04/11/2016
Is WWE real or is it just acting?
Answer
WWE is a "sport" by definition, but in reality it's "sporting theater", meaning it combines the elements of sport in an entertainment arena. In contrast to professional sports (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, etc.), WWE is performance with an element of sport, while professional sports are totally sports oriented (governed by complex rules and elements of chance) with elements of performance.
Its origins (and insider speak) are from the carnivals of old. All matches are carefully scripted, as is who wins and who loses a match or championship. Everything from feuds, relationships, stories, etc., is carefully laid out to get the most drama and fan response that it can. Generally, the wrestler's ability to promote his character as a bankable asset is what gets him championships (e.g., Hulk Hogan, The Rock, John Cena, The Miz, Christian). As an example, when Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) first began his career, his character was a "face" (good guy). Not getting any real fan response, he switched to being a "heel", and the rest is history.
Many wrestlers who are "sworn enemies" in the ring or are having ongoing feuds are actually good friends in reality. There was an embarrassing incident some years ago where two wrestlers who were shown as feuding enemies were stopped by police, and found to be drinking and partying together.
It is a combination of mock combat and catch wrestling, and while there aren't any really serious blows given or incurred (anyone who has ever sparred knows the blows are being pulled just by watching), these are nonetheless highly skilled professional athletes and great character actors. Not only are they performing a character role, both wrestlers must avoid hurting each other in the process, as well as protecting each other from being hurt during the many moves that are performed. That's not easy considering the size and weight of the average wrestler.
Pulled punches, catching, embellishment of pain from fake blows, as well as camera angles (similar to camera angles used in movies for stunt work) all add to the reality effect. Even the audio from mat falls are enhanced by placing microphones under the ring, and amplified through the arena speakers for greater effect. It doesn't mean that they can't get hurt - they can, and often do.
For things like chairs and tables (favorite props), the blow is pulled and the receiving wrestler embellishes the contact, which is usually spread out over the back. Think about it - if someone were to really take that kind of blow from a metal chair to the back, there would be a red imprint of the chair on the person's skin within a couple of minutes. Blood, when it does appear, comes from a wrestler cutting himself (usually at the scalp, where there's a lot of blood but you can't do any real damage). A small razor blade fragment is used, either concealed by one of the wrestlers or passed to him by the referee.
When the WWF specifically changed its name to "World Wrestling Entertainment", it did so in large part to avoid regulatory health controls that are normally incurred by professional sports teams, e.g., steroid use. In the case of WWE, allegations that its members were using steroids (Terry "Hulk" Hogan admitted to their use), and that it had no comprehensive health plan for its members, caused several investigations into the "sport". WWE proved in court that it was not a sporting operation in the vein of other professional sports teams, but that their members were entertainers (albeit really good athletic ones).
Regardless of what the elements consist of, the fact is that it's just fun to watch, essentially being a live action play performed by big men showing real talent and athletics. Most fans know about pro-wrestling's real nature - the Internet hides little these days. But it doesn't mean they don't watch it.
