sports entertainment
Scripted athletic spectacle
Sports entertainment is professional wrestling's preferred term for itself, distinguishing the scripted spectacle from legitimate athletic competition.
The label acknowledges that outcomes are predetermined while emphasizing the genuine athleticism and showmanship involved: WWE describes itself as sports entertainment, not wrestling.
The term also extends to other hybrid forms combining athletic performance with theatrical presentation.
Staged authenticity in wrestling
- heelFoot's rear underside
- faceHead's anterior surface
- storylineSequence of fictional events
- pinfallPins toppled in bowling
submission · suplex · promo · gimmick · turnbuckle · bodyslam · finisher · piledriver
Vocal encouragement given
- crowdLarge public gathering
- chantsRepeated rhythmic phrases
- arenaVenue for contests
- supportersPeople who back something
enthusiasm · merchandise · signs · ovation · loyalty · fanbase · reactions · pops
Sequence of fictional events
- scriptedWritten out beforehand
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- protagonistStory's central figure
- antagonistOne who opposes another
arc · twist · rivalry · feud · betrayal · redemption · heel turn · face turn
Art of explosive displays
- entrancePoint of access
- jumbotronLarge arena display screen
- halftimeMidpoint break in games
- walkoutProtest by leaving
fireworks · theme music · costume · theatrics · spotlight · choreography · production · elaborate
Scheduled competitive pairing
- championshipCompetition for top rank
- titleFormal honorific or name
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
contender · victory · defeat · underdog · clash · showdown · main event · card
kayfabe
Staged authenticity in wrestling
pinfall · submission · suplex · promo · gimmick · turnbuckle · bodyslam · finisher · piledriver · luchador
cheering
Vocal encouragement given
supporters · enthusiasm · merchandise · signs · ovation · loyalty · fanbase · reactions · pops · boos
storyline
Sequence of fictional events
- scriptedWritten out beforehand
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- protagonistStory's central figure
antagonist · arc · twist · rivalry · feud · betrayal · redemption · heel turn · face turn · angle
pyrotechnics
Art of explosive displays
walkout · fireworks · theme music · costume · theatrics · spotlight · choreography · production · elaborate · pageantry
matchup
Scheduled competitive pairing
- championshipCompetition for top rank
- titleFormal honorific or name
- tournamentMulti-round competitive event
rivalry · contender · victory · defeat · underdog · clash · showdown · main event · card · bracket
- creative industriesadvertising, animation, broadcasting, design, fashion
- wrestlers in filmsNacho Libre, Hulk Hogan, Dwayne Johnson, John Cena, Andre the Giant
sports entertainmentamateur athletics
Unpaid organized sporting competition
professional sports · competitive sport · combat sports · mixed martial arts · boxing
sport, athlete, sports, sporting, entertainment, sporty, entertainer, sportsman, sportsmanship