If you were like me in the summer of 2019, you probably have zero idea of what any WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) terms mean. Well today, you will get to learn some terms with examples! But before we begin, just a brief overview about WWE. WWE is the best wrestling promotion in the world, and they have the best wrestlers in the world. If you want to learn more about WWE, you can read more about WWE at Why You Should Watch WWE // The Roundup (jesuitroundup.org)
Basic terms
Face: A heroic or good guy or woman character in wrestling. Examples are Rey Mysterio, Seth Rollins, Xavier Woods, Becky Lynch (2018-19, and 2022-present) and Cody Rhodes.
Heel: A bad guy or woman character in wrestling. Examples are Roman Reigns, The Rock, Rhea Ripley, and Becky Lynch (2021-2022)
Kayfabe: The portrayal of staged events as real or true.
Turn: When a wrestler changes alignment from heel to face or vice versa. Roman Reigns went from a face to a heel in 2020, Becky Lynch went from a face to a heel in the summer of 2021, and The Rock went from a beloved face to a dastardly heel in March of 2024.
Gimmick: A character’s persona, appearance, or style. For example, Bray Wyatt with the Fiend, or the Eater of Worlds.
Match Types: Varieties of matches such as Singles, Tag Team, Royal Rumble, and TLC (Tables, Ladders, and Chairs).
Moves that you see in the ring
Bodyslam: Lifting and slamming the opponent to the mat.
Clothesline: Striking the opponent’s neck with an outstretched arm.
Suplex: Lifting the opponent off the ground and then using a leg trip to slam them back down.
Piledriver: Driving the opponent’s head into the mat while holding them upside down.
Chokeslam: Grabbing the opponent’s throat and lifting them up before slamming them down.
Finisher: A wrestler’s signature move, often leading to victory.
The business of wrestling
Booking: The planning and arrangement of matches and storylines.
Shoot: An unscripted, real-life occurrence in a wrestling context.
Work: A staged or planned part of a wrestling event.
Promo: A scripted speech or interview used to build a storyline.
Over: A term describing a wrestler’s popularity. For example, Becky Lynch in 2018 when she became “The Man” and the audience cheered for her like crazy.
Character and Storytelling Terms:
Feud: A storyline rivalry between wrestlers.
Push: Efforts by the promotion to make a wrestler more prominent or successful.
Tweener: A character who is neither a pure babyface nor heel.
Swerve: An unexpected twist in a storyline.
Heat: Negative reaction from the audience, typically aimed at a heel character.
More terms that are AWESOME:
Angle: A storyline or feud.
Bump: A fall to the mat.
Cage Match: A match fought within a cage.
DQ (Disqualification): Breaking the rules leading to loss.
Entrance Theme: The music played as a wrestler enters the arena.
Gimmick Match: A match with special rules or stipulations.
Iron Man Match: A match with a set time limit, where the goal is to score the most falls.
Enhancement Talent: A wrestler who often loses to make others look strong.
Ladder Match: A match where an object (usually a title belt) is suspended above the ring, and ladders are used to reach it.
Manager: A non-wrestling character who speaks for, or assists a wrestler.
No-Sell: Failing to react or sell an opponent’s offensive move.
Over-Sell: Reacting too dramatically to an opponent’s offensive move.
Pinfall: Winning a match by holding an opponent’s shoulders to the mat for a count of three.
Promo: A speech or interview used to build up a character or storyline.
“I Quit.” Match: A match where the goal is to force the opponent to say “I Quit.”
Reversal: Countering or reversing an opponent’s move.
Spot: A specific move or sequence planned during a match.
Turnbuckle: The padded corners of a wrestling ring.
WWE Universe: What you are now a part of, a group of fans passionate about WWE!
These are many of the basic terms for WWE!
Stay tuned to The Roundup for more WWE Coverage!
