Professional wrestling is a global attraction that has a wealth of fans invested on a regular basis.
With its beginnings going back centuries, the wrestling that's popular today is totally different from what once existed.
The big question regarding wrestling is the legitimacy of what takes place inside the ring. While it's widely known these days that the outcomes are pre-determined, many aspects of the show are far from 'fake'.
Here, DAZN looks closer at pro wrestling and reveals exactly what about the sport is real and what is not.
Is professional wrestling real?
The action you’re watching is actually happening but the outcome of each segment or match is often predetermined. For decades, promoters of wrestling did their best to keep the illusion that wrestling was real life, but Vince McMahon, the long-time head of WWE, confirmed what many suspected when he admitted that his product was scripted in 1989.
Do the wrestlers hurt each other?
Although every effort is made to prevent injuries in pro wrestling, accidents will always occur that can cause severe injuries to wrestlers. All wrestlers at the highest level are highly experienced and have received adequate training, but like any performance, it can sometimes go wrong which means wrestlers can finish their match in extreme pain.
Who decides who wins each match?
All wrestling companies have an owner and it’s usually that person who has the last say on who the winners and losers will be. Within the bigger companies like WWE and AEW, booking teams and producers will have a heavy influence on the outcome of matches but the final decision will often lie with the company owner.
Why did wrestling become scripted?
Wrestling was once a real sport that captivated huge audiences but when matches became too long and familiar, promoters of the sport decided to script it. Quality wrestlers began working on their personalities and presentation to stand out to audiences and that’s when the sport began moving into a performance rather than a sport.
With wrestling being scripted, how do companies create stars?
It all depends on the company. Different wrestling companies have different priorities. Some prioritise the wrestling ability of performers whilst others prefer to have muscular, larger than life characters as their standout star. The goal is to make each performer resonate with the audience with the person generating the most interest usually the recipient of favourable booking.