Wrestling
Terms
A
Angle:
Definition:
An
event or series of events which are used when starting, continuing
and ending a feud.
Example:
A good angle is a long planned
out and well executed storyline that grabs the attention of the
audience. The NWO invasion angle of WCW is an example of a well
executed angle.
B
Babyface:
Definition:
The good guy in wrestling- the
person that the fans are supposed to cheer for. Also reffered to as a
Face.
Example:
John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Ricky
Steamboat, Hulkamania Era Hulk Hogan- good and wholesome guys who
always follow the rules.
Backyard
Wrestling:
Definition:
Untrained individuals who
perform wrestling matches and shows using unconventional means. This
form of wrestling is frowned on by people in the business.
Example:People
who literally wrestle in their backyard, while using gardening tools
and other things as weapons/props.
Beatdown:
Definition:
When one or more wrestlers is
beaten up by a larger number of wrestlers.
Example:
A wrestler with no allies is
subject to a beatdown if he is feuding with someone in a team.
Blade:
Definition:
An object used by a wrestler to
cut themselves during a match, causing them to bleed. It is often
done to add drama to a match but is no longer as common in major
promotions.
Example:
Wrestlers often keep blades
hidden in their wrist tape or somewhere on their person, before
discretely using them to create the illusion that their opponent
caused the injury.
Blowoff:
Definition:
The end of a fued. This is
usually after a build up and often ends at a Pay Per View event.
Example:
Sometimes taking place in a
gimmick match, it finally settles the score for two feuding
wrestlers.
Blowup:
Definition:
To become exhausted during a
match due to a lack of cardiovascular conditioning.
Example:
A wrestler with poor cardio
training is likely to blowup during the first few minutes of a match.
Booker:
Definition:
The writer of the wrestling
angles. The person who decides who wins and loses the matches.
Example:
The WWE now uses writers for
their storylines who take over from the booker. Their job is to
create the storylines and write the backstage skits for the weekly
shows.
Brand
Split:
Definition:
The division of the WWE roster
into two seperate brands- Raw and Smackdown.
Example:
In 2002, both of WWE's weekly
telivised shows- Raw and Smackdown- were treated as two seperate
brands that often feuded for superiority. This treatment of the shows
ended in late 2011 when wrestlers started appearing on both shows,
rather than for their specific brand.
Broadway:
Definition:
A match that ends in a time
limit draw.
Example:
This was more common in the
1980s when fans enjoyed longer matches.
B-Show:
Definition:
A show featuring lesser names
compared to a show featuring bigger name wrestlers.
Example:
With Raw and Smackdown as the
WWE's flagship shows, Main Event is an example of the companies
B-Show.
Bump:
Definition:
When a wrestler falls down to
sell a move.
Example:
When a wrestler acts like they
are hurt to play into the progression of the match. Dolph Ziggler and
Seth rollins are often commended today for their ability to Bump.
Buyrate:
Definition:
A rating for the Pay Per View
which lets people know how a show was bought.
Example:
A good buyrate makes the company
money. A bad buyrate can mean someone is to blame and said someone
may get fired.
C
Canned
Heat:
Definition:
When pre-recorded crowd noise is
filtered into an arena to give a desired crowd noise.
Example:
Usually used for taped shows to
have desired reactions for particular wrestlers. Also used to make a
quiet audience come across well on television.
Card:
Definition:
The individual matches of an
event all make up the card for the show. The card is often divided
into lower-card, midcard and main event matches.
Example:
A wrestling card often features
6-8 matches with the Main event- featuring the top teir stars- going
on last.
Carry:
Definition:
When one wrestler does the
majority of the work in a match to make the weaker wrestler look
good.
Example:
Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair
were always praised for carrying a match, with many people saying
that either man could be wrestling a broomstick and make it look
good.
Cheap
Heat:
Definition:
An easy tactic used by the
villian (heel) to garner a negative response from the crowd.
Example:
A heel saying disprespecful
things about the town they are in is an example of cheap heat.
Wearing a Liverpool football jersey at a show in Manchester is
another example.
Cheap
Pop:
Definition:
A tactic used by the hero (face)
to gain the support of the crowd.
