In the early days of the internet, Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) served as the primary gathering place for wrestling fans- these text-based forums allowed for discussions, sharing of news, and basic forms of online interaction. Usenet newsgroups, like rec.sport.pro-wrestling and rec.sport.pro-wrestling.moderated, became a central hub for wrestling conversations, providing a platform for fans to share opinions, debate feuds, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. As the internet evolved, dedicated forums and websites emerged, providing more structured and organized platforms for wrestling conversations.
During the beginning of forums in the 1990s, they were dedicated to WWE, WCW, and ECW, allowing fans to have in-depth discussions regarding their favorite brands. Something very notable about forum discussions during that time is that many fans thought WCW was previously known as the NWA. Before being known as WCW, the company was branded Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP), which was a member of the NWA. Although the NWA was acting as a governing body for regional wrestling promotions, JCP represented the organization with its show names having "NWA" in the titles. Since JCP was such a major presence on national television, many fans thought JCP was the NWA, instead of a member of the governing body. This misunderstanding was often reflected during forum discussions with statements such as "the NWA changed to WCW", when in reality, in 1988, Ted Turner purchased JCP, and the company was rebranded to WCW.
Along with forums that focused on major promotions, the Inside The Squared Circle website was created in the late 1990s by a long-running public access TV show in Maryland (1989–2014) of the same name, which not only included links to forums for discussions about major promotions, but also a forum for discussion about the independent scene as well. Independent pro-wrestling promoters eventually began using this forum to promote their shows, knowing that many independent pro-wrestling fans visited it. Another notable forum was the Mid-Southern Wrestling message board, which was created to focus on the Tennessee wrestling scene, but pro-wrestling in general was discussed there.
Some online forums became a center for heated debates, with fans passionately arguing about feuds, match quality, and wrestling philosophies, with fans quick to say, "You're a mark" to anyone who disagreed with them. One of the most heated forums was INDYMESSAGEBOARD.COM- the line between fans and members of the industry was very thin, as wrestlers, referees, and promoters posted on the forum often, taking backstage talk public and making personal attacks on each other and promoters. If a promoter wasn't paying, a wrestler was faking an injury, or if there was any other drama, INDYMESSAGEBOARD.COM was usually where it was announced.
In the late 1990s through the mid-2000s, it was common for wrestlers and wrestling organizations to have forums and chat rooms on their official websites for fans to discuss matches and feuds. One of the earliest examples comes from former WCW star The Stro. After his time in WCW, The Stro provided forums on his website for fans to have general discussions about professional wrestling. Personal wrestler sites like The Stro's were the first time fans felt they had a direct line to the wrestlers, which paved the way for wrestlers being highly active on X today.
While dedicated forums still exist, social media platforms like X and Facebook have become the primary hubs for wrestling discussions. Social media has made wrestling fandom more accessible, allowing fans to connect with each other and wrestlers more easily. It also allows for real-time interaction and engagement, as well as high-speed viral moments, creating a more dynamic and interactive fan experience.
Online wrestling communities laid the foundation for the modern wrestling fandom, shaping the way fans engage with the industry. Online forums and archives serve as resources for documenting fan perspectives and how they interacted with each other. Both of them represent a significant chapter in the history of wrestling fandom. These spaces provided a platform for fans to connect and express their passion over a decade before the rise of social media.
No comments:
Post a Comment