WWE Glossary: Terms, Definitions & Lingo Explained

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WWE Glossary: Your Guide to Wrestling Lingo

Hey wrestling fans! Ever find yourself scratching your head when commentators throw around terms like "kayfabe" or "heel turn"? Don't worry, you're not alone! The world of WWE has its own unique language, and this glossary is here to help you decode it all. Consider this your ultimate guide to understanding the colorful and chaotic world of professional wrestling. Let's dive into the squared circle of terminology!

A is for...

  • Angle: An angle is a pre-planned storyline that develops over weeks or months, designed to build drama and excitement between wrestlers. Angles can involve rivalries, alliances, betrayals, or even romantic relationships. Think of it like the plot of a wrestling soap opera. Great angles are the backbone of memorable feuds and keep fans invested. For example, remember when Randy Orton turned on his Evolution mentor, Triple H? That was a classic angle!

  • Appeal: When a wrestler appeals to the referee, they're basically asking the ref to notice a rule being broken or to acknowledge that they've been unfairly targeted. It's a way to draw attention to the action and try to influence the match's outcome. Sometimes, a well-timed appeal can even lead to a disqualification for the opponent.

  • Apron: The apron refers to the area just outside the wrestling ring, connecting the ring to the floor. It's a narrow space where wrestlers often brawl or use for springboard attacks into the ring. Bumping on the apron can be particularly brutal, as it's a hard surface with very little give. Many wrestlers use the ring apron to their advantage, such as the springboard DDT which was popularized by Randy Orton.

B is for...

  • Babyface: Also known as a face, a babyface is a good guy or a fan-favorite wrestler. They're the ones you're supposed to cheer for. Babyfaces typically have strong morals, fight for what's right, and connect with the audience on an emotional level. John Cena was the quintessential babyface for many years, embodying the "never give up" attitude.

  • Blade/Blading: This is a dangerous and controversial practice where a wrestler intentionally cuts themselves (usually on the forehead) to create a stream of blood during a match. Blading is done to heighten the drama and intensity of a match, making it look more violent and realistic. However, it's heavily regulated (or outright banned) in many promotions due to the health risks involved. Back in the day, blading was far more commonplace, but these days, it is not seen very often, if at all.

  • Bump: A bump is any time a wrestler falls or lands on the mat. Learning to take bumps safely is a crucial part of wrestling training. Wrestlers are taught to distribute the impact of a fall to minimize injury. There are different types of bumps, like back bumps, flat bumps, and side bumps, each with its own technique.

C is for...

  • Cheap Heat: Cheap heat is when a wrestler tries to get the crowd to boo them by doing something obviously offensive or disrespectful, like insulting the local sports team or trash-talking a beloved celebrity. It's a shortcut to getting the audience to hate you, but it can sometimes come across as lazy or unoriginal.

  • Clean Finish: A clean finish is when a wrestling match ends decisively and without any controversy. The winner wins fair and square, with no outside interference, cheating, or disqualifications. A clean finish helps to establish the winner as a strong and credible competitor.

  • Curtain Jerker: A curtain jerker is a wrestler or a match that is placed at the beginning of a show to warm up the crowd and get them excited for the rest of the card. These matches are often fast-paced and action-packed, designed to get the energy levels up.

D is for...

  • Dark Match: A dark match is a match that takes place before a televised event or after it ends, and is not broadcast to the public. These matches are typically used to test out new wrestlers, try out new storylines, or give the live crowd an extra bit of entertainment.

  • Diva: This term used to refer to the female wrestlers in WWE. While the term was once widely used, WWE has moved away from it in recent years, now referring to their female performers as Superstars, just like the men.

  • DQ (Disqualification): A disqualification occurs when a wrestler breaks a rule so severely that they automatically lose the match. Common reasons for disqualification include hitting an opponent with a foreign object, attacking the referee, or refusing to break a hold after being instructed to do so.

E is for...

  • Extreme Rules: A type of match where anything goes. There are typically no disqualifications or count-outs, and weapons are often allowed. Extreme Rules matches are known for their violence and high-risk maneuvers.

  • Enzuigiri: A wrestling move where a wrestler strikes the opponent's head with the sole of their foot, usually while in a headstand position. It's a visually impressive and impactful move that can lead to a near-fall or a knockout.

  • Enhancement Talent: Wrestlers who are primarily used to lose matches against established stars to make them look stronger. They are sometimes referred to as jobbers. Enhancement talent provides a valuable service by helping to build up the credibility of other wrestlers.

F is for...

  • Face: Short for Babyface. A good guy or a fan-favorite wrestler.

  • Feud: A long-term rivalry between two or more wrestlers, often involving personal animosity and intense matches. Great feuds can last for months or even years, drawing in fans and generating huge amounts of revenue.

