In professional wrestling, wrestlers "win" through a predetermined outcome, meticulously planned by the company's management to advance storylines and entertain audiences. While the athletic feats are real, the results are scripted.
The Reality of "Winning" in Professional Wrestling
Professional wrestling, often called "sports entertainment," is a unique blend of athleticism, theatrical performance, and storytelling. The term "fake" usually refers to the pre-determined nature of the match results, rather than the physical exertion, risks, or genuine skill involved. Wrestlers are highly trained athletes who perform dangerous maneuvers and engage in intense physical combat, but the ultimate victor of any given match is decided in advance.
Who Decides the Winners?
The decisions about who wins and loses are made at the highest levels of a wrestling company's hierarchy.
- Company Ownership: The ultimate authority on match outcomes typically rests with the company owner. This individual has the final say on all creative directions, including which wrestler's storyline will progress through a victory or defeat.
- Booking Teams and Producers: In larger organizations like WWE or AEW, booking teams and producers play a significant role. They develop the storylines, plan match sequences, and propose outcomes that serve the ongoing narratives. While they have heavy influence, their recommendations are generally subject to the final approval of the company owner. This structured decision-making process ensures that victories and losses consistently contribute to the overarching narrative and character development.
Why Predetermine Outcomes?
The predetermination of match results is fundamental to professional wrestling's unique appeal. It serves several crucial purposes:
- Storytelling: Wins and losses are essential tools for crafting compelling, long-term narratives. A victory can establish a new star, while a loss can fuel a character's revenge arc.
- Character Development: Outcomes help define wrestler personas, building them as dominant champions, sympathetic underdogs, or cunning villains.
- Audience Engagement: Predetermined outcomes allow for dramatic twists, betrayals, and surprising moments that keep fans invested and eager for the next event.
- Future Matchups: By strategically deciding who wins, the company can set up exciting rivalries and pave the way for future marquee matches, building anticipation for major events.
How Wrestlers Achieve a "Win" On-Screen
Even though the outcome is decided beforehand, wrestlers perform a "finish" to the match that makes the victory appear legitimate within the show's context. These are the common methods by which a wrestler is "declared" the winner:
| Outcome Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Pinfall | The winning wrestler holds their opponent's shoulders down on the mat for a count of three by the referee. |
| Submission | A wrestler applies a hold that forces their opponent to "tap out" (physically signal surrender). |
| Count-Out | An opponent fails to re-enter the ring within a specific count (usually ten) while outside the ring. |
| Disqualification | A wrestler wins when their opponent uses an illegal maneuver (e.g., hitting with a weapon, low blow). |
| Knockout | A wrestler is unable to respond to the referee's ten-count after being incapacitated. |
The Role of the Wrestlers and Referee
Wrestlers are responsible for executing the planned sequence of moves and the match's finish safely and convincingly. The referee is an integral part of the performance, communicating cues to the wrestlers and making the official "call" (counting a pin, signaling a tap-out) to signify the predetermined end of the match.
The "Reality" Beyond the Outcome
It's vital to distinguish between the predetermined outcomes and the undeniable athleticism, risks, and physical impact involved. The bumps taken, the high-flying maneuvers, and the sheer physical toll on a wrestler's body are very real. The "win" is a narrative achievement, earned through dedication to the performance and the storyline.