Example:
A face speaking about the
acomplishments of a local sports team and praising them. Mick Foley
is notorious for garnering a cheap pop from the crowd stating; 'It's
great to be right here in *insert city here'.
Cheapshot:
Definition:
One wrestler taking advantage of
another by doing something illegal when their opponent least expects
it.
Example:
Most common cheapshot in
wrestling is a hit to their opponent below the belt when the referee
isn't looking.
Clean
Finish:
Definition:
When one wrestler defeats the
other without breaking any of the rules of the match.
Example:
Winning a match by pinfall or
submission without the use of any dirty tactics.
Count
Out:
Definition:
When a match ends due to one
participent being outside the ring for more than a 10 count.
Example:
A title belt does not change
hands on a count out.
d
Dark
Match:
Definition:
A match held before a televised
event that is not filmed for television.
Example:
Usually used to hype the crowd
before a show and to test out new talents before they debut on
television.
Disqualification:
Definition:
When a match ends due to a
wrestler breaking the rules.
Example:
A title does not change hands if
the champion loses by disqualification.
Draw:
Definition:
There are two different meanings
to a draw in professional wrestling. 1. When a match ends with no
winner. 2. The ability of a wrestler to get people to watch tv, pay
for a pay per view or pay for a ticket to a wrestling show- or to
spend any money or time on wrestling.
Example:
Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve
Austin and The Rock are the the biggest draws in pro wrestling
history due to there major wrestling success and cross platform
appeal by staring in film, tv series etc.
Dusty
Finish:
Definition:
When the match referee is
incapacitated at some point during a match and a wrestler is declared
the winner of the match by a second referee, only for the original
referee to reverse the decision.
Example:
The term was made popular when
Dusty Rhodes was a booker for WCW, as he was the inventer of the
finish.
F
Feud:
Definition:
A rivalry between two wrestlers
who dislike each other.
Example:
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs WWE
owner Vince McMahon is the most successful feud in pro wrestling
history.
Finish:
Definition:
The end of a match.
Example:
A wrestler usually ends the
match with their finishing move.
Finishing
Move:
Definition:
The maneuver that a wrestler
uses to finish a match.
Example:
Hulk Hogan uses the leg drop,
Austin uses the Stone Cold Stunner etc.
Foreign
Object:
Definition:
An object used by a wrestler
that is not allowd during a match.
Example:
A steel chair or a table are the
most commonly used foreign objects in wrestling. Triple H usually
favours a sledgehammer.
G
Gimmick:
Definition:
There are two meanings for a
gimmick in pro wrestling. 1. The persona/ character of a wrestler. 2.
To tamper with an object in a match to favour chances of victory.
Example:
The Undertaker's 'deadman'
gimmick is the longest standing in wrestling and Steve Austin's
rebelious employee is one of the most successful gimmicks.
Gimmick
Match:
Definition:
A match with stipulations that
differ from the normal rules of a traditional match.
Example:
Usually used to advance a
storyline so that it differs from the other matches in a feud. These
matchs often include specialty matches such as a cage or ladder
match.
Green:
Definition:
When a wrestler is inexperienced
at the profession.
Example:
Young wrestlers featured in
independent shows are usually green.
Gusher:
Definition:
A really bad cut.
Example:
When a wrestler cuts themselves
or gets cut too deep, it causing excessive bloodflow deeming it a
gusher.
H
Hardcore:
Definition:
Wrestling in a very stiff and
violent fashion- usually involving weapons.
Example:
ECW popularised hardcore
wrestling to the mainstream audience.
Hardway:
Definition:
To suffer a cut without the use
of a blade.
Example:
If a wrestler gets hit with a
severe punch, a cut can be opened the hardway.
Heat:
Definition:
There are two meanings for the
term heat in pro wrestling; 1. The reaction the wrestler gets from
the crowd (both positive and negative), 2. For a wrestler to have a
troublesome relationship with other employees backstage.
Example:
Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels had
legitimate heat with each other.
Heel:
Definition:
The villain- bad guy- in pro
wrestling.
