The PSYCHOLOGY of Wrestling

[@Filmation77]

Ring Psycholgy could be seen as a Wrestler's "theatre actor craft" and a lot of it iS about feeling the audience. And knowing when to make your move(s) as it were

[@TheHitmanCoz]

Notification gang Raven was such an underrated talent it's disgusting on how little his talents were used in WWE

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Seriously, I was very glad to put him in this episode because this is one area where he is undoubtedly one of the very, very best

[@pizzahighfive2612]

@@Lunacorva that sounds really believable for the time. It's weird how in WWE Raven wasn't really Raven, he was Johnny Polo, he wasn't his ECW self at all! He had his wimpy Johnny Polo voice while Raven in ECW had this constant glaze, constant faded look and voice was very "dark" I guess I can say. In WWE he had his normal Johnny Polo voice and was whining "what about Raven". In ECW he was a legit boss type of character.

[@ANDCFC95]

WWE and logic rarely met.

[@lemarh3584]

So I’m new here and so just say you have one of the best all around wrestling channels on KZbin barnone.. no debating. You’re informative and well versed in the different aspects of the sports. The likes of which I’ve never seen. I thoroughly enjoy and support you Dave. *subscribed*

[@thebrandolorian9037]

Jake was a real genius in the ring in his prime. His promos were great too.

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

He was an absolute talent

[@gamechanger700]

His promos are now building Lance Archer as a monster in AEW.Not a fan of AEW's flips and flops but they are slowly understanding in ring psychology matters the most

[@willymassey8273]

@@gamechanger700 maybe a few matches with the right Agent/Producer, if the boys will listen to him, and Tony doesn't decide to screw it up. So basically nope.

[@willymassey8273]

Jake/Randy/Mick/Shawn/ all Guys who can work at a 10 and have excellent promos and tell an epic story in the ring.

[@sumeetagrawal9708]

It's funny how WWE claims to be more about the storytelling when most WWE matches are just a showcase of moves and counters with a billion camera cuts There's barely ever an actual unique story Every heel vs face match is "coward vs hero" Every tag match is based around a hot tag They NEVER deter from this formula, that's why all the matches feel the same The true story telling happens in new japan matches, which ironically get bashed for being spotfests

[@zakrowe1301]

ive been saying pretty much the same thing for ages, its crazy how a lot of people like to bash the alternative promotions for lacking story and just being spot fests and say they prefer wwe because its more about story when in actuality theres zero thought put into wwe story lines and the pretty much every match is a meaningless spot fest

[@sumeetagrawal9708]

zak rowe and then they have the exact same match three times a month to kill off the little bit of intrigue it had

[@zakrowe1301]

no one cares it's just pure madness isn't it?

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

I know this is a touchy subject and I'm probably wasting my digital breathe here, but... This is where the big divide between Storytelling and Psychology happens. Storytelling is a structure. It is a formula. Just because you've seen it repeated does not disqualify it as a story. It may be Psychologically unsatisfying, but it's still by definition a story. You can complain that every story is the same, a beginning middle and end. Repeated a million times over, it is still a story. If you don't care for it.. fine. But something leaving you flat is a psychological failing, not a structural storytelling one. Agreed on the camera cuts. And as for the NJPW bashing. I think most of the storytelling proponents bash certain members of New Japan's roster, but not the company as a whole. I feel like ROH gets more accusations of being a spot fest factory than NJPW.

[@darkmoonangelo]

As I see it WWE and NJPW are the same only NJPW has longer matches and has overdone moves like it is why I rarely watch wrestling now because there all the same, small guy vs small guy and lots of kick and flips or it is big guy vs small guy and lots of chops, kicks and flips.

[@squiresphone]

Dave this is probably one of my favorite videos youve done in a while about wrestling. Reminds me what i miss about wrestling. The emotion. It seems so by the numbers anymore. Great job brother. 🖒🖒👍👍

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Thank you so much. I am very glad that this video is hitting the mark on what so many have been missing in the ring

[@MrJJr-lw9zq]

Raven was brilliant with his ring psychology especially when he crucified the sandman

[@Dark_Marko_88]

Completely agree Jake the snake Roberts was a master of psychology. 🐍TRUST ME !

