WHO'S READY TO SEE A MIDGET BLEED?

[BoddaH1994]

PT Barnum died a rich man...

[The Interpreter]

For some, that is all that matters....

I remember this same discussion, though more on the hoochy-koo line of thinking, about last year's Haunt.

Whatever...those that enjoy it, have at it...as for me, I'll go count flags or sumthin'

[RingMaster]

My take: It's professional wrestling! Everybody knows it's a scripted show! If the crowd is as white trash as everybody seems to think, they won't be able to afford KI's beer prices. And midgets have to make a living like everybody else! What do you expect them to do? This....?

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=k_CAs3q7G48

But seriously, my prediction is that the event will be so ridiculous that most people will be unable to endure it unless they are laughing..... Does midget wrestling really have any "fans"?

Like I said before, there's a difference between pro wrestling and the wrestling seen in Half-Pint Brawlers.

Pro wrestling is, as you just said, purely scripted, and if there is blood involved, it's usually stage blood.

Half-Pint Brawlers do what they call Backyard Wrestling, which is all real, with real blood. Backyarders also use real weapons in their arsenal, like baseball bats wrapped in barbed wire, fluorescent light tubes, and staple guns. Backyard Wrestling picked up momentum a couple years back when the infamous Insane Clown Posse got involved, as well as had two video games made for last-gen consoles (PS2 and Xbox).

Also, the Half-Pint Brawlers are on Spike TV, a channel made mainly for the adult male crowd. The same adult male crowd that loves the good ol' taste of beer. You only need to look at several vids of them to see their fanbase.

Maybe they'll ask their friend, the media director of a popular Kings Island fan website, to link to it, with an ALL-CAPS title, and a Parental Advisory warning to help drum up discussion/attention/controversy - with any luck, the local "news" will pick up the story and help with the promotion.

...and it's working.

Yeah, and if it further hurts the image of the park to the point where attendance at both the Haunt and the park itself goes down (and even to the point where the Haunt name itself may be tarnished and other Cedar Fair Haunts may become hurt by it)....well, at least we'll know the marketing gimmick worked.

[KIBOB]

This is truly horrendous, I can't believe that I'm saying this, but this video actually makes my stomach turn sour towards Cedar Fair, or for that matter, KI management. This has gone too far, they have taken a family friendly park that ONCE had a lot of atmosphere and a special sort of feel to it, and turned it into an alley-way trashy event. If KI management REALLY wants to drive families that have been coming to the halloween event, or for that matter, the park in general, then they are doing a pretty good job of it.

I love KI, it is my home park, and I grew up going there, but in a situation like this, someone needs to take a sensible step forward and see what is really wrong with this.

Halloween events are about getting genuinly scared, as others on here have pointed out, not witness a gruesome seen of inhumanity.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against "professional wrestling" but this is not...............this is just people being ripped apart in front of park guests.

Kings Island, from me and most of the members of this site would agree, open your eyes!

[RailRider]

After mulling this over for a few days, I will not be visiting KI during Haunt for the first time since its start. Instead I will be spending an extra day at CP during Haloweekends. How times have changed and my lack of desire to deal with a crowd that has seen a midget bleed.

[Justin_M17]

I didn't like this idea when it was first announced and after seeing this video I have to say that my opinion hasn't changed. I remember in a different thread a post was made saying that this will attract the same kind of negative attention to Haunt as $1 PBR attracted to Cyclones games, and I think that hits the nail right on the head. I know that Haunt is supposed to be a bit more of an "extreme" attraction than your average operating day at Kings Island, and that this is certainly a big step for the park... I just believe that this is a big step in a direction that Cedar Fair really shouldn't be going.

[BoddaH1994]

Like I said before, there's a difference between pro wrestling and the wrestling seen in Half-Pint Brawlers.

Pro wrestling is, as you just said, purely scripted, and if there is blood involved, it's usually stage blood.

Half-Pint Brawlers do what they call Backyard Wrestling, which is all real, with real blood. Backyarders also use real weapons in their arsenal, like baseball bats wrapped in barbed wire, fluorescent light tubes, and staple guns. Backyard Wrestling picked up momentum a couple years back when the infamous Insane Clown Posse got involved, as well as had two video games made for last-gen consoles (PS2 and Xbox).

