10 Live Observations From Glasgow's WWE TV Tapings
6. As Seen On TV
It's been said before in previous WhatCulture live reviews, but the message always rings true - if you ever have an opportunity to attend a taping, you absolutely should. As wrestling fans, the WWE live experience always has charm, but to take your place in their studio audience when the red light is on really does give depth and dimension to your experience as a fan.
There's a magic to seeing a TV show getting recorded that somehow is as fascinating as it is nerdy. Even if you're not particularly into techie talk or TV production, it's hard not to marvel at the way the WWE produces and presents Raw and Smackdown Live. As a hybrid of live theatre, circus and sport, it's a challenging and diverse scenario to create each week, but they do it with admiral aplomb.
Raw in particular is a complex menagerie of changeovers and misdirects that all responsible should be proud of. It's the slickest it's ever been. The crack crew turned Raw purple for the Cruiserweight segment in less time than it took to get a pint at the bar (A LOT time less, according to some angry emojis on Twitter), then changed it back again before anybody even remotely got restless. A favourite for regular TV attendees, you'll also get to see the peculiar sight of some of your favourite stars give you both barrels as they make their familiar entrance to the ring, only to immediately be plunged into complete darkness so they can stand dead still to watch a Brock Lesnar promo or KFC advert on the Titantron. Then, as if that never happened, the character miraculously springs back to life as the show returns from the ad break. There's a reason they're called 'talent', and it's often where many don't get the credit they deserve. It's in this environment where you see them, bad acting and all, as TV stars, not pro wrestlers. It's ironic how they sometimes fail to project that through the screen itself, and it gives you more understanding of why much emphasis at the Performance Centre appears to be on establishing a greater connection with the viewer at home. In the flesh, WWE are a world class entertainment outfit and you buy into the commitment of every member of their travelling band the moment you take your seat.
And yes, wrestlers are just massive. All of them. Massive.