[@squiresphone]

The way to get people to listen to you is almost whisper, you dknt have to yell at them. Jake Roberts

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Jake is the Man!

[@Dark_Marko_88]

By the way his match against Undertaker at Wrestlemania 8 is a must watch for hardcore and casual fans alike. Talk about storytelling.

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Great, great example. Jake often gets overlooked for being a big part of getting the Undertaker's initial babyface run over. People forget that the Undertaker was a super heel, scaring kids, feuding with Hogan and the Warrior. But somehow Jake helped get him over as a hero

[@Dark_Marko_88]

Jake had me gripped at a young age. Piper was great for pissing off his opponents and being a classic wind up merchant who could make a saint swear. But once Jake got inside his opponents head, he owned them. Keep up the excellent videos Dave 😎👍

[@Purpleheart1984]

Outstanding work Dave! This is by far your best work yet and it keeps getting better. Jake was indeed the man for sure. He just knew how to garner a reaction by his look, voice and subtle mannerisms that made everything he did believeable. Thanks again for the upload man and take care.

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Thank you so much and I really like that you understand how subtly works in ring psychology. That's great

[@Purpleheart1984]

Thanks a lot Dave. It means a lot. And it’s just the lifelong wrestling fan in me that truly gets it and with shows like yours, it makes wrestling even more interesting. So thank you for being awesome.

[@Briansgate]

Wwe writing staff: "What is storytelling and psychology?"

[@thebrandolorian9037]

Haha.

[@dbone3356]

WWE writing staff: "What is continuity?"

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

WWE Writing Staff: "Yes Vince. Yes Stephanie. Yes Hunter"

[@ofwgkta3881]

Ricochet: what's that? A flip?

[@connercampbell9086]

WWE Writing Staff: "What the HELL is a WRESTLING?"

[@dragonlord316]

Loved this video. Definitely needs to be shown to any college psychology program. Great insight!

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Whoa, thanks man.. very high praise

[@Scaramanga7]

Best psychology I’ve ever seen was in Flair’s matches with Steamboat and with Magnum TA. The audience ate up every little bit. The faces knew how to show confidence falling into Frustration, and Flair could wiggle just enough out of a predicament, using enough cheating to get heat, but still look credible.

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Flair no doubt an all time master

[@kyledamron]

I love Jake, I feel like he could have been a world champion if he hadn't been on Coke all the time, he is a very smart guy, and a psychology master

[@pizzahighfive2612]

First time seeing Dave knows. This was REALLY good. I been-re watching ECW 1997 through 2001, it's pure love.

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Hey thank you and welcome to the Know-It-All Nation. And rewatching E-C-Dub is always a fun time

[@FalafelTheBurner]

I might probably be too late, but a good example was near the finish of that Wrestlemania Match with HBK vs VInce McMahon. Shawn was basically going to attempt to elbow drop Vince from a top of a ladder, but he acted as if he was having second thoughts; with Shane practically pleading for mercy to stop Shawn from murdering his father while he was handcuffed to the ropes. You can basically feel Shawn being having second thoughts as to whether he's going to enact this final act of vengeance towards the man who wronged him in the past few months, or just stop and just end the match in a less brutal way, thinking that he would have gone too far if he would attempted to do so. So when he started climbing back down the ladder, the crowd starts booing him; not just because they think Shawn was pussying out, but because Vince actually gained sympathy from Shawn and would never get the comeuppance he deserved. Shawn has the crowd at his palms at this point, making them believe that he would just easily let this go after all he went through -- only for Shawn to get a LARGER LADDER to leap of from! Shawn basically climbed down and got the taller ladder at just the right amount of time; so that the initial round of boos would linger just long enough that him picking up the larger ladder would generate the largest pop from the crowd. If it was any other wrestler, they would've just immediately jump off and end it right there. If it was a wrestler with decent psychology, they would wait for a couple of seconds before leaping off to simmer the moment that they will finally end this once and for all. But not only did Shawn Michaels dragged the moment out and built this finish with just the right amount of time, but he also incorporated the clash of emotions between Shane begging for Vince's life and the crowds' bloodlust for Vince's punishment to create this new additional moment that elevated the already great storytelling in the match. TL;DR Shawn Michaels is both a Storytelling AND a Wrestling Psychology genius.

