Of fish and ponds

[Chris Ingersoll]

Inspired by the Umaga v. Samoa Joe debate. Obviously, being a big fish in a big pond is the most desireable position, and nobody wants to be a small fish in a small pond, but what about the levels that are approximately even?

This isn't about money, either. This is about fame, experience, and overall healthiness of career. There are benefits and drawbacks to both situations, and when one wrestler (let's say Christian Cage, although he was more of a "medium" fish in the WWE's large pond) jumps from one to the other, there are definitely reasons for it other than cash.

Also, for the sake of argument, let's say that the "small fish" will never get the chance to become a bigger fish in the large pond. Picture someone like Bob Holly or any one of the SmackDown cruiserweights (not counting Rey Mysterio): guys who might peak at IC/US champ briefly, and if they're lucky get a World/WWE title shot but nobody expects them to actually win the thing, but are generally just there to fill out the card in-between the bigger fishes' matches.

[Chris Ingersoll]

As far as my actual vote, I went with small fish in a big pond. I feel that the larger talent pool allows for more diversity and evolution, and the increased exposure (both in terms of ideas and in terms of fame) can be turned into a valuable asset if the undercarder ever decides to leave for a smaller pond. It is much more difficult for this to work in the opposite direction, IMO.

[nelson]

i voted that way as well.everybody has to start somewhere.

[gamtime247]

I voted small fish in a big pond. Sitting in an arena with 20,000 people going nuts before a show, or even going crazy as soon as anyone makes their way down to the arena for the first time would be a feeling words couldn't explain. Your constantly around the best in the business to learn from and be around. It's almost like saying would your rather be a superstar in the CFL or a second string qb in the NFL.

[Chewey]

I voted for the small fish in a big pond. Because let's face it, on the indy market who generally commands a greater appearance fee? A former WWE Superstar, or a TNA bred and fed indy product? It's all about name recognition. And I agree with gamtime's analogy with the CFL/NFL.

[Joe]

I voted big fish/small pond, also.

In terms of healthiness of career, one has to bring finances into it at some point. A guy like Val Venis or Bob Holly could make money in wrestling for as long as they want, thanks to their status as a WWE "superstar."

In terms of fame there is definitely no question the small fish in the big pond gets the nod here, too. I'm going break this down in a very simple comparison: Who gets on more and better looking groupies, Christopher Daniels (big fish/small pond) or Joey Mercury?

In all seriousness, there in no way money cannot be discussed as a factor. If Christian's home and base of operations was in Oregon, rather than Florida, I am sure he would have thought twice about uprooting his family to go to TNA for less money. The sheer fact that he was at one time a mid-carder in WWE made it possible to go to TNA and get more money and fame than almost anybody else in that promotion.

On a side note, I would like to read the reasoning of the member who voted big fish in the small pond. I'm not trying to rip anyone else's opinion, I'm just curious.

[swarm]

small fish big pond. I don't see the glory of being part of TNA in any way shape or form.

If I was training to be a wrestler, and couldn't make it in the WWE, I would give it up, be a man, and get a real job to help support myself, and or/ wife and kids rather than chase some un-reachable dream of trying to make it in the business by getting to TNA.

but that's me, I'm a realist with my priorities in order.

[gatekeeper]

Small fish, big pond.

Like gametime said, it's like being a backup QB in the NFL. You still get some playing time, and it's on the grandest of stages.

Who was the Grey Cup MVP this year?

That's right, nobody knows and nobody cares.

Same thing with the big fish in the little pond.

[pikemojo]

You have to at least take a glance at the fact that the schedule you keep in WWE is quite unhealthy on your body and in many cases on your personal life.
That said there are more benefits to being a lower card wrestler in WWE. As already stated it is much easier to move from being in WWE to an indy fed than it is in the other direction. There is also more fame even if it is not for being in the top of the company. Just take a look at how many people remember the Brooklyn Brawler. The one thing that is being over looked, though, is that just because you are in WWE you are not necessarily making alot of money. Reports are that the guys getting signed to the new ECW are getting between 500 and 1500 per week. Imagine being the small fish in that pond. I would imagine that most people on this board are getting more than 500 a week prior to taxes.

[thefamoustommyz]

Personally, I don't understand the appeal of travel 300+ days a year just to get to job out on Velocity, miss my kids growing up and find out that, oops, I don't even have a wife anymore.

If you don't have a family, hey, go all out. If you do...there are ways to do what you love without sacrificing them.

But then, I've put realistic thought into this, and discussed it long and hard with my wife.

[pikemojo]

There is decent money to be made on the indy scene. It just usually takes fame to get that money and that fame usually comes from being in a bigger pond for a period of time.

[Bazzy]

I would say , it depends on who the two wrestlers are . I mean say it was Christian & Lashley or A.J Styles & Orlando Jordan or Rhyno & Booker T or Jeff Jarrett & Mark Henry ? . The TNA champion should mean more , out of the two .

[Bazzy]

Sorry I read it wrong . Umaga v Samoa Joe match ? depends on how long the match ? . If Umaga has a weakness , can he go 15 minutes or 30 minutes . The longer it went on then , you would have to say Joe . But boy if marketed right , this feud could run for 3-6 months PPV's easily .

[theace4ever]

hmmm big fish...small pond...little fish...big pond...weighs options...decides to be the fisherman collecting the big and little fish *evil laugh*

[frank]

To Pike Mojo; Most readers are getting more than $500 per week but do they have the pleasure of jumping into barbed wire at their jobs. I think not.

[pistonhurricane]

frank said:

To Pike Mojo; Most readers are getting more than $500 per week but do they have the pleasure of jumping into barbed wire at their jobs. I think not.

Thats right! I make more than 500, but its been weeks since i attempted a springboard moonsault off my copy machine...its odd how you miss the little things, but i guess you take it one day at a time. ;D

[Chris Ingersoll]

pistonhurricane said:

frank said:

To Pike Mojo; Most readers are getting more than $500 per week but do they have the pleasure of jumping into barbed wire at their jobs. I think not.

Thats right! I make more than 500, but its been weeks since i attempted a springboard moonsault off my copy machine...its odd how you miss the little things, but i guess you take it one day at a time. ;D

Yeah, office (or in my case lab) meetings just hasn't been the same since we've abandoned hardcore rules.

[thefamoustommyz]

Well, and here's the deal, if you're doing a job that's just that...a "job", then you better be making some kind of "alright" money.

At a job interview recently for a convenience/grocery/general store, the manager asked me in a snarky voice "Do you make a lot of money wrestling?"

CLEARLY I do...CLEARLY. What with the hunting for a crap job with a workable schedule. Jeez. The crap job is so I can wrestle and write, until one or both of those pay off...=P

[nelson]

tommy,

some people are a pain aren't they?

[thefamoustommyz]

True dat, neil.