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[Moonbase_Alpha]

Is being a fan/mark really bad for wrestling?

The term "mark" is often used pejoratively. I say "marks" are good for wrestling and for wrestlers, especially in the boom/bust cycle of pro wrestling. We follow their pro wrestling characters like others follow their favourite actors/actresses, musicians etc. We buy their products/merch. We "marks" are pro wrestling's revenue source. Pro wrestling, like any other business, follows the supply & demand formula. We "marks" are the demand.

The internet (which goes hand in hand with being a fan/mark and is often criticized by wrestlers/promotions) is simply a medium which allows us access to wrestlers and promotions who also choose to use this medium.

What do you think?

[MarkP]

We're all marks.  Both sides of the curtain.

[Moonbase_Alpha]

We're all marks.  Both sides of the curtain.

Well, your name IS Mark so....

I've just seen and heard so many wrestlers on the "interwebs" disparage "marks" with their comments and I think its crazy to put down your income source.

[Whiteburbia]

Nothing wrong with being a mark. As long as you don't take it to far. Hell, even a smark isn't so bad (you make money off of them too), as long as they keep some of their "inside (lol) knowledge" to themselves. Nothing I hate more then people who sit there watching a match and feel the need to inform everyone around them the name of every big move being performed. Or a wrasslers real name. Like I fucking care!

[DieHard]

Nothing wrong with being a mark. As long as you don't take it to far. Hell, even a smark isn't so bad (you make money off of them too), as long as they keep some of their "inside (lol) knowledge" to themselves. Nothing I hate more then people who sit there watching a match and feel the need to inform everyone around them the name of every big move being performed. Or a wrasslers real name. Like I fucking care!

Bingo!!

Be considerate of others around you who are enjoying the moment and stop feeling like you're so special because you know their 'real' name or other info.  Those people are asshats. 

[Moonbase_Alpha]

Nothing wrong with being a mark. As long as you don't take it to far. Hell, even a smark isn't so bad (you make money off of them too), as long as they keep some of their "inside (lol) knowledge" to themselves. Nothing I hate more then people who sit there watching a match and feel the need to inform everyone around them the name of every big move being performed. Or a wrasslers real name. Like I fucking care!

I think that in any form of entertainment (movies, music etc), fans can and always will take it too far. Maybe that's why some wrestlers/promotions make generalizations about (s)marks. Some nice words about marks would be appreciated but then again, the negative seems to make more of an impresion than the positive.

[Whiteburbia]

It's easier to bash then to praise I guess.

[Moonbase_Alpha]

I don't want any "Congrats for being a fan, doofus" kinda praise. I know that wrestlers are just people like everyone else and for the most part, I'd like to think other fans know this too. I just would hope wrestlers think the same way about fans/marks. (I know I always mark out and ask for autographs and shit but that just puts a special touch on the memory of meeting or seeing that particular wrestler. I don't sell any autographed items on Ebay)

[Whiteburbia]

It would be nice to get some actual wrasslers opinions on this...

[Moonbase_Alpha]

It would be nice to get some actual wrasslers opinions on this...

Any ideas,Mark P? . I'd like to hear some C4 wrestlers' point of view too.