Resident Evil Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Thoughts as they come to my head Body Language in wrestling. Here's a topic that I think should be talked about more but isn't. Why? Because it's very hard to. Sure there are obvious body language signs but often times there aren't. They can hit us square in the face but we'll still don't know what hit us. Someone can mention to their friend how they knew someone was nervous/confident/attracted to them/happy/sad/distant or magnetic. Ask them how they know this and they'll say "I don't know." Obvious or subtle, it's something that's very difficult to describe which is amazing for something that hits us so hard. We'll see this in wrestling as well. Someone will say "I think Michaels is better than say wrestler X" but not really be able to make a case for it. This is one aspect of the game where I think a wrestler like Michaels shines at and actually makes him better than some of the wrestlers that are thought of to be better in the upper echelon IWC community. It's hard to describe this so a fan can just end up flustered in an argument saying something like "He is just better" and he ends up playing the opinion card. We do end up talking about somewhat. Sometimes we call it "facials" or "in ring charisma" or selling or wrestling for the person in the back row of the audience in comparison to someone in the first row. But I feel it's always looked over and its importance neglected when we talk about wrestling. Some of it is almost impossible to talk about such as the subtle stuff when you're watching it on TV. I described in one post how important the Macho Man's pointing to the sky was in helping his career out and how it helped make his matches more epic. I have mentioned before how brilliant a move Tiger Mask's dancing taunt is and how it makes him a better wrestler etc. But it's just not that pointing to the sky bit that helps Savage out. Everything he did in the ring was strong body language wise and contributed to him being a super wrestler. In fact, for this department I would say he was top 10 of all time. A higher ranking than most would give him as an overall wrestler as the SC list demonstrated. I have discovered that the body language thing is a strong factor in me thinking who the best wrestlers are. Who I end up liking and who I end up not caring about. I also think it plays a big factor with the crowd. Some stars who I feel are tremendous at the body language and because of it should be even thought of in higher regards when it comes to wrestling: Macho Man Randy Savage The Rock -- An example of an exaggerated body language user Steve Austin Dynamite Kid who's super at the subtle and the non subtle stuff Shawn Michaels which is why he is as popular as he is once you leave the IWC upper echelon Chris Benoit whose intense body language matches his charactor so, so well. The Lyger Anyone have any thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bix Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 This is a really transparent and overly long way to troll me and Loss about Lawler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuttsy Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Terry Funk. The punch drunk sell, swinging at anything that moves. The way he slowly walks to the ring, as if taking it all in. The man has mystique about him and his body language matches it accordingly, whether his role is the veteran underdog, tough old bastard or general maniac, he knows how to be all that and more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resident Evil Posted January 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 This is a really transparent and overly long way to troll me and Loss about Lawler. Actually, it isn't and I'm kind of surprised you'd say that. I consider Loss a good friend and I would never troll him. What really inspired this was Michaels, Macho Man and Benoit's crawling back to his feet after hitting a superplex against Bret Hart in their 6/98 match. Terry Funk. The punch drunk sell, swinging at anything that moves. The way he slowly walks to the ring, as if taking it all in. The man has mystique about him and his body language matches it accordingly, rather his role is the veteran underdog, tough old bastard or general maniac, he knows how to be all that and more. Very true. Speaking of walking down to the ring, I'm reminded of Eddie Guerrero in 97 as a heel. Awesome stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sek69 Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 I think this discussion begins and ends with William Regal. Also, I've always liked Taker's body language. There may not be anyone else ever in wrestling so perfectly tailored to their gimmick. The spot where someone hits him from behind and he does that look back where he snaps his head like "who the fuck you think you are?" makes me mark out every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Waco Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Taker is just a master of capturing, creating and conveying the dramatic moment in general. I think a part of this is for years his gimmick pretty much precluded him from having good matches in the conventional sense, so he was forced to develop a schtick that catered toward "popping" the crowd based on moments. Obviously the sit-up spot was part of him from day one, but he's worked on variations and themes of that since then. Even things like adjusting his gloves, flipping his hair back, et. can add to his bouts. He's also REALLY good at changing speed and pace at just the right moments, whether it be for an upswing "take it home" kind of run, or just a comeback spot, or whatever. Taker is really underrated and it's really not surprisingly at all that he's done so many good and interesting things with broken down or underdevloped wrestlers over the last few years (Orton, Angle, Michaels, Kennedy, Khali). To me Liger is a master of body language, whether it be subtle or overt. Obviously he's known for his taunts, but even the way he bounces off of certain fakes, or titls his weight during certain moves and stances fits his charactor and makes him more interesting in the ring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuttsy Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 I'll co-sign Liger and add Tajiri, for many of the same reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sek69 Posted January 30, 2007 Report Share Posted January 30, 2007 Kane, who got over as both a monster heel and a sympathetic face with a mask that allowed no facial expression at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loss Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 To me, there's never really been anyone better -- ever -- than Eddy Guerrero at facial expressions and body language. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 I agree with Loss. Eddie's contrasting body language and facials between face and heel were great. Babyface: Always smiling, having a good time, high-fiving the fans, dancing, very wide-eyed. Heel: Slow-moving, sneering, looking angry, much more closed-eyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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