This is a visual explainer based on the Wikipedia article on Glossary of professional wrestling terms. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

The Squared Circle Lexicon

An academic exploration into the specialized terminology that underpins the theatrical world of professional wrestling, from backstage strategy to in-ring narrative.

Begin Decoding 👇 Explore Roles 🎭

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!


When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

Introduction

The Jargon of the Ring

Professional wrestling, a unique blend of athleticism and theatrical performance, has cultivated a rich and extensive lexicon throughout its history. This specialized jargon, often referred to as "the lingo," originated in the days of traveling carnivals and circuses, serving as a clandestine language among performers to maintain the illusion of legitimacy, known as kayfabe.[1][3]

From Backstage to Mainstream

While historically used to conceal the "worked" nature of the business from the audience, the advent of the internet and widespread online discussion has popularized many of these terms, bringing them into common parlance among dedicated fans and industry observers.[1] This glossary aims to demystify these terms, offering a structured understanding of the intricate mechanics and narrative devices that define professional wrestling.

Beyond the Physical

It is noteworthy that a significant portion of professional wrestling terminology extends beyond mere in-ring maneuvers, encompassing the financial and logistical aspects of the industry. Terms often describe how events are organized, how talent is managed, and how audience reactions are elicited and measured, reflecting the complex interplay between sport, spectacle, and commerce.[3]>

Roles

Archetypes & Personas

Wrestlers embody distinct characters, or gimmicks, designed to elicit specific audience reactions. A face (also known as a babyface, blue-eye in England, or técnico in Mexico) is the heroic figure, booked to be cheered by the fans.[1] Conversely, a heel (or rudo in Mexico) is the villainous antagonist, intentionally portrayed to be booed.[1] The dynamic between faces and heels is fundamental to professional wrestling storytelling.

Status & Hierarchy

Within a promotion, wrestlers are often categorized by their standing. A main eventer is a top-tier performer who typically headlines shows, often contending for the world title. A mid-carder occupies a middle position, wrestling in the central portion of a show, frequently for secondary titles.[1] At the lower end, a low-carder appears early in a show and is not usually involved in major storylines. A jobber (or enhancement talent/extra) consistently loses to build the credibility of other wrestlers.[1] A glorified jobber, or "jobber to the stars," defeats pure jobbers but consistently loses to main event talent.

Support & Specializations

Beyond the primary combatants, various roles contribute to the narrative. A manager (often a non-wrestler) accompanies wrestlers, serving as a mouthpiece or interfering in matches to help them gain popularity.[1] An enforcer is a wrestler, typically larger, who acts as a bodyguard or special guest referee to maintain order or ensure a specific outcome.[1]>

  • Agent (also road agent, producer, or coach): A management employee, often a former wrestler, who helps wrestlers set up matches, plan storylines, gives feedback, and relays instructions from bookers. They also sometimes help train younger wrestlers.
  • Ace: A term predominantly used in Japanese puroresu for a wrestler designated as the face of the promotion, not necessarily the top champion.[4][5]
  • Carpenter: A highly skilled, experienced wrestler whose primary role is to use their in-ring abilities to make opponents, especially less experienced ones, look strong and credible.
  • Mechanic: A wrestler whose job is to feud with future main event performers and help prepare them for that position. Mechanics also act as in-ring teachers, helping younger wrestlers gain experience and ability.[33]
  • Closet Champion: A titleholder, usually a heel, who avoids top-tier matches, cheats to win (often through managerial interference), or deliberately gets disqualified to retain their title.[1]
  • Fighting Champion: A champion who frequently defends their title, typically winning by pinfall or submission.
  • Green: Describes an inexperienced wrestler prone to mistakes due to their early career stage.[1]
  • Hooker: A wrestler with strong, legitimate mat-wrestling abilities, possessing an array of match-ending holds known as "hooks." This term harks back to an era when professional wrestling maintained kayfabe, with hookers used to reinforce the perception of wrestling's "realness."[1]
  • Hoss: A physically large wrestler who may lack other technical skills. A match between two such individuals who use plenty of stiff strikes is sometimes called a "hossfest."
  • Idol Wrestler: A Japanese term for joshi (women's) wrestlers known for their attractive appearance, often involved in the Japanese idol industry, engaging in singing and modeling.
  • Insurance Policy: A valet or wrestler, typically with a large physical presence, who serves a villainous character or faction to achieve or ensure a specific target.
  • Marty Jannetty: A derisive term for a tag team member who achieves significantly less success than their partner after the team breaks up, coined in reference to Marty Jannetty of The Rockers.[32]
  • Monster: An extremely powerful, seemingly unbeatable wrestler, often of intimidating size, who frequently wins matches quickly and decisively.
  • Full Package: A wrestler who excels in all aspects: wrestling technique, promotional/speaking skills (mic work), and a marketable appearance.
  • Hollywood: A popular heel/face persona based on a performer's real-world success and fame transcending the wrestling business.
  • Blowjob: An attractive male wrestler, used to attract groupies to events.[9] (Note: This term is historical and reflects past industry practices.)

