Pro-Wrestling 101

1. Pro-Wrestling 101 Compiled by Jessie Baxter

2. American Pro-Wrestling • Fundamentally based on classical and "catch" wrestling, with modern additions of striking attacks, strength-based holds and throws, and acrobatic maneuvers • Matches have predetermined outcomes in order to heighten entertainment value, and maneuvers are rehearsed to lessen the chances of injury -- used to be a tightly held secret, now widely known (Kayfabe) • Though there are many small and regional pro wrestling circuits, the major outlet for pro-wrestling today is the WWE • In the 90’s and early 00’s, World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) were the WWE’s biggest competitors

3. Rules of Pro-Wrestling • There is no governing authority for professional wrestling rules, but an unwritten standard exists and is generally followed • Matches are held between two or more sides (Corners) • Each corner has one wrestler, or a team of two or more • There can be only one winning team or wrestler • The standard method of scoring is a "fall” • Pinning the opponent's shoulders to the mat, usually for three seconds • Forcing the opponent to submit • A forfeit via a disqualified opponent • The opponent remaining outside the ring for too long • Knocking out (KO) or otherwise incapacitating the opponent

4. Rules of Pro-Wrestling (cont’d) • Most wrestling matches last for a set number of falls • Historically, matches were wrestled to 3 or 5 falls, but the standard for modern matches is one fall • Matches have a given time limit – usually 10- to 30-minutes • In matches with multiple competitors, an elimination system may be used

5. Rules in the Ring • Wrestlers are allowed to lift an opponent, throw them, drop them, jump onto them, or otherwise force them to the mat • Wrestlers are not allowed to punch an opponent with a closed fist, kick an opponent with the toe of their boot, bite, or spit in an opponents eyes. • Wrestlers still do these things at times and usually get away with only a warning from the ref • A wrestler is open to attack from any direction at any time, including when they are downed • If any part of a wrestler is in contact with or crosses the plane of the ropes, all grappling contact between the wrestlers must be broken within a five count or the attacking wrestler is subject to disqualification • This rule is often used strategically in order to escape from a submission hold – called a “rope break”

6. Wrestling Characters • Most pro-wrestlers portray character roles designed to increase interest in the wrestler aside from their actual physical ability (Gimmick) • Matches are typically staged between a protagonist who is usually an audience favorite (Babyface) and an antagonists that plays the villain (Heel) • A character may "turn” their alignment -- it may be an abrupt change, or can slowly build up over time (ex: The Rock) • Some characters are heels but become popular crowd favorites (ex: Shawn Michaels, Daniel Bryan) Doink the Clown

7. Heels Faces

8. Tweeners

9. Cultural Depictions The Wild Samoans Iron Sheik Muhammad Hassan Godfather Akeem Tatanka

10. Promos • Promos are a staple of pro-wrestling marketing and are "cut” to heighten interest in a character or to hype an upcoming match • Only a few mins. long; Filmed in the locker room/backstage area or in the ring • Often feature a character speaking directly to their opponent and frequently involves trash talking and insulting the other wrestler • Classic Promo: • Hulk Hogan Promo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgls-rXQ0tM • The Rock Promo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8Q5gnN7lK8 • Character Promo: • Sheamus Promo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O9fGyo24j4 • CM Punk Promo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMPDJctjqKg

11. Entrances • Although the matches are the main event, a wrestler’s entrance usually gets the biggest crowd response • Usually starts with an audio cue (like a siren or shattered glass) that acts as a Pavlovian signal to the crowd • Music played during an entrance will usually mirror the wrestler's personality and props may be used to show the wrestler’s character, i.e. cars, motorcycles, fire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oyt4Ak2tDg&feature=related

12. Wrestling Story Arcs • Wrestling often follows the dramatic structure of a soap opera or serial drama • Storylines (Angles) can be fictional, or based on real life-- injuries, relationships, even contract changes can be create an angle. Angles based around rivalries (Feuds) are most common. • Some matches are designed to further a story of a character. Non-wrestling vignettes might also be used to enhance a character's image without a match. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon (daughter of Vince McMahon) were married onscreen and in real life