The blood on televised wrestling is in fact real. The performers cut themselves above the hairline. It's called juicing and they've been doing it for years.

Here's a fuller explanation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blading_%28professional_wrestling%29

Also, if you're referring to "pro wrestling" as in WWE, don't forget that they repackaged their product as a TVPG rating, which is more kid-friendly. The stuff they did in the late 90s was very similar to this, and is also what put them on the map (and was likely what saved their company from bankruptcy). They have more "hard core" style wrestling around the world, especially in Japan.

Wrestling, although scripted, is in many cases far more real than fake. You can fake stapling someone's head in front of a live crowd. This may not be the lifestyle that everyone chooses, but it's their chosen life.

Yeah, and if it further hurts the image of the park to the point where attendance at both the Haunt and the park itself goes down (and even to the point where the Haunt name itself may be tarnished and other Cedar Fair Haunts may become hurt by it)....well, at least we'll know the marketing gimmick worked.

It's funny because every year you seem to claim that KI completely missed the ball with Haunt, and every year you're more wrong. Thousands went every night last year and the year before and will likely go this year again. Barring Mother Nature having her way with the park, show me a not-packed Kings Island on a Saturday night in mid-October and I'll concede and say you were right and I was wrong.

[Gordon Bombay]

If the crowd is as white trash as everybody seems to think, they won't be able to afford KI's beer prices.

My opinion/observation from a guy who's worked at a bar, gone to a coinstar machine before going to the bar, been to twenty nine Reds games this year and broken up drunken fights as a former employee at the Firstar Center (or whatever they're calling that eyesore arena on the Riverfront these days)... doesn't matter how poor or "white trash" someone looks... if people want to get drunk, they'll pay the prices.

The video reminds me a lot of "Jugallo Championship Wrestling (The wrestling "federation" spawned from the hip rap group Insane Clown Posse) and Juggalo's remind me of the guys we used to have arrested at the mall for shoplifting ICP merchandise.

[King Maple The Tree King]

I like how a park that won an award for the best kids area in the world for the 10th straight year two days ago also is proud to promote a video of bar fights and people getting staple guns to the head.

Something for everyone I guess...

Edit:

Ok, seriously? I just watched the video again. Knievel, Wallenda... awesome events that brought back nostalgia to the way KI used to be. Increased shows and entertainment. Better landscaping, a great place to create memories with your children.

And midget wrestling. I mean, did anyone else watch that video? There is a man getting a staple gun to the head. You can see this crap at the local VFW hall or trailer park.

[The Interpreter]

Ryan and whoever decided this is appropriate entertainment at Kings Island and made the decision to allow it:

If 3,000,000 people go to this Haunt, that's not my standard of what is right and what is not.

If that is really your standard, why not just have porn, too? I hear it makes lots of money and is the number 1 attraction on the Internet. In fact, why not make it the standard part of this website? Again, I hear it makes lots and lots of money and that Hugh Hefner (like P T Barnum was) is a very rich man. I hear porn draws a lot of people...far more than this website did last year.

One reason you don't do this is because there are standards more important than just how much money can be made. Another reason is the effect it would have on the reputation of the park (or the website) the rest of the time...is Kings Island a park where wholesome entertainment is encouraged or is it a venue for real violence put on for the prurient interests of those who ARE READY TO SEE A REAL MIDGET BLEED? (Is KIC your information source for Kings Island or is it a place to appeal to the prurient interest and to get as many eyes as possible in order to generate revenue?)

I am with RailRider. For the first time ever, I will not be at Kings Island while this is being offered.

If that is my small way of trying to influence the park, I will...

Terp, who cares about some things, deeply.

[windshawne]

Ryan and whoever decided this is appropriate entertainment at Kings Island and made the decision to allow it:

I really don't care if 3,000,000 people go to this Haunt. That's not my standard of what is right and what is not.

I will not be one of them.

