Wrestling Glossary: Your Guide To Common Terms

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Wrestling Glossary: Your Guide to Common Terms

Wrestling, like any specialized field, has its own unique vocabulary. To fully enjoy and understand the sport, it's helpful to become familiar with some of the most common terms. This glossary provides definitions for a wide range of wrestling terms, from basic moves to more complex concepts.

Basic Wrestling Terms

  • Angle: In the wrestling world, an angle refers to a storyline or feud between wrestlers. These angles are often dramatic and can involve betrayals, alliances, and personal conflicts. Angles are carefully crafted to engage the audience and build excitement for upcoming matches. A good angle can elevate a wrestler's career, while a poorly executed one can damage their reputation.

  • Babyface (Face): A babyface, also known as a face, is a good guy wrestler. They are the heroes who are cheered by the fans. Babyfaces typically have a clean-cut image and fight for justice. They often overcome adversity and inspire the audience with their courage and determination. The role of a babyface is to be likable and relatable, someone the fans can root for.

  • Heel: The opposite of a babyface, a heel is a bad guy wrestler. Heels are villains who are booed by the fans. They often cheat, lie, and use underhanded tactics to win matches. Heels are designed to be hated, and their actions provoke strong reactions from the audience. A good heel can generate heat, which is negative attention that makes fans want to see them get their comeuppance.

  • Kayfabe: Kayfabe is the portrayal of staged events as real. It's the unspoken agreement between wrestlers and fans to maintain the illusion that the matches and storylines are genuine. In the past, kayfabe was strictly enforced, and wrestlers would rarely break character in public. Today, kayfabe is less rigid, but it still plays an important role in maintaining the mystique of professional wrestling.

  • Mark: A mark is a wrestling fan who believes that the matches and storylines are real. While most fans are aware that wrestling is a performance, marks are deeply invested in the characters and narratives. They may not fully understand the behind-the-scenes aspects of the business and take everything at face value. Wrestling promotions often target marks with their marketing efforts.

  • No-Sell: No-selling is when a wrestler doesn't react to an opponent's moves. It makes the wrestler look tough. This can happen when wrestlers are trying to show that they are not hurt or when they are trying to make their opponent look weak. Sometimes, wrestlers will no-sell a move to build up to a big comeback. However, no-selling too much can make the matches look unrealistic.

  • Sell: To sell in wrestling means to react believably to an opponent's moves. It's about making the moves look like they hurt. Selling is important because it makes the match more exciting and believable. Wrestlers who sell well can make their opponents look stronger and more credible. Selling involves a combination of facial expressions, body language, and vocalizations.

In-Ring Action Terms

  • Bump: A bump is a fall taken intentionally by a wrestler. It's a fundamental part of wrestling, and wrestlers learn how to take bumps safely to avoid injury. Bumps can range from simple back bumps to more complex and dangerous falls. The ability to take a good bump is essential for a wrestler's longevity in the business.

  • Work: A work is a planned or scripted event in wrestling. It's the opposite of a shoot, which is an unscripted event. Most of what happens in wrestling is a work, including the matches, promos, and storylines. The term work can also refer to a wrestler's ability to perform and execute their moves convincingly.

  • Spot: A spot is a pre-planned move or sequence of moves in a wrestling match. Wrestlers often choreograph their matches in advance, including specific spots to highlight their skills and create exciting moments. Spots can range from simple takedowns to elaborate high-flying maneuvers. The use of spots is a key element of wrestling storytelling.

  • Squash Match: A squash match is a short, one-sided match where one wrestler quickly defeats their opponent. Squash matches are often used to showcase the strength and dominance of a particular wrestler, especially when they are first being introduced or are returning from an injury. These matches are usually not competitive and serve to build up a wrestler's momentum.

  • High Spot: A high spot is a particularly exciting or dangerous move in a wrestling match. These moves often involve high-flying maneuvers, risky bumps, or elaborate sequences. High spots are designed to generate a big reaction from the audience and create memorable moments in the match. However, they also carry a higher risk of injury.

  • No Contest: A no contest is a match that ends without a clear winner. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as interference, disqualification, or a double count-out. No contest endings are often used to protect both wrestlers involved in the match and to continue a storyline without one wrestler losing decisively. They can also be used to set up a rematch.

Wrestling Move Terms

  • Suplex: A suplex is a throw in which a wrestler lifts their opponent and throws them onto their back. There are many variations of the suplex, including the German suplex, belly-to-belly suplex, and vertical suplex. The suplex is a fundamental wrestling move and is used in many different styles of wrestling. It is a versatile move that can be used to transition into other holds or to set up a finishing maneuver.