[@mariofromthebarrio956]

Thanks for sharing this vid 🤙

[@SkylarReed2L]

Let me start by saying I enjoy your content. Also, I understand you may not see this since the video is a tad old lol But as a worker, a locker room leader and a guy that helps train green guys. Ring psychology is my thing! Actually my favorite part of working. You're scratching close but this video isn't really explaining "ring psychology" at all. I didn't want to come on a be "that guy" but this is the reason people go to shows and guys do a bunch of moves and have no clue why they get no where. Ring psychology is an art that very few have any more. Sorry for making this so long, but I'd love to chat if you ever have time.

[@cyberpunkgrappling6447]

I know I'm late but lately I've been studying Naomichi Marufuji's in ring work he has good in ring psychology. The dude could do a lot of great high flying moves and a some unique kicks but he still took time to tell a story : in every match he works the neck of his opponents so when he applies the Sliced Bread, it is more effective

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Effective storytelling.. always impressive, especially when it's done by someone who uses moves that aren't always associated with it. It's best way to silence the critics.

[@NevrSilent]

Is it me, or is Dave evolving into the most intellectual of wrestling commentaries? The only guy lately (other than Corny!) to regularly bring up and emphasize the storytelling and psychology side of the craft.

[@alexisdelarosa5396]

Tetsuya Natio comes to mind tranquilo!!!

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Oh yeah, ever since he got back from Mexico.. the guy has been on a whole different level

[@harveyquezada1056]

So basically In Ring psychology is like an wrestlers acting ability with their mannerisms like in a movie right? Because like you said Jake the Snake Roberts when he was a heel he had that look in his eyes and when he stared into the camera and he basically look into fans souls and scared him. And also during a match the heel is beating down the face and getting his heat until the face comes back and statrts getting his offense in and the crowd goes behind him. Does this makes sense by any chance Dave? I hope I got it right

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Yeah, it very much is about acting. And acting is about conveying emotions. And emotions is what psychology is all about.

[@harveyquezada1056]

Dave Knows Wrestling all right man thanks! I had trouble understanding it for awhile

[@cerebalcovertreligionandgo5934]

When Vince wrestled he was an awesome heel, just the mc machon psychology, Shane Vince and Steph possess that temper whether heel or face, but heal Shane and Vince is danger

[@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1]

imo Really good vid. Wrestlers and promoters from the 50s into the 90s-did a better job than what is done today because the focus was the audience. WWE's primary concerns now are the stockholders and advertisers. imo

[@j.a.2244]

Charlie Newman U r absolutely correct. 100%.

[@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1]

Joshua A...Danke!

[@j.a.2244]

@@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1 👍 👌 ✊

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Wow seriously, very good point. Connecting to your money doesn't give psych points because money has no feelings

[@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1]

Thanks for the kind words, Dave. Totally agree about money having no feelings. Cyndi Lauper had words of warning about this kind of situation. imo

[@dbone3356]

Most Indy wrestlers: "Ring Psychology? What is that? The opposite of everyone kicking out of everyone else's finisher, and then stealing each other's finishers and everyone kicking out of those? Not interested." That's why wrestling used to be so much better. The match would build up to the climactic moment where the finisher was hit and the match would be over... Hence the term finishing move. Are they even called that anymore? Or are they all "signature moves" now? Sure. If it's a heated rivalry with 2 main eventers either feuding over a title or if it's a super personal thing on a big 4 PPV... Kick out of a finisher or 2. But on a B PPV or a weekly tv show? Like Dave said. If you stay down too long you look weak, but if you pop up too quick, the move looks weak. Pretty much every move these days looks weak. Besides Goldburg and his Spear and Jacknife combo... Not even Brock Lesner's F5 is protected, how many of those did Boreman Lames kick out of at WM and the GRR? Speaking of Boreman Lames, how many Superman Punches did he throw at Lesner? A half dozen?

[@squiresphone]

I here you on this one TBone. Even the AA/FU is now just signature.

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

But Hey, as of right now, the Cena Lighting Fist is well protected... (groan)

[@dbone3356]

@@DaveKnowsWrestling I was going to comment that actually. He has used it twice and no-one has kicked out yet. I was hoping and praying that he wasn't actually going to use it at The Super Show Down Under and the clip we saw online from that house show was just a troll...