If that is really your standard, why not just have porn, too? I hear it makes lots of money and is the number 1 attraction on the Internet. In fact, why not make it the standard part of this website? Again, I hear it makes lots and lots of money and that Hugh Hefner (like P T Barnum was) is a very rich man. I hear porn draws a lot of people...far more than this website did last year.

One reason you don't do this is because there are standards more important than just how much money can be made. Another reason is the effect it would have on the reputation of the park (or the website) the rest of the time...is Kings Island a park where wholesome entertainment is encouraged or is it a venue for real violence put on for the prurient interests of those who ARE READY TO SEE A REAL MIDGET BLEED? (Is KIC your information source for Kings Island or is it a place to appeal to the prurient interest and to get as many eyes as possible in order to generate revenue?)

I am with RailRider. For the first time ever, I will not be at Kings Island while this is being offered.

If that is my small way of trying to influence the park, I will...

Terp, who cares about some things, deeply.

Scantily dressed young ladies in club blood is a step towards that I believe.

I'm gonna go even farther-if this is the kind of garbage we get to see year after year, just get rid of haunt altogether. Like I said before, this is just plain sickening.

[RailRider]

Terpy, I agree about not being at the park while this is being offered. For me this is saying something because the first date my wife and I went on was to KI for FearFest the first year. So this time of year at KI has some very special meaning to us, but neither I nor my wife want to see crap like this and experience the kind of crowd it will bring in. Instead we will head north to a classier event. I hope KI eventually gets the Point.

[Snowman]

Well put Terp.

Consider this:

The frame of most peoples minds after getting innocently scared = jumpy, twitchy, laughing at themselves or others in their party about being more or less scared than the others but still in a good mood.

The frame of most peoples minds after getting grossed by fake gore = temporally nauseous (SP?) shaking heads to clear gross visual memories, but still having a good time.

The frame of most peoples minds after watching actual ( although scripted) violence and REAL blood = elevated testosterone, rowdiness (ask any bouncer) and more interest in uncontrolled mayhem.

Let's consider adding alcohol to the mix.

My wife and I aren't really looking forward to the results.

[BoddaH1994]

Ryan and whoever decided this is appropriate entertainment at Kings Island and made the decision to allow it:

If 3,000,000 people go to this Haunt, that's not my standard of what is right and what is not.

If that is really your standard, why not just have porn, too? I hear it makes lots of money and is the number 1 attraction on the Internet. In fact, why not make it the standard part of this website? Again, I hear it makes lots and lots of money and that Hugh Hefner (like P T Barnum was) is a very rich man. I hear porn draws a lot of people...far more than this website did last year.

One reason you don't do this is because there are standards more important than just how much money can be made. Another reason is the effect it would have on the reputation of the park (or the website) the rest of the time...is Kings Island a park where wholesome entertainment is encouraged or is it a venue for real violence put on for the prurient interests of those who ARE READY TO SEE A REAL MIDGET BLEED? (Is KIC your information source for Kings Island or is it a place to appeal to the prurient interest and to get as many eyes as possible in order to generate revenue?)

I am with RailRider. For the first time ever, I will not be at Kings Island while this is being offered.

If that is my small way of trying to influence the park, I will...

Terp, who cares about some things, deeply.

Terpy,

As you know, I don't work for the park so whether this attraction draws thousands of spectators or thousands of protesters is irrelevant to me. I simply think these guys have the right to do their show. They've been doing it for years and have toured the country. No one's forcing them.

Now, how this will affect Haunt remains to be seen, but I still maintain that there won't be any notable drop in attendance as a result of it.

[RailRider]

^

Right to do their show? Yes they have that, nobody is questioning that as long as it doesn't infringe on my rights or anyone elses. Is this the right kind of event for Haunt at Kings Island? I think that is what a good number of folks are questioning. KI is responsible for asking them to bring their show to the park along with whatever else comes with it. I for one have the right not to attend and will not be because of the crowd this attraction will bring, I choose not to interact with that crowd. Especially after seeing an event like this and possibly beer fueld and then they wander to the closest haunted attraction. I feel bad for the workers of haunt who will have to put up with this. I have the right to voice my disgust with this decision and the possible outcomes that may come from it.

