Glossary of professional wrestling terms

A

A management employee, often a former wrestler though it can be a current wrestler or even a non-wrestler, who helps wrestlers set up matches and plan storylines, gives feedback on matches, and relays instructions from the . Agents often act as a liaison between wrestlers and higher-level management and sometimes may also help in training younger wrestlers. They are referred to by WWE as "producers" and by AEW as "coaches".}}

B

An in which a wrestler or other performer is the recipient of a one-sided beating (sometimes with brief s), usually by a group of wrestlers or after being lured into a compromising position.}} A wrestler intentionally cutting themselves (or, more rarely, allowing themselves to be cut by the opponent or referee) to provoke bleeding to the opponent's offense.}} Booker To determine and schedule the events of a wrestling . The person in charge of setting up matches and writing is a "booker". Booking is also the term a wrestler uses to describe a scheduled match or appearance on a wrestling show (i.e., "a booked match").}} Something (usually a scripted move or spoken line) which does not go as planned due to a mistake.}} Bret's rope A match that ends in a time limit draw.}} The lowering (relegation) of a wrestler's status in the eyes of the fans. The opposite of a , it is the act of a promoter or causing a wrestler to lose popularity, momentum and/or credibility, or damaging their gimmick through means such as forcing them to lose in matches, losing continuously, allowing opponents to no- or of said wrestler's , or forcing them to participate in unentertaining or degrading storylines, or not using them at all. A burial is often used as a form of punishment due to real-life backstage disagreements between the wrestler and the booker, the wrestler falling out of favor with the company, or sometimes to demote an unpopular performer or .}}

C

The rule that a reigning champion, should they lose during a title defense by countout or disqualification rather than by the traditional means of pinfall or submission, would retain their title despite losing the match; it can sometimes be revoked as part of a storyline.}} An event which occurs when two or more rival promotions put together one or wrestling event. Some promoters have used cross-promotion style to further interest. Cross-promotion dates back to the early days of wrestling as challenges between rival promoters in the same area often occurred.}} A point in a match in which the heel stops the face's attack or comeback and goes on the offensive.}}

D

The bloodiest and most violent form of , popular in Japan, Mexico, and some parts of the United States. In deathmatch wrestling, many of the traditional rules of professional wrestling are not enforced and the usage of objects such as barbed wire, panes of glass, fluorescent light tubes, and weed whackers occurs. Deathmatches are typically much bloodier and more violent than typical wrestling contests.}} An insider newsletter (or website) in the professional wrestling business. Sometimes written in a negative tone or as a means to "get dirt".}} A tactic used in a tag team match when both members of a tag team gang up on one of the opponents, or a move that involves two wrestlers working in unison.}}

E

''Also lackey or '''heavy''''' A (typically larger) wrestler who accompanies another wrestler as a to matches and acts as a bodyguard.}}

A wrestler (typically a Mexican luchador) who competes in drag. Examples of exóticos include Mexico's Pimpinela Escarlata, America's Goldust and Vito, Wales' Adrian Street, and Japan's Yosuke Santa Maria.}} A style of professional wrestling that makes frequent use of and weapons. Extreme Championship Wrestling and Combat Zone Wrestling are known for using this style.}}

F

A wrestler who is heroic, who is to be cheered by fans. are the opposite of faces and faces commonly perform against heels.}} In a tag team match, the member of a team who is dominated by the team for an extended period of the match. The tactic can be used to help get the crowd behind the face tag team and is usually followed up with a . During the 1980s, Ricky Morton of the Rock 'n' Roll Express was typically in this position while teaming with Robert Gibson; so much so that "playing Ricky Morton" has become synonymous with the term.}} A brief offensive flurry by a , before losing momentum back to a after being dominated for several minutes. Usually, it occurs before the actual .}} A rivalry between multiple wrestlers or groups of wrestlers. They are integrated into ongoing storylines, particularly in events which are televised. Feuds may last for months or even years or be resolved with implausible speed, perhaps during the course of a single match.}}

G

Main article: Gimmick (professional wrestling)

A who defeats "pure jobbers" as well as mid-card wrestlers in matches, but consistently loses to level wrestlers.}}

H

A style of wrestling that emphasizes brutality and real violence with matches typically involving minimal , instead focusing on moderate brawling techniques and the use of weapons.}}

