"Wrestling's Fake!"

Well, actors are actors. They get payed to put on a show, not to win. The actors that end up losing may not care that they lose.

As for actual damage, that explains nothing. The matches are indeed fake, but that doesn't mean there won't be screw-ups and actual injuries, but these are usually caused by accident, and moves exicuted incorrectly and such.

 

I don't really tune into wrestling as much as I used to anymore, but I can tell you that it's most definitely not fake. The bumps and bruises, and (at times) real blood that they shed, is no joke. It's not just sports, it's sports entertainment. They're both athletes AND actors/actresseses. Moreover, they do it for the fame and fortune. I have a job that's really demanding physically. I come out home tired or exhausted over half the time, but do I quit this job? No. I need it to make ends meet. The only difference is, I'm not aiming to be famous like these pro wrestlers are, because that's simply not my cup of tea. If these wrestlers want to achieve popularity, that should be their own personal choice. Yes, injury is possible, just like with any sport; but again, if it's not career or life threatening, why should they stop? Especially if it's something they love doing.

I can't stand it when people go around calling the sport "fake". The only thing that's "fake" are the predetermined outcomes. Even then, that's more appropriately considered "staged" than "fake". Even the punches they throw aren't fake. Sure, they don't connect with the opponent (nor are they supposed to), but the punch itself was performed, so it's not exactly "fake". If a guy from the top turnbuckle takes a fall all the way to the mat below, it's gonna rattle them a bit, whether that ring mat is padded or not. Like an other sports athlete, professional wrestlers deserve the same respect as anyone else.

 

Are we only covering professional wrestling?

That's complicated. But of course, we wouldn't have debates if it were not, now would we?

I vote no, not fake, but there is definitely a touch of fantasy mixed in. From what I understand, certain people believe wrestling to be fake because of the pre-determined outcomes.

Consider this: The 1919 World Series of Baseball. Allegedly, eight players of the Chicago White Sox threw the game for money. The eight were absolved of all charges, but MLB, as well as many baseball fans, continue to believe them guilty. Sounds like the wrestling topic, does it not? Match fixing exists everywhere, not just in wrestling. Is football fake because an NFL team wants a better schedule the next season? Of course not! Does throwing games in the NBA for better play-off matches the next year make basketball fictional? Not at all!

Yes, it is true that wrestling is not considered match fixing, it's a special case. (the plural of fox is foxes, box is boxes, but ox is oxen.) However, it is very similar.

The underlying concept is that players are doing this because of some external force involved. Wrestling does not fall under the category of match fixing because it happens every match; it is a crucial part to the sport, and is not illegal. Wrestlers do it because they're being paid to, while on the other hand, other sport players do it because they're being paid to illegally and/or indirectly. So now, another question arises: Is this really okay in wrestling?
Yes. Everybody knows about it, it should no longer come as a surprise. And because everybody knows this keyfabe, surely aspiring wrestlers do too?

Wrestlers, along with any other athlete, have got to know their sport before they play it! They know they're being paid to win or lose matches, and they're okay with that! They learn all the technique of wrestling, all the moves, even though they have a good chance that "the man" will tell them that they have to throw the next match. They're okay with this, fans are okay with this, why shouldn't everyone be okay with it?

Wrestling is staged, sure, but what makes it fake? The injuries, people, the sport itself; they all exist, we can attach tangible meaning to them. Tell me, why is it "fake" as opposed to "staged"?

 

My theory of professional wrestling

Spoiler

is foreplay for a gay porno

But joking aside and honestly not getting a warning or infraction.. The wrestling that you see on television, WWE I believe it is, more than 90% is acting. I mean yes they practice those moves on each other to prevent serious injury but you can see there are times when they do break a collar bone or dislocate a joint. In my opinion they are wonderful actors because of this.

Now I'm not saying that ALL professional wrestling is like, because there is other shows on television and actual viewing is acting. But I'm just pointing out that WWE, majority of it is staged like the verbal comebacks they throw at each other.

 

Hmm... I'm not a big wrestling fan myself, so I don't watch much of it. I have seen it the odd time, though, and I think I might have a conclusion on my views.

A lot of wrestling seems to be decided beforehand, in some sort of rehearsal. But the fact that a lot of this can end in some serious injuries can conflict with this idea of acting, unless the wrestlers in question are seriously dedicated to their choice of entertainment. If you ask me, a lot of wrestling is probably predetermined, like the moves and such, but there might be a kernel of dark reality in there.

What I'm saying is that wrestling could be a series of practised moves strung together randomly. Could be that wrestling involves a lot of improvisation, like the order of what move comes where, and who really wins, those things being undecided.

I'm no expert, but it is a theory. I couldn't imagine people putting themselves in that much physical harm just to find themselves losing because the guys at the top say so. But then, I could be way off. For all I know, these people could be insane enough to allow even their own body to come to total ruin, just for publicity, even if they lose.