Is pro wrestling a sport? There has been a lot of debate for over a century on this topic. On the one hand, it has all the trappings of traditional sports – athletes competing in front of a live audience, using their skills and athleticism to defeat their opponents.
On the other hand, professional wrestling is scripted, with the outcomes predetermined by the promoters. I will also give you a background of professional wrestling and its origins to better understand what we’re discussing.
So what is it – sport or entertainment? Let’s take a closer look at the evidence to find out.
What Is The Definition of a Sport?
Sports are generally categorized by the type of activity, such as team vs. individual, extreme vs. non-extreme, etc. Some sports involve multiple activities, such as football, and a team sport involves individual skills, such as passing and kicking. Other activities, such as golf, are classified as individual sports even though they may be played in teams.
There is no exact single definition of what constitutes a sport. It is often said that “sport” is whatever people find entertaining or amusing. This broad definition includes activities such as chess and bridge, which are not typically considered sports. Also, some activities traditionally considered to be sports, such as boxing and bullfighting, may be cruel and barbaric to some people.
The definition of a sport may also vary depending on the culture. For example, in the United States, baseball is generally considered a sport, while in Japan, the game of go is also considered a sport. In general, however, most people agree that sports involve physical exertion and skill, which can be played competitively.
Characters: Heel Vs. Babyface
A heel is a professional wrestler portrayed as antagonistic, dishonest, and immoral. On the other hand, a face is a wrestler who is portrayed as heroic, virtuous, and just. In professional wrestling, these terms describe the good and bad guys. The babyface is the hero the fans are supposed to support, while the heel is the villain they are supposed to boo.
Heels often cheat to win matches, while faces always play by the rules. Heels are also often used to put over new faces. This means that they will lose matches to make the new face look strong. In pro wrestling, the heels are usually the most entertaining part of the show.
While heels and faces have been a staple of professional wrestling for many years, the terms have started to bleed over into other forms of entertainment. For example, the heel is often the villain in movies and television, while the face is the hero. This is especially true in superhero movies, where the bad guy always tries to take down the good guy.
Pro Wrestling Origins
Pro wrestling has a long and fascinating history that can be traced back to the early 1800s. The first recorded match occurred in the 1830s and was pretty different from the matches we see today. Back then, it was more of a show than a sport, and the competitors often used real weapons in their fights.
The first true pro wrestling champion was George Hackenschmidt, known as “The Russian Lion.” Hackenschmidt was an incredibly popular wrestler in the early 1900s and is credited with helping to popularize the sport. Hackenschmidt lost his title to Frank Gotch in 1908 in a match billed as “The Match of the Century.” Gotch was an American wrestler who used dirty tactics to defeat his opponents. This caused a lot of controversies, but it also helped increase interest in pro wrestling.
Over the years, professional wrestling has undergone many changes. The sport’s early days were characterized by a lack of rules and regulations, often leading to brutal matches. In the 1950s, however, television began to play a significant role in professional wrestling and helped to bring about a more standardized set of rules.
However, pro wrestling made a comeback in the 1980s, thanks partly to the rise of cable television. The popularity of pro wrestling has continued to grow in recent years, and it is now enjoyed by people worldwide.
Catch Wrestling
Catch wrestling is a grappling style commonly used by traveling carnival performers. These performers would challenge audience members to matches, with the winner being the wrestler who could either force their opponent to submit or throw them out of the ring.
As catch wrestling grew in popularity, promoters began to hold large events featuring professional wrestlers from all over the country. These events proved extremely popular with fans and soon led to the development of professional wrestling as we know it today.
WWE & Vince McMahon
Under Vince’s leadership, WWE has become a global entertainment empire. It now produces television shows, movies, and numerous live events like Wrestlemania. WWE is also the largest provider of professional wrestling training in the world.
Many factors have contributed to WWE’s rise in popularity. One is the athleticism and physicality of its performers. WWE athletes must be in excellent shape, performing high-flying maneuvers and engaging in intense physical matches. This level of athleticism and action keeps fans engaged and entertained.
Another reason is its storylines. WWE storylines are often outrageous and over-the-top, but this is what makes them so entertaining. Fans never know what will happen next, and this unpredictability keeps them returning for more.
Is Pro Wrestling a Sport?
While pro wrestling may not be a sport, it is undoubtedly a form of entertainment that people of all ages can enjoy. Pro wrestling offers something that other forms of entertainment cannot: excitement, drama, and larger-than-life characters. If you are looking for an adrenaline-pumping good time, then pro wrestling is the perfect activity for you.
I remember growing up in the early 2000s watching wrestling pay-per-views with my dad and seeing characters such as The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, John Cena, Edge, Triple-H, Rey Mysterio, and others perform death-defying moves in the ring.
Pro wrestling is often referred to as “sports entertainment.” While it may not be a sport in the traditional sense, it is a form of entertainment that combines athletic ability with theatrics. Pro wrestlers are athletes who have mastered the art of performing for an audience. They use their bodies to tell stories and create characters that fans can invest in.
Conclusion
Professional wrestling is more akin to a soap opera or action movie than a sporting event. When someone watches wrestling, they are not watching a sport. The wrestlers’ moves in the ring may look like sports maneuvers, but choreographed theater is happening.
This does not mean that pro wrestling is fake; the athletes who wrestle professionally put on a fantastic show and perform some very dangerous stunts. However, what happens in the ring is planned and is not random. Many people are surprised to learn that professional wrestling is not a sport because of how convincing the matches can be.