Group Dynamics

Wrestlers often form alliances or larger groups. An alliance signifies a cooperative relationship between two or more wrestlers for a common short-term goal, such as retaining titles or countering a specific foe.[7] A faction is a group of several wrestlers who band together and protect each other during matches. Factions are generally larger than stables, which typically have a designated leader or spokesperson.[25]>

Matches

Narrative Structures

The core of professional wrestling lies in its narrative arcs. An angle is a storyline, typically initiated by a physical or verbal attack, leading to a quest for revenge.[3] These can range from a single match to a multi-year vendetta. A feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or groups, integrated into ongoing storylines, often culminating in a blow off match.[1] Sometimes, an angle may be aborted due to lack of fan interest or unforeseen circumstances like injury.[1]>

Endings & Outcomes

The planned conclusion of a match is its finish.[1]>

  • A clean finish occurs without any cheating (e.g., low blows, weapon use).
  • A Dusty finish is an ambiguous ending where a face appears to win, but the decision is later reversed due to a technicality, often to prolong a feud.[1]
  • A broadway is a match that ends in a time limit draw.
  • A no contest is an unresolved draw, often due to unforeseen circumstances such as an injury or outside interference.

A wrestler might be asked to job or drop a match or championship, meaning they are scripted to lose. The announcement of a new champion is often emphasized with "and new," popularized by Howard Finkel.[8]>

In-Ring Dynamics

Matches are carefully choreographed, though improvisation can occur. To call a match means to instruct the other wrestler on upcoming actions.[1] Some wrestlers prefer to "call it in the ring," improvising moves and storytelling on the fly. A spot is a planned maneuver or sequence. A highspot is a high-stakes, risky move, often legitimately dangerous.[1]>

  • Finisher: A wrestler's signature move that usually leads to the pinfall or submission.
  • Five Moves of Doom: A particular combination of moves a wrestler tends to use in every match, often in the same sequence, usually ending with their finisher. This term is often used pejoratively.
  • Bump: To fall on the mat or ground.[1] A "flat back bump" involves landing solidly on the back with high impact. A "phantom bump" occurs when a wrestler or referee takes a bump without a plausible reason.[1]
  • Comeback: A moment in which a wrestler, typically a face, being dominated manages to turn things around and fight back successfully.
  • False Comeback (or hope spot): A brief offensive flurry by a face before losing momentum back to a heel after being dominated for several minutes.[1]
  • Hulking Up: A type of comeback spot where the face suddenly no-sells (shows no effect from) their opponent's offense, recovering strength with every blow before striking back. Named after Hulk Hogan.
  • Cutoff: A point in a match where the heel stops the face's attack or comeback and goes on the offensive.[2]
  • Double Down: A point in the match where both wrestlers are prone in the ring.[2]
  • Goozle: The act of forcefully grabbing an opponent by their neck with a single arm, usually preceding a chokeslam.
  • Lock Up (or Link Up): A portion of a match, usually the very start, where two wrestlers join in a collar-and-elbow tie-up.
  • Married: To be paired with another wrestler (or tag team) in a long series of matches.[2]
  • Night Off: To be paired for a match with a wrestler who is typically easy to work with.
  • Missed Spot (or blown spot/mis-selling): A move or series of moves which are mistimed.[1]
  • Go Home: To finish a match. One wrestler would tell the other to "go home" when it is time to execute the planned ending.
  • Go Over: To win in a wrestling match.[1]

