World Wrestling Entertainment
Wrestling With your Conscience
Wrestling with your conscience.
“Stop, stand, still, foot on the ball, eyes on me. Right, all move around the square, big toe, little toe, keep control of the ball. Let’s go.” As I barked out these instructions at the top of my voice, my eyes were quickly scanning the group of boys and girls in front of me. The youngest was 4, the oldest 8, the vast majority 6 or 7 years of age. 25 young souls taking part in the delights that are a Soccer Camp. For 3 days they attend, for 6 hours at a time. At the end of the third day, it is hoped that they will have gained some new skills, acquired some tricks, had bags of fun and got value for their parents hard-earned money. The reality however is quite different. For working on ball control, drag-backs and shooting accuracy takes second place to splitting up fights, settling disputes and comforting the upset and unhappy. Taking control and responsibility for two dozen children is a draining experience in many respects.
The first day is exciting, getting to know them as quickly as possible. The second day is tougher as the naughty and mischevious start to show their true colours. By the third day, you’ve had enough of sly Ben, can’t wait for demanding Derek to go home, and as for angel-faced Jay, well, he’s fooling nobody. Yet it isn’t all doom and gloom for there are many special moments along the way. Some children, even in such a short space of time, endear themselves to you. Little Pat, with the face of a scamp and a heart of gold, lovely Helen, 6 years old and a professional footballer in every sense, and Elliot, a natural who doesn’t give you a minutes trouble. 25 of him and you could get the cigar’s out. But the overiding memory of the 3 day camp has to be the excitement created by an activity far removed from the beautiful game.
Getting 25 children to listen is a very difficult job at the very best of times. But throw in the names Batista, Rey Mysterio or The Undertaker and you have their undivided attention. The phenomenom that is the WWE, (World Wrestling Entertainment) has crossed the Atlantic and is creating quite a stir in Britain. All dates are immediate sell outs and the revenue generated run into hundreds of millions of dollars. And as a parent, the influence of these wrestling megastars is disturbing me greatly. My own son is a massive fan and we went to the Manchester Evening News Arena to see the show for ourselves. At £62 per ticket it was an expensive evening. But the traumatised look on his face as “The Boogeyman”, a man who eats live worms in the ring and leaves them like a calling card on his opponents body, will always stay with me. As I held him close, attempting to reassure him that it was all make believe, I couldn’t help feeling stupid as I had paid over £120 to see my son sob uncontrollably. The rest of the show was as entertaining as it was unsound. Female wrestlers are called Diva’s and are the ultimate sex object. Wet t-shirts, mud wrestling and bikini matches are the norm and at times it resemble soft porn.
Vendettas are common place but are settled in the most unsatisfactory manner possible. For there is no honour in the WWE.Assaults from behind, weapons, 3 v1, and handicap matches are all mainstays of the programme. If the remit is disturbing people, then they are doing a brilliant job. But the messages, obvious or subtle, go against the grain of basic decency. Cryme Time are a black team of wrestlers who steal and are always in trouble with the law, Eugene is a wrestler with mental illness who is always mocked and ridiculed, whilst John Cena, a clean cut, clean living former US Marine, is the ultimate peoples champion. Sexual innuendo, bullying, racism, its all there in spades. And the kids love it. But what harm is it doing? Are we poisoning the minds of our youth in the name of entertainment?.
We all know its staged, but watching somebody being reduced to a bloody mess is disturbing, whatever your age. And the way it is done, often from behind or with the element of surprise, gives the message that this is the way to settle disputes. What happened to reason? Diplomacy? Respect? I teach my children to stand up for themselves and to protect their own human rights. But if my son attacks somebody in the school playground, jumps on a girls back and pulls her hair until she screams, or beats somebody until he draws blood, should I be surprised?. And this is what makes me feel so uncomfortable. For buying tickets is to buy into the whole madness that is WWE.
Back to the coaching camp and there I am, day 2 and already struggling for games to keep my young footballers interested. So, whilst moving around a 30x 30 square, keeping the ball under control, the players awaited my instructions. If I shouted Batista, they had to do the actions of the great man mountain himself, pretending to fire off a few rounds on a machine gun. If the command was Rey Mysterio, they had to scream 6 1 9 at the top of their voices, the signature move of Mr.Mysterio. And so on and so forth. The game? Complete success, perfect, a hit, a smash, result. My coaching chest was puffed out as I commanded my arena. Concentration was total, enjoyment guaranteed. And yet I never felt truly comfortable as I knew, yet again, I was compromising my principles. I may well have used commands like Nigger, Paki or Slag to get their attention. And whenever I was struggling, I returned to this activity to regain my composure, gather my thoughts and remind myself of my coaching prowess.
