Wrestling Lingo: Your Ultimate Glossary Of Pro Wrestling Terms

Hey wrestling fans! Ever find yourself scratching your head when commentators or wrestlers start throwing around terms you've never heard before? Don't worry, you're not alone! The world of professional wrestling has its own unique language, filled with colorful terms and insider lingo. To help you navigate this exciting world, I've put together the ultimate glossary of professional wrestling terms. Whether you're a longtime fan or just getting started, this guide will have you talking like a pro in no time!

A Comprehensive Guide to Wrestling Terminology

A

• Angle: In wrestling, an angle refers to a storyline or feud between wrestlers. Angles are the backbone of wrestling narratives, driving the drama and excitement that keep fans hooked. These storylines can range from personal vendettas to championship pursuits, often involving betrayals, alliances, and shocking twists. A well-crafted angle can elevate a wrestler's career and create memorable moments that resonate with audiences for years to come.

  Example: The angle between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Mr. McMahon was one of the most iconic in wrestling history.

• Apron: The apron is the area of the wrestling ring just outside the ropes but still part of the ring structure. Wrestlers often use the apron to set up moves, perform dives, or take devastating bumps. Because it's a hard surface, moves executed on the apron can look and feel particularly brutal, adding to the drama of a match. The apron is a key part of the wrestling landscape, providing a staging ground for high-impact moments.

  Example: Randy Orton is known for his devastating DDTs on the apron.

• Appeal: An appeal is a wrestler's attempt to convince the referee that their opponent is illegally using tactics, such as holding the ropes or using a closed fist. Wrestlers will often exaggerate their appeals, hoping to sway the referee's decision and gain an advantage. Appeals add a layer of strategy and psychology to matches, as wrestlers try to outsmart both their opponents and the officials.

  Example: A wrestler might appeal to the referee if their opponent is holding the ropes during a pin attempt.

B

• Babyface: A babyface, often shortened to just "face," is a good guy or hero character in wrestling. Babyfaces are typically cheered by the audience and portray virtuous qualities like courage, honesty, and resilience. Their role is to fight for justice and overcome villainous opponents, embodying the values that fans admire. The success of a babyface depends on their ability to connect with the audience and inspire them to root for their victories.

  Example: John Cena was a prominent babyface throughout his wrestling career.

• Blade: To blade is a dangerous and controversial practice where a wrestler intentionally cuts themselves to create the appearance of bleeding. Blading is usually done on the forehead to maximize the visual impact and is intended to heighten the drama and intensity of a match. Due to safety concerns and the risk of bloodborne diseases, blading is now heavily regulated or banned in many wrestling promotions.

  Example: Back in the day, some wrestlers would blade to add drama to a particularly intense match.

• Bump: A bump refers to the act of falling or landing on the mat or any other surface during a wrestling match. Learning how to take bumps safely is a fundamental skill for all professional wrestlers. The goal is to distribute the impact of the fall to minimize the risk of injury. Wrestlers train extensively to master different types of bumps, ensuring they can perform safely and believably in the ring.

  Example: Wrestlers practice taking bumps to protect themselves from injury during matches.

C

• Catchphrase: A catchphrase is a memorable and often repeated phrase used by a wrestler to define their character and connect with the audience. Catchphrases can be humorous, intimidating, or inspirational, and they often become synonymous with the wrestler who uses them. A good catchphrase can help a wrestler stand out and create a lasting impression on fans.

  Example: Stone Cold Steve Austin's catchphrase was "Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass!"

• Cheap Heat: Cheap heat refers to a wrestler's attempt to get booed by the audience by doing something overtly offensive or controversial. This can include insulting the local sports team, making derogatory comments about the city, or attacking a beloved local hero. Cheap heat is a quick and easy way for a heel (villain) to generate negative reactions and establish themselves as someone the audience loves to hate.

  Example: A wrestler might get cheap heat by insulting the local sports team.

• Clean Finish: A clean finish occurs when a wrestling match ends decisively, with one wrestler pinning their opponent, making them submit, or winning by knockout without any outside interference or controversial circumstances. Clean finishes are generally preferred by fans as they provide a clear and satisfying resolution to the match.

  Example: A wrestler wins with a clean finish after pinning their opponent with their signature move.

