Post by Turnbuckle Zealot(Phil) on Jan 20, 2014 23:58:58 GMT -5
The advent & introduction of broadcast television is often described as the "defibrillator to Professional Wrestling's heart" after the near death the American, cultural phenomenon in the 1940s. The revolutionary invention has firmly held the title of "America's favorite entertainment medium" for the last 56 years, & it's debut decade was no exception.
With stars the likes of Mr. Moto, The Sheik, Ray Stevens, Antonino Rocca, Reggie "The Crusher" Lisowski, Verne Gagne, Gorgeous George, Whipper Billy Watson, Eduoard Carpentier, Killer Kowalski, & Lou Thesz leading the charge as the inaugural, Undisputed, World's Heavyweight Wrestling Champion of the NWA, Professional Wrestling ruled the roost of American Television's 12 hour broadcast.
However, the cheap, original programing didn't merely showcase the grapplers, referees, & ring announcers as was customary in the past. Due to the lack of knowledge(As was common with many programs of the time) possessed by the common television owner, an informative guide was needed to convey the holds, moments, & stories in the ring. Thus, the wrestling commentator was born.
Pioneering voices such as Ves Box of Texas Wrasslin from the Dallas Sportatorium reflected the state of the medium of televised speaking. Many announcers of the age were inventing the rules as they went along due to the infancy of the practice.
Since no similar practices with the exception of Radio & film acting existed prior, the early days of the craft were the definition of "On the job training" or improvisation depending on your perspective.
The evolution of this new element was eased by the inclusion of a partner for the hold by hold analyst.
Generally a retired wrestler with great insight(but often subpar skills in the oratory department) the "Color Commentator" gave an inside view to the match & created a dialogue to breathe further life into the practice.
This leads us to a question of distinction.
Which man from Wrestling's story history in front of the camera has the strongest claim to the distinction of the best "Color man" to ever hold down the second seat at the announce table.
As opposed to stating a name, I'll share an unfinished list of qualities that are paramount to a competent color commentator in no particular order.
Bringing personal insight to the match an empirical perspective.
Adding to the feeling of significance to the matches they're calling.
Assist the play by play announcer in telling the story from the point of view possessed by participants of the match.
These are only a trio of the needed criteria.
Contribute your comments, theses, diatribes, essays, summaries, questions or partisan opinions on the criteria of good commentating as well as the names who did it best, held their own, or simply disgraced the position & let's see what we come up with.
With stars the likes of Mr. Moto, The Sheik, Ray Stevens, Antonino Rocca, Reggie "The Crusher" Lisowski, Verne Gagne, Gorgeous George, Whipper Billy Watson, Eduoard Carpentier, Killer Kowalski, & Lou Thesz leading the charge as the inaugural, Undisputed, World's Heavyweight Wrestling Champion of the NWA, Professional Wrestling ruled the roost of American Television's 12 hour broadcast.
However, the cheap, original programing didn't merely showcase the grapplers, referees, & ring announcers as was customary in the past. Due to the lack of knowledge(As was common with many programs of the time) possessed by the common television owner, an informative guide was needed to convey the holds, moments, & stories in the ring. Thus, the wrestling commentator was born.
Pioneering voices such as Ves Box of Texas Wrasslin from the Dallas Sportatorium reflected the state of the medium of televised speaking. Many announcers of the age were inventing the rules as they went along due to the infancy of the practice.
Since no similar practices with the exception of Radio & film acting existed prior, the early days of the craft were the definition of "On the job training" or improvisation depending on your perspective.
The evolution of this new element was eased by the inclusion of a partner for the hold by hold analyst.
Generally a retired wrestler with great insight(but often subpar skills in the oratory department) the "Color Commentator" gave an inside view to the match & created a dialogue to breathe further life into the practice.
This leads us to a question of distinction.
Which man from Wrestling's story history in front of the camera has the strongest claim to the distinction of the best "Color man" to ever hold down the second seat at the announce table.
As opposed to stating a name, I'll share an unfinished list of qualities that are paramount to a competent color commentator in no particular order.
Bringing personal insight to the match an empirical perspective.
Adding to the feeling of significance to the matches they're calling.
Assist the play by play announcer in telling the story from the point of view possessed by participants of the match.
These are only a trio of the needed criteria.
Contribute your comments, theses, diatribes, essays, summaries, questions or partisan opinions on the criteria of good commentating as well as the names who did it best, held their own, or simply disgraced the position & let's see what we come up with.