Professional wrestling

Professional wrestling (often referred to as pro wrestling, or simply, wrestling) is a form of athletic theater centered around <a href="/facts/Mock_combat/0h0vrHpy">mock combat</a> with the premise that its performers are competitive wrestlers.
In the United States, "professional wrestling" does not refer to authentic <a href="/facts/Wrestling/mTFzecQw">wrestling</a>. Authentic wrestling was never popular enough with the American public to sustain a professional scene, so starting in the late 19th century, professional wrestlers staged fake matches that exhibited more exciting action, and these drew bigger audiences. Eventually the public caught on to the fakery, but the fans accepted it and played along because it was more entertaining than the real thing. The wrestlers responded by incorporating drama, gimmickry, and outlandish stunts to their performances to further raise the <a href="/facts/Entertainment/XXRnLM62">entertainment</a>, all the while maintaining the pretense it was a real sport. Eventually the term "professional wrestling" was legally defined as a non-sport by various government regulators because authentic wrestling was effectively confined to amateur enthusiasts.
Professional wrestlers <a href="/facts/Acting/YEX0jSJv">perform</a> as characters and usually maintain what is known in the industry as a "<a href="/facts/Gimmick_(professional_wrestling)/1cNvVmg0">gimmick</a>" — the <a href="/facts/Persona/lMy54oWx">persona</a>, style and traits conveyed by distinctive attire, <a href="/facts/Stage_name/XcxhFfYw">stage name</a>, <a href="/facts/Theme_music/4e7rVIsf">entrance theme</a> music, and other distinguished attributes and characteristics. <a href="/facts/Professional_wrestling_match_types/3frbKIgF">Matches</a> are the primary vehicle for advancing storylines, which typically center on interpersonal conflicts, or <a href="/facts/Feud_(professional_wrestling)/jAPWsfeb">feuds</a>, between heroic "<a href="/facts/Face_(professional_wrestling)/JPRUkGPR">faces</a>" and villainous "<a href="/facts/Heel_(professional_wrestling)/c5QnY4Qf">heels</a>". A <a href="/facts/Wrestling_ring/7lJ88Cfd">wrestling ring</a>, akin to the platform used in <a href="/facts/Boxing_ring/9gjro9df">boxing</a>, serves as the <a href="/facts/Main_stage/25NbT9sH">main stage</a>. Additional scenes may be recorded for television in backstage areas of the venue, in a format similar to <a href="/facts/Reality_television/B0RFLdsB">reality television</a>. Performers generally integrate authentic wrestling techniques and fighting styles with <a href="/facts/Choreography/D1KQJk1R">choreography</a>, <a href="/facts/Stunt/QqhgWNjA">stunts</a>, <a href="/facts/Improvisational_theatre/rUdPhRjJ">improvisation</a>, and <a href="/facts/Dramatic_convention/GWt6DmAF">dramatic conventions</a> designed to maximize entertainment value and audience engagement.
Professional wrestling is performed around the world through various "<a href="/facts/Promotion_(professional_wrestling)/guFrxaB6">promotions</a>", which are roughly analogous to <a href="/facts/Production_company/daLRqFqQ">production companies</a> or <a href="/facts/Sports_league/k8d8Lkr8">sports leagues</a>. Promotions vary considerably in size, scope, and creative approach, ranging from local shows on the <a href="/facts/Independent_circuit/pPE8aygT">independent circuit</a>, to internationally broadcast events at major arenas. The largest and most influential promotions are in the <a href="/facts/Professional_wrestling_in_the_United_States/WU4WbINE">United States</a>, <a href="/facts/Professional_wrestling_in_Mexico/7ISq4lI2">Mexico</a>, <a href="/facts/Professional_wrestling_in_Japan/kNwQ3jE8">Japan</a>, and Europe (particularly the <a href="/facts/Professional_wrestling_in_the_United_Kingdom/vPChvobm">United Kingdom</a>, <a href="/facts/Catch_Wrestling_Association/AaGqCK1c">Germany/Austria</a> and <a href="/facts/Professional_wrestling_in_France/5UVokYKU">France</a>), which have each developed distinct styles, traditions, and subgenres within professional wrestling. Many professional wrestlers also perform as <a href="/facts/Freelancer/IEwvCMTI">freelancers</a> and make appearances for different promotions.
Professional wrestling has developed its own <a href="/facts/Fandom/899aswyh">culture and community</a>, including a distinct <a href="/facts/Glossary_of_professional_wrestling_terms/Uhv1cA22">vernacular</a>. It has achieved mainstream success and influence within <a href="/facts/Popular_culture/cKj0ho02">popular culture</a>, with many terms and jargon, <a href="/facts/Trope_(literature)/xwQxCxqx">tropes</a>, and concepts being referenced in <a href="/facts/Colloquialism/HvEweYjS">everyday language</a> and in <a href="/facts/Film/wM3b9Kk3">film</a>, <a href="/facts/Music/wvCBQYQ3">music</a>, <a href="/facts/Television/X4YG5nT1">television</a>, and <a href="/facts/Video_games/vmTdNASJ">video games</a>. Numerous professional wrestlers have become national or international sports icons with recognition by the broader public, with some finding further fame and success through other performing arts, such as acting.

Professional wrestling open-in-new

Professional wrestling