They may not be as young as they once were, or as strong, fast or athletic, but Undertaker and Triple H showed the most valuable tool a pro wrestler can have is a mind for the business that understands how to tell a story.
Watching it (twice now) I found myself noticing how slow the pace was in the match, yet still fully involved with the incredible compelling story being presented. I look at a match such as this, the art form it is, & wish I could explain it to someone, who doesn’t watch, but you either get it or you don’t.
When I tell people I watch & enjoy wrestling I often get the same response, people are surprised and tell me it’s stupid, or fake, etc. You’ve all heard it a thousand times. I try to shift the subject, usually to movies, and find something they like. If they enjoy Jackie Chan movie, or Rocky or something similar I talk up the movie, talk about how great it is, then subtlety point out how it’s fake and the ending is predetermined but that doesn’t stop you from enjoying it when it’s well done and you can lose yourself in the moment, just like watching wrestling.
This usually stops them in their tracks.
Storytelling is told in 3 acts, a short opening introducing the characters, a longer middle act which introduces a twist to propel the story forward at some point, and the climatic 3rd. A great pro wrestling match features the same.
In the Taker & HHH match the ring introductions and opening sequence trading hands until they spill out of the ring is act 1,when HHH takes his backdrop from the table letting us know how physical & serious this match is act 2 begins. The twist in it is when Taker brings the chair into the ring, the 3rd act starts when Triple H tells the phenom to stay down. 3 acts just perfect storytelling.
Little things, like Hunter crossing Undertaker’s arms and sticking his tongue out in a copy of the dead man’s famous pin after the tombstone then backing up in shock & just a touch of fear after the kickout is the little things that enhance the story. This is the equivalent good characterization in a film.
And this is why I could watch the match again tomorrow, next week, in a year or in 5. And this is why MMA, which I enjoy & even watch more of than wrestling is in the end just a sporting event that I enjoy but when it’s done it’s done, it doesn’t play with my emotion and bring me up and down in the same way.
Undertaker and Triple H is an example of why I love wrestling & respect the performers. Sleep well tonight gentleman, you’ve earned it.