Example:
The heel will often commit
despicable acts and break the rules to garner hatred from the crowd.
Hot
Tag:
Definition:
When a babyface tags their
partner after being beat down for a number of minutes.
Example:
The hot tag to the fresh tag
team partner usually garners a pop from the crowd and injects a bit
of energy into the match.
House:
Definition:
The number of people that show
up at a live event.
Example:
The larger the house, the more
money the wrestlers earn.
House
Show:
Definition:
A wrestling event that takes
place without being broadcast on TV or PPV.
Example:
A house show does not feature
the expensive stage and production elements of a televised show.
Hulk
Up:
Definition:
When a face doesn't sell their
opponents offence after being beat up. This was often used by Hulk
Hogan.
Example:
Hulk Hogan would shake with
every hit that he took as if the adreneline was energising him.
J
Job:
Definition:
To lose a match.
Example:
As nobody likes to lose, this is
a wrestler 'doing the job'.
Jobber:
Definition:
A wrestler that loses most of
their matches. Also known as an enhancement talent.
Example:
A jobber usually wrestles a
bigger star to make them look better.
Juiced:
Definition:
When a wrestler's body size
gives the impression that they have used performance enhancing drugs.
Example:
There are strong rumours that
many wrestlers are juiced. In the past, this was often true.
K
Kayfabe:
Definition:
An old carny term for the word
'fake'. It meets the act of keeping outsiders from knowing the inner
secrets of the wrestling business.
Example:
The era of Kayfabe ended when
Vince McMahon admitted that his programming was sports entertainment.
Nowadays, wrestling is more reality-based with wrestlers real life
antics often used in storylines.
Kickout:
Definition:
To escape a pinfall attempt.
Example:
A wrestler about to be pinned
kicks out to avoid a loss.
L
Lucha
Libre:
Definition:
A mexican wrestling style
involving high flying action and wrestlers wearing masks.
Example:
Rey Mysterio is the most famous
wrestler to use the Lucha style in America.
Luchador:
Definition:
The name given to a mexican
wrestler that uses the Lucha style.
Example:
Luchadors commonly don masks and
have mysterious characters.
M
Main
Event:
Definition:
The match on the card that is
supposed to draw the most fans to the event.
Example:
The main event is not always the
final match on the show, but it has the most promotion behind it
going into the event.
Mark:
Definition:
The
word derives from the carnival sideshow era of the sport where a
“mark” was the intended victim of a hustle or swindle. In that
era, people believed that the event they were about to witness was
legitimate.
Example:
There are two types of marks in
wrestling. 1. Someone who watches wrestling not knowing that the
outcomes are pre-determined. 2. Those who continue to watch wrestling
knowing that it is dake (also known as smart marks- or “smarks”).
Manager:
Definition:
An individual in the corner of a
wrestler who is often seen as their business associate.
Example:
Often managing a heel, a manager
will break the rules behind the referee's back to favour his client.
Midcard:
Definition:
A match on the card that isn't
the opener but isn't the main event either.
Example:
A wrestler that isn't a jobber
but isn't a main eventer either is considered a mid-carder.
N
Near
Fall:
Definition:
When a wrestler kicks out of a
pinfall right before the referee hits the mat for a three count.
Example:
A great match will usually
feature many near falls as it adds suspense to the action.
No
Selling:
Definition:
When a wrestler shrugs off their
opponents offence as if they are impervious to pain.
Example:
No selling is often considered
an insult to the other wrestler as it can make them look weak.
O
Over:
Definition:
When a wrestler garners a large
crowd reation- positive or negative- they are said to be over.
Example:
If a wrestler gets a response of
indifference from the crowd, they are not over.
Oversell:
Definition:
When a wrestler's reations to a
move are completely over the top in relation to the given move. This
is the opposite of no selling.
Example:
The rock and Dolph Ziggler often
sell a move in an over the top fassion- see 'rock takes stunner' on
Youtube.
P
Paper:
Definition:
The act of giving away free
tickets to an event.
Example:
WWE will often paper there
televised events to ensure a large crowd for the show.
