In Kayla's words....
Huge Misconception! 4/10/13
Since my last blog, I have seen an uprising of the common misconception that people tend to have about pro wrestling... and that misconception is that these people practice their matches to the point where they have the exact moves down to a "T." For some reason, people whole-heartedly believe that every single move, every step, every breath, is planned before the match.... And I hate to burst yet another bubble, but thats not exactly how things work.
I don't know if you've noticed, but professional wrestlers, especially in the WWE, are constantly on the move; travelling to different shows and what not. They don't have time to plan everything in advance. And according to Krystal Kayne, aka Kathleen Garrett, they really don't need to (you can check out her interview here.) Miss Garrett says that "... until you get good enough to call a whole match without screwing up, you've got to have something planned out before hand." This meaning, rookies, like herself, are not yet on the level of using freeform in a proper match.
"Freeform" is type of professional wrestling where the people involved, just play off each other and "wing it." On the level of the WWE and TNA, freeform is commonly used. The participants might discuss a few key spots and run through it a few times in their head, but theres no way to perfect the entire thing. And the way a wrestler can preform a match without any notice is what makes them good. They make it look like the whole thing was planned in advance, or make it look as though they were actually fighting each other. So now I guess you could see where the "realness" comes in.
Just clearing that up :)
I don't know if you've noticed, but professional wrestlers, especially in the WWE, are constantly on the move; travelling to different shows and what not. They don't have time to plan everything in advance. And according to Krystal Kayne, aka Kathleen Garrett, they really don't need to (you can check out her interview here.) Miss Garrett says that "... until you get good enough to call a whole match without screwing up, you've got to have something planned out before hand." This meaning, rookies, like herself, are not yet on the level of using freeform in a proper match.
"Freeform" is type of professional wrestling where the people involved, just play off each other and "wing it." On the level of the WWE and TNA, freeform is commonly used. The participants might discuss a few key spots and run through it a few times in their head, but theres no way to perfect the entire thing. And the way a wrestler can preform a match without any notice is what makes them good. They make it look like the whole thing was planned in advance, or make it look as though they were actually fighting each other. So now I guess you could see where the "realness" comes in.
Just clearing that up :)
Professional wrestling is "fake"? 4/5/13
Professional wrestling is no doubt, scripted. The employees get into the squared circle to "battle" for victories over one another.And even though the winners of the matches are almost always determined before hand for the purposes of a storyline, the word “fake” would not be an accurate word to represent what is actually happens in that ring. “Fake”, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, is defined as “counterfeit, sham;” and those words are defined as, “insincere,” and “a trick that deludes.”
Despite the fact that the ending is determined before the wrestlers enter the ring, at the level of the WWE, World Wrestling Entertainment, the matches are often freeform. Freeform basically means that they just get into the ring, talk to each other in the ring, and “wing it.” They throw moves like punches, kicks, and many other things at each other and hope their opponent is able to sell them and commence offense of their own. An employee’s ability to do this makes up a large part of if they will be good professional wrestlers. This sport isn't all acting, contrary to popular belief. Take Monday night Raw for example; that show is live. This isn't a movie that is made by optical illusions and slight of hand. They don't get do overs or restarts once they start. They can't go back and edit the footage or put in special effects. What you see is what you get. So, I would say that's far from "fake," .... Wouldn't you?
All and all, the word, “fake,” isn’t necessarily a fair word to use because they still have to actually perform the moves. The intensity of the word, “fake” may vary depending on the reader’s point of view but one fact remains. It seems that the word “fake” strongly implies, “something that isn’t real.” The wrestlers are real people, performing real moves, and are putting themselves, in real danger as well. I'm sorry, which part sounded "fake," to you?
I say that the word, “predetermined” would be a much better descriptor for what is going on in between those ropes. “Predetermined,” is defined by Google dictionary as, "to establish or decide in advance.” -- I'd say this one is the winner. The athletes actually have to perform the moves, even if they know they are coming.
