DVD Reviews

WrestleMania 24 (2008) - 9.5/10

"Wrestlemania is also known as the time of year WWE and “mainstream” celebrities mix and this year was no exception. Kim Kardashian and Raven Symone (more on her later) looked uncomfortable, but Snoop Dogg truly respects wrestling and seemed to have a ball."

I agree with this, as Kim Kardashian and Raven Symone looked as though they didn't know what they were talking about. It seems as though they participated in the event just to promote their own names with a different audience. On the other hand, Snoop Dogg seemed confident in what he was doing and is a fan of WWE himself. He is also good friends with John Cena.
http://www.wrestling101.com/101/article/WWEVD/1082/

Viva Las Divas - 4/10

"One thing which is always good on divas DVD’s are the extras and this years are no exception as they have some of the top diva matches of the year, interviews, behind the scenes footage and much more that will keep you entertained for hours. Many fans are disappointed the first women’s cage match between Lita and Victoria didn’t make it in to the extras but like I say there are more than enough extras to keep you happy."

I disagree with this as i strongly feel that the womens cage match should definately have been included in the extras of this DVD as this is the only womens cage match which has ever taken place in WWE which means its quite a big match.
http://www.wrestling101.com/101/article/WWEVD/615/

WWE Divas, Tropical Pleasure - 5/10

"Well I’m not sure what I was expecting when I got this DVD, I knew it would be full of half naked divas lying around on a hot sunny paradise Island, but I never knew it would be as interesting as it was. Don’t mistake me, it is no documentary, but it does have some good interviews and opinions, and it has made me think a bit more about certain divas."

I chose this quote as it clearly shows how women are represented in a promiscous way in WWE. This is due to the fact that they have DVD's which just show them lying around in provacative clothing.

http://www.wrestling101.com/101/article/WWEVD/148/

Video For MIGRAIN Analysis Below

MIGRAIN Analysis

Form and function - Advertisement for a WWE event, which is coming up. Its purpose is to inform and entertain.

M - A variety of shots are used within this particular video clip. Close ups used to show facial expressions, medium shots used to show both the face and their cleavage while long shots are used to show everyone as well as their surroundings.
- Connotations of summer – bright, sunlight, hot etc, which is why they have chosen to make this particular advertisement for an event called ‘SummerSlam’ as a car wash in hot weather. It is usually a summer chore.
- The majority of the women in the advert are wearing pink and white. Pink as it is a very feminine/girly colour (stereotypical) and white as it will be more revealing once it is wet (will appeal to men).
- Very quick cuts are used for each shot, many are close ups of the women’s cleavage and bottom which will appeal to men.

I - World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) who aims solely to entertain. This is an advertisement for their annual PPV event, SummerSlam 2005.

G - ‘Sports Entertainment’ – professional wrestling. Conventions consist of: women’s roles are simply to entertain men by wearing provocative clothing (sex objects – Laura Mulvey’s “male gaze”).

R - Within the WWE, women are represented in one of two ways. Either as a sex object who tends to participate in bikini contests, water fights and photo shoots and the other is simply as a wrestler who wants to compete for the championship. In this particular video, all of the women are represented in a promiscuous way. They are shown as passive sex objects from the provocative clothing they are wearing and the fact that they are washing themselves, rather than the car. They are all wearing small white t shirts or sports bras which will reveal a lot more flesh as the water will soak it. There is 1 shot, in which 1 women is using the hose pipe to soak her cleavage which not only looks very sexy, but very passive.

A - It is targeted to everybody as it’s a family show however professional wrestling appeals mostly to younger audiences, especially males. Some may argue that it is inappropriate for them to watch as it contains too much violence and sexual content. This particular advert would appeal to slightly older males (teens and above).

I - SummerSlam is coming up and will be hot like this, but even better so watch it.

N - All of the women in WWE who do not wrestle are in this video. They are washing a car which is usually seen as a chore especially during the summer, however they make it look very sexy. They putting more water on themselves rather than the car which makes them all look very passive and promiscuous.

Theories/Theorists - This video clip fully supports Laura Mulvey’s theory of the “male-gaze”.

My Targets

A01 - I know of all the key concepts, however, when looking at a text and relating the key concepts to this text I need to look at the key concepts in more depth and explain my points in alot more detail. I also need to focus on idelogies/values alot more, as I feel as though I dont ever put much detail into this particular key concept.

A02 - I need to work on this assessment objective as I find it difficult to relate the SHEP concept to my text. I know this is a key assessment objective and would like to relate it to my text and look at this in depth too.

A05 - I feel as though the amount of research I have done is rather broad, however my knowledge on my text is quite high. I need to get alot more delicious tags which relate to my text. I also need to use more books for my research, as I have only been relying on the internet so far.

Narrative

WWE shows often begin with an opening sequence like most tv shows which then leads to a heavy firework display on stage.

Shortly after, a top star would enter and begin speaking in the ring about an upcoming match (this is known as a promo). His opponent would then enter and argue to build up tension between two.

