When reality gets crossed...

Even as a child I knew that when I was watching a professional wrestling match that it was athletic theater, popularly defined these days as "Sports Entertainment." The competitors who faced off in the squared circle certainly knew how to entertain an audience with every move, and every storyline was designed to keep up enthralled. Many men even call it their very own soap opera, with anticipation of each dramatic episode keeping them on the edge of their seats. That said, there are those times in which those in attendance, and sometimes at home, believe that they are as much a part of the action as those who compete. Just go onto any blog site whenever an episode of WWE's "Monday Night Raw" has concluded, and you will read the opinions of many an armchair booker (booker is a term for someone who writes the wrestling storylines) who thinks they can create a better story, if only they had the chance. The vitriol becomes so intense that it turns into personal attacks, and people confuse fantasy with reality.

This confusion took place in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on Sunday when WWE wrestler Roman Reigns was attacked by a fan during his match. According to police, the fan used a gold-plated briefcase to throw it into the ring, hitting Reigns in the process. Fortunately no one was hurt and Reigns was able to finish the match, but the fan was removed from the arena and as a result was banned from all future wrestling shows.

Although the fan issued an apology and no charges were filed, what is interesting to note is that when other fans saw the briefcase, they chanted for the man to throw the briefcase in the ring. This is a symptom of a larger problem, in which people tend to listen to the voice of what's popular as opposed to what is right. I often tell my students what is mentioned in Proverbs 1:10 "My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!"


Go back to a time in which you listened to the wrong people, and the resulting consequences of those actions. What if you had decided "You know what? Thanks but no thanks," to the people who tried to steer you in the wrong direction? Are you listening to those voices even today? Innovation is not saying yes to every idea that comes along, but it's being able to say "No." It shows focus and determination to do what is best, and is a benchmark of maturity.

However, I'd have to question the maturity of a man who decided to spend his time painting a briefcase gold in the first place...