Why are people such big fans of wrestling?

[Anonymous]

it’s more like theater than it is a sport. All the outcomes are predetermined. So when they have these championship belts, it’s just whoever they think people want to see win. It’s not even a sport really.

[Chazmatazz269]

You answered your own question. People love theater. People love soap operas. People love all kinds of scripted shows, including “reality TV”. In terms of dramatic story arcs, it’s on par with all of that. PLUS there’s athleticism, production value up the wazoo, and a remarkable sound track.

[Asker]

but it is misrepresenting it calling it a sport ! it’s scripted

[Anonymous]

Like Vince McMahon calls it, "Sports entertainment".

I'm glad you didn't call it "fake". Because the injuries they sustain are very REAL. You're right it is theater. I would label it "soap operas for men". Because just like soap operas it's ridiculously over the top. But women still love it. They still get sucked in. Well it hits on the nerves that most men can identify with, athleticism and violence.

[AI Opinion]

Wrestling is indeed a unique blend of athleticism and theater. Fans love the dramatic storylines, intense rivalries, and larger-than-life characters. While outcomes are predetermined, the physical skill and dedication of the wrestlers are very real. It’s the combination of sport and entertainment that makes wrestling so captivating for many. The emotional highs and lows, like in any great story, keep fans coming back for more.

[Friendlybro79]

It's literally sports entertainment... People like to be entertained by all different things. Why do people like anything? Who knows?

That said, it's not a sport in the sense that it's real fights that are unscripted and not predetermined and that's why it's actually not just called a sport and they added entertainment. I will say you need tot be athletic to do that job. I have seen friends learn how to wrestle in a ring for WWE and it is extremely difficult and intense and they do take really hard bumps.

[RingOfFire]

The vast majority of the fans are men.

They like the male wrestling because it is like watching combat in a Roman arena. Males are competitive and LOVE someone scoring a superhuman win even if it is fake.

And they like the female wrestlers because its hot! I mean what guy doesn't like watching girls in tight skimpy outfits going at it in a catfight?

[smahala1991]

Why are people fans of soap operas and romantic dramas? It’s entertainment, it’s about the characters we care about and the characters we hate. It’s the storylines and the comedy. It blends athleticism and theatre. Where else can you see a zombie use lightning powers to scare the shit out of his opponent, or a beer drinking redneck giving his corporate boss hell on the daily?

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

What RebelinSteel said.
I have not witnessed anything related to wrestling since the 1990's, although I use internet on a daily basis. And no one in my circles is talking about it, you are the first

[AviatorTom]

Entertainment. Where ese can you watch guys and girls make fools of themselves strutting their stuff around with hundreds of crazy fans egging them on?

[RebelinSteel]

Wrestling still goes on? I thought it was a thing off tv from the 1990s etc.

[art84]

I used to love wrestling back in the 90's and early 2000's through 2013. My brother's love WWE cause they actually believe it's real and like the storyline. It's basically soap opera for men and children with fake fighting.

[Twalli]

Wrestling is a sport. WWE abd WWF aren't, but wrestling is a legit sport. It's in thr Olympics, and we don't know who will win those matches. I wrestled 4 years in highschool and I guarantee thrmatch was nit decided beforehand.

[Iron_Man]

Did you make varsity did you ever lose?

[Twalli]

@Iron_Man yes, and yes. I also won. Fact I'd you're going to put a guy at 103 (the lowest weight) with 2 years of experience on the varsity squad over a freshman. I was 103 easily in my junior year. I had to cut a lot of weight to make it my senior year, but did it.
My first two years I was JV, because the other guy had been wrestling since a very young age. He actually got 2nd place in the US Olympic Trials for London, Rio, and Tokyo. He decided to retire and go for a MBA before the Paris trials. He was full ride athletic to Stanford.

[Iron_Man]

Good job

[DrPepper12]

Same reason people like soap operas, fiction, theatre, etc. It's the "willing suspension of disbelief" in service of entertainment.

[Hurricanetongue]

People like drama especially when it’s a bunch fat sweaty guys or crybabies act like a bunch of fools and they get away with it and everybody loves it. It’s actually very boring look at the kind of people it attracts and their mentality.

[Iron_Man]

Because I’ve been to wrestling school before

[ItsAshh2009]

I’m not a big fan, but my dad always watches it, so I have seen it quite a bit

[Enginn]

I personally like the storylines. Fights are fun to watch too.

[Anonymous]

Because it's fun to watch, it can be funny and entertaining.

[strateguy632]

For the excitement and the strength

[Massageman]

They love the fakery.

[Anonymous]

Because it's fun to watch.