Professional Wrestling Terms
Professional wrestling has a vernacular all its own. It’s a mix of old carnival terms and everyday language. This is a list of wrestling terms used in the story.
Agent – He or she helps set up matches and acts as a go-between for talent and management.
Angle – A fictional storyline between wrestlers. Usually starts as an aggression from one wrestler to another. Carried out with promos, backstage segments, and matches.
Babyface – Also known as a Face. These are the good guys in professional wrestling. They don’t cheat and are normally crowd favorites.
Book – To plan the storylines and matches for a wrestling company. May also refer to the physical book these plans are written in.
Booker – Person responsible for planning the storylines for a wrestling promotion.
Bump – To fall to the mat or the ground. Front bump is to land on the face. Back bump is to land on the back.
Card – Lineup of matches for the night. The upper or top of the card are the main event stars and matches. The mid to lower card consists of the lesser-ranked wrestlers.
Dark Match – Non-televised match that takes place before the main show. Used to warm up the crowd and introduce new talent.
Dirt Sheet – Websites and newsletters that discuss insider news in the wrestling world.
Gassed – When a wrestler becomes physically exhausted during a match.
Gimmick – A wrestler’s character. Includes his catch phrases, wrestling moves and ring gear.
Go home – To end a match
Gorilla Position – Area just behind the curtain. This is where wrestlers get ready to go out, and bookers and/or owners run the show.
Heat – Boos or a negative reaction from the crowd. Can also mean when a wrestler is in trouble with or disliked by people in the promotion.
Heel – Wrestler who plays a bad guy. He cheats and uses underhanded tactics to win.
High spot – Moves off the top rope or something involving dangerous acrobatics.
House show – An untelevised wrestling event.
IWC – Internet Wrestling Community. Fans who discuss professional wrestling on online sites and social media.
Job – When a wrestler loses for someone else. To do the job. Wrestlers who are booked to lose often are known as jobbers.
Kayfabe – The act of keeping the secrets of the wrestling world hidden from the public. To break kayfabe is to reveal those secrets.
Over – Being accepted by and popular with the fans.
Rest hold – A hold to allow the wrestlers to catch their breath during a match.
Ring General – An experienced wrestler who can take charge of a match.
Ring Rust – When a wrestler has been absent from the ring and is out of practice.
Shoot – Anything that is not planned or scripted to happen.
Tap Out – To submit to a hold and lose the match.
Tweener – A wrestler who is neither a face nor a heel. Has characteristics of both.
Work – Anything that is planned or pre-scripted to happen.