Professional wrestling

Christopher Daniels 1

NWA Professional Wrestling Territories

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Professional wrestling ladder match

Tommy Seigler & Nick Kozak

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Professional wrestling is a form of sports entertainment that combines athletics with theatrical performance. It features storylines, characters, and scripted matches, with outcomes predetermined by the writers, often referred to as "bookers." Despite the predetermined nature of matches, the athletes, known as professional wrestlers, demonstrate genuine physical prowess, athleticism, and often perform high-risk maneuvers.

History

The origins of professional wrestling date back to the 19th century, with roots in carnivals and vaudeville shows. It evolved from genuine competitive matches into a more entertainment-focused genre. In the early 20th century, professional wrestling began to gain popularity in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Japan, each developing its own style and tradition.

Styles and Genres

Professional wrestling encompasses a variety of styles and genres. The most prominent include:

• Catch Wrestling: A classical style focusing on grappling and submission holds.
• Lucha Libre: A high-flying, acrobatic style that originated in Mexico, characterized by masked wrestlers (luchadores) and rapid sequences.
• Puroresu: The Japanese style of wrestling, known for its strong style that emphasizes physical toughness.
• Hardcore Wrestling: A genre that involves minimal rules and often includes the use of weapons and objects.

Promotions

Professional wrestling is organized by promotions, which are companies that manage wrestlers, storylines, and events. Some of the most well-known promotions include:

• WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment): The largest and most globally recognized promotion, based in the United States.
• AEW (All Elite Wrestling): A promotion that has gained significant popularity and is seen as a major competitor to WWE.
• NJPW (New Japan Pro-Wrestling): The largest promotion in Japan, known for its strong style wrestling.
• CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre) and AAA (Asistencia Asesoría y Administración): The two major lucha libre promotions in Mexico.

Culture and Fan Base

Professional wrestling has developed a unique culture, with passionate fan bases around the world. Fans engage with the product through live events, television broadcasts, and online platforms. Wrestling fans are known for their community engagement, creating fan art, fan fiction, and extensive online discussions about storylines and characters.

Criticism and Controversy

Professional wrestling has faced criticism and controversy, including concerns over health and safety, particularly related to concussions and other injuries. The scripted nature of the sport has also led to debates about its legitimacy and classification as a sport.

Impact on Popular Culture

Professional wrestling has had a significant impact on popular culture, influencing movies, television, and other forms of entertainment. Wrestlers often become pop culture icons, crossing over into mainstream media and entertainment.

See Also

• Sports Entertainment
• Wrestling Match Types
• Professional Wrestlers
• Wrestling Promotions