Well Lesnar's return was rumored for around Wrestlemania time. It didn't stop me from marking out when his music hit.The IWC spend a lot of time looking at the various different aspects of pro-wrestling. Looking into the history of the sport/business and looking into the history of each wrestler, the storylines they'd been in etc. So we form our opinions differently to how the television viewer forms their opinion. They form theirs via watching the TV and simply liking the guys who entertain them, they don't care where the storylines are going, they're just happy to sit and watch along as they take us on the ride.
As a member of the IWC I can safely say we're pretty much incapable of that, we have to continually try to second guess where they are going with storylines and it causes us to spoil the surprises which are being booked for us. We read spoilers such as match results or who's returning, so that when they finally do return, it doesn't mean as much.
Even though there is some over generalization going on in your post, I do think there is some validity to the claim that the IWC wants to have their way. With a lot of the "IWC" especially the newsletter writers, at times you get the feeling that they aren't judging whether something is good or bad, but they are judging whether something was done to their liking or not.Want to know the reason? The reason is because if Punk and Bryan are not going over, the ICW bitches. Infact, the ICW bitches about nearlly everything.
Casual fans just apperactate all the matches and things WWE does as they understand WWE is trying were as the ICW always bitches if everything is not how they want it.
ICW always needs to have it there own way.
For the specific example used in the OP this is the correct answer.The fatal fourway had better build.
Iwc are just fed up of being forced fed on what they must like.Want to know the reason? The reason is because if Punk and Bryan are not going over, the ICW bitches. Infact, the ICW bitches about nearlly everything.
Casual fans just apperactate all the matches and things WWE does as they understand WWE is trying were as the ICW always bitches if everything is not how they want it.
ICW always needs to have it there own way.
You bring up food/wine and I think that's an interesting comparison. In both food and entertainment, you have your work, or output that is meant to be gulped down and provide instant gratification, then you have your food/entertainment that is supposed to be more substantial. One of the key tricks of bad entertainment, or food, is giving you enough of the stuff your body/mind wants, to trick into thinking "wee I'm having fun." If I'm eating a McDonald's Cheeseburger, I'm going to enjoy it. Why? Because it has salt and grease. I like salt and grease. I get an instant endorphin rush. But that doesn't mean it's good or that I should be impressed with it. The taste isn't there to be savored, it's just there to make me not demand my money back. This isn't bad or anything, unless it keeps me from trying new things and finding stuff that will really make me happy. It's why I took the time to try different beers. I genuinely enjoy the beers I drink because I took the time to hunt down different tastes.Even though there is some over generalization going on in your post, I do think there is some validity to the claim that the IWC wants to have their way. With a lot of the "IWC" especially the newsletter writers, at times you get the feeling that they aren't judging whether something is good or bad, but they are judging whether something was done to their liking or not.
As for the differences between a casual fan and a hardcore one. Roger Ebert is going to watch movies differently than a casual movie goer. A wine connoisseur is going to have a different opinion on the quality of the wine, than the average person just wanting to get drunk.
Familiarity breeds contempt, and with a hardcore fan because of that familiarity, a hardcore fan is probably watching the product from the a cynical perspective wanting the product to impress them. Whereas a casual fan is watching from an optimistic one, just enjoying what they are seeing without any "insider" biases.