The history of professional wrestling is a history of sport as entertainment. Matches are preplanned with an agreed upon outcome. It combines theater and athletic skills including striking attacks, strength based holds and throws, acrobatic maneuvers, and improvised weaponry. A masculine soap opera, it's often a battle between good and evil. Like in the real world, evil sometimes win, but good returns for another battle. Add hot chicks and you have blockbuster entertainment.
Detractors denounce the violence, the pretend fights, the glorification of cheating as a means of winning. Fans say it's a story. It's exciting. Fans are encouraged to participate with cheers and jeers. And unlike most "real" sports, there's no audience violence between supporters of opposing wrestlers.
Fighting events were popular entertainment in Europe in the 1800's. In North America it was popularized in vaudeville halls and as a sideshow attraction at traveling carnivals. The carnival strongman would fight any comers. Bets were taken. The town wanted to believe in their home grown fighter. Since the carnival fighter had experience in wrestling holds and wasn't above cheating, the town brawler seldom won.
Arenas became the stage for combatants in the late 1800's. Regional promoters hired wrestlers and devised championship matches. In 1901, the NWA was established to promote the sport to a national audience. They organized regional promoters into a cooperative association.
In the 1920's we first see catch matches, time limits, signature moves, and tag team events. Distracting the referee to win a fight by cheating was popularized around this time. Promoters began signing wrestlers to contracts. With exciting well-known characters, promoters could spin a story line that kept fans waiting for the return engagement.
The 30's saw lots of competition. Promoters fought for territory and the best talent. The NWA used its influence to establish informal agreements among promoters. Territories were established. Promoters looked for new talent, but didn't try to steal wrestlers signed with other promoters. A national championship was established.
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.
Wrestlers as stuntmen were the creation of ECW. Wrestlers leaping from the top rope would crash into tables. They attacked their opponent with chairs. ECW staged the first ladder match. They were bought out by the WWF who saw the entertainment value in extreme stunts.
Prominent companies in business today are TNA, Combat Zone Wrestling, and Ring of Honor. In Mexico the top associations are Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, and Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion. In Japan the top competitors are New Japan Pro Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling Noah.
Well known wrestlers have become internationally recognized superstars. It's a billion dollar business with a revenue stream including event ticket sales, television and web shows, home video sales, and branded merchandise. The WWE alone has over 13 million viewers and shows are aired in 150 countries. The history of professional wrestling is an ongoing story.
Detractors denounce the violence, the pretend fights, the glorification of cheating as a means of winning. Fans say it's a story. It's exciting. Fans are encouraged to participate with cheers and jeers. And unlike most "real" sports, there's no audience violence between supporters of opposing wrestlers.
Fighting events were popular entertainment in Europe in the 1800's. In North America it was popularized in vaudeville halls and as a sideshow attraction at traveling carnivals. The carnival strongman would fight any comers. Bets were taken. The town wanted to believe in their home grown fighter. Since the carnival fighter had experience in wrestling holds and wasn't above cheating, the town brawler seldom won.
Arenas became the stage for combatants in the late 1800's. Regional promoters hired wrestlers and devised championship matches. In 1901, the NWA was established to promote the sport to a national audience. They organized regional promoters into a cooperative association.
In the 1920's we first see catch matches, time limits, signature moves, and tag team events. Distracting the referee to win a fight by cheating was popularized around this time. Promoters began signing wrestlers to contracts. With exciting well-known characters, promoters could spin a story line that kept fans waiting for the return engagement.
The 30's saw lots of competition. Promoters fought for territory and the best talent. The NWA used its influence to establish informal agreements among promoters. Territories were established. Promoters looked for new talent, but didn't try to steal wrestlers signed with other promoters. A national championship was established.
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.
Wrestlers as stuntmen were the creation of ECW. Wrestlers leaping from the top rope would crash into tables. They attacked their opponent with chairs. ECW staged the first ladder match. They were bought out by the WWF who saw the entertainment value in extreme stunts.
Prominent companies in business today are TNA, Combat Zone Wrestling, and Ring of Honor. In Mexico the top associations are Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, and Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion. In Japan the top competitors are New Japan Pro Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling Noah.
Well known wrestlers have become internationally recognized superstars. It's a billion dollar business with a revenue stream including event ticket sales, television and web shows, home video sales, and branded merchandise. The WWE alone has over 13 million viewers and shows are aired in 150 countries. The history of professional wrestling is an ongoing story.
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