1. Negative reactions (such as booing) from fans. When the heat is directed at a , this is seen as a good thing, as it means fans are reacting in the desired way.}} A wrestler who is villainous, who is to be booed by fans. are the opposite of heels, and heels commonly perform against faces.}} A high-stakes move which is perceived to be risky and very dangerous, often legitimately.}} Main article: Gimmick (professional wrestling)

An untelevised event.}}

I

A smaller wrestling company that operates at a local (rather than national) level and typically employs freelance wrestlers, as opposed to signing wrestlers to exclusive contracts.}}

J

To lose in a wrestling match.}} A wrestler who routinely loses in order to build the credibility of other wrestlers.}}

K

The presentation of professional wrestling as being entirely legitimate or unscripted. Prior to the mid-1980s, this was universally maintained across all wrestling territories and promotions.}}

L

1. Refers to real-life incidents or events that have not been or scripted and are therefore not part of the fictional and presentation. It is often used to describe a genuine injury to a wrestler, as opposed to one scripted as part of a storyline.}} A portion of a match, usually the very start of the match, where two wrestlers join in a collar-and-elbow tie up.}} Mexican professional wrestling. Translates to "free fight" and is sometimes shortened to simply lucha, the Mexican style of professional wrestling is characterized by high-flying aerial moves, colored masks, and the rapid series of holds, strikes, and maneuvers.}}

M

Main article: Manager (professional wrestling)

A performer (usually a non-wrestler) who is paired with one or more wrestlers in order to help them get , often by acting as a or interfering in matches on their behalf. Typically, managers are seen accompanying their wrestlers to the ring and are presented as having some sort of influence or sway over their wrestlers.}}

Derisive term given to a member of a tag team who, upon the breakup of the team, achieves markedly less success than their partner. Coined in reference to Marty Jannetty, who teamed with Shawn Michaels to form The Rockers. While Michaels went to become a four-time world champion and two-time WWE Hall of Famer, Jannetty was released from the WWF two months after the team's breakup and would repeatedly be hired and fired from the promotion (and other promotions) over the next twenty years, almost always participating in storylines which related to his status as Michaels's former partner. Other wrestlers often seen as a Jannetty of a team include Rick Steiner of The Steiner Brothers, Stevie Ray of Harlem Heat, and Jim Neidhart of The Hart Foundation.}} The ability to generate reaction from the audience using words, and generally by speaking using a microphone.}} A move or series of moves which are mistimed.}} An extremely powerful, seemingly unbeatable wrestler, often of intimidating size, either or , who often wins matches in a quick, one-sided manner.}}

N

*Compare and *.}}

O

P

A vague, fictional location. Billing a wrestler as being from "parts unknown" (rather than from their real hometown or another actual place) is intended to add to a wrestler's mystique. In some territories, the phrase commonly was applied to masked wrestlers. In the post- era, it is used less and less, and usually with a certain air of levity. Sometimes, wrestlers can hail from other similarly abstract places, for example Stardust being billed from "the fifth dimension", Damien Demento being billed from "the outer reaches of your mind", or Danhausen being billed from "some place far away", or may have their location simply omitted from introductions, such as in the cases of Big Show and Braun Strowman.}} Holding a wrestler's shoulders to the mat for a three count, to win a .}} A wrestler, often a respected or feared shooter or street fighter, responsible for enforcing the promoter's will against recalcitrant wrestlers by performing unscripted or painful moves within a match, punishing or intimidating them for defying the management. In today's industry it is a largely outdated because such tactics are illegal if they can be proved. Typically, it is only still used by and outside commentators who believe one wrestler is deliberately placed in matches against more dangerous opponents and injured deliberately after disagreements with management. While allegations of this sort persist, including being made by wrestlers themselves, few have been proven. Also describes a wrestler who keeps order in the locker room by threats of physical force.}} An in-character interview or monologue.}} In the strict sense, a style of Japanese professional wrestling popularized by New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Also broadly used to refer to all Japanese professional wrestling. The term can be transliterated as "pro-wres".}} The rising of a wrestler's status in the eyes of the fans. *Compare *}}