Tag Team & Group Tactics

In multi-person matches, specific tactics are employed. A double team involves two wrestlers ganging up on one opponent or performing a synchronized maneuver. A blind tag occurs in a tag team match where the wrestler on the apron tags their partner unbeknownst to them or without their consent, or when the tagger's opponent is unaware a tag has occurred, leaving them open to a blindside attack. The hot tag is a dramatic moment in a tag team match where a dominated face tags a fresh partner, who then unleashes a quick burst of offense.[1]>

The Freebird rule allows a three-wrestler stable to challenge for and defend a tag-team championship with any two of its members, named after The Fabulous Freebirds who popularized this concept.[2]>

A bonzo gonzo is an ending used in tag team and other multi-party matches where all wrestlers are in the ring, and the referee cannot restore order.[2]>

The champion's advantage (or championship advantage) is a rule stating that a reigning champion retains their title if they lose a defense by countout or disqualification, rather than pinfall or submission.[18]>[19]

Events

Scheduling & Structure

An event's lineup of matches is called a card, with the most important matches, the main event, typically closing the show. Preliminary matches are known as the undercard.[1] A wrestler commonly booked in the first match of the card is a curtain jerker, a term that has become less pejorative in recent years. A money match is a highly promoted non-title match at or near the end of a card, serving as a main selling point for an event.[1]>

Televised vs. Non-Televised

A house show (or live event) is an untelevised event. In contrast, a dark match is a non-televised match at a televised show, often used to test new talent or warm up the crowd before broadcast, or to send the crowd home happy after the main broadcast without affecting TV storylines.[1]>[23]

Backstage Operations

The individual responsible for determining and scheduling matches and writing storylines is the booker, akin to a film director.[1] They also recruit and hire talent. The Gorilla position is the backstage staging area just behind the curtain where wrestlers come out to the ring, and it has expanded to be the location of the production control hub. It was named after Gorilla Monsoon, and in AEW, it's called the "Dusty Position" after Dusty Rhodes.[28]>

  • A-show: A wrestling event featuring a company's biggest draws.[1] An A-team is the group of top stars wrestling at an A-show.
  • B-show: A wrestling event featuring the middle and lower-level talent of a wrestling promotion.[1] A B-team is the group of wrestlers on a B-show.
  • C-show: An event featuring the lowest level of talent in a promotion, most notably rookies and entry-level talent.
  • Fallout Show: The first televised show after a pay-per-view, where new storylines are often introduced and the consequences of the pay-per-view are explained.
  • Go-Home Show: The final televised show before a pay-per-view event, used to build anticipation.
  • Double Shot: Where a wrestler competes twice in one day.[2]
  • Bicycling: A now-obsolete practice used in the territorial era in which television tapes were distributed to stations within a promoter's territory.[2]
  • Camera Kills: Empty seats that are not sold due to being right behind a permanent camera location which would result in an obstructed view.
  • Andre Shot: A camera trick by which a wrestler is made to appear larger by placing the camera below the wrestler and shooting upward. Named for André the Giant.[2]
  • Lights Out: A spot in which the house lights are suddenly turned down to allow for a surprise of some kind.[2]
  • Hard Camera: The main camera(s) that shoots the ring from the crowd, positioned in the first level of permanent seats.
  • Impromptu Match: A match that takes place, specifically on pay-per-views, that was not advertised on the card before the event.
  • Interbrand: A term used by WWE during their brand extension to reference a match between talent from different brands (e.g., Raw, SmackDown, ECW, or NXT).
  • Audible: A message delivered from backstage, either to the referee (using their earpiece) or the commentary team (using their headsets) instructing the wrestlers and other on-screen talent on what to do, usually in order to work around a botch by changing the match on the fly.