13. U.S. Wrestling Promotions

14. WWE History

15. The Golden Era (1985 – 1993) • Surge in popularity of the sport, largely due to new TV outlets • The first WrestleMania was broadcast in 1985 on pay-per-view • Designed to be the “Superbowl” of pro-wrestling • A big financial risk, but was a huge success with fans • Success led to additional pay-per-view programs, including Summer Slam and Survivor Series • Major wrestlers in this period included Hulk Hogan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior, Iron Sheik, and Andre the Giant • Many theatrical and stylized elements -- spectacle was the hallmark of this period more than athletic ability; character over skill • MTV Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection – cross promotion with new TV channel • Opportunity to market to and build new audience for both companies • Cyndi Lauper and Hulk Hogan were most visible stars

16. Hulk Hogan • Referred to his fans as "Hulkamaniacs" and had three "demandments": training, saying prayers, and eating vitamins • His ring entrances involved ripping his shirt off his body, flexing, and calling for audience cheers • Very theatrical, almost comic book in nature; matches were extremely choreographed and followed a similar pattern for each match

17. New Generation Era(1994-1997) • Huge ratings drop for WWF • Major competition from Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) • Monday Night Wars – flagship programs (RAW vs. Nitro) in competing time slots • Poaching of many big stars away from the WWF, including Hulk Hogan • Allegations of steroid use and sexual harassment in WWF • McMahon responded by creating new stars and tightening contracts to make it harder for WCW to raid WWF talent • Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Diesel, and Razor Ramon were big names of this era -- popular largely because of their in-ring skills

18. Shawn Michaels Started as a villain with a cocky, vain persona but developed into a fan favorite Big feud with Bret Hart – In controversial 1997 match, called the Montreal Screwjob, McMahon went off script and rigged the match to ensure Michaels would win and take away Hart’s championship before he left for WCW.

19. Attitude Era(1997-2001) • Defined by a radical shift in programming content designed to attract young adult demographic with an edgier form of entertainment • More explicitly violent matches and aggressive feuds • New adult-oriented, sexual storylines • Dramatic shift in how storylines were written • Shorter matches and more backstage vignettes • Creation of “Mr. McMahon” character to play off some of the “heat” after the Montreal Screwjob • Big names included Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, and The Undertaker • Female wrestlers provided sexual titillation over actual skill

20. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin • Known for his public feud with Mr. McMahon character • Huge fan favorite despite heel behavior • Introduced the “What?” chant • Extremely violent matches and angles • Austin faced Hart in a street fight on Raw, injuring his opponent's leg with a steel chair during the bout -- the match was ultimately awarded to Hart when Austin proceeded to beat Hart while on a stretcher in the back of an ambulance

21. Ruthless Aggression Era(2002-2007) • WWF changed to World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., (WWE) after a lawsuit over usage dispute with the World Wildlife Fund • Fewer sexuality explicit angles, but the in-ring action essentially stayed the same • WWE debut of stars like Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Batista, Chris Masters, John Cena, and Eddie Guerrero • McMahon bought out ECW and WCW assets after both promotions went under in the early 2000’s • Faced with a surplus of talent, McMahon began “Brand Extension” • WWE was divided into two de facto wrestling promotions with separate rosters, storylines and authority figures -- RAW and SmackDown! • Wrestlers would become show-exclusive, wrestling for their specific show only and essentially competing against each other • Yearly draft lottery was instituted to refresh the lineups

22. Randy Orton “RKO” -- nickname and also the name of a move he helped popularize "The Legend Killer” Embarked on numerous storyline feuds with "legendary" wrestlers; gained infamy for his blatant disrespect of older, well-respected names Maintained attitude of previous era, but wasn’t as overtly violent

23. PG Era(2008-2011) • WWE initiated programming change to shift and expand viewer demographics • US parental guidelines rating system now rates all WWE television programs "PG", indicating family-friendly content • Less violent matches, no language or adult content allowed • John Cena was a huge megastar – became face of WWE • Era defined mostly by a "split fan base” • Some fans feel it’s a return to Golden Era, others think WWE “sold out” and is watered down and boring

24. John Cena • Re-vamped image in PG era has made him very family friendly • Popular with kids, women, and a lot of military • Lots of patriotic imagery, very all-American • Record holding number of championships • “Rise Above Hate” and “Never Give Up” are two of his slogans

25. People Power/Reality Era(2011- present) • Current era – more 0f a transitional phase • Some of the edgier content has returned with new stars like CM Punk; bringing back lots of old stars and veterans • WWE still maintains a family-friendly image • New stars include Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, The Miz, Mark Henry, and Zack Ryder • Programming influenced by social media and what audience wants to see • Popular WWE reality show to find new talent • In 2011, WWE announced they are planning to establish a network of their own in Fall 2012

