The sight of two or more muscled men, and in some cases, women, struggling with each other in an arena has enthralled millions of fans for some time. People simply cannot get enough of the testosterone filled battle between the giants. Live shows and television broadcasts attract enormous numbers of viewers and many of the giants of this sport have very large followings. Yet the history of professional wrestling is long and often illustrious.
In time, this so called sport has mutated in a form of amusement. Matches are carefully scripted and the outcomes are known to the organizers and the contestants alike. Every move, every attack and every action is carefully planned and rehearsed. Strangely, many fans refuse to acknowledge this fact, preferring to believe that the match is real and that the eventual winner achieved victory through his own efforts.
Modern matched are typically pitched battles between at least one hero and one villain. Most successful participants have stage names, masks and recognizable costumes. The public is encouraged to take sides and to become involved in matches. The uninitiated may be aghast at the amount of abuse hurled at the participants by the crowd, but this is par for the course and part of the entire show.
Despite the fact that matches are really scripted farces, it would be a grave mistake to think that there are no dangers. As a matter of fact, participants have to be very strong, agile and fit. Many feats in the arena require a high level of skill and there is a real danger that somebody can be injured. Most participants spend long hours in the gymnasium and on carefully rehearsing the various exploits that will form part of an upcoming match.
Detractors argue that amateur wrestling is a legitimate sport that is even contested at the Olympic Games. They are of the opinion that pro events detract from the strict rules that govern the sport and that the public may see the legitimate matches as being organized as farces similar to those offered on the pro level. The standard defense is that the public are aware of the differences and that they simply do not care.
Pro events as they are known today originated with the carnivals that used to travel from town to town in the eighteen hundreds. One of the big attractions used to be the wrestler that dared anybody in the audience to enter the ring with him. Cash prizes were offered for takers that could last a certain amount of time or even subdue the professional.
Wrestlers are depicted on ancient drawings dating back centuries to the Babylonian and Egyptian times, proving that the sport has very deep roots. It was also very popular during the Roman times, when the rules were formalized. The Greeks differentiated between pro and amateur versions and these differences are valid to this day.
The history of professional wrestling is certainly colorful. Many extravagant and famous heroes have been created in modern times and the extravaganza of a brutal physical battle between the giants continues to draw the crowds. As a form of entertainment it is certain to last for many years to come.
