Theory about Japanese audiences

[Mustang Sally]

Did you notice at 'Beast in the East' that the audience in the front row didn't try to touch wrestlers during the match? Especially during Jericho/Neville, the two performers were outside the ring several times, within easy reach of the front row of people. In the US, it always bugged me that when a wrestler has been slammed into the barrier, kayfabe hurt and sometimes bleeding, the American fans in the first row are laughing & smiling while pounding the performer on the back, which takes away from the scene, imo. Not so with the Asian audience; they sit back and react verbally without disturbing the effect. Why the difference?

Many US fans feel that the Japanese "believe wrestling is real." I don't think that's so; they know the results and choreography are predetermined, yet the Japanese culture is rooted in respect much more so than is ours. The feeling I get is that if the wrestling company putting on the production wants to stage the event as real, the audience is respectful enough to go along with it, allowing themselves to suspend their disbelief long enough to get into the show instead of mocking it.

Or maybe I've got it completely wrong, yet if it's considered okay to let yourself get absorbed in TV shows, movies and books.....enough to care about the characters and treat the effort as real while it's taking place......why not pro wrestling?

I like the Japanese way better. What do you think?

 

[Navi]

I like it better as well. They have a great respect for the wrestlers and it showed. No touching as you said and no stupid signs getting in everyone's way. When a heel came out they were kind of quiet, not really booing, and they cheered the faces.

While they were loud and into the matches, it didn't come over as being obnoxious like I've seen on some episodes of RAW. Also like the polite clapping to signify that they liked a move that someone did. The streamers and flowers were a nice touch as well. Here if you throw anything you get kicked out. They encourage the streamers there.

I've watched ROH and New Japan, and the crowds are always the same, so this wasn't a one of. They say that wrestlers feed of the energy, and there was lots of it. Nice to see for a change.

 

[Kodo Sawaki]

Japanese people and culture are a bit different then America people and culture. One example of it is nuclear reactor crysis they had few years ago when people would go on a store without clerk, take what they need and just leave money on counter. Cant imagine America or even any European country to behave in such manor in time of crysis. So yes, as it appears, they even project it on wrestling. They are more respectfull and dont do stuff average American would do sometimes.

 

[Woodstuff]

The feeling I get is that if the wrestling company putting on the production wants to stage the event as real, the audience is respectful enough to go along with it, allowing themselves to suspend their disbelief long enough to get into the show instead of mocking it.

This is kind of an ironic statement, given the nature of this website lol

I agree that the Japanese fans appreciate what goes into a wrestling match more than western viewers. With regards to the reaching out during matches, I don't think it has so much to do with 'respect'. I think the Japanese fans would be more concious of interfering with a match, and not so eager to pat a wrestler on the back so they can put it in a Facebook status and maybe get on TV. Japanese people tend to be very polite and well mannered, so they might have thought patting the guy while he's working a match would be rude.

 

[wrestler36]

As stated by others, it's a difference in cultures. I remember seeing some WCW stuff in the 90s where the audience is mostly quiet. When there's some good back and forth action, rather than cheering, it's more of a polite clap. I also remember the audience went bezerk whenever somebody went to the top rope, as if it was a huge rarity.

Not so much wrestling related, but I remember hearing that in Japan, whenever there is a concert, at the end, it is the audience members who clean up after themselves rather than having a third party staff do the cleaning, so there's definitely some big cultural differences

 

[Mustang Sally]

With regards to the reaching out during matches, I don't think it has so much to do with 'respect'. I think the Japanese fans would be more concious of interfering with a match, and not so eager to pat a wrestler on the back so they can put it in a Facebook status and maybe get on TV. Japanese people tend to be very polite and well mannered, so they might have thought patting the guy while he's working a match would be rude.

Actually, I think 'respect' is exactly what that's in regard to. In this case, respect isn't something just built into wrestling fans, it's inherent in the Asian culture and this form of sports entertainment benefits from it. If the "fan not wanting to interfere with a match because it's rude" concept is valid, it sure is different from the wrestling we watch on on shores, no?