[BoddaH1994]

^

Right to do their show? Yes they have that, nobody is questioning that as long as it doesn't infringe on my rights or anyone elses. Is this the right kind of event for Haunt at Kings Island? I think that is what a good number of folks are questioning. KI is responsible for asking them to bring their show to the park along with whatever else comes with it. I for one have the right not to attend and will not be because of the crowd this attraction will bring, I choose not to interact with that crowd. Especially after seeing an event like this and possibly beer fueld and then they wander to the closest haunted attraction. I feel bad for the workers of haunt who will have to put up with this. I have the right to voice my disgust with this decision and the possible outcomes that may come from it.

No one's forcing you to see this show. It's for some people and not for others.

...and even if you don't like the midget wrestling, the 'people watching' will be Olypic-caliber during this.

[74Gibson]

^

Right to do their show? Yes they have that, nobody is questioning that as long as it doesn't infringe on my rights or anyone elses. Is this the right kind of event for Haunt at Kings Island? I think that is what a good number of folks are questioning. KI is responsible for asking them to bring their show to the park along with whatever else comes with it. I for one have the right not to attend and will not be because of the crowd this attraction will bring, I choose not to interact with that crowd. Especially after seeing an event like this and possibly beer fueld and then they wander to the closest haunted attraction. I feel bad for the workers of haunt who will have to put up with this. I have the right to voice my disgust with this decision and the possible outcomes that may come from it.

No one's forcing you to see this show. It's for some people and not for others.

...and even if you don't like the midget wrestling, the 'people watching' will be Olypic-caliber during this.

No but we will be forced to interact with them. I like martial arts and I like beer. I don't like violence and I don't like people harrassing others or acting beligerant.

[RailRider]

^

Right to do their show? Yes they have that, nobody is questioning that as long as it doesn't infringe on my rights or anyone elses. Is this the right kind of event for Haunt at Kings Island? I think that is what a good number of folks are questioning. KI is responsible for asking them to bring their show to the park along with whatever else comes with it. I for one have the right not to attend and will not be because of the crowd this attraction will bring, I choose not to interact with that crowd. Especially after seeing an event like this and possibly beer fueld and then they wander to the closest haunted attraction. I feel bad for the workers of haunt who will have to put up with this. I have the right to voice my disgust with this decision and the possible outcomes that may come from it.

No one's forcing you to see this show. It's for some people and not for others.

...and even if you don't like the midget wrestling, the 'people watching' will be Olypic-caliber during this.

You are very right and that is why I will not be visiting the park this fall. The first Haunt I am not attending since inception. I must interact with those people and I choose not too. I am with Gibson, I like beer and I like martial arts/ mixed martial arts, but I do not like violence for the sake of violence. There is no skill or entertainment value to using a staple gun on another human being.

[BoddaH1994]

^

Right to do their show? Yes they have that, nobody is questioning that as long as it doesn't infringe on my rights or anyone elses. Is this the right kind of event for Haunt at Kings Island? I think that is what a good number of folks are questioning. KI is responsible for asking them to bring their show to the park along with whatever else comes with it. I for one have the right not to attend and will not be because of the crowd this attraction will bring, I choose not to interact with that crowd. Especially after seeing an event like this and possibly beer fueld and then they wander to the closest haunted attraction. I feel bad for the workers of haunt who will have to put up with this. I have the right to voice my disgust with this decision and the possible outcomes that may come from it.

No one's forcing you to see this show. It's for some people and not for others.

...and even if you don't like the midget wrestling, the 'people watching' will be Olypic-caliber during this.

You are very right and that is why I will not be visiting the park this fall. The first Haunt I am not attending since inception. I must interact with those people and I choose not too. I am with Gibson, I like beer and I like martial arts/ mixed martial arts, but I do not like violence for the sake of violence. There is no skill or entertainment value to using a staple gun on another human being.

In mixed martial arts, two people beat the living hell out of each other with thousands of spectators looking on. How is that different from this? Yeah, one's a show and one's a sport, but the appeal is blood lust regardless.

[pcc]

Well.