After this, the first match of the night would begin, which is usually with the less popular wrestlers. The more popular the wrestler is, the later there match would be. The most popular wrestlers, i.e world champions are usually in the main events.

During the night there is 1-2 matches/contests with females competing. There are also a number of backstage segments such as interviews and "brawls".

All rivalries within WWE consist of a hero and villian. Villians are usually made villians by cursing at fans, cheating in matches, using weapons, betraying partners, attacking the most popular hero and breaking the rules. Heros are usually created from impressing the fans with high risk moves, never cheating, appreciating the support from fans etc.

Genre

WWE often refers to itself as "Sports Entertainment". WWE could fit under a variety of genres such as action (The wrestling itself) and drama (The storylines). It also has elements of other genres such as romance which is featured in some storylines and horror within some characters such as 'The Undertaker'.

Media Institutions

The institutional source of WWE shows is WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment. inc). WWE is obviously a commercial institution. WWE is owned by Vince McMahon who plays the character of Mr Vince McMahon on his shows. In 2008, Vince McMahon was given a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. He has delegated some authority to his children, Shane and Stephanie McMahon who also often play roles within the shows.

Media Audiences

WWE's primary target audience are children (mostly males) aged approximately between 5-12. WWE's secondary target is everyone else as they do not exclude anyone from watching their shows. WWE is aired worldwide in more than 100 countries! This means that their audience is huge, especially within the United States. WWE is incredabily popular worldwide.

Sometimes WWE have very childish storylines and characters ("gimmicks") for their wrestlers, which clearly shows that it is targeted to children, or they want this particular wrestler to be popular with younger audiences. WWE can also have very explicit storylines which are not suitable for children as they include issues such as sex. WWE matches can also be very violent containing the use of weapons andn rapid blood loss. This would obviously not be appropriate for young children.

In the UK, WWE shows Raw & Smackdown are shown on Sky Sports, which is a channel which is normally watched by men, and little women. WWE shows usually come on after 9PM as they sometimes contain adult material. Before the show begins, Sky Sports remind viewers everytime that it contains adult material and may not be suitable for younger viewers. WWE does come on during the day aswel, however the shows are edited and do not show inappropriate material. All WWE DVD's which are released are usually certificate 15 or 18.

During commercial breaks, WWE air advertisements featuring wrestlers informing children on the hazards of wrestling and not to try it at home or school. This adverts would obviously not be targeted to adults, therefore this indicates that alot of children watch WWE and mimic their favorate wrestlers which is dangerous.

Media Languages & Forms

Conventions of a WWE show: The main convention of a WWE show is to feature good vs evil storylines between the wrestlers (both males and males). Another convention of a WWE show is to include a match/contest which represents females in a promiscuous way, for example a bikini contest or a water fights during the summer.

The Setting: The setting of a WWE show varies every week. The WWE travels worldwide to perform shows in arenas. The set is usually similar as it would include a ring, announcing tables an entrance ramp and a large screen. Photo shoots which women pose for are often done in places such as Hawiai

Soundtrack/Language: The soundtrack for WWE's main shows Raw and Smackdown are heavy rock songs performed by the bands Papa Roach and Drowning Pool. WWE shows always have commentary during matches. During bikini contests or water fights, the commentators would usualy mention how "beautiful" or "gorjoeus" the females competing are, especially as they would be wearing provocative clothing.

Media Representations

Candice Michelle was primarily brought into WWE to participate in bikini conntests and water fights soley to entertain men. Recently she has began to train and develop her in ring skills and has become a full time wrestler. Although she is a wrestler now, she is still represented in a promiscuous way by appearing in adult magazines such as 'Playboy' to promote WWE's biggest event, WrestleMania. As the photograph clearly shows, she wears provocative clothing as it will appeal to men.

Melina was introduced to WWE as a manager of two male wrestlers to begin with however shortly parted ways with them to become a wrestler herself. Like Candice Michelle, she was originally used as a sex object however since she began to wrestle, she is represented in a promiscuous less often. She once stated that she would never pose for an adult magazine as the women who pose for them are "sluts".

Since day one, Torrie Wilson has been in WWE to participate in bikini contests and photo shoots. She very rarely participates in wrestling matches. Whether she is posing for a photograph or wrestling in a match, she will wear provocative clothing. Like Candice Michelle, she has also appeared in adult magazines to promote the WWE's biggest event, WrestleMania.

Since her debut, Mickey James has been a wrestler within WWE and rarely participates in bikini contests, however she still appears in the WWE's Summer photoshoot. Unlike a variety of the women in WWE, Mickey James can wrestle. Although WWE is "fixed" a lot of training is essential for moves to be done safely and Mickey James does this well.

Kelly Kelly has not been with the WWE for long, however since she has arrived her popularity has increased rapidly with fans. This is not as she is a great in ring performer, but as she wears the most provocative bikini's during contests. She is one of the youngest women to ever be in WWE as she is only 20 yrs old.

Although this is a sample of the women within WWE, its clear that a large amount of them cannot even wrestle and are on the shows purely to show off the bodies to men. This means they are being represented as sex objects and supports Mulveys Theory of the "Male Gaze"