[@darkmoonangelo]

@@dbone3356 I think Cena does had it with people crying about his 5 moves of doom so he added the weakest dumbest looking move to make it 6 so he could trolol the people watching.

[@dbone3356]

When he did it at that house show in China or where ever, I thought he was doing it as a rib to pop the boys...

[@j.a.2244]

What up Dave! 👍 👌 ✊ Just when I think you've hit your peak, u release a video like this & top it. From beginning 2 end, every point was solid. None greater than when u said u could go on about it. Speaking 4 myself, this topic DEFINITELY deserves a sequel. Ring psychology has been replaced by scripts, pancakes, WAY 2 long talk segments & the greatest sin of all, complacency. I miss the great days of a Jake Roberts, Raven & most recently, CM Punk. Guys who had u in the palm of their hands the moment they spoke. That, IMO, separated the good from the great. Because whether u liked them or not, u still respected them, & that in my eyes was the most important thing of all. Thank u Dave. You've literally now have me discussing this with others & I'm telling them, 2 subscribe 2 u & watch your videos, so they can learn what this great sport REALLY is, outside of WDW, "Walt Disney Wrestling." U the man Dave! 👍 👌 ✊

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Wow, you are Da Man! Thank you much for spreading the word and the support. This was a topic I wanted to tackle forever and there is just so much to unpack. Ring Psychology is probably the hardest thing to describe but that's why it's so hard to do it right.

[@j.a.2244]

@@DaveKnowsWrestling If that was hard, I can only imagine what is easy 4 u! 😄 U got this! 👍 👌 ✊

[@connercampbell9086]

Dave, would you please do a video on what it means to carry an opponent? I hear the phrase a lot online, but it usually is used in a context of, "I don't like that guy so that MUST mean he's untalented" and they'll being saying it about guys who are obviously very good like Kevin Owens. Somebody will say: "Owens is only an average worker who can be carried to a good match when paired with a good dance partner." I'm sure that person has no clue what they're talking about and is only trying to sound smart to justify their dislike for somebody.

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

I like this suggestion a lot... might have to see what I can do about it

[@smhgaming3259]

Dave always uploading that fire content 👍👍👍👍

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Thank you much for the compliment!

[@Jus2sick]

I think Toshiaki Kawada and Eddie Gurrerro are the masters of ring psychology. Kawada because his stiff kicks and devastating power moves made the crowd stand up and cheer their lungs out. His match against Misawa in 1994 is a great example. All those elbows and gamengiris and Kawada and Misawa struggling fo get up then the big finish Misawa hits the tiger driver 91’ and Kawada sells it like he just died with the twitching legs. As for Eddie his high flying, high risk style got the crowd worked to a point where they thought they were seeing the most dangerous thing alive. His electrifying promos got the crowd to love and hate him. His ladder matches made him famous for the insane bumps he would take. The JBL match that broke the Muta Scale got sympathy for Eddie on a level not seen since Shawn MichaeIs lost his smile. In WCW he got the crowd to hate him and get sympathy for Chavo. Even in Mexico he was the home grown second generation defending his family name against Black Gordy and Fishman. They mastered it with their over the top characters. An honorable mention is Atsushi Onita. He mastered the art of the babyface wrestler wether he was in an exploding cage match with Terry Funk shielding him from explosion or wrestling against the villanous Mr Pogo. He got the crowd the way no one else could, even as the Great Nita the fans loved him with his fireball or Hurricanrana. His match against Shiro Koshinaka as Great Nita is a great example of psychology. Nita was the viscous heel with a bloodlust to take down Mutoh and New Japan while Koshinaka was the loveable Junior Heavyweight who had graduated to the heavyweight spot and earned his way up. Nita gave him a beating with Koshinka having slight moments of success which caused the crowd to go wild. That match ended with Nita winning and you can see a woman crying in the second row when that happened. I quote Ricky Fuji on the matter “Other wrestlers have a good body, good moves, Onita has something different, he has a fighting spirit.” Thank you again dave for these videos, they are great at explaining everything and you deserve and I truly believe you are the next Dave Meltzsr, you should be the heir to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, this is a great video and deserves ro be shown at wrestling schools cause psychology is an aspect missing in most wrestlers nowdays with obvious exceptions such as Roman Reigns and Orange Cassidy.

