What is kayfabe mean in wrestling?

In professional wrestling, the term kayfabe refers to the practice of maintaining the illusion that everything is real—including the scripted personas, rivalries, and storylines. This often extends beyond the in-match performance to other contexts, such as backstage footage and interviews.

Why is it called kayfabe?

Pro wrestling can trace some of its stylistic origins back to carnivals and Catch Wrestling, where the term "kayfabe" is thought to have originated as carny slang for "protecting the secrets of the business." The term "kayfabe" itself may ultimately originate from the Pig Latin form of "fake" ("ake-fay") or the phrase ...

Is WWE Still kayfabe?

Most wrestling fans today realize that WWE and its competitors are scripted entertainment, but not that long ago, WWE still adhered to kayfabe. Professional wrestling companies like WWE may clearly be scripted entertainment now, but it was only a few decades ago that kayfabe was adhered to at all costs.

When did wrestling become kayfabe?

In the 1980s, wrestlers began using the code word kayfabe in reference to the staged performance presented as authentic as well as to the act of maintaining the fiction by staying in character. "When you know you're faking and the audience knows you're faking and you know the audience knows you know you're faking..."

What does breaking kayfabe mean?

Referring to events as kayfabe means that they are worked events, and/or part of a wrestling storyline. In relative terms, a wrestler breaking kayfabe during a show would be likened to an actor breaking character on camera.

What is a spot in wrestling?

Spot: A scripted move or series of moves. These are generally pre-planned and have a huge effect on the structure of match as well as the crowd's reaction to it. Squash: A short match in which one wrestler beats another easily and quickly.

What does bump mean in wrestling?

The next, and probably most important step for any inspiring wrestler, is learning how to take a "bump." A bump in when a wrestler lands solidly on their back with high impact, spread over as much surface as possible.

Who broke kayfabe first?

Triple H went from a King of the Ring hopeful winner to being jobbed out to the Godwins. Of course, things worked out well for The Game in the end. This was one of the earliest incidents of kayfabe being broken and the fans in live attendance had to question what had just transpired before their eyes.

What does Mark mean in WWE?

The term “mark” is perhaps the most commonly used term among wrestling fans. To be a wrestling “mark” is to be someone who buys into the emotion and characteristics of the storyline and characters. All wrestling fans are marks, some to different levels of it than others.

What is the code of kayfabe?

Initially, people "in the business" (either wrestlers or those working behind the scenes) used the term kayfabe as a code among those in the wrestling profession, discussing matters in public without revealing the scripted nature.

What is the forbidden door wrestling?

An example of opening the forbidden door is when talent (whether they be wrestlers, managers, commentators, or ring announcers) unexpectedly shows up in another rival's promotion. These exciting moments start a fire and leave their mark on fans.

What is a wrestling win called?

Win by Fall: The object of the entire wrestling match is to attain victory by what is known as the fall. A fall, also known as a pin, occurs when one wrestler holds both of his opponents' shoulders on the mat simultaneously.

What's a dark match in WWE?

A non-televised match at a televised show (compare house show). A dark match before the show is often used to test new talent or warm up the crowd. A dark match after the show typically features main event level wrestlers, in order to sell more tickets and send the crowd home happy, without affecting TV storylines.

Why do male wrestlers have wet hair?

So yeah, Just some leave-in conditioner and some water and let it fly.” Thus, Roman Reigns explained that he wets his hair because he finds it cool. Perhaps, he might be applying it so that he can stay calm inside the ring and focus on the match.

What does FFT mean in wrestling?

FFT = forfeit No wrestler available at a weight.class Team awarded 6 points.

What does pro wrestling shoot mean?

A shoot in professional wrestling is any unplanned, unscripted, or real-life occurrence within a wrestling event.

What is a squash match in wrestling?

In wrestling, a squash is an extremely one-sided match; one performer dominates the other and quickly defeats him with virtually no resistance. Squash matches were the almost exclusive content of syndicated wrestling shows through the 1980s.

What does Stiff mean in wrestling?

Stiff is a term for when a wrestler puts excessive force into his attacks or maneuvers on his opponent, deliberately or accidentally.

What does over mean in wrestling?

To "put over" something (a wrestler, promotion, match, etc.) means to make it look good or otherwise encourage the fans to care about it. This can be done in the ring, during a promo, or through many other kinds of media. One of the most common ways a wrestler can be put over is winning a match.

What is a rib in wrestling?

In professional wrestling, a rib is a prank played on a wrestler, or backstage employee of a wrestling promotion, by another wrestler. Ribs may be practiced as a form of stress relief from the grueling schedule of traveling, experiencing the physical exertion of wrestling, and sleeping in a different town most nights.

What is a booker in wrestling?

A booker, as the term is used in wrestling, is a person who puts matches together and determines basics about their content, such as relative overall length, who the eventual victor will be, and many of the moves which will be made during the match; in other words, the match's "plotline." The booker also plans other ...

What is a Smark?

smark (plural smarks) A fan of professional wrestling who is aware that the matches are scripted but enjoys them nonetheless.

What is a Jobber in WWE?

Jobber is a professional wrestling term used to describe a wrestler who is routinely defeated by main eventers, mid-carders, or low-carders. Most promoters do not use the term because of the negative connotation.

What is Gorilla in WWE?

The "Gorilla Position" is the area backstage where the show is directed. Vince McMahon takes the helm. It's where his creative genius shines i.e. it's where he screams himself stupid at some commentator for using pronouns instead of some hysterically convoluted nickname.

What is a dusty finish?

The Dusty Finish is the nickname given to a specific ending to a wrestling match in which one wrestler appears to have scored a win only to have the decision reversed, often on some small technicality.