Did the BLOOD impact Austin's career?

[xxdef25xx]

This is my 1st Thread and it has just been something I've wondered people's opinion on. March 23rd, 1997 was the site of the what turned out to be a very big turning point in wrestling history as it was Hart v. Austin with special guest referee Ken Shamrock. Going into this match it was clear Hart was the fan favorite and Austin was the easy heel, we all know what happen and that was a very good match with back and forth action but what really makes the match really special or memorable to anyone really is the ending. You know what I'm talking about and the image that is burned into our memories of Austin screaming in utter pain with the blood pouring out onto his face and teeth and eventually passing out in a puddle of his own blood without ever even once suggesting he would attempt to tap out. The fall out of this was Austin hyper-speed rise to TOP GUY in the company and Bret's shocking heel turn and the rest is history......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDj8jn_SgxM

My question is very simple. Do you think the blood might have put Austin in fast line to what we all know and loved about him? Do you think it Didn't make a difference and he would have been where he went anyway? or simply you don't know and never really thought about it.

My answer is if you were to show me the FAST LANE to success in the WWF/WWE or wrestling in general I'd show you the 'Austin' Lane to success. This was just huge to me going into the match I was a die hard fan of Bret, didn't like Austin but after the match? well let's just say I became a HUGE Austin fan afterwards I mean who didn't? The whole scene of him just not giving up to this move backing up his word that he would not tap out wouldn't say die it jus gave him an AURA that i don't think will ever be topped and I credit the BLOOD as it just enchance a moment as good as a man passing out to the pain of his oppontent's finisher and added a feeling that you really felt his pain as you witness the blood pouring out faster and faster due the pressure the HITMAN was applying.

So this is my 1st thread it's always been something I've been curious about asking, I'm interested in some of the Veteren's on these Forums opinion and I'm sorry if this is a already a Thread I couldn't find it

 

[Xemmy]

I think that blood had alot to do with it. When a wrestler is bleeding it gives out the idea that they're really truly hurt and that they're toughing it out. It added to the atmosphere. Whether or not it gave him his rise to superstardom is a bit tricky. I'd like to say that he could've done it without the blood. But it did have an impact. No doubt.

 

[1_2_3 Kid]

I gotta say I've never really thought abou that factor...

That was one hell of a match Austin and Bret had that night. Everytime they were in the ring together it was pure magic.

Blood definitly does help in certain situations and to me it just seems like whenever somebody bleeds its that they are putting that extra grind in. Working harder than regular.

Don't know if Austin bladed that night or if it was a legit cut but when Bret had that sharpshooter on him and that camera caught that famous angle of Austin with the blood pouring down his face, it was definitly a moment where you gotta say "how much more can these two guys give". It gives that authenticity to the bout, instead of it just being labeled as an act.

But to say that it helped his carrear get on the fast track might be pushing it a little....

Him being in the ring with The Hitman alone is a fast track to success anyway you look at it. Austin was over because of who he was and the effort he put into his gimmick.

He truly is the toughest s.o.b. and that match just defines what a wrestling match sould look like..

 

[1_2_3 Kid]

All in all it was one hell of a bout...

The point I'm trying to make is that's its more than just blood on the tv screen...

Austin was the man because he had the right cast of ppl around him and he was talented enough to make it happen. Its kinda like a right place right time type of thing.

Austin would have been big regaurdless but he definitly got on by being in stellar matches and cutting some of the best promos the wrestling world has ever seen.

If blood was so big a deal, they wouldn't have banned it from tv. I mean for cheese sakes there's nickolodeon shows with more blood and strong themes nowadays. But it is still the WWE and imo it will always be the best fed out in the free world.

 

[WWE.IS.AWESOME]

Ok wel i was being ******ed and voted No but then when I actually read the forum I started leaning towards yes. The blood gives is more effect and makes it really seem as if Austin was going through HORRIBLE pain but would never give up. Now when I picture that same moment without the blood, there's just not as much of an impact. It doesn't really reach down inside me and make me feel for SCSA. Plus without the blood, it looks lazily written and without a lot of thought. IMO

 

[Tenta]

Realistically? Probably not.