Pay
Per View:
Definition:
The events that the storylines
on tv lead to. These events are often monthly and are usually to be
ordered from your service provider and can cost roughly £20.
Example:
Wrestlemania is the biggest
annual PPV in all of wrestling.
Pinfall:
Definition:
To win a match by keeping your
opponents shoulders to the mat for three seconds.
Example:
If a champion suffers a pinfall
loss, he loses his title.
Pop:
Definition:
A large reaction for a wrestler
from the crowd.
Example:
A large pop from the crowd is
often given to a popular wrestler.
Promo:
Definition:
The interview or speech used by
a wrestler before and after matches.
Example:
Promos are used by wrestlers to
feul their storylines.
Promoter:
Definition:
The person behind the event and
running the company.
Example:
Vince McMahon is the most
successful promoter in the history of wrestling.
Psychology:
Definition:
The thing that holds a match
together. Showing the hatred between two opponents and portaying
their story in a logical manner.
Example:
A wrestler selling an injury
from a previous event in the story during a match is an example of
good psychology.
Push:
Definition:
The elevation of a wrestler up
the card to a more prominent position.
Example:
A wrestler whom the promotion
feels can make them money will recieve a push.
Pyro:
Definition:
The explosions, fireworks and
fire that are used during a wrestlers entrance.
Example:
Pyro often adds a big-fight feel
to a match.
R
Ratings:
Definition:
The Nielsen TV ratings that show
how many people view a program in the USA.
Example:
Television ratings are of often
a big focus with wrestling shows. The higher the rating for the
wrestling show, the more the network can charge advertisers for
commercials.
Ref
Bump:
Definition:
When the referee gets knocked
out or injured during a match.
Example:
This is often used to the
benefit of a heel wrestler to use a foreign object against his
opponent.
Ring
Rust:
Definition:
When a wrestler returns after a
substantial absence and is not performing at their previous level.
Example:
A returning wrestler will also
use ring rust as an excuse for a bad match.
Rope:
Definition:
The steel cables that are
stretched between the turnbuckles.
Example:
In spite of the name, ring ropes
are not made of rope.
Rope
Break:
Definition:
When a wrestler touches the
ropes, their opponent must let go of whatever move they have applied
and if the ref is making a pinfall count, he must stop.
Example:
If a wrestler is being pinned
near the ropes but can't kick out, he will have try to reach the
ropes with his arms or legs to break the count. The same applies to
submission holds.
Rub:
Definition:
When a main eventer hangs out
with someone lower on the pecking order and tries to get them over
just by associating themselves with them.
Example:
Sometimes a wrestler will be
introduced as someones relative to recieve a rub from that families
legacy.
Rudo:
Definition:
The heel in Lucha Libre.
Example:
The villan in Mexican wrestling
is known as a rudo.
Run
In:
Definition:
When a person that is not in a
match runs into the ring the interfere.
Example:
A run in is a common ending to a
TV main event.
S
Screw
Job:
Definition:
The opposite of a clean finish.
The match will usually end in this way with the heel winning.
Example:
The Montreal Swrewjob is the
most famous in history where Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels cheated
Bret Hart out of his last match at Survivor Series 1997.
Selling:
Definition:
The art of making your opponents
moves look like they hurt.
Example:
Selling tells the story of a
match. If a wrestler is bad at selling it makes the story and
delivery of the match look weak.
Shoot:
Definition:
When something is done not
according to the script of the show or its storylines. This can be
either hurting an opponent and saying something out of character.
Example:
Shoots are not common on
televised wrestling shows. When a wrestler is let go from a
promotion, they often vent their frustrations of the behind the
scenes antics.
Singlet:
Definition:
The traditional amateur
wrestling attire.
Example:
Jack Swagger in WWE and Kurt
Angle in TNA both wear a singlet as their ring attire due to their
successful amateur wrestling background.
Smark:
Definition:
Also known as a 'smart mark',
this is a fan who thinks they know the inner workings of the
business.
Example:
A smart mark thinks that they
know what is going to happen and becomes furious at the booking if
the bookers fool them.
