What exactly is telling a story in a match?

[NotAnFBIagent]

I see this fairly often on here, mainly as a way to speak against "spot fests" , but not sure what it's supposed to mean
If it's a heated rivalry u expect them to go after each other hard without the usual feeling out at the beginning
Or if it's a chicken shyt heel character u expect those type of tactics

But expand on this idea of story telling

 

[dbp]

I think it's when there's a logical plan for each wrestler, like an obstacle to overcome. Similar to a movie hero.

Bret vs Diesel back in the day was a classic David vs Goliath. Bret was trying to get Diesel off his feet so he could even the odds, being the smaller man and all. Diesel just wanted to stay upright, because he knew he could whip that ass. So Bret constantly tries to work the leg.

Or Bret / Austin how it started like a school yard fight because they were 2 heated rivals. Austin "losing", but refusing to tap out tells story of him having guts, rather than just losing by a pinfall or something.

Stuff like that is how I interpret it.

 

[Cladyclad]

That whole story in a match is bullshyt to me.

 

[TOAD99]

I thought Zayn/Naka told a great story even though they weren't rivals.

Started the match with mutual respect. Zayn trying to show that he is still the man in NXT and Naka trying to become the man.

As Naka amped up the stiffness and disrespect, zayn who is usually "respectful" begins to throw closed fists and the head stomps bc that's the only way he would win.

At the end there is a passing of the torch, mutual respect. Great shyt. Logical match progression

But I'm no expert

 

[MushroomX]

There are many different variables in "telling a story"

• Selling a injury, Broken arm; one person is trying to re-break the arm, so focusing the attacks.
• When a person is beaten up on the leg with kicks, they are expected to limp after so many attacks, selling the injury.
• If the match goes longer, its suppose to be exhausting; so if Cena hits a AA after 45 mins, he wont just jump on the person, instead he will collapse and catch his breathe and then make the cover.
• If there is a storyline, like a Baseball bat, it must be used a the end all weapon

There are many more, but that is just some. You are selling injuries and fatigue to a crowd.

 

[MeltzerDirtySprite]

The best WM match of all time, Told the story of Hart and Austin turning. Hart was bitter and tired of getting fukked over. So he turned heel during the match, Austin was a heel but showed great heart so the fans switched over him.

 

[JuvenileHell]

Or Bret / Austin how it started like a school yard fight because they were 2 heated rivals. Austin "losing", but refusing to tap out tells story of him having guts, rather than just losing by a pinfall or something.

One of the GOAT finishes That shot of Austin's bloody face in agony right before he passes out is iconic.

I also want to add on Bret beating up on Austin after the match was a great piece of storytelling too, because it resulted in the double turn for the both of them.

 

[The Prince of All Saiyans]

The best WM match of all time, Told the story of Hart and Austin turning. Hart was bitter and tired of getting fukked over. So he turned heel during the match, Austin was a heel but showed great heart so the fans switched over him.

hard to debate

 

[Silkk]

HBK vs Flair

 

[Beautiful Bobby Eatin]

Honestly even something as simple as Reigns vs Lesnar had a story. Unstoppable beast vs up and coming never say die hero (wether you like him or not tgats the story) The match was laid out as Lesnar beating the dogshyt out of Reigns and Reigns taking all of it and at one point even smiling. Virtually any match you enjoy as a classic usually has a great story. Beware though. Once you learn the ins and outs of a great story in a match you become a "neckbeard" somehow.

 

[DamonDashsRocAFellaChain]

A good match is like a good movie - it has suspense, action, and a finish... unless its a Dusty finish, and then it's open for a sequel.

 

[Kill Dat Noize]

i can tell you exactly how the hogan/warrior match at wrestlemania 6 unfolded.

the match begins with a slow build of each guy just measuring up their opponent. first it looks like hogan might be stronger, then it looks like warrior might be stronger. both are in awe of the other one's power. eventually it becomes more of a wrestling match and you see the two start to have more meaningful exchanges. their wits, their strength, and their resilience are all tested. it would take a superhuman to take those blows from hogan and still be standing, yet warrior looks like he's getting even stronger. meanwhile hogan prove once again why he's the immortal one after KICKING OUT of warrior's gorilla press slam, something no one has ever done. in the end though he couldn't keep warrior down long enough to score the victory. warrior dodges the leg drop and gets the win.

there's a story there, a narrative. not only that but as it unfolds we learn something about the characters.

compare that to powerbomb - reverse neckbreaker - suicide dive - spear through the announce table - high spot - kick out - high spot - kick out - high spot - kick out - counter - counter - counter -... guys just exchanging random moves on each other with no rhyme or reason, not building to anything and not giving those individual moments any time to resonate. no narrative or logical progression, not learning anything about the characters during the match.

 

[richaveli83]

There are many different variables in "telling a story"

• Selling a injury, Broken arm; one person is trying to re-break the arm, so focusing the attacks.
• When a person is beaten up on the leg with kicks, they are expected to limp after so many attacks, selling the injury.
• If the match goes longer, its suppose to be exhausting; so if Cena hits a AA after 45 mins, he wont just jump on the person, instead he will collapse and catch his breathe and then make the cover.
• If there is a storyline, like a Baseball bat, it must be used a the end all weapon

There are many more, but that is just some. You are selling injuries and fatigue to a crowd.

The best WM match of all time, Told the story of Hart and Austin turning. Hart was bitter and tired of getting fukked over. So he turned heel during the match, Austin was a heel but showed great heart so the fans switched over him.

This.

 

[Berniewood Hogan]

IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE THE STRENGTH TO PICK UP A TWO THOUSAND POUND GIANT, BROTHER!

 

[Dog Based Gremlin]

That whole story in a match is bullshyt to me.

I cringe too when they say a good story was told in the ring

It just comes off too "its still reall to me damnit"