4. Stories Based in Reality
When I say reality, it is a bit of a stretch in the world of pro wrestling; needless to say though at this time in wrestling the WWF, WCW and ECW collectively managed to blur the lines between reality and, to use and insider term, kayfabe so brilliantly that it almost reminded you of something out of your own life or something you heard happened to someone you know. Take for example ECW's storyline where The Sandman was blinded by Tommy Dreamer; post match we see video footage of Tommy Dreamer being held back by staff and talent, both good guys and bad guys, as he screams he is sorry to The Sandman and his valet (which I think was supposed to be his mistress too) whilst she yells obscenities at him for going too far as they both get into a waiting ambulance with paramedics. To see good and bad wrestlers co mingling over a hurt wrestler was almost sacrilegious, in Japan that is still frowned upon today (seriously, no joke!). Add to that, Sandman was out of action for about a month I believe and he LITERALLY stayed home, did not leave the house to feed the rumour that he is genuinely blind, that was and still is unheard of in the business. This was the kind of storyline that fed into the heads of fans and cynics who didn't watch wrestling because of how fake it was. You also had WCW, who had police turn up once when the nWo fought with Rey Mysterio and a few other wrestlers out in the recording and tech area because locals genuinely thought a fight had broke out among the wrestlers. WCW was also the king of spontaneity, things happening spur of the moment, at least so they would seem, to keep fans thinking that anything could happen on the show. In the WWF camp? Well there was DX turning up at WCW HQ and "declaring war" on the rival wrestling brand in the middle of a live show. WWF also had the huge ongoing rivalry between Vince McMahon (WWE CEO for those who don't know) and Steve Austin; which ,whilst at times got a bit OTT, we all fed into because I think we all have that yearning inside of taking it to our boss whenever he gets in your face about something work related that you feel is unjustified; how badly you just want to kick him in the gut and Stone Cold Stunner him???