Pro-Wrestling On My Mind

I never got into Pinterest, but, if I had, I know who my inspo board would have been dedicated to. My favorite ring announcer and, as far as I am concerned, the queen of The Temple on "Lucha Underground," Melissa Santos. That was HER ring and everyone else was just lucky to be able to enter it. Of course I always tuned in to see the amazing wrestling, but, very quickly, seeing what fabulous look Melissa would be wearing on the latest episode also became an additional major motivation for watching "Lucha Underground." She could pull off anything. The woman's outfits never missed. She. Never. Missed! Of course, nice outfits alone don't make an amazing announcer. Melissa Santos always set the tone for each match with the passion in her voice, her gestures, and her facial expressions. And she was willing to get involved in storylines (I'm inching closer and closer to that on my rewatch and I'm super excited) to enhance the experience. Her relationship wi...

“Never do that again Cole, there’s people listening.” - Wade Barrett during the Women’s Royal Rumble The above quote made me laugh and inspired today's post.  The quality of commentary can have such a major impact on pro-wrestling. It’s not necessary for enjoyment, as attending a live event makes clear, but it can greatly enhance or detract from the experience when watching on TV or streaming. Good commentary can elevate an average match to good and great to legendary. Conversely, bad commentary belittles, if not ruins, a match; it can distract from talent and even harm careers. There have been many times over the years where poor commentary has made me reach for (or want to reach for in instances when it was not me in control of the remote) the mute button. Every time Jerry Lawler so much as mentioned women during the Attitude Era filled me with disgust and my brain tried to transform his voice to sound like a teacher from the “Peanuts” cartoons. Michael Cole’s tenure at attemptin...