It’s Not Gay, 3 of 3

As mentioned in earlier articles, the homo-erotic nature of pro wrestling (formerly a taboo subject) is increasingly becoming open to discussion and analysis.  Wrestlers like Tommy Dreamer, Paul London, and Scotty Mac recently talked on YouTube about the gay subtext.  Yes, everyone over age 12 suspects that wrestling is a turn-on for gays, but nobody in the Biz ever said it out loud.

Is pro wrestling now in the process of being “outed”?  What is this increasing admission of wrestling’s gay appeal leading toward?

During the early decades of pro wrestling as a “sport”, the performers concealed a dirty secret — that it was phony baloney, that the outcomes were decided in advance.

Eventually, the truth was revealed, that pro wrestling is not a legit competition and exists solely for entertainment (and we continue to love it anyway.)

Well, I believe pro wrestling is now concealing (and currently grappling with) a second dirty little secret: that pro wrestling is deliberately imbued with gay imagery — and that this homo-erotic undertone is what sustains interest, excitement in the sport, and ratings.

30+ years ago, the wrestlers kept it secret that their sport was fake so people would keep watching it (even though many fans guessed the truth and pointed out how phony it appeared to be).  Now-a-days, the wrestlers have to keep their sport in the closet so the homo-phobic, hetero-sexual audience won’t tune out (even though many fans — including hetero-sexual fans — are well aware that wrestling is full of homo-erotic content and are perhaps secretly aroused by the sexually suggestive action.)

When pro wrestlers began to reveal the fake, pre-scripted nature of their matches, it was called “breaking Kayfabe” — an old Carny term for telling the rubes at the county fair about the secrets and cons of the Midway.

As wrestlers are starting to openly point out the homo-erotic nature of their sport, I have named it “breaking Gayfabe.”

When gays in the military began coming out, the nation was not ready to face the complications of male-male intimacy that could occur in the foxholes.  So in 1993, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was enacted — Yes, you gays can join the military if you must, but do NOT talk about your sexuality!

The policy created an 18-year transition period, a time for the public to get used to the idea that gays and straights might be bunking together.  In 2011, the feelings of Gay Panic had died down and Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was repealed — gays in uniform could come out if they wanted to and nobody was really in an uproar about it.

I believe pro wrestling is currently in a similar transition period.  Before the sport can openly admit (and exploit) the universal appeal of male-male intimacy, people need time to get used to the idea that the sport is meant to be homo-erotic and that’s why it’s fun, exciting, and titillating.

So the phrase “It’s not gay, it’s pro wrestling” has been coined to create a safe zone, similar to “Don’t ask, don’t tell” — to exempt pro wrestling from being considered homo-sexual in nature and to avert Gay Panic during this transition.

Wrestling fans, even those who proudly define themselves as hetero-sexual, can continue to enjoy the gorgeous men, the suggestive poses, the skimpy gear, without feeling uncomfortable because “it’s not gay, it’s pro wrestling.”

Meanwhile the athletes can continue pushing the homo-erotic envelope, drawing fans by dressing in sexy gear and acting queer and campy without risk of being defined as homosexuals.

I believe the day is coming when our understanding of the popularity and appeal of pro wrestling will grow up and become more honest with itself.  Instead of saying: “It’s not gay, it’s pro wrestling…“, we will be able to admit: “It’s very gay, and that’s why we all love pro wrestling…”

After all, learning that pro wrestling was scripted did not diminish our enjoyment of the sport.  If anything, pro wrestling is now more popular (and, arguably, more homo-erotic) than ever before in its history, even though it’s fake-ness is well known, and it’s gay-ness is so obvious that the athletes themselves are beginning to mention it.  (And I am not implying that any pro wrestler is gay, just that the action in the ring appears homo-erotic.)

What will happen when the public drops it’s homo-phobic armor, admits that wrestling is gay (thank goodness!) and allows the wrestlers to act as queer and campy in the ring as they want to act?  Will there be a backlash of Gay Panic — a return to a more hetero-normative wrestling style?

I think Gayfabe will be broken just as gently and uneventfully as Kayfabe was broken 20 or 30 years ago (John Stossel’s eardrum notwithstanding.)  Being outed will make pro wrestling even more popular.  I think it will usher in an era of greater intimacy and more blatant homo-eroticism in the mainstream wrestling product, which will actually boost ratings.

Breaking Gayfabe may also lead to greater acceptance of gay people and forms of entertainment that appeal to gays.  People will come to an understanding that, just because the content of the program depicts or implies male intimacy doesn’t mean straight dudes can’t watch it, get off on it, enjoy it, and admit to loving it too…

It’s like when your cousin announces he is gay and he shows up at Christmas with his lover.  At first it feels awkward but you soon realize you enjoy seeing them together and can’t wait for the next family get-together.  You’re pleased that two dudes found intimacy and happiness in this cold world.

Admitting that pro wrestling is gay, and that we all prefer it that way, may lead more people to say and to truly believe: “Not that there’s anything wrong with that!”