  • DDT: The DDT (short for "Damian's Drop Trip"*) is a wrestling move in which a wrestler applies a front facelock to the opponent and falls backward, driving the opponent's head into the mat. It is considered one of the most iconic and widely used moves in professional wrestling. The DDT can be performed from a variety of positions and is often used as a setup for other moves.

  • Powerbomb: A powerbomb is a wrestling move in which a wrestler lifts their opponent onto their shoulders in a fireman's carry position and then drops them down to the mat. There are many variations of the powerbomb, including the sit-out powerbomb, where the wrestler sits down during the move, and the crucifix powerbomb, where the wrestler hooks their opponent's arms.

  • Clothesline: A clothesline is a move where a wrestler extends their arm and hits their opponent in the neck or chest with their forearm, knocking them down. The clothesline is a simple but effective move that is often used to create a sudden impact. It can be used as a transitional move or as a finishing maneuver.

  • Pile Driver: The piledriver is a dangerous move. A wrestler puts their opponent upside down and drops them headfirst. Because it can cause serious injury, some promotions have banned it. There are many variations of the piledriver, including the tombstone piledriver, where the wrestler holds their opponent in a similar position to a tombstone.

Behind-the-Scenes Terms

  • Promo: A promo is a short speech or interview given by a wrestler to promote an upcoming match or storyline. Promos are an important part of wrestling, as they allow wrestlers to develop their characters and build hype for their matches. A good promo can be entertaining, informative, and persuasive.

  • Push: A push is when a wrestling promotion gives a wrestler more attention and opportunities, with the goal of making them a bigger star. This can involve giving them more prominent storylines, higher-profile matches, and championship opportunities. A push can be a make-or-break moment for a wrestler's career.

  • Bury: To bury a wrestler means to intentionally damage their career or reputation. This can be done by booking them in weak matches, giving them bad storylines, or making them look bad in promos. Burying a wrestler can be a way to punish them for perceived misbehavior or to make room for other wrestlers to rise in the ranks.

  • Heat: Heat is a term used in wrestling to describe the level of negative reaction a heel wrestler generates from the audience. It is a measure of how much the fans dislike a particular wrestler. Heat is a valuable asset for heels, as it makes the fans want to see them get their comeuppance.

  • Gimmick: A gimmick is a wrestler's persona, character, or unique attribute that sets them apart from other wrestlers. It can be anything from their wrestling style to their costume to their backstory. A good gimmick can make a wrestler more memorable and popular with the fans. Some gimmicks are based on real-life aspects of the wrestler's personality, while others are completely fabricated.

  • Jobber: A jobber is a wrestler who consistently loses matches to make their opponents look stronger. Jobbers are typically lower-card wrestlers who are not intended to be stars. They serve an important role in wrestling by providing credible opponents for up-and-coming wrestlers to defeat.

Advanced Wrestling Terms

  • Dusty Finish: A Dusty Finish is a controversial ending to a wrestling match where the apparent winner is later overturned due to a technicality or interference. This type of finish is named after wrestler and booker Dusty Rhodes, who was known for using it frequently. Dusty Finishes are often used to protect both wrestlers involved in the match and to continue a storyline.

  • False Finish: A false finish is a moment in a wrestling match where it appears that one wrestler is about to win, but the other wrestler manages to survive. False finishes are used to build drama and suspense in a match and to make the outcome less predictable. They can involve near falls, close calls, and dramatic reversals.

  • Hot Tag: A hot tag is a moment in a tag team match where one wrestler is struggling and finally manages to tag in their fresher partner. The fresh partner then comes in and takes control of the match, unleashing a flurry of offense. Hot tags are a classic wrestling trope and are used to generate excitement and momentum.

  • No-Sell: No-selling occurs when a wrestler disregards their opponent's attacks, behaving as if they have no effect. This is usually used to indicate a wrestler's resilience or strength. Although it can highlight a wrestler's toughness, too much no-selling can make matches seem unrealistic.

  • Shoot: A shoot is an unscripted or unplanned event in wrestling. This can refer to a wrestler going off-script during a promo, a real fight breaking out in the ring, or a wrestler revealing backstage secrets. Shoots are rare but can be very controversial and can have serious consequences for those involved.

This glossary covers many of the most common terms used in wrestling. By learning these terms, you can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the sport. Whether you are a casual fan or a hardcore wrestling enthusiast, this glossary will help you navigate the complex world of professional wrestling.