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Well thank you very much for the kind words there. I hope word spreads and more ppl get to see my channel. As for getting the Observer, I'm sure there are plenty more ppl ahead of me for that. But thanks for the sentiment

[@georgebrice3831]

Ring psychology is definelity missing today I'm glad you mention guys like Jake Roberts and Raven my favorites when it come to that area Roddy Piper, Kevin Sullivan in his Florida championship wrestling days check it out on KZbin, vampiro sting and of the current guys bray Wyatt when he was being used right Sami Callihan, austin Aries and if wwe which I doubt let him.loose the miz but those are my favorites

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Seriously. I think Miz is finally getting noticed for his abilities which I like. Bray is a genius and it's such a shame that he's being wasted

[@HaBeFaStro]

I Appreciate this educational piece of work. Here is Like #500! Taking all this in consideration... I notice that Undertaker was quite a master of psychology... From him no selling (when it was appropriate to do so/before no selling became such a big problem) to showcase that he was a supernatural creature who couldn’t be hampered by conventional pain. To his legendary sit up (before kick outs became so obnoxiously redundant) as a sign that an opponents trump card was no longer a guaranteed victory. Even so much as his times as a champion where rather than wearing a belt around his waist.... he would aloofly carry it in his hand, because a being like him was unconcerned with material possessions. (Truthfully... I as a new wrestling fan have not seen a lot of Undertaker matches... but.... from what I have seen from all these nuances he gave.... It is clear to see why he is and always will be a LEGEND.)

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

UT is def a master of ring psychology, but as I might have mentioned in another video, when you have actual super powers, I think it's easy to get into someone's head.. I mean actual kayfabe powers that is

[@HaBeFaStro]

@@DaveKnowsWrestling As Usual, You make a very excellent point.

[@buckyhate7695]

I always thought The Franchise Shane Douglas's ring psychology was underrated. Dude could make anyone hate him.

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Really good answer.. def true

[@Rid_aman]

Okada, Bobby Roode are pretty good psychologists too

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Than they are

[@abealih92]

Ring Psychology really miss in this today wrestling, most modern wrestlers obsessed with flip and dive.

[@AzraelDarkness64Gaming]

Raven was the main reason I'm a wrestling fan

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

That is one amazing reason

[@grail68]

"Now Arthur, Arthur, be reasonable..."

[@yodadate893]

Jake, RVD, Terry Funk, and Raven are the master of PSYCHOLOGY!

[@docphunk3723]

Rvd?

[@TheCerebralAssassin8]

Lol! One thing I noticed is, the wrestlers who are considered to have great in ring psychology, are the ones most of the fans don't know a shit about. This psychology thing is indeed for the hardcore guys and not the casuals.

[@TheCerebralAssassin8]

Not all of them, but most of them.

[@mattgregory6331]

the best way to get a crowd involved in a tag match is when the referee has his back turned when the good guys get a tag then the bad guys take advantage. old but still effective

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

A classic move

[@naheemquattlebaum2267]

In terms of modern storytelling, Kazuchika Okada is severely underrated. His goes from unbeatable wrestling god to sympathetic Babyface post-title run went so smoothly. It's as if losing the title made him lose a piece of himself.

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

My fav Okada storytelling comes from his series with Tanahashi. He was a cocky up and comer, learning humility and what it meant to be a champion

[@pizzahighfive2612]

Raven vs Jake the Snake Roberts... Both in their primes.. fueding and cutting promos on each other, can you imagine?!

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

That would be so awesome

[@Filmation77]

It's all about emotional investment of the Audience to the Talent and it can't be manufactured by Bookers when they try to find the next main event star. And talent has to truly commit, but some workers are just that,Workers. That's why the Success of People like Becky Lynch and Daniel Bryan were Baffling to Vince and WWE...or was made to Appear That way. Or Modern people like MJF or Kenny Omega vs Chris Jericho in New Japan. And(even if you did a swerve) it would have to make sense in the Grand Plan. In Wrestling you have four familiar stories: 1.The Heroes Journey (Daniel Bryan and Apollo Crews) 2. David vs Goliath (AEW's Shilda vs Nyla Rose) 3. The Face vs Face/Heel vs Heel 4. Two equally matched opponents who tell a fantastic story,but in the end, philosophy didn't Matter (Flair vs Steamboat or The Undertaker vs HBK-Career vs The Streak)

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

I do think the emotional investment is one of the most defining aspects of a match for fans as well

[@ericdul1543]

Yes! The voices in your head are back!