Um, I was disappointed that I probably won't get to attend Haunt this year due to labor & delivery clinicals on Saturdays not ending until 5pm. My instructor was going to let me leave out early on my bday (Oct.2) so I could go, if it wasn't a busy day delivering babies. That being said, maybe we should just skip this year. As much as it pains me to say that. I love Haunt and the atmosphere, but yes, this will bring out some unsavory characters. Most likely the same types I see in the hospital from time to time that really put an irk in my day. Why subject myself to more of that when I'm trying to detach from that atmosphere and have some fun?

Listen, I live in eastern Kentucky. I know what people are capable of, I know what behaviors will be exhibited. Kings Island is going to have their hands full. (I could be very wrong, but gut instinct says I'm right). We may change our mind and attend, but right now...no. And that's really a shame.

[RailRider]

^

Spoken by someone who truly doesn't understand the amount of skill taken to compete in MMA at a high level. The fighters are not in there beating the crap out of each other for the sake of blood, typically fights end on the ground with fighters using bases of greco roman wrestling, juijitsu or striking background with strong ground defense. I am talking UFC caliber talent as well. Boxing is the sweet science and MMA is slowly taking over that spot, but only the uneducated make the arguement of blood sport. Please don't take this position when you know not of what you talk.

[74Gibson]

^

Right to do their show? Yes they have that, nobody is questioning that as long as it doesn't infringe on my rights or anyone elses. Is this the right kind of event for Haunt at Kings Island? I think that is what a good number of folks are questioning. KI is responsible for asking them to bring their show to the park along with whatever else comes with it. I for one have the right not to attend and will not be because of the crowd this attraction will bring, I choose not to interact with that crowd. Especially after seeing an event like this and possibly beer fueld and then they wander to the closest haunted attraction. I feel bad for the workers of haunt who will have to put up with this. I have the right to voice my disgust with this decision and the possible outcomes that may come from it.

No one's forcing you to see this show. It's for some people and not for others.

...and even if you don't like the midget wrestling, the 'people watching' will be Olypic-caliber during this.

You are very right and that is why I will not be visiting the park this fall. The first Haunt I am not attending since inception. I must interact with those people and I choose not too. I am with Gibson, I like beer and I like martial arts/ mixed martial arts, but I do not like violence for the sake of violence. There is no skill or entertainment value to using a staple gun on another human being.

In mixed martial arts, two people beat the living hell out of each other with thousands of spectators looking on. How is that different from this? Yeah, one's a show and one's a sport, but the appeal is blood lust regardless.

I never said anything about cage fighting. I've trained in Tai' Chi, Tai Kwon Do and have a black belt in Hapkido (5yrs training). I don't like MMA fighting, too many rules and too much blood. I watch bozing but even that gets a bit rough for me. I've competed in "fighting events" but nothing that would cause injury. I would never cage fight, though I know I could compete, it's just a bit too barbaric.

I'll draw an analogy. I was in a death metal band and loved playing, writing and performing. Unfortunately, our crowd would often get a bit too excited and I usually had fights break out at shows I had promoted. Not only was it a bit scary, my name was on everything, insurance, the hall, the equipment, the police I hired! We created a hostile environment and our crowd responded. You will see the same thing happen at KI this year and there's a good chance some ugly situations will come from it.

It honestly makes me not want to attend. I can handle the rowdy drunk people but am offended by KI's morals.

EDIT: You're right RailRider. It's just more aggressive than I care for. However, look at how they interact after the fight. They almost always show sportsmanship and even commoradery (sp?).

[BoddaH1994]

^

Spoken by someone who truly doesn't understand the amount of skill taken to compete in MMA at a high level. The fighters are not in there beating the crap out of each other for the sake of blood, typically fights end on the ground with fighters using bases of greco roman wrestling, juijitsu or striking background with strong ground defense. I am talking UFC caliber talent as well. Boxing is the sweet science and MMA is slowly taking over that spot, but only the uneducated make the arguement of blood sport. Please don't take this position when you know not of what you talk.

Uhh... no. I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about. I did promotions for an MMA league a few years ago on the side and attended more events of theirs than I can count. Additionally, I help promote the league in the training facilities. So yeah, I'm probably more qualified to talk about it than you are.