D

• Dark Match: A dark match is a match that takes place before or after a televised wrestling event and is not broadcast to the public. Dark matches are often used to test out new wrestlers, try out different storylines, or simply warm up the crowd before the main show. While they are not part of the official broadcast, dark matches can be a valuable opportunity for wrestlers to gain experience and showcase their talents.

  Example: A dark match might feature up-and-coming wrestlers trying to impress the promoters.

• Dusty Finish: A dusty finish is a controversial or misleading ending to a wrestling match, often involving a referee error or outside interference that leads to a disputed result. The term is named after legendary wrestler and booker Dusty Rhodes, who was known for using such finishes. Dusty finishes are often used to extend a storyline or protect a wrestler from a clean loss.

  Example: The wrestler thought he had won, but it was a dusty finish!

E

• Enhancement Talent: Enhancement talent, also known as jobbers, are wrestlers who consistently lose matches to make their opponents look stronger and more credible. Enhancement talent play an important role in building up the stars of the promotion, providing them with easy wins and opportunities to showcase their skills. While they may not achieve mainstream success, enhancement talent are a vital part of the wrestling ecosystem.

  Example: Enhancement talent are there to make the stars look good.

F

• Face: See Babyface.

• Feud: A feud is a long-term rivalry or conflict between two or more wrestlers. Feuds are the driving force behind many wrestling storylines, providing the context and motivation for matches and confrontations. A well-developed feud can captivate audiences and create intense emotional investment in the outcome.

  Example: The feud between The Rock and Triple H was legendary.

G

• Gimmick: A gimmick is a wrestler's persona, character, or unique attribute that sets them apart from other wrestlers. Gimmicks can range from simple character traits to elaborate backstories and costumes. A successful gimmick is essential for a wrestler to connect with the audience and create a memorable identity.

  Example: The Undertaker's gimmick was a supernatural undead mortician.

H

• Heel: A heel is a villain or bad guy character in wrestling. Heels are typically booed by the audience and portray negative qualities like arrogance, dishonesty, and cruelty. Their role is to create conflict and generate heat, making the babyfaces look even more heroic in comparison. A successful heel knows how to manipulate the audience and elicit strong negative reactions.

  Example: Triple H was a great heel!

• Hot Tag: A hot tag occurs in a tag team match when one wrestler is struggling and desperately needs to tag in their partner. The hot tag is a dramatic moment that often leads to a shift in momentum, as the fresh wrestler enters the match with renewed energy and aggression. The crowd usually gets very excited during a hot tag.

  Example: The crowd goes wild when they see the hot tag.

• House Show: A house show is a non-televised wrestling event, typically held in smaller venues. House shows are a way for wrestling promotions to generate revenue and give wrestlers more opportunities to perform and hone their skills. They often feature a more relaxed atmosphere and allow wrestlers to experiment with different moves and storylines.

  Example: House shows are great for seeing wrestling in a more intimate setting.

I

• Indy: Indy refers to the independent wrestling scene, which consists of smaller wrestling promotions that operate outside of the major leagues like WWE and AEW. The indy scene is known for its passionate fan base, innovative wrestling styles, and opportunities for up-and-coming wrestlers to gain exposure.

  Example: Many of today's wrestling stars got their start on the indy circuit.

J

• Jobber: See Enhancement Talent.

K

• Kayfabe: Kayfabe is the portrayal of staged events as real within the context of professional wrestling. It involves maintaining the illusion that the matches, storylines, and characters are authentic and unscripted. While fans are generally aware that wrestling is a performance, kayfabe creates a sense of immersion and allows them to suspend their disbelief.

  Example: Wrestlers used to maintain kayfabe even outside of the ring.

L

• Low Blow: A low blow is an illegal attack that involves striking an opponent in the groin area. Low blows are often used by heels to gain an unfair advantage or as a way to cheat their way to victory. The referee is not going to like this low blow.

  Example: The wrestler was disqualified after delivering a low blow.

M

• Mark: A mark is a wrestling fan who believes that everything they see in wrestling is real. The term is often used derisively to describe fans who are easily fooled or manipulated by wrestling storylines.

  Example: Don't be a mark; remember it is all a show.