R

Originally, along with "grunt-and-groan", used by the mainstream media when presenting a derisive story on professional wrestling, which often stereotyped the participants and audience. Now refers to a style of wrestling popular in the Mid-South region of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas (primary city is Memphis, Tennessee), and as a result, the southeastern United States, which emphasizes and , generally with fewer matches and longer , hence the more recent "southern style" or to be specific compared to the Carolinas (Jim Crockett) or Georgia styles, "Memphis style".}} When a champion loses their title to another, this may be invoked as a storyline plot device to procure a title rematch in the near future (often the next pay-per-view event) in order to continue a . In recent years, this clause has often been explicitly ignored in storylines.}} A loose hold applied during a match, during which wrestlers catch their breath or plan the next series of together.}} The unexpected entry of a new wrestler(s) or returning wrestler in a match already in progress. Run-ins are usually made by heels, typically to further a feud with a face. This is usually done with a . Sometimes a face will do a run-in to protect another face from a heel who is cheating or overly punishing the weaker opponent, often beginning a feud.}} A match finish which occurs sooner (and often differently) than planned. It is used when a wrestler is legitimately injured and cannot continue as planned, when the match is approaching its time limit (or a television segment is running long), or after a botch significantly changes the plot of the match. The term "audible" is also used, referring to the finish being known to happen upon verbal instruction from outside the ring.}}

S

When a wrestler or personality deliberately goes off-script, either by making candid comments or remarks during an interview, breaking , or attacking an opponent.}} A style of professional wrestling that originates in Japan. Shoot style wrestling employs strikes, realistic submission holds, and occasionally a round system or other specific rules and ways to win in an attempt to give professional wrestling a sports-like feel. Satoru Sayama and Akira Maeda in the UWF and Nobuhiko Takada in the UWFi popularized the style.}} The term WWE uses to describe both its own product and professional wrestling as a whole. It was first used by the promotion in the 1980s and is intended to acknowledge wrestling's roots in competitive sport and dramatic theater.}} A team of three or more wrestlers, usually , who generally share common motives, allies and adversaries within a storyline (or through multiple storylines) and are often presented as having the same or very similar . Stables sometimes have several members partake in more separate activities, such as Owen Hart and the British Bulldog having their own tag team while also being part of the larger Hart Foundation. This is also rather common in Japanese promotions, where large stables (such as Chaos and Bullet Club) will also have various teams and sub-groups within them. A stable differs from a in that a stable consists of wrestlers who share a common leader, for example as a manager or valet, who directs the wrestlers and speaks for them.}}

T

A video screen above the entrance stage area, used for showing entrance videos, backstage segments, promos, and the match-in-progress for audience members seated too far back from the ring. A play on the name of Sony's JumboTron and Titan Sports, the then-parent company of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), the TitanTron was introduced as part of WWF's Raw set in the late-1990s. The concept has since been adapted by other major promotions, such as World Championship Wrestling, which used the TurnerTron (which was sometimes called NitroVision).}}

U

The state of two or more championships when merged by one champion.}}

V

Often times in the event of a vacancy a match or tournament is held to determine a new champion, or an authority figure awards the belt to another wrestler.}} Main article: Valet (professional wrestling)

A person, usually female, who accompanies a performer to the ring. Usually serves to titillate or agitate the crowd, or to in the match.}}

W

Main article: Kayfabe

X

Main article: X Division

Y

Young lion A rookie, particularly in Japanese professional wrestling. The term "young lion" is used for the trainees from the New Japan Pro-Wrestling dojo; although they usually perform at NJPW shows, typically on the lower card, they are also assigned other tasks such as security around the ring.}}