What am I to do? Ban it from my screen and risk my son being excluded from the gang? Or carry on regardless, hoping that the example we set is the one they choose to follow? Or, option 3. Which is to shut my eyes, convince myself its only the wrestling that he enjoys, and that the sexist, racist, homophobic stuff goes totally over his head. A moral dilemma. A modern moral dilemma.
About the Author
 |
 1 6 TIX 7 16 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 1 Mandalay Bay Events $162.00 Time Remaining: 10h 1m Buy It Now for only: $162.00 |
 4 TIX WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 8 19 Staples Center Sect 9 PREM $693.00 Time Remaining: 18d 10h 6m Buy It Now for only: $693.00 |
 1 8 TIX 7 2 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR D Laredo Energy Arena $89.00 Time Remaining: 12d 6h 53m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 |
 2 TIX WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 6 17 Izod Center Sect 124 $529.00 Time Remaining: 4d 9h 20m Buy It Now for only: $529.00 |
 2 Tickets WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 6 18 12 Nassau Coliseum $153.40 Time Remaining: 26d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $153.40 |
 1 8 TIX 6 25 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 228 Allen County War Memorial $67.00 Time Remaining: 19d 9h 19m Buy It Now for only: $67.00 |
 2 TIX WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 9 16 TD Garden Sect 306 $150.00 Time Remaining: 24d 10h 36m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 |
 1 8 TIX 7 16 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 7 Mandalay Bay Events $157.00 Time Remaining: 10h 1m Buy It Now for only: $157.00 |
 2 Tickets WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 6 18 12 Nassau Coliseum $354.00 Time Remaining: 26d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $354.00 |
 2 TIX WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 9 16 TD Garden Sect 306 $161.00 Time Remaining: 24d 9h 15m Buy It Now for only: $161.00 |
 2 TIX 7 15 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 124 US Airways Center $201.00 Time Remaining: 19d 10h 35m Buy It Now for only: $201.00 |
 2 Tickets WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 6 18 12 Nassau Coliseum $354.00 Time Remaining: 26d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $354.00 |
 1 4 Tickets WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 5 20 12 PNC Arena $53.10 Time Remaining: 29d 14h 23m Buy It Now for only: $53.10 |
 1 8 TIX 9 3 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 113 Allstate Arena $117.00 Time Remaining: 16d 6h 11m Buy It Now for only: $117.00 |
 1 8 TIX WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 9 18 Wells Fargo Center PA Sect 115 $106.00 Time Remaining: 23d 8h Buy It Now for only: $106.00 |
 1 8 TIX 10 2 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 105 BOK Center $73.00 Time Remaining: 16d 7h 6m Buy It Now for only: $73.00 |
 3 TIX 7 2 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR D Laredo Energy Arena $380.00 Time Remaining: 26d 10h 2m Buy It Now for only: $380.00 |
 1 6 Tickets WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 6 18 12 Nassau Coliseum $88.50 Time Remaining: 26d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $88.50 |
 1 9 TIX 10 29 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 7 Time Warner Cable Arena $129.00 Time Remaining: 28d 7h 32m Buy It Now for only: $129.00 |
 2 TIX 6 25 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 118 Allen County War Memorial $234.00 Time Remaining: 20d 7h 45m Buy It Now for only: $234.00 |
 1 6 Tickets WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 6 18 12 Nassau Coliseum $93.22 Time Remaining: 26d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $93.22 |
 1 8 TIX 11 12 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 111 Nationwide Arena $73.00 Time Remaining: 18d 7h 56m Buy It Now for only: $73.00 |
 2 TIX 7 28 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment Ring N Rupp Arena $232.00 Time Remaining: 19d 11h 39m Buy It Now for only: $232.00 |
 1 8 TIX 6 25 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 229 Allen County War Memorial $78.00 Time Remaining: 10d 9h 54m Buy It Now for only: $78.00 |
 2 TIX 7 15 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 124 US Airways Center $201.00 Time Remaining: 23d 12h 11m Buy It Now for only: $201.00 |
 1 5 TIX 6 4 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 120 Bi Lo Center $56.00 Time Remaining: 19d 11h 5m Buy It Now for only: $56.00 |
 1 6 TIX 7 28 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment Ring N Rupp Arena $116.00 Time Remaining: 12d 10h 30m Buy It Now for only: $116.00 |
 2 TIX 6 4 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 2 Bi Lo Center $234.00 Time Remaining: 19d 10h 35m Buy It Now for only: $234.00 |