Culture

The Illusion of Reality

Kayfabe is the fundamental principle of professional wrestling, referring to the presentation of the sport as entirely legitimate and unscripted. Historically, this was universally maintained to preserve the illusion for the audience. The term can also be used as a verb, meaning to hide or keep something a secret within the industry. The "business" itself is the term insiders use for professional wrestling, rather than "profession" or "sport."[3]>

Audience Engagement

Audience reaction is paramount. Heat refers to negative reactions (such as booing) from fans. When heat is directed at a heel, this is seen as a good thing, as it means fans are reacting in the desired way.[1] Cheap heat is generated by insulting the local crowd or sports team, while a cheap pop is a positive reaction gained by flattering the audience.[1]>[3] Go away heat, however, is an undesirable negative reaction stemming from the audience's disinterest in a performer, rather than their character.

A draw is a wrestler or storyline that attracts significant audience attention and revenue.[1]>

Insider Information

The IWC, or "Internet Wrestling Community," describes the online collective of fans who engage in discourse about professional wrestling. A dirt sheet is an insider newsletter or website that reports on the behind-the-scenes aspects of the business, sometimes with a negative or "gossip" tone.[24] Iggy is a shorthand for insider information or the truth about something.

  • Mark: A wrestling fan who enthusiastically believes or behaves as though they believe professional wrestling is not staged, or loses sight of the staged nature of the business while supporting their favorite wrestlers.[30]>[31] The term is often used pejoratively. It can also refer to an industry insider's term for a participant who prioritizes non-financial aspects like holding a title belt.[1]
  • Money Mark: Someone who founds or invests in a wrestling promotion mainly to associate with wrestlers, often willfully or ignorantly disregarding financial risks a profit-focused investor would avoid.
  • Going into Business for Him/Herself: When a wrestler starts working for their own benefit rather than the mutual benefit of themselves and their opponents or partners, typically by refusing to sell or by saying something not agreed to in a promo. This is a type of shoot (unscripted action).
  • Local Medical Facility: WWE's kayfabe term for 'hospital', used to maintain the illusion of reality when a wrestler is injured.
  • Cross-Promotion (or Forbidden Door/Interpromotional): An event or match involving wrestlers from two or more rival promotions, often as part of a talent exchange. The "Forbidden Door" specifically refers to the imagined barrier between competing promotions, popularized by AEW and NJPW's joint events.[26]
  • Invasion Storyline: A narrative in which a group of wrestlers from one promotion appears in another, often suddenly and without warning, attempting to take over the promotion.
  • Future Endeavored: A euphemism for being fired or leaving a promotion, inspired by WWE's typical announcement phrasing.[2]
  • Apter Mag: An old-style professional wrestling magazine that adheres to kayfabe articles, referring to magazines once connected to journalist Bill Apter, such as Pro Wrestling Illustrated.[1]

Styles

Technical & Traditional

Chain wrestling refers to a sequence of traditional grappling moves typically employed at the start of a match, more common in Japan, the UK, and Mexico than in the US.[2] Clean wrestling involves matches pitting two faces with no storyline animosity against each other, both obeying the rules throughout. Such matches emphasize displaying technical wrestling skill instead of working the audience, and a general air of sportsmanship.[20]>

Lucha Libre

Lucha libre is the vibrant style of Mexican professional wrestling, translating to "free fight." It is characterized by high-flying acrobatic maneuvers, colorful masks, and rapid sequences of holds, strikes, and movements. A fusion style, lucharesu, combines the high-flying aspects of lucha libre with the suplexes, strong martial arts strikes, physicality, and psychology of Japanese puroresu or strong-style wrestling.