Think about it.
Despite the fact that the ending is determined before the wrestlers enter the ring, at the level of the WWE, World Wrestling Entertainment, the matches are often freeform. Freeform basically means that they just get into the ring, talk to each other in the ring, and “wing it.” They throw moves like punches, kicks, and many other things at each other and hope their opponent is able to sell them and commence offense of their own. An employee’s ability to do this makes up a large part of if they will be good professional wrestlers. This sport isn't all acting, contrary to popular belief. Take Monday night Raw for example; that show is live. This isn't a movie that is made by optical illusions and slight of hand. They don't get do overs or restarts once they start. They can't go back and edit the footage or put in special effects. What you see is what you get. So, I would say that's far from "fake," .... Wouldn't you?
All and all, the word, “fake,” isn’t necessarily a fair word to use because they still have to actually perform the moves. The intensity of the word, “fake” may vary depending on the reader’s point of view but one fact remains. It seems that the word “fake” strongly implies, “something that isn’t real.” The wrestlers are real people, performing real moves, and are putting themselves, in real danger as well. I'm sorry, which part sounded "fake," to you?
I say that the word, “predetermined” would be a much better descriptor for what is going on in between those ropes. “Predetermined,” is defined by Google dictionary as, "to establish or decide in advance.” -- I'd say this one is the winner. The athletes actually have to perform the moves, even if they know they are coming.
Think about it.
Professional wrestling is a "sport"? 4/3/13
I have been getting this question of, "Is professional wrestling considered a sport?" a lot lately, and for my whole life. And I'd like to address it. If you're asking me, my answer is, "yes".... It most definitely is a sport. Sorry to rain on that little parade of yours and burst that bubble of misconception you had about pro wrestling, but the fact of the matter is, it meets the qualifications.
It is probably appropriate to discuss what types of things would be considered a "sport." How would one define, “sport?” Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word “sport” as, “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others.” I do believe professional wrestling meets all said requirements to be considered a sport. Activity? Check; Requires physical exertion? Check; Requires skill? Check; Competition? You betcha... Even if the actual match isn't classified as a "competition" because of it's predetermined nature, the wrestlers are still competing against each other for pushes and attention. They are competing to be the best at professional wrestling so that they can have recognition, pushes, and/ or titles. Yes, professional wrestling is scripted, but does that matter in determining if it is a sport when we directly relate it back to the definition of the word?
There are some people who do not consider wrestling a sport but at the same time, they still love it. This is possibly because some people, even some wrestlers themselves, believe that professional wrestling is an art form. Although this is a flattering statement to make about pro wrestling, it would not be particularly accurate if one considers the definition of the noun, “art” is defined by Google dictionary as, “The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” I assume this could be an appropriate word to define pro wrestling for some people, but for many, it doesn't. Guess it depends on how you look at it. Professional wrestling unmistakably meets all qualifications to be defined by the word, “sport;” however, it also meets the requirements to be defined by the word, “art.” It’s possible for an activity to be a sport and an art and I am not the only one that thinks this way; here is a quote from William Gullo....
“In many ways, "sports" are a form of art as well. Michael Jordan would paint a canvas as he "lit up" his opponents for 50 a night. Peyton Manning dissects opposing defenses like a surgeon (a surgeon's an artist, right?) and the beautiful symmetry that comes with each and every pitch and crack of the bat in baseball is definitely artistic in my opinion.”
What should determine which category pro wrestling falls in should not depend upon if it is predetermined, but should be reliant on whether or not the activity meets the definition of the word being used to describe it. In this case, after reviewing both definitions or “sport” and “art,” one may say it can be both; a theatrical sport.
Wrestling is a unique sport includes not just sport, but other genres as well.... Much like the template of this website. This template was chosen not just because I thought it was pretty, which I did, but because it has a washiness to it that displays how pro wrestling blurs the line of theatre and sport by combining them together in a fluid way. Just because wrestling is a unique blend doesn't make it any less of a sport. If you ask me, pro wrestling is in its own league because it is the only sport of its kind. Not only does it feature creative athletic moves, but also different characters that are brought to life through the wrestler's acting skills.
