I've kept a close eye on all of the "developments" in the Vince McMahon "death" case since the moment it happened this past Monday night on RAW. I've followed all the news both in the mainstream media as well as on sites across the web.

Seeing as how wrestlingfigs.com is my favorite source for figure news I visit here often and find myself checking out your news section when something catches my eye.

This past week I've read the posts containing several emails from fans "sickened" by the Vince McMahon death angle. Wrestlingfigs.com is the only site I've seen (though it is unlikely it is the only) that has posted these emails for all to read - and I hope it is not the opinion of wrestlingfigs.com that this angle is distasteful.

Personally, it sickens me to read emails from these "fans" bitching and complaining about this STORYLINE claiming that it is a blemish on the face of wrestling tradition. The WWE provides wrestling fans with hours upon hours of FREE entertainment every week and asks nothing in return. If a fan spends money on live shows, pay-per-views or merchandise, it is his or her own choice. In the same respect it is the responsibility of a fan who is displeased with the product that WWE provides to simply not watch.

It is no secret that pro-wrestling is no longer what it once was in the days of men like Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, Bruno Sammartino, Killer Kowalski and a long list of other legends - that kind of product cannot survive in today's world. Let's face it, whether the old, greying fans of classic territorial wrestling like it or not, their "wrestling" went out the door in the late 90's as WCW tried to adapt to the changing market before eventually tanking. "Wrestling" today is one part wrestling, one part story. If you don't like the product, don't watch.

It's surprising to me that a legion of fans who have so staunchly defended freedom of speech has a few among them who oppose the WWE's right to run any kind of storyline they want. Professional wrestling is a work, it is an act, it is a story, a live movie, a glorified soap opera - it is not real (though, of course, the sacrifice on a wrestler's body is). What happens on WWE television is no different than what you might watch on The Sopranos, Law & Order, Days of Our Lives, The Shield, etc.

Vince McMahon is no more than a character in a television show that makes no secrets about the fact that it is a staged show with characters - no more than a movie. Just because certain fans ("smart" or otherwise) find it difficult to draw the line between fiction and reality does not make the killing of a character on a SHOW an innapropriate thing.

While it is unfortunate that Sensational Sherri has passed so close to this storyline does not make it innapropriate. It is not inappropriate to "kill" a character just because Owen Hart and Eddie Guerrero died years ago. Owen fueded with his own brother on TV as part of his character, Eddie fought to gain the rights of an illegitimate son as part of his character, and Vince McMahon died as part of his character.

When Owen Hart died tragically almost a decade ago the WWE made a point of erasing the line between reality and fiction at the very moment it happened. As the PPV continued the commentators made certain that fans knew that what had happened was NOT part of the show. There is no disrespect on WWE's part as it relates to real and tragic deaths of professional wrestlers several years ago and a clearly scripted limo explosion that took place on Monday - come on, people!

This "storyline" is no more inappropriate than a movie about war, or the death of a TV character on a soap opera,  as our men and women are dying in Iraq. And this happens every day. To say that WWE used this as a publicity stunt is absolutely correct - no more than a television show kills one of their own characters during sweeps week. To even suggest that "oh, not all publicity is good" - well, yes it is. And the ratings show that - just as the ratings of a television show increase with similar tactics.

It's time that these "fans" took responsibility into their own hands. Enjoy the free entertainment that WWE provides you with every week and has for decades OR change the channel. You have no right to watch their programming yet feel that you are entitled to bash their creative decisions because it offends your morals as a "traditional" wrestling fan.

It's time to draw the line between fiction and reality. Just because the fiction in question is well done and believable does not make it wrong. Your "moral outrage" is without grounds.

I invite wrestlingfigs.com to support both sides of this arguement by posting this letter as I invite people to email me their comments at [email protected]. I will not hide, and encourage response.

Thank you for your time,
David Onda
Philadelphia, PA