It's not a sport, but it isn't fake either. It's a real performance, just like other kinds of acting, writing, and all sorts of other performances. If it were fake, then the guys who do it for a couple of decades wouldn't be getting around on walkers. Okay, it's probably irrelevant to the discussion at hand, but I feel obligated to throw in one of my favorite videos, of Dr. Death going all Tom Cable on John Stossel. Sure it's an assault that should probably be condemned, but just like the video of Buzz Aldrin nailing the Moon Landing Hoax guy, there's just something viscerally pleasing about John Stossel getting slapped:

Dennis

@beefjerky said:

there's a difference between WWE and olympic/college wrestling, so clarify it next time.

Very true. WWE is for the people who prefer to mask their homoerotic leanings.

In seriousness, though, I haven't watched wrestling in years, but Captain Lou was one of my favorites as a kid. I always liked the older guys (Albano, Freddie Blassie, Gorilla Monsoon, etc.), from the old days where wrestling was just a bunch of pretty out-of-shape guys whaling on each other for our amusement rather than today's hyper-steroided physical freaks who end up either killing their families, racking up DUIs and then wrestling for Jesus, or writing memoirs about how wrestling helped them to learn the core values that will help re-shape the American political landscape.

Also, wrestling might be choreographed, but it's not close to fake. If you go see "Hamlet" and then see the actor playing the role the next day, do you go to the theatre and demand your money back? It's a performance, and a lot of the people involved wreck their bodies pulling it off. Rent "The Wrestler" sometime. Not just because it shows the behind-the-scenes stuff, but also because it's just a really good movie.

Dennis

RIP, Captain.

@danamal said:

Hillbillies are what will save this country, just as they did in the beginning..."Over Mountainmen" if you need a example, so i just wanted to register my exception as a guy who considers himself a Tennessean.

That said, I agree, pro wresting is pretty lame.

c-dawg said:

Johnny Rodriquez

The Iron Sheik

Captain Lou

Peter Maivia

George 'The Animal" Steele

Mr Wrestling

Bruno Samartino

Damn, wasted some serious time as a child.

RIP Captain Lou, you were one strange dude.

Gorgeous George

BoBo Brazil

Hans Schmidt

Lord Layton

Wow thanks for the memories, I had forgetten.

@beefjerky said:

I concur.

@kosar_for_president said:

there's a difference between WWE and olympic/college wrestling, so clarify it next time.

Johnny Rodriquez

The Iron Sheik

Captain Lou

Peter Maivia

George 'The Animal" Steele

Mr Wrestling

Bruno Samartino

Damn, wasted some serious time as a child.

RIP Captain Lou, you were one strange dude.

@inspecta said:

Wasn't Lou in a Cindy Lauper video?

It's nostalgic fellas, nothing more.....and yet another sign we're all getting old...

Yes that was Lou in Cindy Laupers girls just wanna have fun video.

Wrestling may be rediculous, but it still manages to be one of the highest rated programs on cable each week. Its a soap opera with men in tights.

I'll also say, if you have ever gone and seen it live, you'll understand the entertainment factor, and the physical ability. Heck, the UFC champion was a WWE wrestler.

@chicopee-john said:

You use Iconic very lose here John. I remember him and his greasy rubber banded beard. I sort of grew out of idolizing actors when I turned 10. Don't make me pull a 2 x 4 out and go Hacksaw Duggan on you.