[RailRider]

^

And they were unskilled fighters competing for the sake of violence and entertainment and nothing more? Basically they won depending on how much blood they spilled? Sure seems like a great paralel to me. Sorry I fail to see the connection between skilled combat atheletes and "midgets" who climb in to a ring and make each other bleed with staple guns, chairs, and Im sure some barbed wire or something of the sort. I fail to see the connection. Violence for violences sake is not something I find entertaining.

I think your position with this site and the relationship you share with the park clouds your judgement and opinions on many things, this being one of them.

[BoddaH1994]

^

And they were unskilled fighters competing for the sake of violence and entertainment and nothing more? Basically they won depending on how much blood they spilled? Sure seems like a great paralel to me. Sorry I fail to see the connection between skilled combat atheletes and "midgets" who climb in to a ring and make each other bleed with staple guns, chairs, and Im sure some barbed wire or something of the sort. I fail to see the connection. Violence for violences sake is not something I find entertaining.

I think your position with this site and the relationship you share with the park clouds your judgement and opinions on many things, this being one of them.

I'm not saying they weren't skilled fighters. I'm saying that the crowds they drew were there because of the violence, not because of the skill. Granted, there were a few who honestly had an interest in the combatant part of the sport, but the vast majority wanted blood.

Plus, (and this is not directed at you), have you seen some of the people who walk the streets wearing UFC and Tap Out gear? Many of them would be the same people who I'd assume would show up to a midget wrestling event...

As far as my relationship with the park goes, the only position I really have on this in relation to Haunt is that at least they're doing something different and thinking outside of the box. This could very well blow up in their faces... but I just run the fan site so that's none of my concern.

[Gordon Bombay]

This could very well blow up in their faces...

IMHO, it already has. Sure the crowds come, but its not a crowd I want to be around and hasn't been the past few seasons. Hell, why do you even need midget wrestling when half the people in the crowd are already trying to fight each other anyways?

To each their own, if people wanna go to this... neat, have fun with that. I'll stick to using my pass on non Haunt days when I wont be blinded by confederate flag t-shirts and people smoking outside of the designated areas.

[markr]

I am glad that Ryan did post the video so that I could make an intelligent decision about whether or not to attend the event. I realize that he is simply providing information to us and that we shouldn't " kill the messenger. "

[RailRider]

^

And they were unskilled fighters competing for the sake of violence and entertainment and nothing more? Basically they won depending on how much blood they spilled? Sure seems like a great paralel to me. Sorry I fail to see the connection between skilled combat atheletes and "midgets" who climb in to a ring and make each other bleed with staple guns, chairs, and Im sure some barbed wire or something of the sort. I fail to see the connection. Violence for violences sake is not something I find entertaining.

I think your position with this site and the relationship you share with the park clouds your judgement and opinions on many things, this being one of them.

I'm not saying they weren't skilled fighters. I'm saying that the crowds they drew were there because of the violence, not because of the skill. Granted, there were a few who honestly had an interest in the combatant part of the sport, but the vast majority wanted blood.

Plus, (and this is not directed at you), have you seen some of the people who walk the streets wearing UFC and Tap Out gear? Many of them would be the same people who I'd assume would show up to a midget wrestling event...

As far as my relationship with the park goes, the only position I really have on this in relation to Haunt is that at least they're doing something different and thinking outside of the box. This could very well blow up in their faces... but I just run the fan site so that's none of my concern.

There is also a big difference in the fan quality index (Thank you Richard from Indian Hill) for a UFC event compared to your regional "cage fighting" event. Think of the difference in crowd compared between a Dayton Bombers game and a Columbus Blue Jackets. Same sport, but vastly different crowd. Since we are on sports analogies, I think we can all agree that Midget Wrestling will draw Oakland Raider Fans instead of Indianapolis Colt fans, if you know what I mean. Is this really the crowd KI wants to attract?

[Hank]

I wonder what would happen if, instead of midgets, they used Peanuts characters? Anyone ready to see Snoopy bleed? See - this whole thing is just f'n ludicrous!

[LongLiveTheSmurfRide]

^Ha! Lucy pulls the football away from Charlie then he clocks her with a folding chair? Then Schroeder staples Linus's blanket to his head? Sounds like a good time.