Look, it was a great image, but it didn't really impact him. If anything, what really affected him was probably passing out. I guess you could say the loss of blodd caused him to pass out, but I'm not really all sure about that. I think he passed out from tha pain of the sharpshooter more than anything, and that was the unforgettable image in people's mind. Sure, the blood made for fantastic pictures to put on magazines. Hell, they even sold their own line of Christmas cards. be sure to get the Kwanzaa line out soon. But the blood itself was merely superficial. Everyone knew the lasting image of that time was Austin passing out to the pain of the hold. Everything after that was pure gravy.

 

[The Hawk]

If i remember correctly I believe Hart threw Austin into the Ring announcer area and he legit hit his head on the ring bell. I could be wrong but that's what i remember

according to Bret's book, he bladed Austin. Bret suggested getting juice to add to the match, and Austin admitted he had never bladed before. Bret told him never let anyone else do it to him due to the danger of that, but to let him do it so they could make it look as real, or "accidental," as possible. Vince asked both Bret and Austin after if they bladed, they both denied it, and nothing else was said about it.

He also talks about WM8, Piper and him never got asked about if it was a blade job or not in their match, while Flair and Savage got fined for theirs.

 

[The Prod1gy]

Probably not, but I do no blood always adds a sense of toughness and sometimes some realism because well... Nowadays someone gets thrown into a ring post headfirst and no blood, or in a steel cage they have their head grated and still no blood.

What I am trying to get over here is that blood can be incredibly important. But now it is WAY to rare, like I was on Justin TV watching RAW and when Cena was bleeding at the end the whole chatbox became full with everyone typing BLOOOOOOD!!!! I swear everyone there was vampires.

But I personally think Stone Cold still would of gotten to where he got to but probably not as fast, because with no blood he wouldn't of looked quite as tough.

 

[XgringolocoX]

Absolutely. I remember watching this match live. It was amazing. That image of Austin not giving up with blood dripping down his face told the world that he was the toughest son of a bitch around.
never thought to ask this question. I just figured everyone "got it".

 

[greg_74]

I didn't become a wrestling and Austin fan until early 98 when he was already THE guy in the WWF, but I although I think that image that we can all picture now helped him become a bigger star faster, I think he still would have become huge during the attitude era since his character fit perfect. It was a good way to make him even bigger though.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I think Austin would have reached the top without the blood, he was just that talented. However, I DO think the image of him screaming in pain while locked in the sharpshooter, with blood pouring down his face and refusing to pass out helped him get there faster.

The blood added realism to the bout, it showed just what the two guys were putting each other through, and with Austin refusing to give up while clearly in so much pain added to the belief of him being the toughtest SOB out there. It made people believe that nothing would make Austin give up and that he could take it all and then some.

Blood in wrestling, if used correctly, can really enhance the product and give it an air of realism that regular matches cannot. I mean, in real life, if someone hits you with a steel chair, or punches you repeatedly in the face, you will bleed.

This match was one of the times that blood was used right, and it certainly boosted Austin up the ranks more quickly, IMO

 

[Pay Per Ghost]

I think he would've still reached the top level regardless of the blood, but I think this is a very good point because it deals with the subconscious concept of what is perceived as tough by the viewer.

Let me give you one example:
Now I think the year was 2000 and Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit were having a match (PPV? TV?).
At one point Benoit locks in the Crossface, locks it in for a long time and actually starts moving Jericho's head sideways (away from the shoulder locked in).

Jericho's shoulder turned royal blue in a minute!!!!!!!!!

See, how I don't remember the PPV or the match, but I do remember that incident and I did say to myself, "Yo, that move is legit, Benoit is a killer and Jericho is one tough son of a b****!"

My concept was, if something that real could happen in the ring, then these guys are legitimate warriors, who would do anything to win.

Suspension of disbelief, achieved successfully.

Similarly, Austin's bloodied face, I feel, is iconic to his 'toughest SOB' status