[@andrewisjesus]

You should work for WWE. You are an encyclopedia of wrestling.

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Thank you very much. Quite a compliment. I would love the opportunity if I get it

[@sang21nguyen]

Naw he deserves better than that and I don't think mr.mcmahon won't hear him out.

[@karon718]

Watching this in 2020 it sucks that they have no crowd to feed off now. Must be really frustrating

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Yeah I hear ya just hope things can get back to normal soon

[@karon718]

@@DaveKnowsWrestling Btw Wrestling Bios put me on to your channel and I’ve binged 10 videos in a row. Good stuff man

[@naheemquattlebaum2267]

Been waiting for this one

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

The wait is over

[@michaelmuirhead1734]

Few wrestlers had that even less of late

[@chrispodesta8105]

Personal fav is Kenta Kobashi. Not speaking Japanese had never been a problem for me watching him and following his story. Incidentally, I was wondering if Dave Knows what the hell happened with Michael Elgin?

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Being able to communicate even with a language barrier is a great point that you bring up. And yeah, what did happen to him?

[@chrispodesta8105]

@@DaveKnowsWrestling it sounded like Big Mike had a lot of other wrestlers not wanting to work with him or something. Couldn't tell ya if it was heat, an angle or what... Let alone why.

[@michaelkeha]

you want to know what the easiest litmus test for all three of the pillars of a good wrestler technical ability, storytelling and psychology is if they can complete the world of sports wrestling wrist lock sequence correctly as most fail this test horribly even wrestlers seen usually as good fail in the one key to pass the test.

[@jacksonsignal170]

Thank you good sir

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Thank you

[@jacksonsignal170]

Dave Knows Wrestling is the best study of the art

[@brandonr2806]

I always thought that Genichiro Tenryu was a good in ring psychologist. He had his own way of making his matches look like legitimate fighting contests. Each devastating move was followed by an immediate pinfall attempt. That's something I don't see much of these days. It irks me to see powerbombs, ddts, back drops, German suplexes and brainbusters made to look like weak moves

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Alright, showing love to Tenryu

[@Seanatonin]

unlike the rest of Monday Night Wrong crew, Dave is a master od ring psychology

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Hahaha, thank you

[@tjfritz8722]

Great Video, The Psychology Of Wrestling Is Something That Has Been Lost In WWE. I Would Say Hogan Garnered Sympathy Because He Was Like A Real Superman, Ripping Off His Shirt & The No Sells Made Him Look Immortal. In My Opinion, There’s No Argument That Jake Roberts Was The Best At Ring Psychology, He Always Had The Crowd In The Palm Of His Hand & Used It Perfectly. My Question: Who’s The Best At Using Ring Psychology In Today’s Wrestling?

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Bray.. although he hasn't been given much opportunity lately. Possibly KO

[@TheOutsider27]

Shout out to the Funker and mrs. foleys baby boy!

[@37jvtalp]

Roman reigns is probably the best in this right now

[@MonstarMk3]

Ring Psychology is in the script now. The wrestlers can't practice ring psychology because they can't fair from the script. So if something is not working, they can't change it. Ring Psychology and in ring story tellingly hand in hand. But when you tie the guys hands you get Brock vs Roman over and over. Is it ring psychology if it is SCRIPTED?

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

The handcuffing is a very valid issue. I think if it's in the script and the guy can pull it off, yes, it's psychological. If they can't then they're just out of luck. Take Jericho for example, even in the PG era he has been able to deliver gold. So because of his skill, yeah, he can work the crowd. It's like talent has to succeed DESPITE the script. While lower talent will get pushed IN SPITE of it.

