Professional wrestling ranks among the most popular forms of “sport entertainment.” When people hear this phrase they often seem puzzled by it. After all, is not all sport a form of entertainment? However, there is a reason why the WWE, and similar organizations, have to label their product as “sport entertainment,” and it is a reason that many of you will know – it is all fake.
Or so the popular conceit goes. Often, fans of professional wrestling will hear detractors say “How can you like this, you know it’s all fake right?” Different fans have different responses to that, which we won’t get into. What we really want to discuss is the veracity of this claim. Is Pro Wrestling really “all fake?” Let us get into the topic and come to a conclusion.
The Betting is Real
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But how does the iGaming industry relate to the World Wrestling Entertainment company? Believe it or not, there is quite an intricate bond that combines the two. That being the growing popularity of WWE-based betting odds at online sportsbooks. To some gamblers used to sports, it may come as a shock that placing wagers on the WWE is possible. If the fights are scripted, then how can one wager on the outcome?
The truth of the matter is that sportsbooks offer odds on scripted television as well. So why should the WWE be any different? Gamblers can bet on the outcome of a match, but rather than taking into account physicality and athletic ability they focus on dramatic tension and storytelling elements. It is the same reason that the Game of Thrones finale was one of the most wagered on moments in television history. So, while there is a lot of fictional elements in wrestling, the betting side is certainly real.
The Fake Stuff
There is no need to tell you that the storylines, character backgrounds and intertwining drama that goes into the WWE is not real. It is a story being told by the writers behind the scenes. It is true for any good story that fans might get a bit too invested. Some may even come to a point where they can’t tell what is and isn’t part of the kayfabe. But at the end of the day, most long-time fans of World Wrestling Entertainment understand that the drama is not “real.”
But what the WWE did for a long while is demand that their performers remain in character, even when away from the ring. Basically, professional wrestlers had to remain in character whenever they would attend public events. This was part of the “kayfabe” tradition that became such an integral part of the pro wrestling industry. It was precisely that demand on the WWE’s part that led to many people getting confused about what is and isn’t real. The company has loosened their kayfabe demands in the past few years, which has worked to dispel the mystery of truth vs. fiction.
The decision to move away from kayfabe was not uncontroversial. Many old-school fans did enjoy the consistent in-character behavior of their favorite performers. However, the new direction the company has been moving in has allowed their performers the opportunity to break out of the WWE and pursue a career in acting and even music. Wrestlers like Dave Bautista and John Cena likely would not have been able to perform some of their iconic roles in a previous era. It also gives rookie class wrestlers an opportunity to build a following outside of the ring, by showing off their real personality to the fans.
The Real Stuff
As we said, professional wrestling is not all fake. Indeed, there are real things that go into making WWE exciting to watch. First and foremost is the feeling one gets from enjoying these stories. The hype and tension before a big finale is undeniably real, especially for long-time fans of the WWE. The same can be said from watching films, television, or playing video games. We know that the sequence of events in this media properties did not truly transpire, but they invoke a feeling in us regardless, which is an undeniably real experience.
Another thing that is real is the training that professional wrestlers have to go through. The men and women who take to the ring have to look the part. They undergo strength and endurance training just like any other fighter would. But they also have to partake in some level of martial arts in order to avoid causing real damage to their opponents.
Pro wrestlers also have to put in the effort of learning some acting skills. The reason most professional wrestlers transition into actors when they get too old to fight is because they already have a basis for it from their time in the rink. Many also have to learn physical acting skills such as how to fall properly, how to take a punch without hurting themselves, and how to deliver a blow without doing too much damage.
Finally, the fighting is not fake. Or we should say, isn’t all fake. While pro wrestlers are trained to deliver blows in the safest way, often times the blows are still delivered. Meaning, the performers can get hurt, and often do get hurt. With all this in mind, can we really say that professional wrestling is “all fake?”
Concluding Thoughts
The idea that professional wrestling is fake is not completely accurate. The matches are scripted and they are meant to tell an engaging, if sometimes over-the-top story. But the skills that the performers display are certainly real. What is more important, fans do derive real feelings of pleasure from engaging with and enjoy WWE performances.
