Professional wrestling divides opinions everywhere it goes and many people disagree on whether or not it should be considered a sport. With the world’s biggest professional wrestling promotion landing in Nottingham this Sunday, Dylan Sollis considers whether the genre is the real deal or no more than dynamic drama.
Is it a sport?
Absolutely.
Professional wrestling requires an athletic ability comparable only to Olympic gymnasts, involving flips and the performance of ‘spots’ – or key moves – that can in many cases land you a serious and legitimate injury if not executed correctly.
Spots such as going through tables after jumping from a 20 foot tall ladder while doing a back somersault require not just the physical ability to do such a stunt, but also the mental capacity to land the move as safely and as dramatically as possible, as well as performing in front of thousands of people – all while remaining in character.
While the entertainment is scripted, the stars still do compete to be at the top of the company, and the dictionary definition of a sport is “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment”.
For me, these athletes compete at their highest level. They use genuine athleticism to create a sports entertainment phenomenon that is enjoyed by millions across the country and the world.
I’m not saying it should be in the Olympics – but is it really that different in concept to a professional platform diver?
Consider this argument pinned.
