Rob Van Dam believes that maintaining kayfabe would be an impossible task in the modern era of pro wrestling.
On a recent edition of his “1 Of A Kind” podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer discussed the concept of kayfabe and how it is relevant in today’s scenario.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On why overt kayfabe wouldn’t work today: “Now that we have MMA, we have something to compare it to, and because of those reasons and just evolution, people evolving, fans, we can never go back in time and we couldn’t still be passing off the same agenda necessarily… There is still a lot of hidden kayfabe where the fans think they know stuff but they really don’t. Let’s just say, somebody’s reputation came in question recently in the media and the news. How many people were shocked about it, how many people weren’t? That kind of stuff.”
On the lack of kayfabe in the ring: “I just wish people could be in the mindset when they’re in the ring. Because they’re not, it takes away from it, it takes away from the moment, it takes away from the misdirection, which takes away from people involving their emotion into it… I want someone to think that I’m actually going to get you then I wait until the very last second, that’s exciting. It’s different now because of the lack of kayfabe.”
You can keep up with all your wrestling news right here on eWrestlingNews.com. Or, you can follow us over on our Twitter and Facebook pages.
In the world of professional wrestling, the concept of kayfabe has been a fundamental element for decades. Kayfabe refers to the portrayal of events and storylines as real, even though they are scripted and predetermined. It is the art of maintaining the illusion that what happens in the wrestling ring is genuine and unscripted. However, WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam believes that maintaining kayfabe would be an impossible task in the modern era of pro wrestling.
During a recent episode of his podcast, “1 Of A Kind,” Van Dam discussed the relevance of kayfabe in today’s wrestling landscape. He acknowledged that while there is still some hidden kayfabe in the industry, it has become increasingly challenging to uphold the illusion due to various factors.
One of the reasons why overt kayfabe wouldn’t work today, according to Van Dam, is the rise of mixed martial arts (MMA). With MMA providing a legitimate combat sport for comparison, it becomes harder for wrestling to pass off scripted events as real. Fans now have a point of reference to distinguish between genuine competition and scripted entertainment. This evolution in combat sports has made it difficult to maintain the same agenda as before.
Van Dam also highlighted the lack of kayfabe in the ring as a contributing factor. He expressed his desire for wrestlers to be fully immersed in their characters and storylines during their performances. When wrestlers are not fully committed to the illusion, it takes away from the moment and diminishes the emotional investment of the audience. Van Dam emphasized the importance of misdirection and suspense in wrestling, where fans should genuinely believe that something unexpected might happen at any moment.
Despite the challenges, Van Dam acknowledged that there is still some hidden kayfabe in wrestling. Fans may think they know everything about a wrestler’s personal life or behind-the-scenes dynamics, but there are still secrets and surprises that can catch them off guard. He cited recent instances where a wrestler’s reputation came into question, and the reaction of fans varied. These moments demonstrate that there is still some level of hidden kayfabe that keeps fans guessing.
In conclusion, Rob Van Dam believes that maintaining kayfabe in the modern era of pro wrestling is nearly impossible. The rise of MMA and the lack of commitment to the illusion in the ring have made it challenging to uphold the same level of suspension of disbelief. However, there is still some hidden kayfabe that keeps fans intrigued and engaged. Wrestling continues to evolve, and while kayfabe may not be as prominent as it once was, it remains an integral part of the industry’s history and legacy.