Wrestling, like any new experience/or fandom, can be overwhelming. Much like Game of Thrones, or your favorite cinematic universe, there is a lore attached with it. This guide will serve as a basic introduction to wrestling terminology and match types.
Let’s begin with the terminology:
Babyface – crowd favorite, good person (Hiroshi Tanahashi, Daniel Bryan, Hulk Hogan)
Heel – antagonist, despised by fans (Jay White, Roman Reigns, MJF)
Tweener – in between, neutral (Cody, Stone Cold, Dangerous Tekkers)
Jobber – someone that often loses
Jobber to the stars – someone that always loses to bigger names
Kayfabe – in canon to the story. Breaking kayfabe would be similar to breaking fourth wall in theatre
Storyline – story being told by the wrestlers
Angle – another term for storyline, a component within the storyline.
Bump – how the wrestlers fall onto the mat
Burial – to lose all momentum, placed in bad storylines, etc
Gimmick – character type wrestler is. Ex: “Hangman” Adam Page is a cowboy.
Match Types:
These are the types of bouts the wrestlers settle their score in. Matches can be used to advanced storylines, end feuds, or be a general exhibition.
Single Match Types
1v1 – general exhibition
Tag Match Types
2v2 – general tag match
Tag matches can be modified to a six, seven, and eight wrestler tag match.
Gimmick Match Types
Ladder – wrestler must climb ladder to grab the championship to win the belt.
Hell in the Cell – Ring is surrounded and covered by steel. It is considered one of the most brutal match types.
Tables, Ladders, and Chairs – this match features and uses well – tables, ladders, and chairs.
Royal Rumble – 30 person elimination tournament. Last person standing is the winner.
“X” on a pole – winner must claim whatever is on the pole
Steel cage – like Hell in a Cell without a cage covering on top
Barbwire match – ropes are replaced with barbwire
No DQ – wrestlers have freedom to do whatever they damn well please. No rules.
There is so much more to the world of professional wrestling I will be sharing with you. I hope this guide helps bring clarification.
Zach Watson can be followed on Twitter @YUHIWatson.