Do the WWE wrestlers actually fight for real in the ring?

[Anonymous]

The reason I ask is that when I have watched 'Total Divas', the fighting in the ring, like of looks like staged fighting. For example, boxers wear gloves and protect their heads.

Why don't the WWE wrestlers do that, and I notice that they are rarely harmed in the same way boxers are, during their fights. Is there something I'm missing?

Updates

+1 y

I live in the UK guys and am not familiar with WWE. I only recently started watching it via the total divas reality show and kind of wondered if it was real as it looked fake when I watched them 'fight'.

[William_Kendrick]

its completely contrived. all it really is is controlled tumbling. they do fall from long distances, but ever notice how when someone gets hurt they need a streatcher? well, thats because, honestly, if they were actually getting hurt, they wouldn't live very long.. wrestlers and wrestling in general is mostly showmanship, other than the impacts, they dont actively seek to hurt each other... its big guys oiling themselves up to be drama kings in a ring.

its fake. its contrived, its hilarious. dont watch it.

[slimcharles]

Yes and no. No, they are not actually doing the moves that you see. They would kill most people; however, they have to make it look good, so they are actually making contact, falling, jumping, and sometimes accidents happen. They do get injured like real athletes. The real injuries are concealed until they are alone. Because they are really independent contractors, it is important for them to conceal their injuries from the promoters who will not book them if there is a chance they cannot perform.

[Asker]

I live in the UK guys and am not familiar with WWE. I only recently started watching it via the total divas reality show and kind of wondered if it was real as it looked fake when I watched them 'fight'. Why does the reality show pretend that they are really competing against one another in the ring? Also, why do they make such a fuss about the girls being trained for years and needing to be athletic. I just find it bizarre to invest that much, when it is all staged.

[slimcharles]

I think it is like when you go to see a magician. No one wants to hear that his act is all engineering and sleight of hand. They want to be surprised. It is a suspension of disbelief.

As far as teh women, I think it is glorified "mud wrestling." Just my two farthings :)

[KevinB]

They make it look like that, because they want the kids to think it's real, That's how they make their money, toys, clothes, and advertising and shows. it's a multi million dollar enterprise.

[Asker]

ha ha, very funny!

[Asker]

Also, do the fans know that is it fake? Why do they go then, as I assume that the outcomes are pre set? If it is choreographed in the same way as a ballet for example?

[slimcharles]

The older fans know, but the kids do not. Kinda like a soap opera, the outcome is never really known. It is not like the theater where they are reenacting a script.

They create good guys, bad guys, and watch them beat each other up. Good guys go bad, etc. It is all really boring.

Calling it fake will enrage the wrestlers. They work really hard to put on a show, and calling it fake demeans their performance. I try to show them respect, but I have not watched a wrestling match in 30 years.

[slimcharles]

Thanks for most helpful.

[Asker]

no problem. thanks again!

[Asker]

Kind of embarrassing that I was semi fooled with the kids!

[Asker]

Also, not to sound a debbie downer, but i'm not sure Id want my children idolising them, and recreating the moves etc.

[slimcharles]

LOL... don't feel bad. It is not like we regularly see men pummel each other and know that the human body cannot take that kind of punishment. To be honest, there are probably adults in the US that also think it is real, but that is truly depressing and I do not want to think that.

Actually, yes this was a problem in the US with kids/teens crippling themselves recreating wrestling moves. It was heartbreaking to hear of a poor kid who is now a quadriplegic because his brother did a pile driver on him. They had no idea.

[Asker]

oh god. horrible.

[Asker]

Also, I notice on Total Divas (the WWE reality show) that they talk as though they are actually competing for real, i. e upset that they were 'pinned down by an unexpected move' etc etc. If all adults know it is fake, why on earth do they talk like that?

[Lisapizza01]

I'm sure wwe has there talent to not say that it's not fake because of their younger fans who still think its real

[Theguyoverthere]

It's acting. People who go to the games deliberately don't get the front row seats because they'll see all the punches that don't actually make contact even that they make look like they hit them. They just try to make it look real.

They even use concealed razors to cut their foreheads when no one is looking and then they take a hit that makes it look like it made them bleed.

It's staged basically.

[Kinstrome]

It is definitely acting. The kind of acting they do takes practice and skill, no question, but they aren't actually competing and trying to pin the other guy.

[Anonymous]

You can't be serious? Lol yes it's fake! They are just paid actors basically. A real sport of fighting is UFC. That's real fighting. Watch it, instead of gay ass WWE. Lol

[llorando]

Because it not actually fighting, it more like a ballet. It's not meant to be real, more just for entertainment, as the matches and other stuff that happens back stage is pre-planned before the show even starts.

[rUinSAYAN]

when they fall they get hurt for real but they are kinda trained to handle the pain, the fights are halfway acted and a little of it can't be acted as it will hurt anyways

[Anonymous]

omg... no it's not a real fight. It's basically stunt and acrobatic work. Scripted but still dangerous.

[cesvcarl0s]

They do take big risks.. but matches are scripted.. so it is not a real fight.

Wanna see real shit, watch MMA.. (mix martial arts)

[Anonymous]

no it's all staged. they've had to admit to that in order for their live show to take place in certain U. S. states.

if you want to see the real deal watch the ufc.

[Anonymous]

It's as real as my 12 inch cock.

[Byakko77]

If it was we would have dead wrestlers every month