them in Week 8), the Bears could be on the move in the

The world of professional wrestling got its start in the 1800s, but the genesis of what we see today in the world of sports entertainment has its origins in the 1920s, when Ed Strangler Lewis, Toots Mondt and Billy Sandow got together to form the Gold Dust Trio.According to the book WWE Legends, this triumvirate developed what Mondt called the Slam Bang Western Wrestling style, moving beyond exhibitions in the ring that were presented like any other kind of fight and incorporating storylines into pro wrestling in a way that hadnt been done before.In essence, the Gold Dust Trio was the industrys first entity to become true masters of the psychological techniques of getting over with the crowd. They used those methods to generate the desired reactions from the audience and eventually utilized them to dominate the industry for nearly a decade.This opening edition of the Getting Over series aims to detail the psychological rules that the world of pro wrestling has developed in the nearly 100 years since the inception of the Gold Dust Trio; elements that remain the same, or similar, to how they were at the inception of the style, and things that have changed dramatically in the modern era.Before getting into the specifics of these rules, however, it helps to note the one rule that trumps all others.Rule No. 1: Drawing a paying audience is always the primary goal for any promotionThis is the prime directive of pro wrestling. Everything thats ever done in the wrestling business and everyone whos involved, from promoters to announcers to main eventers to the most inexperienced enhancement talent, is there to get an audience to spend money. That applies to anything that brings in a steady cashflow, including house shows, pay-per-views, network subscriptions and merchandise.This rule is so ingrained into the fabric of pro wrestling that WWE Hall of Famer Gorilla Monsoon, one of the most venerated voices in history and for whom the most prominent backstage position was named, once said that if anyone was in this business for any reason other than to make money, he was a fool.Its as straightforward a rule as youll see on this list, and it trumps every other entry that will follow to such a degree that a subset is necessary.Rule No. 1A: Every rule can be broken if it leads to drawing a paying audience.One of the strengths of Rule No. 1 is that it allows all of the other rules that will follow to be modified whenever circumstances dictate. Its easy to say that should be a straightforward rule, but as well see in future columns and looking back on the past, applying the rules too rigidly can be counter-productive.For example, take?The New Day, a faction that went from being a struggling, overproduced heel tag team to the most popular faction in the WWE by Wrestlemania 32.?Less than a year ago, we had to damn near beg for a single item on shop. This Wrestlemania week, The New Day was #1 in Merch sales.- ShinigamE (@WWEBigE) April 18, 2016They did it by breaking past many of the stereotypical roles that preceded them in wrestling. They also broke the mold of how factions work.Before The New Day, a faction needed to have a leader. The early incarnations of The Four Horsemen had Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham and J.J. Dillon, who were six of the most accomplished workers of their generation. Yet, Blanchard himself said, the credibility that Flair being part of an organization, instead of always being the world champion and staying off by himself, elevated us and made us the elite gang of professional wrestling. Had the other members of The Four Horsemen not been associated with Flair, they would have been a strong faction in the NWA, but almost certainly wouldnt have reached the legendary status they now hold today.The same rule applied to D-Generation X. Road Dogg and Billy Gunn had one of the most memorable rings intros of all time, and Chyna was the Ninth Wonder of the World, but there is zero doubt that as?Triple H?and Shawn Michaels went, so went DX. Thats why Triple H and Michaels were able to very successfully reform the group a few years later. They were so integral to DX that they didnt?even need the others to get the faction over.Having a single leader simply isnt The New Days M.O. As the aforementioned article in The Undefeated noted,?Kofi Kingston,?Big E?and?Xavier Woods?are real-life best friends who view the group in?an?egalitarian way. They even adopted the classic Freebird rule that says if one of them wins a title, be it a tag-team title or individual title, that any of them are able to defend that title in a match. The group would not be the same without any one of them, but assigning an individual member of the group to the role of team leader just goes against what The New Day is all about. The crowd can sense the friendship between the three, and its part of why The New Days Power of Positivity message gets over and allows this team to break the faction leader rule.The rule-breaking exception even works when it comes to putting an undersized wrestler over as the main-event draw, and its not just a modern invention, as you might otherwise believe.One of the first instances of this occurred with an early 20th century superstar who might have been one of the greatest babyfaces of all time. Depending on which source you believe, Jim Londos was between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-8 and weighed roughly 200 pounds. This was undersized for his era, but it didnt keep Londos from being booked to win programs against powerhouses such as Bronko Nagurski. Yes, that Bronko Nagurski, the former Chicago Bears great who loomed head and shoulders above most NFL players?and thus was one of the true giants of professional football. Having Londos beat Nagurski with an airplane spin might have strained credulity, but this duo pulled off that finish during a 1938 world title switch.Londos got that kind of push for one simple reason: He was able to sell tickets at an awe-inspiring pace. To get an idea of just how incredible a draw Londos was, consider this: Pro wrestling historian Matt Farmer, who is noted for his deep-dive research into wrestling attendance figures, has determined that in 1931, Londos drew an audience of 10,000 or more on 31 occasions, a single-year rate that far exceeded anything anyone had done before this. This was one of many incredible gate figures Londos had during his career, most of which occurred during the heights of The Great Depression.This type of thing has happened at various points in the world of wrestling, and the clearest modern examples, albeit to a different extent, involve?Daniel Bryan?and C.M. Punk. Theyre undersized?wrestlers who overcame initial organizational resistance to putting them over and eventually become true main-event stars and big-money assets.These examples, from the earliest days of professional wrestling through the modern era, show that if a wrestler can draw a paying audience, eventually any and all of the rules of the business can be bent or fully ignored in the effort to give that audience what it wants. As we flesh out this list of rules in the future, youll see just how much precedent and conventional thinking each man overcame to reach that point. Discount Air Jordan 12 . Its the second straight game Bell has scored in extra time for Kelowna, which beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 6-5 on Friday, and he now has four game-winning goals on the season. Cheap Jordan 12 Gym Red .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. http://www.wholesalejordan12.com/ . As he recorded his 23rd and 24th points of the evening, a segment of the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd expressed their appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chants. Air Jordan 12 Wholesale . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. Discount Jordan 4 Royalty . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. The Cowboys, winners of six straight games, have climbed their way to No. 2 this week and join the Patriots as the top two teams in the Week 9 NFL Power Rankings. ESPNs power panel (a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities) also rewarded another climber, the Raiders, who moved up five spots to sit just outside the top five.Methodology note: These rankings reflect which teams voters think would win head-to-head matchups. Higher-ranked teams would be favored against lower-ranked teams. Coming off a win doesnt guarantee a jump, and coming off a loss doesnt guarantee a fall.Check out the rest of the league and where each team ranks.Previous rankings: Week 8 | Week 7 | Week 6 | Week 5 | Week 4 | Week 3 | Week 2 | Week 1 | PreseasonESPN Stats & Information contributed the following research, with this weeks focus on how each team has changed since its Week 1 ranking.1. New England Patriots2016 record: 7-1 Week 8 ranking: 1 | Week 1 ranking: 3The Patriots were near the apex of the rankings even without quarterback Tom Brady, so now that hes back into the full swing of things, is it any surprise New England is the top dog? Brady heads into the bye 4-0 with 12 touchdown passes and no interceptions.2. Dallas Cowboys2016 record: 6-1 Week 8 ranking: 4 | Week 1 ranking: 23A big reason for the Cowboys success is their star rookies: QB Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott. According to Elias, Prescott and Johnny Lujack (1948 Bears) are the only rookie quarterbacks to start 6-1 in NFL history.3. Denver Broncos2016 record: 6-2 Week 8 ranking: 3 | Week 1 ranking: 8Its possible the Broncos are still being underestimated, despite their 6-2 start. The defense has forced 16 turnovers (tied for most in the NFL) and allowed only 17 points per game. On top of that, the Broncos have thrown eight fewer interceptions than they did by this point last season.4. Seattle Seahawks2016 record: 4-2-1 Week 8 ranking: 2 | Week 1 ranking: 1The Seahawks are still a top-five team, but thats mostly thanks to their defense. QB Russell Wilson doesnt seem himself lately (thanks to injuries, among other factors), and his rushing numbers back that up. Wilson has 44 rush yards this season, tied for 20th among quarterbacks. Whom is he tied with? Tom Brady.5. Green Bay Packers2016 record: 4-3 Week 8 ranking: 6 | Week 1 ranking: 6The Packers are about where they were at the start of the season, despite a 4-3 record entering Week 9. Thats not bad for a team that had three players each record their first touchdown receptions in Week 8, thanks to a multitude of injuries. If this team can get fully healthy, watch out.6. Oakland Raiders2016 record: 6-2 Week 8 ranking: 11 | Week 1 ranking: 11The Raiders are off to their best eight-game start since 2001, despite allowing the second-most yards per game and committing the most penalties. QB Derek Carr has kept the Raiders afloat, throwing 16 of his 17 touchdowns with the score within eight points (most in the NFL).7. Minnesota Vikings2016 record: 5-2 Week 8 ranking: 5 | Week 1 ranking: 12Not many anticipated that the Vikings would rise as high as they did after losing QB Teddy Bridgewater to a season-ending injury in late August. But with Sam Bradfords recent struggles, taking 11 sacks the past two games, a bigger drop-off could be in store if the problems arent corrected.8. Pittsburgh Steelers2016 record: 4-3 Week 8 ranking: 8 | Week 1 ranking: 2The Steelers have dipped a bit in the rankings since the start of the season. Quarterback Ben Roethlisbergers absence hasnt helped. Let the record show: Steelers QBs not named Roethlisberger are 1-6 against the Ravens (Pittsburghs Week 9 opponent) since he became the starter.9. Atlanta Falcons2016 record: 5-3 Week 8 ranking: 10 | Week 1 ranking: 22ESPNs efficiency rankings have the Falcons at No. 2 offensively, trailing only the Patriots. That top offense has moved the Falcons from No. 22 to No. 9 in this weeks rankings, but their 26th-ranked defense could get in the way of future movement in this poll if theyre not careful.10. Philadelphia Eagles2016 record: 4-3 Week 8 ranking: 12 | Week 1 ranking: 25The Eagles have dropped three of their past four games, but all of the losses have been close (seven points or fewer), and all have been on the road. QB Carson Wentz will prove his mettle in upcoming weeks, though, as the Eagles take on the Giants, Falcons, Seahawks and Packers.11. Kansas City Chiefs2016 record: 5-2 Week 8 ranking: 9 | Week 1 ranking: 9The Chiefs are 5-2 this season and 15-2 in their past 17 games, so a dip in the rankings from Week 1 feels a little off here. However, the Chiefs will be put to the test in upcoming weeks, mostly because of uncertainty at quarterback and running back following recent injuries.12. Arizona Cardinals2016 record: 3-4-1 Week 8 ranking: 7 | Week 1 ranking: 4The Cardinals made big changes on the offensive line this offseason, and those changes are coming back to haunt them in the standings and the rankings. Arizona is 0-4-1 this season when allowing multiple sacks and 3-0 when allowing one or zero.13. Cincinnati Bengals2016 record: 3-4-1 Week 8 ranking: 13 | Week 1 ranking: 7QB Andy Dalton has now started two tie games in his NFL career. That fact might sum up the Andy Dalton experience, as the Bengals have slipped in the standings since Week 1. No. 13 might be generous, though, as Cincinnatis wins have come against the Jets (No. 27 in Power Rankings), Dolphins (No. 28) and Browns (No. 32).14. San Diego Chargers2016 record: 3-5 Week 8 ranking: 14 | Week 1 ranking: 26The Chargers have already made big moves in the rankings since Week 1, but imagine where theyd be if they could hold a lead. Only the Patriots have run more offensive plays with a lead (346) than the Chargers (258) this season.15. Washington Redskins2016 record: 4-3-1 Week 8 ranking: 19 | Week 1 ranking: 14The Redskins lost their first two, then won four in a row and have gone winless (0-1-1) since. The ups and downs have Washington moving down one spot since Week 1. Something good to show for itt is the recent play of QB Kirk Cousins.dddddddddddd Hes second in the NFL in passing yards this season, with 2,454.16. Carolina Panthers2016 record: 2-5 Week 8 ranking: 22 | Week 1 ranking: 5Its easy to make Cam Newton a scapegoat, but the Panthers defense might be the real culprit in the teams overall fall in the rankings since Week 1. The Panthers are allowing 28 points per game this season, which is almost nine more per game than they allowed all of the previous regular season (19.3).17. Houston Texans2016 record: 5-3 Week 8 ranking: 17 | Week 1 ranking: 13If the Texans played every game at home, theyd be one of the best teams in the NFL. In Houston this season, they are 5-0 and averaging 23 points per game. Away from Houston? Theyre 0-3 and have scored 22 points ... total.18. Buffalo Bills2016 record: 4-4 Week 8 ranking: 16 | Week 1 ranking: 16The Bills are 1-3 in division games this season, with the only win coming against the Jacoby Brissett-led Patriots in Week 4. As the AFC East gets more muddled, those losses could come back to bite the Bills. They look to right the ship Monday at Seattle.19. New Orleans Saints2016 record: 3-4 Week 8 ranking: 25 | Week 1 ranking: 27The Saints have won three of their past four games to move up in the rankings, and that Drew Brees fellow is one of the big reasons for that. During the four-game stretch, Brees has an 84.0 Total QBR, second in the NFL to Tom Brady.20. Baltimore Ravens2016 record: 3-4 Week 8 ranking: 21 | Week 1 ranking: 15The Ravens started the season with a three-game win streak but have lost four straight since. Joe Flacco is one of four qualified quarterbacks with more interceptions than touchdowns so far (six versus five). The Ravens could be better than 20th, but they could be a lot worse too.21. Detroit Lions2016 record: 4-4 Week 8 ranking: 15 | Week 1 ranking: 20Like a lot of teams, the Lions are not a complete team on all sides of the ball. Their offense is rated the fourth-most efficient, according to NFL FPI, but their defense ranks 31st, better than only the Browns. Without balance, the Lions might find it difficult to rise above the middle of the rankings.22. New York Giants2016 record: 4-3 Week 8 ranking: 18 | Week 1 ranking: 17Its hard to tell if the Giants are pretenders or contenders. They have a 4-3 record, but their minus-8 point differential is the worst in the crowded NFC East. That kind of point differential doesnt bode well for their potential going forward.23. Tennessee Titans2016 record: 4-4 Week 8 ranking: 23 | Week 1 ranking: 30The Titans have already surpassed their 2015 win total (3-13). QB Marcus Mariota has shown improvement, especially from the pocket. His Total QBR from inside the pocket has improved by 21 points this season.24. Los Angeles Rams2016 record: 3-4 Week 8 ranking: 27 | Week 1 ranking: 28Since Week 1, the Rams have crept up the rankings, thanks to a 3-1 start, but a three-game skid has halted that rise. Regardless of who starts at quarterback going forward, Todd Gurleys 3.0 yards per rush (second-worst in the NFL) needs to improve if Los Angeles aims to make it through the meat of the schedule.25. Indianapolis Colts2016 record: 3-5 Week 8 ranking: 24 | Week 1 ranking: 18The Colts have dropped since Week 1, and for good reason: Andrew Luck has been sacked an NFL-high 31 times this season. Luck has had to play behind 12 different offensive line combinations already and has taken a sack behind seven of them.26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers2016 record: 3-4 Week 8 ranking: 20 | Week 1 ranking: 24Here are Jameis Winstons completion percentages this season: 72, 52, 62, 49, 60, 70, 50. The inconsistency from week to week is frustrating for fans, but not entirely unexpected from a second-year quarterback. If he can find his rhythm, the Bucs could move back up.27. New York Jets2016 record: 3-5 Week 8 ranking: 28 | Week 1 ranking: 10Through this point last season,?Ryan Fitzpatrick had 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Those numbers are basically flipped this season (seven TDs, 11 INTs), and Fitzpatrick has already been benched once. The Jets have a lot of work to do if they want to reach the top 10 in these Power Rankings again.28. Miami Dolphins2016 record: 3-4 Week 8 ranking: 26 | Week 1 ranking: 21Even consecutive 200-yard rushing performances by Jay Ajayi cant get the Dolphins back to their original ranking following Miamis 1-4 start. The Dolphins averaged 72 rush yards per game during that start, so if Ajayi keeps up with the big gains and the wins start happening, Miami could make a move in future weeks.29. Chicago Bears2016 record: 2-6 Week 8 ranking: 30 | Week 1 ranking: 29The Bears are pretty much where we left them in Week 1. This team has offensive talent, and if Jordan Howard and Alshon Jeffery can continue to make big plays (265 total yards, two TDs between them in Week 8), the Bears could be on the move in the rankings.30. Jacksonville Jaguars2016 record: 2-5 Week 8 ranking: 29 | Week 1 ranking: 19Entering the season, it seemed like things were on the up and up in Jacksonville. Guess not. The Jags have two wins, but by a combined score of four points. Theyve been outscored by 61 in their five losses.31. San Francisco 49ers2016 record: 1-6 Week 8 ranking: 31 | Week 1 ranking: 32The 49ers have moved up a whopping one spot since Week 1. The team obviously has quarterback problems, but the main reason for the 49ers consistently poor ranking is defense. The 49ers rank last in points per game allowed this season, as they are giving up 31.3.32. Cleveland Browns2016 record: 0-8 Week 8 ranking: 32 | Week 1 ranking: 31When you havent won a game and youve had six different quarterbacks throw a pass through eight games, youre going to find yourself at the bottom of the standings. If Week 1 prognostications are any such indicator, our power panel had a hunch that Cleveland was going to struggle this season, even before it all went down. ' ' '