This might apply not only to people who go to the arena to watch wrestling shows. I have no way of knowing, but I wonder how the Asian person who follows pro wrestling speaks of it; if they say to each other "It's all fake" or if, while they know it's pre-planned, they simply are conditioned to show more respect to the organization that puts on the shows for them.

But watching the special last night provided me with some 'culture shock' and I finished the night really appreciating the Japanese audiences.

 

[Dagger Dias]

The fans at Beast In the East seemed to have a greater amount of respect for the wrestlers and the show and they seemed to be having a really great time too, which made for a more fun viewing experience. Perhaps it is indeed a cultural difference. The American fans can learn a thing or two here. Look at it from each perspective. The American fans want to get the chance to pat their wrestling heroes on their backs and/or get pictures so they can brag to all their friends about it. The wrestlers are trying to focus on their match, things like the touching and mocking can really distract or disrupt them. The Japanese fans appeared to be more aware of this, and simply just wanted to have fun watching the show. Sally's right, they were more respectful to the wrestlers. It was nice to see.

 

[Kizzani]

Why the difference?

Culture bro, Japan has a different way or raising children, You won't see a Little Japanese kid dressed in stone cold clothes giving the finger (Just out too hot for TV latest episode) They have a thing called respect. You can see that in the Brock Lesnar v Kofi match....Kofi is a heel in America and get few cheers as new day , Well except from Xavier woods. But the fans cheered Kofi on....Tried.

It comes down to each person and their desires. Think about when you were a kid, Santa was real a Easter bunny delivers candy and you get to play games. But with that said there is always that little crappy kid who wants to make sure EVERYONE know Santa is not real. Sure the actual man isn't but my kids know Santa is me. I dress up every year and take toys to kids of poor families.

But that is kids what about adults, Comic con, BlizzCon tv shows etc. some people take it too heart other don't and want to ruin it. that is why spoilers are posted without a warning mostly, some people get off on it.

personally for myself I look at matches as one ups. which is why Lesnar bores me, when I watched balor v owens I swore that owens was kicking out just to say " I still got gas in the tank". yes I know I am wrong but it gives more meaning to matches this way for me. people need to allow themselves to enjoy.

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

It also helps that silence is the best compliment in Japanese culture. I remember watching the bonus features of the DVD release of Star Wars and there were producers who attended the Japanese premiere of A New Hope back in 77/78 were worried because the audience was silent throughout the movie. Little did they know that was the best audience reaction given to a film.

 

[Pedigree1]

The Japanese Crowd yesterday and in general with terms of wrestling are always respectful like that. They are not rowdy like in the united states,and us americans could really learn something from them in terms of respect and how to act in public..

They almost look to their wrestlers/fighters as Gods and treat them as such.. They are revered as heroes no matter how long they go away for.. They will always be welcomed back. They are very well mannered and taught to show respect!

Its a culture shock for sure.. It was a great show yesterday the WWE put on

 

[peter_midnight]

I lived in Japan for 3 years and used to date a Japanese girl that was into AJPW and NJPW back in the 80s. Back in the day, the crowds were hot and loud for certain matches. I think they were usually during cards w/crazy foreigners like Bruiser Brody & Stan Hansen, but there were some matches on Youtube that have hot crowds throughout the match. This wasn't always the case, but it did happen on occasion. I saw a NOAH show live in Kyoto in 2013. At intermission and at the end of the show just about everybody was available for a picture in the lobby, so I think there's no reason to touch people when you can take a pic later on in the night.

The other thing to know is that wrestling is still in sports pages of the newspaper so it's still legitimate sports. Obviously no one would interrupt a baseball game or boxing match so that's probably why they don't touch people during the wrestling matches.

On a side note, people know it's a show, but people act surprised to know that the ending is predetermined. My ex never referred to Japanese wrestling as fake, but she would say US wrestling was acting. She once said, "I think Japanese wrestling is better, because we actually hit each other." This was in response to watching a match on Youtube w/WWF Hulk Hogan.

