As with anything concerning dangerous highspots, though, it is not that simple. Wrestlers like Lita, Chris Benoit and Jeff Hardy are all over at least in part because of a dangerous move they routinely perform. Hardly a match goes by without a moonsault by Lita, a diving head butt by Benoit or a swanton bomb by Hardy. It is that fleeting glory bestowed by the fans that keeps the long-term health of Lita s knees, Benoit s neck and Hardy s back in jeopardy. But it is hard to blame the fans.
Human nature is to respond to the spectacular when enjoying any form of entertainment.
The point is rammed home a hundred times a night with every home run or slam-dunk on Sportscenter. And at the movies, the consistent box office champions are spectacular action movies with explosions galore. It stands to reason, then, that when fans tune into professional wrestling, something out of the ordinary is expected. Whether that be a chiseled physique or a body in flight, an important part of retaining fans is to leave them in awe. Given this part of human nature, the part promoters play in this dangerous game both follows and leads the part played by fans similar to the chicken and the egg.