To any fans of wrestling ...

[HollidayArmadillo]

Do you actually believe that it's real?

It's just come on after something we'd been watching had finished and we can't decide whether all the grown men in the audience believe it's real or if they're mesmerised by the cringiness just like we are, but times a million because they spend money on tickets
I don't get it

Is it just strictly without the sequins?

It is staged, they work out routines in advance but are often injured and things go wrong. Wrestling demands great athleticism.

I used to love the Undertaker and the Rock.

No, they all know it's fake but it still involves a lot of skill.
Talking on behalf of a friend of mine who goes to see the shows whenever he can.

Undertaker is my favourite, I also loved Shawn Michaels, and going further back, Brett Hart.

Everyone knows the storylines etc aren't real (they even have WWE reality shows with the 'real' stars in their real lives) but the athleticism and fight choreography is all real. It's a kind of soap opera with a physical aspect.

It's not real. Everyone knows it's not real.

Some of the injuries, however, are. If a ref 'throws the x' (makes an X sign with their arms) then it's a real injury. Otherwise, it's kayfabe.

We've been to a few shows and they are incredibly fun (and a really friendly and pleasant atmosphere).

I know it's not real
I just don't understand the fans, the bad acting and 'headbutts' that are about 10ft apart is just so cringe I don't understand what grown adults are fans of
But apparently it's the choreography- so strictly without they sequins, I get that

Also - the one we've just watched a bit of was just one guy getting beat up, why would you want to appear to be getting beat up? Will he get the chance to be the star next time?

Yep, I can't stand Strictly or anything of its ilk, but give me two muscled men in tights throwing each other around a ring and I'm happy! 

Dh is a wrestling fan and by some kind of osmosis I seem to know more about it than I ever imagined.

He’s always described it as his version of watching soaps- the storylines and character knowledge/history sail you through the bits that are completely unbelievable.

It is quite a similar thing really.

Celebelly I most definitely can see how it could be a bit erotic

DS1 has been obsessed with wrestling for years (SEN) so we have taken him to see it a few times a it is exactly what they call it "Sports Entertainment" where they have scripts etc to follow.
Some of it is so wildly staged that you have to laugh. The sheer athleticism and commitment to removing body hair is to be commended.

Oh comparing it to soaps is a good one actually, I cringe at the "acting" in those too

Cantthink 😂 Amazing! They were very smooth tbf!

It's like an action movie, but on stage like a play, they do most things live in front of an audience they intereact with, with no retakes and no stuntmen/women.
I agree with the soap comparison. Most of the time I find it bad but entertaining, sometimes it's good and entertaining, and the athleticism is always impressive.

Either of these videos can probably explain better why wrestling fans like wrestling: