Wrestling with the WWF

 For the last month I tried to get hold of the World Wrestling Federationıs media relations office to secure credentials for the WWF Live performance that was held on the campus of UC Davis on February 13th. Last Thursday, after numerous unanswered voice mails and just two working days before the performance, I finally caught someone at their desk in the media relations office.
 I promptly faxed over a request for two credentials, one for myself to photograph the event and another for a writer. On Friday I called to check on the request and was given the run-around about the credentials. At first, the representative tried to tell me that they were Œsold outı of media passes for the event. I didnıt buy that for a second and told him so. He then said because it isnıt on TV, he didnıt know if they issued media passes for the event. Finally, he agreed to check on that and get back to me in 30 minutes.

 Three hours later I got a phone message at the newspaper informing me that there would be two 'tickets' at Will-Call under my name for myself and the writer Conner McDonald. Although I was hesitant about the word 'ticket's, fearing I would be in the stands and not on the floor, I decided to take what I was given.


"Hardcore Holly" pounces on his opponent "Jericho" during the WWF Live performance at the Recreation Hall at UC Davis on Sunday night.


WWF fans Kenny Holk (left) and Chris Walker sneak a peak through the curtains in hopes of getting a glimps of WWF stars during the WWF Live event at the Rec Hall on Sunday, February 13, 2000.

 Our seats were on the floor, but three rows back from the front. There wasnıt anywhere for the media to stand, since on the other side of the front row there was a steel barricade, five feet of space, and then the ring. The five feet of space was often used in the wrestlerıs acts, and I definitely did not want to be in there. Given these circumstances, my position was adequate for covering the event.
 Perhaps the most peculiar element of all this is I was not asked to sign a contract of any kind restricting my rights to use the photographs. Previously on the National Press Photographerıs Association e-mail discussion group, fellow BTV member Tom Burton related his experiences with the WWF contract. He and his employer, the Orlando Sentinel, refused to sign the contract that would turn over all copyright of the photographs to the WWF. I was never asked to sign such a contract, and therefore am free to use the images as I wish.
 The experience of a WWF show is like no other. I presume that everyone in the arena knows that it is all a performance, yet the fans yell and scream with a passion that is usually reserved for the most intense sporting contests or a verbal attack on oneıs mother. It was my goal to capture the ballet-like grace of the characters and fan enthusiasm. While I wouldn't classify myself a WWF fan, the performance was certainly entertaining.


'The Rock' looks to tag out of the ring during WWF Live at the Recreational Hall at UC Davis. on February 13, 2000.

 




1
Joseph Jaszewski
< joeja@ucdavis.edu >
Student
Davis, California
Other journals by Joeseph Jaszewski
358 April 17, 2000 Thank goodness for film
353 February 25, 2000 McCain in California
345 February 17 , 2000 Wrestling with the WWF
335 November 20, 1999 Trust your instincts
331 Is Photojournalism Dead? Joe Jaszewski Why be a student of photojournalism, if in fact its deceased?
315 September 12, 1999 It was one of the businest days
313 September 6, 1999 T-Ball days
300 July 10, 1999 "We'll Make This One Work"
293 June 30, 1999 105 degrees. 5pm. American Legion baseball, Rio American High School
289 June 2, 1999 Exactly Two Months Ago
287 May 31, 1999 One of my favorite subjects to photograph
275 May 1, 1999 How do you cover a demonstration when you are the target of crowds displeasure?
268 April 22, 1999 While out on assignment, I usually have some clue of what I should do, and when I should do it.
256 March 25, 1999 Hoop Frames
249 March 15, 1999 Perhaps those who should be most concerned about the future of photojournalism are students
220 February 9, 1999 Airlines are a Curious Thing
203 January 18, 1999 Last week I was asked to join the staff of The Sacramento Bee’s group of 7 community weekly newspapers, Neighbors.
196 January 4, 1999 The next step
187 December 13, 1998 Shoot with just one body, a 35mm f/2 lens, and a roll of 800 film.
177 November 21, 1998 Sometimes, things just have a funny way of working out and fate joins your side for a bit.
164 October 27, 1998 It sure feels good when someone in a management capacity notices the work you do and goes out of their way to acknowledge the quality of that work and compliment you.
154 October 7, 1998 Getting my feet back on level ground
148 September September Tom Hubbard Thoughts on being a freshman Guest Journal Thoughts on being a freshman Photos added 9/29
137 August 24, 1998 When formal assignments are running thin and I just have that itch to shoot, I rely on my family to provide a subject: themselves.
130 August 6, 1998 The bar keeps getting raised
119 July 24, 1998 I had no guarantee of selling the photos I was about to take. I figured if I couldn’t get anyone to buy them, then I would just chalk it up to experience.
114 July 17, 1998 . The best high school photojournalism program in the world
110 July 8, 1998 Redemption
103 June 25, 1998 Let’s go and knock on other people’s doors and meet them
91 June 12, 1998 This was a milestone for me, considering I had never had an assignment from a commercial newspaper
71 May 8, 1998 Why I chose Photojournalism as a Career
 
Contributor since 1998
  
   


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