Wrestlemania is almost upon us, and with it, so is the WWE Hall of Fame. It has grown to become an honour that some within the industry will now mark as their greatest achievement. Since 2004 the ceremony has been a huge part of Wrestlemania weekend and may even be just as anticipated. The show is always a highlight full of respect and class. Most of the time. There’s really only one big problem. WWE knows what a cash cow this can be and thus sells tickets annually, inviting the public to attend. This often times sadly causes certain fans who attend to believe that they are actually at a wrestling show and not a Hall of Fame ceremony. Every year I watch, and every year I cringe as fans perpetuate the stereotype of wrestling fans as boorish, rude, and unsophisticated deviants. Not all fans but far too many. It is in that spirit that I present this article. Consider it an etiquette guide for the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony if you happen to be attending.

Let’s start with the dress code. No, there isn’t an official one (although there should be), so let’s consider this a respect code instead. I understand that this is a WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, and as such pro wrestling related, however it is also an awards ceremony. Before grabbing your jeans or wife beater or halter top ask yourself this question: Would I be allowed to wear this to the Oscars? Or the Grammys? Or the NFL Hall of Fame ceremony? If the answer is no, please put it away and choose something a bit more dressy. Dressing up in costume is not okay either. Even if it looks real good and you grew out your moustache and hair to look like them. Even if you spent weeks making the costume of someone being honoured (or worse, someone not even there). You should have used that time to phone around and find a dress or a tie which is all I’m asking for. It doesn’t have to be a tuxedo, or an evening gown, just something that would be acceptable at say, a wedding. If you’re reading this and think you get a pass for wearing your Ultimate Warrior t-shirt because you’re showing your support for him, I applaud you for a creative counter point, but no you do not. The Ultimate Warrior gets royalties from that shirt you bought, so that is plenty thanks enough. If you’re still not convinced, please ponder this thought: When looking around at the crowd of the Hall of Fame ceremony, how are the WWE staff dressed? Although I will admit that some of them look ridiculous (Rey Mysterio and Kane wearing masks, Michael Hayes wearing… anything that he wears) they still put the in the effort to wear their best while honouring the best. If John Cena and Daniel Bryan have to dress up, perhaps you should take that as a sign to wear something with buttons on it.

Next let’s talk about vocalization. Now, this is a very touchy subject with some fans, and there is a fine line here between support and sacrilege, so not only do I understand where the confusion here can come in, but I will tread lightly. We as pro wrestling fans are a passionate bunch, and that’s a great thing, and like most great things it is perfectly acceptable in the right situation. You just don’t want things to go too far. For example, applauding for Shane McMahon because you are happy to see him at the show is acceptable, encouraged even. I’d say feel free to start a Shane O’ Mac chant if you’re really excited. He’d probably be very flattered. Once you feel the need to shout out “Are you high?” (yes this really happened) you need to stop yourself. No matter how funny you think you are, you are not there to entertain the audience. You are there to show respect to the men and women who entertained you and others for years while they receive a great tribute to that work. Because that is what the night is about, their work in the wonderful world of pro wrestling. Now here is where things get tricky. Some inductees may want to talk about their personal lives, but if they do not, it is not your job to bring up subjects they may want to keep private. Lita was a ground breaking performer in professional wrestling, but I fear her speech, which should be a highlight for her, will become ruined with some attention seeking fans who feel the need to yell the names of her past lovers at her, throwing personal pasts in her face like stones, salivating at the thought of someone finding them edgy, cool, or “smart” for doing so. This is not appropriate. It is rude. We all know that The Ultimate Warrior has said some very controversial things both in front of the camera and behind it. Yes, before getting clean Jake Roberts was a mess. I would wager the last thing these people want on a night of tribute is their mistakes paraded in front of them from a crowd that supposedly loves them and bought their tickets to show their “respect”. If you cannot control this impulse, then you do not respect that individual enough to do so.

Well, what if you don’t respect the individual? Take the sad case of Drew Carey, who’s only crime was not being a wrestler. While I do agree that to a certain degree it is ludicrous to have a comic and TV game show host inducted into a pro wrestling hall of fame, I also think it is unfair to crucify them for accepting the honour. You certainly have a right to be upset, but to boo someone off the stage is the wrong way to go about it. If you are really THAT upset over it, then the reasonable, mature thing to do is to sit at home and forego buying a ticket, even if that means missing out. That sends a message to Vince McMahon. Chanting at someone who doesn’t deserve it tells the whole world that you’re nothing but a bully. It says that you’re not willing to do anything actionable to effect change, instead you’ll only rebel when it’s convenient and you can direct it at someone who can’t do anything about it. If this describes you, please take the following steps when this urge arises: Excuse yourself to use the restroom or step outside for a smoke break. If the chant monkey on your back is too strong it will even be acceptable using your phone in an attempt to distract yourself, but please, restrain yourself from ruining it for everyone else.

Finally, let us discuss mindset. Normally this is not something that is easily seen when watching a Hall of Fame ceremony, but the actions that occur because of it make it all the more crystal clear, and as good a reason as any to bring it up, as I truly believe this is the linchpin to the entire Hall of Fame etiquette idea. How you perceive the show and yourself is the key. First, how do you see the show? Before you answer, think about how the show is presented. The WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is usually broadcast from a theatre or other type of venue, where all those involved are dressed up in their absolute best. It is a show that revolves around speeches and rarely if ever are those speeches about entertaining the crowd there. As a matter of fact, it’s quite different from a pro wrestling show. It’s not even like other televised awards shows with musical guests and entertainment. It’s more low key than that. It’s almost as if the driving force behind the show is NOT about entertaining the audience. Now it is understandable if this idea confuses you, after all, since the Monday Night Wars you have been conditioned to believe that it is in fact all about you. However, this is not the case here. I’m sure we would all love “one more match”, but that isn’t decided by whether or not you chant it. I would like to see Randy Savage inducted into the Hall of Fame as much as anyone, but bringing a Macho Man sign to a Hall of Fame show doesn’t matter, because once you’ve bought the ticket, you’ve already endorsed it. This night is about the inductees, their career, and their legacy. If you see the show differently, then perhaps your mind set is not what it should be going into this type of event. If this is something you cannot rectify, then it may be best if you just stayed home.

I know some will cry foul and use the time honoured excuse of “I paid my ticket, and as such, I am entitled to chant anything I damn well please.”, and you would be correct. That is the beauty of living in a free society. Please remember that I am not saying you can’t say or do these things, just that you shouldn’t, and that if you do, you’re not the kind of fan I would want at the Hall of Fame. That’s how most of these ceremonies operate anyway. Could you imagine someone getting away with these kinds of actions at a graduation ceremony, or at a Nobel awards ceremony? No, because people who disrupt those prestigious ceremonies (as the Hall of Fame is meant to be) are promptly rejected. Because Vince McMahon is a businessman, he tolerates this kind of behaviour in an effort to keep you coming back. He has given you the choice to act like a classy, respectful representative of pro wrestling fans or like a disrespectful, selfish heckler, only interested in themselves. You paid your ticket, and that choice is yours because of it. But if you choose the latter, just remember, heckler is a negative term for a reason. And if you ever want people to respect your hobby the way they respect other forms of entertainment, that begins with you.



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