I thought we left that behind us
Watched WM31 live yesterday. At night, because I am from germany. Keep that in mind when reading no.
I didn't believe what I saw in the middle of the event - a heel named "Russev" that is marketed as russian, entering the arena with an effing TANK and pieces of artillery, waving around russian (or was it ukrainian?) flags. At least this time no pictures of Putin in the back. And then when Cena enters ... a montage of all-out american symbols and patriotic moments!? WTF!?
Seriously, what'S going on here, is it the cold war all over again? And didn't we all leave this kind of crap behind us, dressing wrestlers as citizens of other (enemy) nations as idiots and villains so you can openly crucify him in the ring, boo until your throat is sore and then get a kick out of it when he loses?
Some of you will say "aw, come on, this is wrestling, it is harmless fun". I disagree. See, wrestling is SUPPOSED to be harmless fun. And, more importantly, everybody except the youngest and dumbest of fans should know that wrestling is fake. But, if you know that wrestling is fake, and the storylines and so on ... why on earth do you need a setup like this then?
This is propaganda, very low-brow propaganda with the subtlety of a sledgehammer I might add. Please don't tell me that this is harmless or a joke. This WILL have an effect on the audience, consciously or subconsciously, especially when you are part of a capacity crowd like this. You don't want to hear that, but that's EXACTLY how facism works and what the nazis did.
Remember Rocky IV? At least, that one had an ending that was pleading for peace and to cut down on the hate. WM 31? It throws you back 2 or 3 decades. And if you still think this is harmless, then ask yourself why they didn't have an arab/muslim guy as the villain instead.
This is a prime example why the USA has a bad reputation right now. That match yesterday was beyond eye-rolling and thinking "ah, those 'mericuns again", it was more or less a punch in the face. Good thing that most russians are actually way more relaxed and humorous than you think.
Anyway, I just had to get that out of my system. This is less of an attack of mine, BTW, I don't want to insult and I am more interested in a discussion than just ranting. How did you perceive this part of the show? Did you enjoy it? Do you think it was exaggerated or out of the place? Do you think this kind of stuff is normal for wrestling? Do you think the population is able to not see this is propaganda and be unaffected?
I really want to know.