  • Finisher: A wrestler's signature move, the one they use to typically end a match. Finishers are often dramatic and impactful, designed to leave a lasting impression on the audience.

G is for...

  • Gimmick: A wrestler's character or persona. This includes their name, appearance, catchphrases, and overall attitude. A strong gimmick can make a wrestler stand out from the crowd and connect with the audience.

  • Going Over: This means winning a match. A wrestler who "goes over" is the one who emerges victorious.

  • Garbage Match: A match with lots of weapons and often very little wrestling. Think chairs, tables, ladders, and anything else the wrestlers can get their hands on.

H is for...

  • Heel: A bad guy wrestler. Heels cheat, lie, and do whatever it takes to win, often drawing the ire of the audience.

  • High Spot: A particularly exciting or dangerous move in a match. High spots are designed to get the crowd on their feet and create a sense of drama.

  • Hardcore Match: Similar to an Extreme Rules match, a Hardcore match typically has no disqualifications or count-outs, and weapons are often used.

I is for...

  • Indy: Short for independent wrestling. Refers to wrestling promotions outside of the major companies like WWE and AEW. The indy scene is where many wrestlers hone their skills and develop their characters.

  • Intercontinental Championship: A secondary championship in WWE, often seen as a stepping stone to the World Championship.

J is for...

  • Jobber: A wrestler who consistently loses matches to make other wrestlers look good. Also known as enhancement talent.

  • Juice: Blood drawn intentionally or unintentionally during a match. (See also: Blading)

K is for...

  • Kayfabe: The presentation of professional wrestling as real. This includes maintaining the illusion that the matches are unscripted and the rivalries are genuine. In the past, kayfabe was strictly enforced, but today, it's more of an unspoken agreement between wrestlers and fans.

  • Kick Out: When a wrestler recovers after their opponent's finishing move.

L is for...

  • Lights Out Match: No disqualification. The rules are thrown out of the window.

  • Locker Room: The area backstage where wrestlers prepare for their matches.

M is for...

  • Mark: A wrestling fan who believes that everything they see is real. The opposite of a smart mark.

  • Main Event: The final match on a wrestling show, typically the most important and highly anticipated match of the night.

  • Mickie Sell: A style of selling where the wrestler overreacts to the impact of the move. Named after WWE Hall of Famer Mickie James.

N is for...

  • No-Sell: A wrestler who does not react to a move performed on them, or recovers from the move quickly. This is often done by mistake, but in some cases is done on purpose to infuriate an opponent or the booker.

O is for...

  • Over: When a wrestler is popular with the crowd. A wrestler is "over" when the fans react positively to them.

  • Outside Interference: When someone who is not involved in the match interferes and affects the outcome.

P is for...

  • Promo: A speech or interview given by a wrestler to promote a match or storyline. Promos are a crucial part of building excitement and engaging the audience.

  • Push: When a wrestling promotion gives a wrestler more attention and opportunities to elevate their status. A push can involve winning matches, appearing in prominent storylines, and receiving more airtime.

Q is for...

  • Quiet Crowd: Any crowd that does not cheer or boo. It is the worst possible result for any wrestler.

R is for...

  • Run-In: When a wrestler interferes in a match that they are not a part of.

  • Rope Break: When a wrestler who is in a submission hold grabs the ropes and breaks the hold.

S is for...

  • Sell: How a wrestler reacts to a move performed on them. Selling is a crucial part of making wrestling look realistic and believable. Good selling can make even the simplest move look devastating.

  • Shooting: When a wrestler breaks character and says or does something that is not part of the planned storyline. Shooting can be intentional or unintentional.

  • Squash Match: A short match where one wrestler easily defeats another. Squash matches are often used to build up the credibility of a dominant wrestler.

T is for...

  • Tweener: A wrestler who is neither a face nor a heel. Tweeners often walk a fine line between good and evil, appealing to fans for different reasons.

  • Title Shot: An opportunity to compete for a championship. Title shots are typically earned by winning matches or participating in specific storylines.

U is for...

  • Undercard: The matches that take place before the main event. The undercard is often used to showcase up-and-coming wrestlers or to provide filler before the more important matches.

V is for...

  • Valet: A female performer who accompanies a wrestler to the ring and provides support. Valets often play a role in storylines, either as allies or adversaries.

W is for...

  • Work: Anything that is scripted or pre-planned in professional wrestling. The opposite of a shoot.

  • World Championship: The top championship in a wrestling promotion. Winning the World Championship is often seen as the pinnacle of a wrestler's career.

X, Y, and Z are for... well, we tried!

So there you have it, folks! Your comprehensive guide to WWE lingo. Now you can impress your friends with your wrestling knowledge and understand everything that's happening in the squared circle. Keep watching, keep learning, and keep enjoying the wild world of professional wrestling!