The history of professional wrestling is the story of theater imitating a sporting event. A story line is woven giving an emotional reason for fighting. Who wins and loses is a scripted part of the show. Often the script is good versus evil. Both sides suffer losses as well as wins. Wrestlers use traditional skills of holds and throws. They perform daring acrobatic maneuvers and improvise weapons. Female wrestlers use the good versus evil script, with the added thrill of skimpy costumes.
Wrestling is loved by fans, and hated by its detractors for violence and phony battles. Story lines are built around big, mean looking guys. Rules are broken. Cheating is commonplace. Audiences are encouraged to jeer and cheer. Fans find the story immensely entertaining. And no audience fights break out in the stadium, or the parking lot.
Throughout history, fighting has been a popular form of entertainment. Traveling brawlers were especially popular in Europe in the 19th century. In North America carnival fighters challenged local brawlers to prove themselves in the ring. The carnival strongman was trained in holds and throws, and was not above a little cheating. Betting was fast and furious with townspeople usually betting on their homegrown hero who almost always lost the match.
As popularity grew, events were held in arenas mimicking boxing matches. In the late 19th century, local and regional promoters established their own championship stories and belts. The NWA, a loose association of regional promoters, was formed in 1901.
Matches became increasingly sophisticated in the 1920's This was the beginning of time limit matches, catch matches, tag teams, and signature moves. Tag teams developed the ruse of distracting the referee so they could cheat. Wrestlers signed long term contracts. Promoters developed more soap opera-like story lines.
During the 1930's there was lots of competition and stealing of talent. In 1948 the NWA established regional leagues and established a unified and agreed upon heavyweight championship. There was a gentlemen's agreement not to steal talent.
In the 40's and 50's, television increased the popularity of this entertaining "sport". As the market contracted in the 60's and 70's, cutthroat competition again became the norm. Today WWF, renamed WWE in 2002, is the largest company in the business. Vince MeMahon was a forceful businessman who succeeded in buying out most of his competitors. He negotiated profitable TV network and pay-per-view contracts.
Another league that had a major impact was ECW which popularized ladder matches, and the use of chairs as weapons. They popularized the flying leap from the top rope and crashing into tables. Eventually bought out by WWF, the popular hardcore stunts became a regular part of the story.
The U. S. A still has several promoters on the national scene including Ring of Honor, Combat Zone Wrestling, TNA. Promoters in Mexico include Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and the Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion. Promoters in Japan are Pro Wrestling Noah, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and All Japan Pro Wrestling.
The history of professional wrestling is the story of a rags to riches business. This billion dollar industry profits from ticket sales, televised matches, internet shows, video sales, and branded merchandise. Popular wrestlers are celebrities, especially popular in North and Central America, Japan, and Brazil. The WWE has 13 million fans in 150 countries.
Wrestling is loved by fans, and hated by its detractors for violence and phony battles. Story lines are built around big, mean looking guys. Rules are broken. Cheating is commonplace. Audiences are encouraged to jeer and cheer. Fans find the story immensely entertaining. And no audience fights break out in the stadium, or the parking lot.
Throughout history, fighting has been a popular form of entertainment. Traveling brawlers were especially popular in Europe in the 19th century. In North America carnival fighters challenged local brawlers to prove themselves in the ring. The carnival strongman was trained in holds and throws, and was not above a little cheating. Betting was fast and furious with townspeople usually betting on their homegrown hero who almost always lost the match.
As popularity grew, events were held in arenas mimicking boxing matches. In the late 19th century, local and regional promoters established their own championship stories and belts. The NWA, a loose association of regional promoters, was formed in 1901.
Matches became increasingly sophisticated in the 1920's This was the beginning of time limit matches, catch matches, tag teams, and signature moves. Tag teams developed the ruse of distracting the referee so they could cheat. Wrestlers signed long term contracts. Promoters developed more soap opera-like story lines.
During the 1930's there was lots of competition and stealing of talent. In 1948 the NWA established regional leagues and established a unified and agreed upon heavyweight championship. There was a gentlemen's agreement not to steal talent.
In the 40's and 50's, television increased the popularity of this entertaining "sport". As the market contracted in the 60's and 70's, cutthroat competition again became the norm. Today WWF, renamed WWE in 2002, is the largest company in the business. Vince MeMahon was a forceful businessman who succeeded in buying out most of his competitors. He negotiated profitable TV network and pay-per-view contracts.
Another league that had a major impact was ECW which popularized ladder matches, and the use of chairs as weapons. They popularized the flying leap from the top rope and crashing into tables. Eventually bought out by WWF, the popular hardcore stunts became a regular part of the story.
The U. S. A still has several promoters on the national scene including Ring of Honor, Combat Zone Wrestling, TNA. Promoters in Mexico include Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and the Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion. Promoters in Japan are Pro Wrestling Noah, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and All Japan Pro Wrestling.
The history of professional wrestling is the story of a rags to riches business. This billion dollar industry profits from ticket sales, televised matches, internet shows, video sales, and branded merchandise. Popular wrestlers are celebrities, especially popular in North and Central America, Japan, and Brazil. The WWE has 13 million fans in 150 countries.
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