professional wrestling
Scripted athletic entertainment
Professional wrestling is a form of entertainment combining athletic performance with theatrical storytelling.
Matches have predetermined outcomes, with wrestlers executing choreographed moves while portraying heroes and villains in ongoing dramatic storylines.
Despite the scripted nature, the physical demands are real—injuries are common.
The WWE is the dominant American promotion.
Fans use pro wrestling or just wrestling, though purists of competitive wrestling resent the appropriation of the term.
Sequence of fictional events
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
- heelFoot's rear underside
- babyfaceYouthful, innocent appearance
- promoBrief publicity piece
kayfabe · turn · angle · gimmick · rivalry · betrayal · revenge · narrative
Close-quarters combat technique
- suplexOverhead backward wrestling slam
- submissionYielding to another's will
- pinfallPins toppled in bowling
- takedownForced grounding maneuver
chokehold · armbar · headlock · powerbomb · piledriver · clothesline · dropkick · bodyslam
Art of explosive displays
- entrancePoint of access
- arenaVenue for contests
- crowdLarge public gathering
- pageantryElaborate ceremonial display
showmanship · costumes · theme music · walkout · charisma · extravaganza · main event · lights
Masked professional wrestler
- lucha libreMasked Mexican wrestling style
- deathmatchCombat until elimination
- hardcoreUncompromisingly devoted
- technicalOf specific methods
high-flying · cruiserweight · mask · indie · marks
Arranges engagements professionally
- promoterOne who organizes events
- territoryLand under jurisdiction
- federationUnion of semi-autonomous states
- rosterList of members
contract · push · jobber · draw · ratings · pay-per-view · merchandise · gate
Output over time
- sellingTrading for payment
- bumpSlight collision or protrusion
- no-sellIgnore an attack's effect
- bladingSkating on inline wheels
stiff · receipt · botch · shoot · work · squash · carry · heat
Power to exert force
- agilityQuickness and ease
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- staminaCapacity for sustained effort
flexibility · acrobatics · tumbling · coordination · balance · dexterity · precision · speed
storyline
Sequence of fictional events
promo · kayfabe · turn · angle · gimmick · rivalry · betrayal · revenge · narrative · persona
grappling
Close-quarters combat technique
- suplexOverhead backward wrestling slam
- submissionYielding to another's will
- pinfallPins toppled in bowling
takedown · chokehold · armbar · headlock · powerbomb · piledriver · clothesline · dropkick · bodyslam · chop
pyrotechnics
Art of explosive displays
pageantry · showmanship · costumes · theme music · walkout · charisma · extravaganza · main event · lights · roar
luchador
Masked professional wrestler
- lucha libreMasked Mexican wrestling style
- deathmatchCombat until elimination
- hardcoreUncompromisingly devoted
technical · high-flying · cruiserweight · mask · indie · marks
booker
Arranges engagements professionally
- promoterOne who organizes events
- territoryLand under jurisdiction
- federationUnion of semi-autonomous states
roster · contract · push · jobber · draw · ratings · pay-per-view · merchandise · gate · house show
workrate
Output over time
blading · stiff · receipt · botch · shoot · work · squash · carry · heat · job
strength
Power to exert force
- agilityQuickness and ease
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
stamina · flexibility · acrobatics · tumbling · coordination · balance · dexterity · precision · speed · resilience
- wrestlingbody slam, takedown, pinfall, suplex, piledriver
- grapplingsubmission hold, chokehold, arm bar, triangle choke, ankle lock
- Pseudosportscompetitive eating, beer pong, cornhole, darts, billiards
- lowbrow artkitsch, pulp fiction, comic books, comics, graffiti
professional wrestlingamateur wrestling
Unpaid competitive grappling sport
Olympic wrestling · competitive sport · MMA · mixed martial arts · collegiate wrestling
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