Where does the “Wrestling” in “WWE” Even Come From?

The sport of Wrestling is 5000 years old, so old in fact there are cave drawings of wrestlers from early humans. However, Modern wrestling was founded in the 1950s, meaning the modern days foam mats were created in the 1950’s, as well as most of the rules we still use today. Up until now, wrestling has remained one of the most strenuous sports and is one of the most complex sports in every aspect. Not only in wrestling practice, but in the gym, running, conditioning, and restraint before the season. There are so many factors that make it, if not the most, one of the most difficult sports yet.

The WWE is still the poster child of Wrestling in many people’s minds. The WWE is an entirely scripted MMA based entertainment sport. The word “Wrestling” is used in the name of the franchise, “World Wrestling Entertainment” yet, there is more hitting, talking, and jumping on top of each other than there is any real wrestling. Most of the WWE is acting, and while many of the WWE’s actors are indeed very fit and athletic, they are not necessarily “Wrestlers.”

Wrestling is a much more fundamental sport, that does not involve foldable chairs, jumping off ropes while the other wrestler sits there, throwing an opponent out of the ring and continuing the match, or stopping halfway through for a roast battle. WWE Wrestlers, while fit and extraordinarily strong, are never near as athletic or as talented in doing actual wrestling techniques when compared to a high school state qualifying wrestler.

Most people who watch the WWE, or just do not watch many sports in general, do not really understand what real wrestling looks like. Wrestling takes years to master, and one can say that you can never truly be a perfect wrestler, because there are so many techniques, styles, different weight classes, and people. For example, wrestling can look completely different for someone who wrestles at 132, compared to someone who wrestles at 285. Light weights are typically quicker and fluent, while heavyweights are a lot stronger, heavier, and slower, which leads different people to favor different moves and techniques. However, many Wrestlers have perfected their lanes, and become Olympic wrestlers, or win multiple college state championships in their weight classes. Great wrestlers like Spencer Lee, Roman Bravo-Young, Artur Aleksanyan, and more are all extraordinarily accomplished and incredible at wrestling, yet their names are unknown to millions of people who have only ever seen or heard of the WWEl.

The WWE is an excellent route for young adults who have wrestling or MMA experience, like Rock or John Cena. Both of whom say they owe everything to the WWE for giving them what they have today. So, while the WWE is great entertainment, and a wonderful opportunity for young MMA athletes to get ahead in life, it does not represent Wrestling as a brand whose name starts with Wrestling should.