26. Zack Ryder • Dissatisfied with his level of air-time on WWE, so he started a YouTube web series called Z! True Long Island Story, and used Twitter and Facebook to promote his character – WWE later picked up the series • Gained a huge following with his Jersey Shore-style gimmick • Catch phrases is “Woo Woo Woo”

27. The WWE Today

28. “WWE is a publicly traded media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. Our platforms include television programming, pay-per-view, digital media, magazines and films. WWE is headquartered in Stamford, CT with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mumbai, Istanbul, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. WWE broadcasts in 30 languages to more than 145 countries, and can be seen in half a billion television households worldwide. Each week, WWE creates seven hours of original programming that is watched by 14.5 million fans in the U.S. WWE's flagship program, Monday Night Raw on USA Network is among the most-watched regularly scheduled programs on primetime cable television and helps make USA a top-rated network. Friday Night SmackDown is Syfy's most watched, regularly scheduled program of the week. USA Network also airs AM Raw, and was the home for their first reality show, WWE's Tough Enough. In addition, WWE Superstars and WWE NXT are available on WWE.com each week and are distributed internationally over 145 countries.”

29. WWE Television Audience • WWE programming reaches approximately 12 million viewers in the U.S. each week • Balanced age distribution with 74% of the audience aged 21 or older. • 21 % of audience is under 18 years old • 25 % of audience is 18-34 years old • 23 % of audience is 35-49 years old • 30 % of audience is 50+ years old • Strong female audience • 34 % of viewers are female • Diverse audience • Raw is the #3 most watched regularly scheduled entertainment program on primetime cable among Hispanic viewers. • Raw is the #4 most watched regularly scheduled entertainment program on primetime cable among Black/African-American viewers. Source: Nielsen Media Research (12/26/11-3/25/12)

30. WWE and Pop Culture • Audience is big and diverse – lots of opportunity for cross-promotion and sponsorship • President Obama, Sen. John McCain, and Secretary of State Clinton have appeared on WWE to promote their candidacies for office • George W. Bush has made several appearances to support the troops • The Muppets, Hugh Jackman, Jewel, Kristen Wiig, Shaq and Bob Barker are only a few of the many celebrities that have made appearances on WWE • “WWE is a global entertainment brand much like Hollywood studios creating programming that puts smiles on peoples' faces. All WWE programming features only TV-PG content and storylines.”

31. WWE Outreach • “WWE is strictly entertainment and our storylines are centered around good vs. evil, where conflicts are resolved in the ring. This is not how WWE talent, nor WWE as a company, deal with differences in real life. One should deal with differences by showing tolerance and respect. WWE is committed to sharing an anti-bullying message to show our fans how to resolve conflicts in the real world.” • "WWE In Your Corner" is WWE's charitable arm that focuses on the company's anti-bullying campaign, literacy programs, civic engagement, military support and 26-plus year partnership with The Make-A-Wish Foundation. Triple H and a young fan pose during a visit to the Muscular Dystrophy Association

32. $$$ • When WWE opened its office in 1983, the company had 13 employees. Today, WWE has approximately 625 full-time employees. • According to Forbes, McMahon’s current estimated net worth is $700 million • During the past five years, WrestleMania has contributed approximately $240 million worth of economic impact to cities and states. • In April 2011, WrestleMania XXVII generated $62.1 million in economic impact for the state of GA Vince McMahon, owner

33. WWE Talent Philosophy • “WWE has 120 performers who are independent contractors, same as actors or actresses on television dramas, soaps or comedies. They do not have corporate responsibilities or duties. The average full-time, main-roster WWE performer works four and a half days per week, which includes travel and appearances, and has an average annual compensation of $550,000. Each year, WWE receives thousands of inquiries from talent wanting to be considered for the WWE roster. Several WWE performers are incorporated, have agents and/or professional managers who handle contract negotiations with WWE. Additionally, many have accountants and/or financial advisors to oversee their finances and investments. Under WWE's Talent Life Skills program, WWE offers mandatory workshops to its contracted performers to assist them in their financial planning and asset management.”

34. Sources http://www.wrestlingvalley.org/ http://www.wwe.com/ http://corporate.wwe.com/ http://www.twfnews.com/ http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_wrestling