 1 5 Tickets WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 5 21 12 Richmond Coliseum $41.30 Time Remaining: 23d 8h 42m Buy It Now for only: $41.30 |
 2 TIX 7 28 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment Ring N Rupp Arena $232.00 Time Remaining: 17d 18h 11m Buy It Now for only: $232.00 |
 4 TIX 7 15 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 124 US Airways Center $391.00 Time Remaining: 25d 16h 27m Buy It Now for only: $391.00 |
 4 TIX 6 25 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 229 Allen County War Memorial $279.00 Time Remaining: 23d 4h 47m Buy It Now for only: $279.00 |
 2 TIX 7 2 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR E Laredo Energy Arena $346.00 Time Remaining: 10h 10m Buy It Now for only: $346.00 |
 1 6 TIX 11 12 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 108 Nationwide Arena $89.00 Time Remaining: 18d 7h 56m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 |
 1 6 TIX 6 25 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 229 Allen County War Memorial $73.00 Time Remaining: 20d 7h 45m Buy It Now for only: $73.00 |
 2 TIX 6 11 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 123 XL Center $178.00 Time Remaining: 28d 11h 46m Buy It Now for only: $178.00 |
 2 TIX 6 25 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 114 Allen County War Memorial $234.00 Time Remaining: 20d 7h 45m Buy It Now for only: $234.00 |
 2 Tickets WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 6 4 12 Bi Lo Center $94.40 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $94.40 |
 2 TIX 11 12 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 4 Nationwide Arena $290.00 Time Remaining: 18d 7h 56m Buy It Now for only: $290.00 |
 2 TIX 8 19 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 106 Staples Center $313.00 Time Remaining: 19d 9h 19m Buy It Now for only: $313.00 |
 2 TIX 7 2 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR C Laredo Energy Arena $234.00 Time Remaining: 29d 11h 31m Buy It Now for only: $234.00 |
 1 5 TIX 12 26 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 127 Joe Louis Arena $101.00 Time Remaining: 15d 12h 49m Buy It Now for only: $101.00 |
 2 TIX 11 12 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 4 Nationwide Arena $290.00 Time Remaining: 18d 7h 56m Buy It Now for only: $290.00 |
 4 TIX 6 4 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 5 Bi Lo Center $369.00 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 1m Buy It Now for only: $369.00 |
 2 TIX 6 25 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 118 Allen County War Memorial $234.00 Time Remaining: 13h 9m Buy It Now for only: $234.00 |
 2 TIX 6 11 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 6 XL Center $257.00 Time Remaining: 20d 20h 48m Buy It Now for only: $257.00 |
 4 TIX 6 11 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 123 XL Center $346.00 Time Remaining: 22d 14h 15m Buy It Now for only: $346.00 |
 2 TIX 6 11 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 4 XL Center $358.00 Time Remaining: 13d 8h 31m Buy It Now for only: $358.00 |
 4 TIX 7 15 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 124 US Airways Center $391.00 Time Remaining: 23d 4h 11m Buy It Now for only: $391.00 |
 2 TIX 6 11 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 3 XL Center $358.00 Time Remaining: 24d 12h 28m Buy It Now for only: $358.00 |
 1 8 TIX 6 11 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 120 XL Center $89.00 Time Remaining: 14d 8h 23m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 |
 2 TIX 8 19 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 107 Staples Center $313.00 Time Remaining: 19d 9h 19m Buy It Now for only: $313.00 |
 2 TIX 8 19 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 107 Staples Center $313.00 Time Remaining: 19d 9h 19m Buy It Now for only: $313.00 |
 2 TIX 8 19 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 107 Staples Center $313.00 Time Remaining: 19d 9h 19m Buy It Now for only: $313.00 |
 2 TIX 10 29 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 1 Time Warner Cable Arena $290.00 Time Remaining: 13d 8h 31m Buy It Now for only: $290.00 |
 2 TIX 10 29 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 4 Time Warner Cable Arena $290.00 Time Remaining: 16d 9h 51m Buy It Now for only: $290.00 |
 1 6 TIX 12 26 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 127 Joe Louis Arena $89.00 Time Remaining: 13h 9m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 |
 2 Tickets WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 5 21 12 Richmond Coliseum $118.00 Time Remaining: 9h 38m Buy It Now for only: $118.00 |
 1 8 TIX 6 11 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 120 XL Center $89.00 Time Remaining: 20d 6h 30m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 |
