Professional Wrestling Promotion

Wrestling As A Sport

Wrestling is a recognized sport at the high school level. Both boys and girls can try their hand at pinning their opponents to the floor. The same is true at the collegiate level, as the National Collegiate Athletic Association supports hundreds of wrestling teams for colleges and universities in the United States. Participants are divided by both age and weight classifications. The Olympic Games is another recognized venue that offers competition opportunities for wrestlers. Participants are divided into various weight classes as well to even out the playing field.

Several different professional wrestling promotion groups exist as well. These are largely businesses that use wrestling as an entertaining spectacle to produce a profitable return. Names such as Stampede Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, and Extreme Championships wrestling have generated a great deal of commerce throughout the years. Many countries have professional wrestling promotion groups, such as Japan and Mexico. Hundreds of different promotions have existed in the past 10 decades, their popularity often rising and falling like the stock market.

Wrestling For Entertainment

Much of professional wrestling is scripted, rehearsed, and has an actual plot line. There are rules regarding acceptable maneuvers, offensive maneuvers directed toward the eye, and others are addressed but sometimes loosely enforced. This of course creates controversy and engages viewers more in the action. The circumstances are basically simulated, defeating its classification as a spot, and redefining it as a form of entertainment. The industry does produce a great deal of revenue, broadcasting most of its contest through pay-per-view. Live entertainment also takes place in large sporting arenas across the globe.

Professional Wrestler Celebrities

Most professional wrestlers are men, and the notable ones are often memorable because of their great size. Andre the Giant who stood almost seven and a half feet tall was a memorable professional wrestling figure. Yokozuna, a former sumo wrestler, almost weighed 400 pounds and was memorable for his size as well. Other wrestlers like Hulk Hogan made names for themselves as advertising gurus and television stars. Hogan starred in several movies, commercials, and endorsed several products. His popularity drove sales of action figures and similar merchandise to very high levels. Women are not as popular in the professional arena, but often make appearances ring side or in conjunction with men’s celebrities. Midget wrestling is another theatrical venture that can be traced back in history through carnivals and fairs.