Spot:
Definition:
The are two meaning for the term
of a spot in pro wrestling; 1. A wrestlers position or ranking in the
company. 2. An important part of the match
Example:
Wrestlers are very protective of
their spot in the company and will often join in backstage politics
to keep it.
Spotfest:
Definition:
A match with many important
moments is usually called a spotfest.
Example:
Tables, Ladders and Chairs (TLC)
matches are commonly seen as spotfests.
Squash:
Definition:
A very quick match where the
loser has almost no offensive moves.
Example:
A new star is often built up as
a threat by winning a number of squash matches.
Stable:
Definition:
A group of wrestlers working
together for a common cause. Will usually have the same manager.
Example:
The Four Horsemen, New World
Order (NWO) and D-Generation X (DX) are the most famous and
successful stables in wrestling history.
Stiff:
Definition:
When a worker hits their
opponents hard or takes very hard bumps.
Example:
A wrestler that works stiff has
a greater chance of hurting their opponent.
Stretch:
Definition:
When a shooting wrestler
physically dominates (but doesn't hurt) their opponent to either
settle a personal grievence or show superiority.
Example:
Stretching an opponent was a
common hazing ritual in the old days of wrestling.
Submission:
Definition:
Winning a match by making your
opponent give up to a painful wrestling hold.
Example:
A champion that loses a match by
submission, loses their title.
Swerve:
Definition:
When a promotion makes you
believe that something is going to happen in their storylines but
then does the exact opposite.
Example:
Smarks hate when a swerve
happens.
T
Tag:
Definition:
A hand slap that is made by tag
team partners that allows the person in the ring to leave and the
person outside the ring to enter.
Example:
A wrestler in trouble tries to
tag their partner.
Tag
Rope:
Definition:
A piece of rope on the
turnbuckle that a wrestler must hold while waiting for a tag from his
partner in the ring.
Example:
A heel team will often choke
their opponents with the tag rope.
Tap
Out:
Definition:
When a wrestler taps their hand
to the mat to signify that they want to quit the match.
Example:
When a wrestler taps out, they
lose the match by submission.
Tecnico
Definition:
A face luchador.
Example:
The good guy in Lucha Libre.
Territory:
Definition:
The area in which a promotion
runs their live events and broadcasts their television shows. Prior
to the mid 1980s, all the different federations had territories that
they ran. With the advent of cable tv, some promotions became
national and effectively killed the territory system.
Example:
Vince McMahon put an end to
wrestling territories in the 1980s with his national takeover of the
genre.
Turn:
Definition:
When a face becomes a heel or
when a heel becomes a face.
Example:
A turn is often used to cause a
swerve in storylines and to freshen up a stale character.
Tweener:
Definition:
A wrestler who has the traits of
both a heel and a face.
Example:
Stone Cold Steve Austin did
dastardly things that a heel would do, but he did them to bad people
like a face. He was the most successful (and in many ways first)
tweener in history.
U
Undercard:
Definition:
The matches that begin a
wrestling event.
Example:
A wrestler on the undercard
makes much less money than a main eventer.
V
Valet:
Definition:
An attractive woman (usually)
who accompanies a wrestler to the ring.
Example:
Miss Elizabeth was the first
wrestling valet.
Vignette:
Definition:
A pre-taped segment used to
introduce or help get over a particular character.
Example:
Vignettes of a debuting wrestler
are often shown in the weeks leading up to their debut in order to
create a hype about them.
W
Work:
Definition:
Anything in wrestling that
follows the script. It is the opposite of a shoot.
Example:
All of the matches, interviews
and storylines in wrestling are considered a work.
Worked
Shoot:
Definition:
A work that has some real life
elements to it.
Example:
In 2005 wrestlers Edge and Lita
had began a real live affair that was weaved into a storyline where
Edge feuded with Lita's real life boyfriend; fellow wrestler Matt
Hardy.
Worker:
Definition:
The pro wrestling industry term
for a wrestler.
Example:
Everyone who wrestles on TV is a
worker for the company.
Workrate:
Definition:
The skill and effort put into a
match by a wrestler which is shown by their overall performance
level.
Example:
Some wrestlers with the best
workrate are often used as jobbers to make other guys look good.