 2 Tickets WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 6 18 12 Nassau Coliseum $354.00 Time Remaining: 26d 11h 36m Buy It Now for only: $354.00 |
 2 TIX 8 19 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 107 Staples Center $313.00 Time Remaining: 20d 5h 57m Buy It Now for only: $313.00 |
 4 TIX WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 12 29 Verizon Center Sect 113 $411.00 Time Remaining: 3d 8h Buy It Now for only: $411.00 |
 1 8 TIX WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 9 18 Wells Fargo Center PA Sect 123 $106.00 Time Remaining: 29d 8h 21m Buy It Now for only: $106.00 |
 1 10 TIX 7 9 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 116 Pepsi Center $89.00 Time Remaining: 25d 5h 48m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 |
 4 TIX WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 8 19 Staples Center Sect 305 $373.00 Time Remaining: 7d 8h 3m Buy It Now for only: $373.00 |
 2 TIX WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 8 19 Staples Center Sect 119 $443.00 Time Remaining: 18d 9h 55m Buy It Now for only: $443.00 |
 2 TIX 6 4 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 5 Bi Lo Center $234.00 Time Remaining: 19d 10h 35m Buy It Now for only: $234.00 |
 1 6 TIX WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 6 17 Izod Center Sect 127 $128.00 Time Remaining: 24d 9h 10m Buy It Now for only: $128.00 |
 1 5 TIX 8 27 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 208 BMO Harris Bradley Center $78.00 Time Remaining: 26d 11h 24m Buy It Now for only: $78.00 |
 2 TIX 7 2 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR D Laredo Energy Arena $234.00 Time Remaining: 22d 13h 9m Buy It Now for only: $234.00 |
 3 TIX 10 29 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 3 Time Warner Cable Arena $380.00 Time Remaining: 28d 6h 22m Buy It Now for only: $380.00 |
 1 8 Tickets WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 6 18 12 Nassau Coliseum $112.10 Time Remaining: 5d 4h 12m Buy It Now for only: $112.10 |
 1 8 TIX WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 6 16 Tsongas Arena Sect 124 $73.00 Time Remaining: 20d 10h 44m Buy It Now for only: $73.00 |
 2 TIX 7 2 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR D Laredo Energy Arena $234.00 Time Remaining: 20d 7h 45m Buy It Now for only: $234.00 |
 1 6 TIX 9 3 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 10 Allstate Arena $134.00 Time Remaining: 19d 10h 35m Buy It Now for only: $134.00 |
 4 TIX 10 28 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 110 Philips Arena $503.00 Time Remaining: 26d 20h 55m Buy It Now for only: $503.00 |
 2 TIX 8 19 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 106 Staples Center $313.00 Time Remaining: 19d 6h 8m Buy It Now for only: $313.00 |
 1 8 TIX 8 27 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 206 BMO Harris Bradley Center $78.00 Time Remaining: 26d 11h 24m Buy It Now for only: $78.00 |
 4 TIX 7 10 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 7 N World Arena $638.00 Time Remaining: 22d 17h 45m Buy It Now for only: $638.00 |
 2 TIX 11 12 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 2 Nationwide Arena $346.00 Time Remaining: 18d 6h 21m Buy It Now for only: $346.00 |
 4 TIX 11 12 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 107 Nationwide Arena $346.00 Time Remaining: 18d 7h 56m Buy It Now for only: $346.00 |
 2 TIX 7 2 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR D Laredo Energy Arena $234.00 Time Remaining: 21d 8h 55m Buy It Now for only: $234.00 |
 2 TIX 7 2 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR A Laredo Energy Arena $257.00 Time Remaining: 24d 9h 33m Buy It Now for only: $257.00 |
 2 TIX 7 2 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR C Laredo Energy Arena $234.00 Time Remaining: 26d 5h 36m Buy It Now for only: $234.00 |
 4 TIX WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 8 19 Staples Center Sect 8 PREM $716.00 Time Remaining: 21d 7h 53m Buy It Now for only: $716.00 |
 1 8 TIX 7 2 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 113 Laredo Energy Arena $73.00 Time Remaining: 23d 12h 21m Buy It Now for only: $73.00 |
 1 5 TIX WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 6 16 Tsongas Arena Sect RING G $149.00 Time Remaining: 24d 9h 9m Buy It Now for only: $149.00 |
 1 8 TIX WWE World Wrestling Entertainment 6 16 Tsongas Arena Sect 102 $88.00 Time Remaining: 24d 10h 51m Buy It Now for only: $88.00 |
 2 TIX 8 27 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 3 BMO Harris Bradley Center $234.00 Time Remaining: 26d 11h 24m Buy It Now for only: $234.00 |
 2 TIX 10 29 WWE World Wrestling Entertainment FLR 3 Time Warner Cable Arena $402.00 Time Remaining: 14d 8h 23m Buy It Now for only: $402.00 |