On a side note: There were a ton of women (hot women at that) at the Kyoto house show, which had less than 1,000 fans. I say this cause I hear it's rare to find a female fan at most US house shows these days. I studied abroad there and a couple of cute girls on campus were into wrestling too and actually normal, lol.

 

[Prince Vee]

Yes, that's the difference, the culture it is. Most of the Asian countries are rich in tradition albeit the South Asian countries are trying to bring in the western culture into the system, the countries like Japan and China are still passionate towards it. They're more concerned being so polite and giving respect to the other.

The culture is the only difference of course. Last May, we saw how much the crowd participated during the event in London. They were more loud than the American Audiences. Because the British are always supportive to their fans and never been scared to show their support. Haven't you heard of the Barmy Army?

Cheers!!

 

[stingray11214]

Because Japanese wrestling fans see professional wrestling not just as a sport, but also as performance art. This has been the way for several centuries dating back to Kabuki theater. There is a deep rooted level of respect that Japanese audiences give to performances, that they just sit back and witness the action. They take it all in, and reward good performance accordingly. Compare that to American wrestling fans, and it is night and day. American fans are far more expressive and rowdier than their Japanese counterparts. Many in that front row have a "look at me!" mentality when they are there. It is more about the fan rather than the wrestler or the sport of professional wrestling.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Because Japanese wrestling fans see professional wrestling not just as a sport, but also as performance art.

Yes, I like that term. Pro wrestling is more like a stage play than a filmed movie or TV show; if you make a mistake on stage or in a wrestling ring, it's out there for all to see..... there's no director yelling "Cut!" with a chance for the cast to do it over until it's done correctly. In fact, wrestling is even more prone to accidents and errors than other standard performance art because of the physicality involved.

There is a deep rooted level of respect that Japanese audiences give to performances, that they just sit back and witness the action.

That's the point of this entire topic. While we see on American broadcasts how many people come to the arena to 'goof' on what's going on, the Japanese people have a tradition of appreciating what it takes to perform on stage, whether it be pro wrestling, Kabuki or a live performance of 'The Mikado.' (which wasn't originated by the Japanese!)

Previous to the other night, I had never seen an Asian pro wrestling audience.....and now that I have, I want to express my admiration of them.

 

[Blade]

My favourite thing about Japanese fans is that they're smart, but they don't try to outsmart the product. They know it's scripted. They know that the wrestlers are selling. But they don't care, they get emotionally invested in the match. They're not too cool for school like a lot of Western wrestling fans.

 

[BestSportsEntertainer]

Because Japanese wrestling fans see professional wrestling not just as a sport, but also as performance art. This has been the way for several centuries dating back to Kabuki theater. There is a deep rooted level of respect that Japanese audiences give to performances, that they just sit back and witness the action. They take it all in, and reward good performance accordingly. Compare that to American wrestling fans, and it is night and day. American fans are far more expressive and rowdier than their Japanese counterparts. Many in that front row have a "look at me!" mentality when they are there. It is more about the fan rather than the wrestler or the sport of professional wrestling.

I agree. Japanese fans view wrestling differently as American fans. Generally, American fans want attention, but Japanese fans focus on the product.

 

[FromGlasgow]

I always thought new school wrestling fans to be among the most negative people in the world who can't sit and enjoy an episode or RAW or Impact without critiquing every single apsect of it in detail of how much this match sucked and how much that angle sucked and especially all the TNA to go out of business wishers, I rarely hear about how good an angle or match was anymore only the negative, I still enjoy watching it if I didn't enjoy it I wouldn't watch or is that too easy?

 

[MartialHorror]

The only issue I had with the Japanese audience was their tendency to root for everything. I haven't finished the event (need to see the Cena match), but Owens was the only one I remembered getting booed. 'Neville Vs Jericho' makes sense, but they were cheering for Lesnar and Kofi...With that said, I do agree with a lot of it and even if everyone got cheers, this Japanese crowd at least wasn't obnoxious like a lot of the NXT crowds.