But hey, don't just take my word for it. There is an article from Faze Magazine that also agrees that wrestling is a sport, and their decision coes from someone named Karen Coyle, who is seemingly not very fond of the business.
"So, there it is. Pro-wrestling is a sport. Hmmm.
But is this what we're asking for from our sports? It used to be all about, 'May the best man win.' Now it seems to be, 'I'm going to crack your skull open, let all your blood run out and then run you over with a truck.' "
You can check out the details of what Miss Coyle has to say here.
It is probably appropriate to discuss what types of things would be considered a "sport." How would one define, “sport?” Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word “sport” as, “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others.” I do believe professional wrestling meets all said requirements to be considered a sport. Activity? Check; Requires physical exertion? Check; Requires skill? Check; Competition? You betcha... Even if the actual match isn't classified as a "competition" because of it's predetermined nature, the wrestlers are still competing against each other for pushes and attention. They are competing to be the best at professional wrestling so that they can have recognition, pushes, and/ or titles. Yes, professional wrestling is scripted, but does that matter in determining if it is a sport when we directly relate it back to the definition of the word?
There are some people who do not consider wrestling a sport but at the same time, they still love it. This is possibly because some people, even some wrestlers themselves, believe that professional wrestling is an art form. Although this is a flattering statement to make about pro wrestling, it would not be particularly accurate if one considers the definition of the noun, “art” is defined by Google dictionary as, “The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” I assume this could be an appropriate word to define pro wrestling for some people, but for many, it doesn't. Guess it depends on how you look at it. Professional wrestling unmistakably meets all qualifications to be defined by the word, “sport;” however, it also meets the requirements to be defined by the word, “art.” It’s possible for an activity to be a sport and an art and I am not the only one that thinks this way; here is a quote from William Gullo....
“In many ways, "sports" are a form of art as well. Michael Jordan would paint a canvas as he "lit up" his opponents for 50 a night. Peyton Manning dissects opposing defenses like a surgeon (a surgeon's an artist, right?) and the beautiful symmetry that comes with each and every pitch and crack of the bat in baseball is definitely artistic in my opinion.”
What should determine which category pro wrestling falls in should not depend upon if it is predetermined, but should be reliant on whether or not the activity meets the definition of the word being used to describe it. In this case, after reviewing both definitions or “sport” and “art,” one may say it can be both; a theatrical sport.
Wrestling is a unique sport includes not just sport, but other genres as well.... Much like the template of this website. This template was chosen not just because I thought it was pretty, which I did, but because it has a washiness to it that displays how pro wrestling blurs the line of theatre and sport by combining them together in a fluid way. Just because wrestling is a unique blend doesn't make it any less of a sport. If you ask me, pro wrestling is in its own league because it is the only sport of its kind. Not only does it feature creative athletic moves, but also different characters that are brought to life through the wrestler's acting skills.
But hey, don't just take my word for it. There is an article from Faze Magazine that also agrees that wrestling is a sport, and their decision coes from someone named Karen Coyle, who is seemingly not very fond of the business.
"So, there it is. Pro-wrestling is a sport. Hmmm.
But is this what we're asking for from our sports? It used to be all about, 'May the best man win.' Now it seems to be, 'I'm going to crack your skull open, let all your blood run out and then run you over with a truck.' "
You can check out the details of what Miss Coyle has to say here.
Wanna get the gist of things? 4/1/13
I have posted an article on the sources/references page for your viewing and/or reading pleasure. I, personally, think it's done a brilliant job in explaining the low down (basics) to this unique sport. It's detailed, but is also easy to read for those who are new to the sport and/or do not fully understand it.
The link is also here. Enjoy :)
The link is also here. Enjoy :)