Our Fake History Episode #183- Was Wrestling Ever Real? (Part I)
Jul 11, 2023
Discover the intriguing evolution of professional wrestling from legitimate sport to theatrical spectacle. Explore the role of kayfabe and the significance of its preservation. Delve into wrestling's rich history, including the carnival influences that shaped its theatrical presentation. Meet key figures like Frank Gotch and the legendary rivalries that fueled its popularity. Uncover how economic pressures and staged matches transformed wrestling into a captivating spectacle, challenging perceptions of reality and performance.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Enemies In The Ring, Friends Off‑Camera
- Sebastian Major tells the story of Hacksaw Jim Duggan and the Iron Sheik being real-life friends despite an on‑screen feud. Both were arrested together in 1987, which threatened kayfabe and briefly got them fired from the WWF.
Kayfabe As Ritualized Illusion
- Kayfabe was the industry's secret code meaning wrestlers must never admit matches were staged. Promoters repaired exposures by simply doubling down on kayfabe, making the illusion more elaborate.
Spectacle Over Sporting Truth
- Roland Barthes framed wrestling as a "spectacle of excess" where what matters is the image, not truth. Sebastian Major uses this to argue wrestling's power lies in theatrical symbolism rather than competitive authenticity.