References

References

1. (2000). "Torch Glossary of Insider Terms". PWTorch.com.
2. Shoemaker, David. (August 13, 2014). "Grantland Dictionary: Pro Wrestling Edition".
3. Kerrick, George E.. (Summer 1980). "The Jargon of Professional Wrestling". American Speech.
4. Caldwell, James. (April 1, 2015). "ROH news: New Japan's top star announced for ROH vs. New Japan tour, ROH releases "Field of Honor" details". Pro Wrestling Torch.
5. link. (December 19, 2011). [[Nikkan Sports]]
6. (2024). "The Airport Test: Why This Term Is So Important To WWE". TheSportster.
7. Nicholas Sammond, ''Steel Chair to the Head: The Pleasure and Pain of Professional Wrestling'' (2004).
8. "Bill Watts shoot interview page 2".
9. Riley, Judge William F.. (October 15, 1956). "United States v. National Wrestling Alliance (consent decree)". As hosted at Wrestling Perspective.
10. (May 30, 2019). "Celebrate TakeOver 25 With The Best GIFs From The 25 NXT Live Specials".
11. (April 6, 2019). "Joey Janela's Spring Break 3 Part One Recap: Deathmatch, Jungle Boy Returns, Virgil Appears".
12. Segarra, Jason. (25 September 2017). "WWE No Mercy 2017 review: A good run that stumbles before the goal line".
13. (April 5, 2014). "SHIMMER 62 live results: Cheerleader Melissa defends against LuFisto".
14. "Across the Pond Wrestling: Event Review: FCP Breaking into Heaven - Clint Margera v Pete Dunne 2 *Falls Count Anywhere".
15. Bichelman, Jamie Evan. (June 23, 2023). "Jay Hunter has no time for stereotypes".
16. Ross, Jim. (May 5, 2015). "Samoa Joe on Ross Report podcast tonight". JR's BarBQ.
17. Clapp, John. (February 17, 2013). "WWE Champion The Rock def. CM Punk". [[WWE]].
18. ''Whatever Happened to Gorgeous George'' by Joe Jares, Tempo Books, 1974, p. 85.
19. Stone Cold Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'' (p.90)
20. Stone Cold Steve Austin. ''The Stone Cold Truth'' (p.83)
21. "Wrestling Booker's Glossary of pro wrestling terms".
22. Justin Barrasso. (August 13, 2021). "Hiroshi Tanahashi Headline Match in L.A. Could Prop Open the 'Forbidden Door'". Sports Illustrated.
23. (October 17, 2019). "Orange Cassidy Kid Pins Cody After AEW Dynamite Tapings (Video), AEW Renames Go Position In Honor Of Dusty Rhodes".
24. (December 20, 2018). "5 Wrestling moves banned by WWE". [[Fox Sports]].
25. (August 13, 2014). "Grantland Dictionary: Pro Wrestling Edition". grantland.com.
26. (26 May 2018). "Are you a Mark?". Vox Media.
27. Seagull, Justin. (July 16, 2017). "10 Biggest "Jannettys" In Wrestling History".
28. (2009). "Pro Wrestling Primer: Glossary of terms". The Evil Eye Blog.
29. Fisher, Jon. (9 October 2015). "5 Underrated microphone workers of all-time in WWE history".
30. Mancuso, Ryan. (September 11, 2006). "Complete Playbook: The Great Muta Vol. 2 Revenge of Muta Commercial Tape". 411mania.com.
31. Cory Kilgannon. (March 15, 2012). "From Inside a Bad-Guy Wrestler, a Brutal Artist Screamed for Release".
32. "WWE WrestleMania 34 results: Braun Strowman picks 10 year old WWE fan 'Nicholas' as mystery partner". [[Forbes]].
33. "Ring of Honor's Jonathan Gresham Revitalizes Technical Wrestling With Return of Pure Championship".
34. John Powell. (June 18, 2000). "Booker T: Wrestling's consummate performer". SLAM! Wrestling.
35. (December 24, 2013). "#RAW Christmas Feedback...". J.R.'s Place blog.
36. "AAA Triplemania 2017 today, complete lineup". Pro Wrestling Insider.
37. Kaelberer, Angie Peterson. (2003). "The Hardy Boyz: Pro Wrestlers Matt and Jeff Hardy". Capstone Press.
38. (22 June 2016). "Examining Dean Ambrose's roller coaster ride to the top of WWE". [[Wrestling Observer]].
39. "The Shield vs. The Wyatt Family: Tale of the Tape". [[WWE]].
40. O'Brien, Alan. (June 14, 2016). "WWE Raw hits & misses: strong top-of-the-hour segments highlight a dull go-home show".
41. (1 July 2011). "The nWo".
42. "Heart to Hart: 90 Minutes on the Phone with Bret 'The Hitman' Hart".
43. Beaston, Erik. (17 April 2016). "10 Greatest Wrestling Technicians In WWE History".
44. Jeff Clark. (September 7, 2007). "The Luchagors Drop a Powerbomb". Stomp and Stammer.
45. The Masked Man (David Shoemaker). (June 28, 2011). "Punk'd".
46. "WWE Network – Tales From the Deadman".
47. Solomon, Brian. (2015). "Pro Wrestling FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the World's Most Entertaining Spectacle". [[Backbeat Books]].