except politicians do it politely. How many times have we heard something like this: My opponent is right, we do have a problem. But my opponent hasn't done anything to fix it while he was in office, and that's why you should vote for me.

Sound familiar? You're thought process is probably something like: "There is a problem. And they're right, the opponent hasn't done anything to fix it! I bet they will. Let's get that other one out of office!" Every single political stump speech is nothing but an interview/ promo, every debate a wrestling match, and every election a Wrestlemania.

So why is it that politicians are respected and revered, while wrestlers are looked down on and despised? Oh, that's right, wrestlers condone violence to solve issues. Not like our Presidents, right? I mean, except for Hamilton, who took part in duels. Or any of those Presidents who owned slaves and allowed for their slaves to be beaten. Or those Presidents who sent our soldiers off to war. Or those Presidents who... well, they've all condoned some sort of violence themselves, haven't they? What's worse is that their violence leads to life and death situations, whereas the violence a wrestler condones has only lead to death on a few random occasions.

Oh, but wrestling has too much sexuality! Well, too much for Ms. Lewinsky? Or Thomas Jefferson? Or Strom Thurmond? How about Newt Gingrich? All guilty of adultery. While in office.

So the next time someone starts laughing at you for being a fan of professional wrestling, ask them if they vote. And when you step into that voting booth this November, if you're old enough, don't forget that you're taking part in a high brow act of the low brow art of professional wrestling.

You can tell JJ what you think about politics and wrestling here

Discuss wrestling, but dare not discuss politics here