Smart Fan – September 16, 2013

 What is “a smart fan”? A fan of professional wrestling that knows the business is entertainment. A term that comes from two other terms: smart and mark. Smart meaning having inside knowledge of the wrestling business; and mark defined as a person who enjoys professional wrestling as if it were upstaged. Lately however, the terms have melded into “smark” which defines a fan who knows wrestling is entertainment but loves it anyway.
 My journey started as a young child watching wrestling on TV with my dad. We always watched WCW Nitro. Whenever I went to my grandparents, we watched WWE Raw. So having watched two different styles of wrestling, my interest was piqued. As I grew older, I grew more into it, too the point I have been called obsessed.
 To become a “smart fan” one must first be a fan of professional wrestling. You must be dedicated learning about the sport, dare I say art, of professional wrestling and the men and women who give their lives and bodies to the business. Despite what the term implies, a “smart fan” can still be a completely regular person. Though wrestling fans have traditionally been divided into “Marks” and “Smart fans” there is a growing blur between the two. However, I will focus on the latter.
 The person will need to understand not only wrestling, but also his (or her) role as both fan and example to the general public. They will understand that both wrestling personnel and fellow fans are human, and deserve to be treated as such, rather than as objects to be attacked and scorned without consequence.
One will understand that “smart”, and “mark” are not to be used as insults or compliments. They will be tolerant of the tastes of other fans and try to understand them. He will recognize that both his and their opinions and beliefs are just that, and as Bill Hicks once said, “That doesn’t make them real.” They will need to understand the concept of “agreeing to disagree”.
 They will educate themselves and others in what wrestlers go through to learn and ply their trade. One will not be ashamed to be seen by non-fans in possession of wrestling-related merchandise. They will try to present rational arguments in favor of their opinions, rather than resorting to personal abuse.
 One will understand that wrestling is wrestling, whether it is presented in stadiums with celebrities and original music, or in high school gymnasiums with newcomers and an popular radio song. They will make an effort to put wrestling in a broader context without losing sight of the fact that it is entertainment.
 Even though I used the term “smart fan” it has grown into a negative term as of late and most of the explanations now reference another word “smark”. I have in fact followed these very rules. Over the years I still plan to watch and enjoy professional wrestling.