Puroresu & Strong Style

Joshi is shorthand for joshi puroresu, referring specifically to Japanese women's professional wrestling. The King's Road describes the distinctive style of All Japan Pro Wrestling, a fusion of Japanese strong style and American professional wrestling, known for incorporating increasingly stiff strikes and head drops during the 1990s.

Hardcore & Extreme

Hardcore wrestling is a style emphasizing brutality and violence, with matches typically involving minimal technical wrestling, instead focusing on moderate brawling techniques and the use of weapons. Extreme wrestling is a similar style that frequently incorporates highspots and weapons. Deathmatch wrestling is the bloodiest and most violent form of hardcore wrestling, popular in Japan, Mexico, and parts of the US, where many traditional rules are not enforced, and dangerous objects like barbed wire, glass, fluorescent light tubes, and weed whackers are used.

Risks

Intentional & Accidental Injury

The physical nature of professional wrestling inherently carries risks. A bump is a fall, and a mistimed one can lead to injury. A head drop is a move that, as a result of a botch or otherwise, causes the receiver to land on their head, often resulting in legitimate concussions or other injuries such as a broken neck.[29] To blow up means to become exhausted or out of breath during a match, indicating a lack of stamina.[1]>

Blood & Blades

Blading (also known as juicing, gigging, getting color, or running the razor) is the intentional cutting of oneself by a wrestler (or, more rarely, allowing themselves to be cut by the opponent or referee) to provoke bleeding, enhancing the dramatic effect of an opponent's offense.[1] The term color refers to the amount of bloodshed in a match.[1]>[21]>[22] A gusher is a deep cut that bleeds profusely, often an accidental result of blading.[1]>[22] A face covered in blood is called a crimson mask. Bleeding that occurs from a legitimate strike or potato (unintentionally stiff strike) rather than blading is known as a hardway.

Performance Enhancers

The term gas or juice can refer to steroids, highlighting a historical concern within the industry regarding performance-enhancing drugs.[1]>

  • Muta Scale: An informal fan-created measure of blood loss during a match, with 1.0 Muta equivalent to the blood loss of Great Muta in a famous 1992 New Japan Pro-Wrestling match.[35]
  • Legit: Short for "legitimate," referring to real-life incidents or events that have not been booked or scripted and are therefore not part of the fictional and kayfabe presentation. It is often used to describe a genuine injury to a wrestler, as opposed to one scripted as part of a storyline. It also describes a wrestler who has a genuine background in another combat sport (typically boxing, other wrestling codes, or mixed martial arts) and so has proven "real" fighting skills.
  • Hide (or Smoke and Mirrors): To choreograph a match (or series thereof) to cover up a wrestler's injury, inexperience, or lack of ability.[2]
  • Foreign Object: A weapon that is not allowed to be used in the match. Usually found under the ring or ringside, in a wrestler's tights, or handed to wrestlers by managers, interfering wrestlers, or (less commonly) audience members.

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio
Click here to open the "Glossary Of Professional Wrestling Terms" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about glossary_of_professional_wrestling_terms while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

mike davis scholar
    
parkesburg pennsylvania
    
gold cobra
    
chiaiano
    
nba finals most valuable player
    
basil i
    
clomipramine
    
agglutination
    
indonesian mass killings of 1965–66
    
als
    

References

References

  1.  Nicholas Sammond, Steel Chair to the Head: The Pleasure and Pain of Professional Wrestling (2004).
  2.  Harley Race, Ricky Steamboat, Les Thatcher. The Professional Wrestlers' Workout & Instructional Guide (p.106)
A full list of references for this article are available at the Glossary of professional wrestling terms Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional insights from within the wrestling industry, nor should it be taken as definitive historical or sociological analysis. Always refer to reputable academic sources and industry experts for comprehensive understanding. Never disregard established knowledge because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.