N

• No-Sell: To no-sell is when a wrestler doesn't react to their opponent's moves, giving the impression that the move had no effect on them. No-selling is generally frowned upon as it undermines the believability of wrestling matches and disrespects the efforts of the opponent.

  Example: The wrestler looked strong when he no-sold his opponent's finisher.

O

• Over: When a wrestler is over, it means they are popular with the audience and generating a strong reaction, whether positive or negative. Getting over is the ultimate goal for any wrestler, as it leads to more opportunities and a greater chance of success. Some wrestlers are not over enough.

  Example: That wrestler is really over with the crowd.

P

• Promo: A promo is a spoken interview or monologue given by a wrestler to promote a match, advance a storyline, or develop their character. Promos are a crucial part of wrestling, allowing wrestlers to connect with the audience and express their personalities.

  Example: CM Punk was known for his captivating promos.

Q

• Quiet Crowd: A quiet crowd refers to an audience that is not very responsive or enthusiastic during a wrestling event. A quiet crowd can be a challenge for wrestlers, as it makes it harder to generate excitement and energy.

  Example: The wrestlers had a tough time performing in front of a quiet crowd.

R

• Ring General: A ring general is a wrestler who is highly skilled at orchestrating matches and guiding their opponents. Ring generals are known for their experience, knowledge of wrestling psychology, and ability to make matches flow smoothly and logically. Some wrestlers are true ring generals.

  Example: Bret Hart was considered a ring general by many.

• Run-In: A run-in occurs when a wrestler unexpectedly interferes in a match, usually to attack one of the competitors or influence the outcome. Run-ins are a common way to create drama, advance storylines, and set up future matches.

  Example: There was a run-in and the match ended in a DQ.

S

• Squash Match: A squash match is a short and one-sided match in which one wrestler quickly and decisively defeats their opponent. Squash matches are often used to showcase the strength and dominance of a particular wrestler or to build momentum for a bigger match.

  Example: He won with a squash match.

• Stiff: Stiff refers to a wrestler who is known for using legitimately hard or forceful strikes during their matches. While some fans appreciate the realism of stiff wrestling, it can also be dangerous and lead to injuries.

  Example: That wrestler is known for being stiff in the ring.

• Storyline: See Angle.

T

• Tweener: A tweener is a wrestler who doesn't fit neatly into the categories of babyface or heel. Tweeners may exhibit both heroic and villainous qualities, blurring the lines between good and evil. Tweeners are not good, nor bad.

  Example: Some wrestlers are tweeners, fitting neither face or heel.

U

• Undercard: The undercard refers to the matches that take place before the main event at a wrestling show. The undercard often features up-and-coming wrestlers or matches that are less important to the overall storyline.

  Example: I enjoy watching the undercard wrestlers.

V

• Valet: A valet is a manager who primarily uses their attractiveness to get heat and distract the opponents of the wrestler they are managing. Valets provide a different dynamic than managers, and can at times assist their clients physically.

  Example: She was a valet and often distracted the ref.

W

• Work: A work is any planned or scripted event in professional wrestling, as opposed to something that is real or unscripted. The opposite of a work is a shoot.

  Example: Wrestlers work together to put on a good show.

X

• X-Division: The X-Division is a term used in Impact Wrestling (formerly TNA) to describe a division of wrestlers known for their high-flying, innovative, and risk-taking styles. The X-Division matches are fun to watch.

  Example: The X-Division in TNA was amazing.

Y

• You Can't Wrestle: "You Can't Wrestle" is a common chant used by wrestling fans to mock wrestlers they perceive as lacking in technical skill or athleticism. You Can't Wrestle is a painful thing to hear.

  Example: The crowd was chanting "You Can't Wrestle!"

Z

• Zone: Being in the zone means being fully focused and performing at one's peak during a wrestling match. When a wrestler is in the zone, they are able to execute their moves flawlessly and connect with the audience on a deeper level.

  Example: He was in the zone during the match.

So there you have it, folks! A comprehensive glossary of professional wrestling terms to help you understand and appreciate the wild and wonderful world of sports entertainment. Now you can impress your friends with your wrestling knowledge and fully immerse yourself in the drama and excitement of the squared circle. Keep watching, keep learning, and most importantly, keep enjoying the show!