[@soulblade2099]

Jake the Snake is probably the best at ring psychology in wrestling history. He's not 6'10 tall, he's not the most athletic guy. And at a time where everyone was yelling during work shoots to hype matches, Jake whispered, and it scared the hell out of you

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Yeah, I do feel that Jake is a pretty hard act to top

[@AzraelDarkness64Gaming]

Great Video

[@Davethepossum225]

I was a Raven fan

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Those who know always are

[@AzraelDarkness64Gaming]

Raven easy my favourite

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

He is absolutely great isn't he

[@caxzrockz]

I love Jake The Snake Roberts

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Me too

[@arthurprior3494]

You know who I think is underrated? Mike Shaw. Norman The Lunatic Muchan Singh etc. He could have a wrestlemania crowd going nuts just with his face. That crowd is what The Homey Albert was talking about. They spend all that idiotic money to buy the tickets,and I guarantee somewhere some kid who really wanted to go couldn't because those idiots knowing they were going to leave before the main event. Anybody that thinks that was some natural last minute protest that just occurred or to actually beat the traffic is an idiot. Those people are the ones he wants to stops going to go and stop watching because they were trying to make it about them not change anything. Like Vince was at home the next day "Oh no Rick Jones in section 8 row 20 seat 4 left before the main event? WE GOTTA CHANGE EVERYTHING WE ARE DOING! Rick is upset!

[@jesusfarrow503]

You missed The Undertaker but I understand there are probably hundreds of others through out the years and you don't have time to list them all

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

There are so, so many. I could have gone on forever. Yes, the Undertaker is a really great example

[@docphunk3723]

One word.... Wooooooo

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Great answer

[@krtaust5]

Jake Roberts and Arn Anderson

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Great answers

[@singaporesammy]

The implication of you hearing two random voices from time to time is that you are Davepool.

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Chimichangas!!

[@tawandamajasi8860]

Hulk Hogan was 303lbs at his biggest NWO Hogan was 275lbs

[@yodadate893]

Dave hears voices in his head.

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

They talk to me..

[@yodadate893]

They understand me.

[@queplug4166]

Undertaker is the goat at In ring Psychology imo

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

He is very good no doubt about it

[@Yoni123]

Lawler

[@TowDow3]

I wish we could purposely do this in wwe games. tell a story.

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Yeah I know, it be worth a try Vince

[@ryankeefe6222]

A great match for anyone to watch to understand psychology in a match is undertaker vs Shawn Michaels in hell in a cell the story of this little bastard who’s friends can’t help him anymore is trapped and about to get the well deserved thrashing of a lifetime and Shawn does everything to get away from the undertaker attacks a camera man climbs the cell then after he can’t and then gets beaten nearly to death only when Kane debuts and attacks the undertaker the before mentioned little weaselly bastard crawls out of a pool of his own blood and beats the undertaker

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Thanks for sharing your input

[@streetjudas]

Yo

[@gregorykrug8034]

Isn't ring psychology about as dead as kayfabe nowadays?

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

No and I disagree with everything in this statement

[@gregorykrug8034]

@@DaveKnowsWrestling Well, when I think of what "ring psychology" is, doing a run and dive over the top rope onto one or more wrestlers who catch you is not it. Doing Road-Warrior-style no-selling is not it. Doing nonstop chops, superkicks, and needless flips and gymnastics is not it. Playing to the crowd is one thing, but a lot of the in-ring work nowadays makes little sense to me.

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

And you would have a point, if that's what every and all wrestlers did all the time. Which they do not, no matter how hyperbolic people may want to be about it. Further more buying into the doctrine that that is what all wrestling is today, also works to disprove the kayfabe part of your question. Because now, if people hear things on a podcast or a twitter feed or on a forum, they repeat it as fact, never once considering that they might be getting worked. So regurgitating a mentality that is untrue... sounds like kayfabe is doing just fine. Albeit to a different level than ring psychology.

[@gregorykrug8034]

@@DaveKnowsWrestling Of course, many people have known that wrestling has been a work for eighty (?) years. Even so, wrestlers still kept kayfabe (heels wouldn't travel with faces, etc.). Very little of that still exists anymore. Just the fact that "kayfabe" is a word that is now used by Joe-Six-Packs nowadays would have been unheard of thirty years ago. Kayfabe may not be 100% dead, but it is close to it. Even when two wrestlers are shooting on each other, many people, fans or not, assume that it is a work.

[@Adnamie]

first

[@themachodudeanimations6458]

Awesome topic Dave! And well covered

[@DaveKnowsWrestling]

Thank you My Dude