Professional wrestling, often shortened to pro wrestling or simply wrestling, is a form of performance art and entertainment that combines athletics with theatrical performance. It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, that mimic a title-match combat sport. The unique form of sport portrayed is fundamentally based on and evolved from classical and "catch" wrestling, with modern additions of striking attacks, strength-based holds and throws and acrobatic maneuvers. Much of these derive from the influence of various international martial arts. An additional aspect of combat with improvised weaponry is sometimes included.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a WWE, is an American integrated media and entertainment company that is primarily known for professional wrestling. WWE has also branched out into other fields, including movies, football, and various other business ventures.
Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "concept" or "gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some of them occur relatively frequently while others are developed so as to advance an angle and such match types are used rarely. Because of professional wrestling's long history over decades, many things have been recycled. These match types can be organized into several loose groups.
Dwayne Douglas Johnson, also known by his ring name The Rock, is an American-Canadian actor, producer, businessman, retired professional wrestler, and former professional football player. He was a professional wrestler for the World Wrestling Federation for eight years prior to pursuing an acting career. His films have grossed over $3.5 billion in North America and over $10.5 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing box-office stars of all time.
Óscar Gutiérrez, better known by his ring name Rey Mysterio, is a Mexican-American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand. According to ESPN, he is "widely regarded as the greatest cruiserweight in pro wrestling history".
Terry Gene Bollea, better known by his ring name as Hulk Hogan, is an American retired professional wrestler, actor, television personality, entrepreneur, and musician. According to IGN, Hogan is "the most recognized wrestling star worldwide and the most popular wrestler of the 1980s".
Mark William Calaway, better known by the ring name The Undertaker, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE.
John Felix Anthony Cena Jr. is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television presenter. He is currently signed to the WWE on a part-time deal, is the current host of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? on Nickelodeon and has starred in various films.
Christopher Michael Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler. During his 22-year career, Benoit worked for numerous promotions including the World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment (WWF/WWE), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Industry journalist Dave Meltzer considered him "one of the top 10, maybe even the top 5, all-time greats".
Christopher Keith Irvine, better known by his ring name Chris Jericho, is an American-Canadian professional wrestler, musician, podcaster, author, actor, and entrepreneur, currently signed to both All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). In professional wrestling, he is also well known for appearances in WWE between 1999 and 2018. Noted for his over-the-top, rock star persona, Jericho has been named by journalists and industry colleagues as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.
Impact Wrestling is an American professional wrestling promotion founded in Nashville, Tennessee. The promotion operates via its parent company Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, LLC, a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment. As of 2019, the company made an annual profitable revenue of $133,213.
Randall Mario Poffo, better known by his ring name Randy Savage, was an American professional wrestler, commentator, actor, rapper, and professional baseball player best known for his time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and later World Championship Wrestling (WCW) with the nickname "Macho Man".
David Michael Bautista Jr. is an American actor, retired professional wrestler, former mixed martial artist and bodybuilder.
Jeffrey Nero Hardy is an American professional wrestler and musician. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand.
Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of jargon throughout its existence. Much of it stems from the industry's origins in the days of carnivals and circuses. In the past, professional wrestlers used such terms in the presence of fans so as not to reveal the worked nature of the business. In recent years, widespread discussion on the Internet has popularized these terms. Many of the terms refer to the financial aspects of professional wrestling in addition to in-ring terms.
Owen James Hart was a Canadian–American professional and amateur wrestler who worked for several promotions including Stampede Wrestling, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He received most of his success in the WWF, where he wrestled under both his own name and the ring name The Blue Blazer.
Cody Garrett Runnels Rhodes is an American professional wrestler, promoter, businessman, and actor, better known by the ring name Cody Rhodes or simply Cody. He is an executive vice president of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he also performs as an in-ring talent and is the inaugural and current AEW TNT Champion.
Saraya-Jade Bevis, better known by the ring name Paige, is an English professional wrestling personality and retired professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE, where she is a two-time Divas Champion and was the inaugural NXT Women's Champion in the developmental branch NXT, at one time holding both championships simultaneously.
All Elite Wrestling, LLC (AEW) is an American professional wrestling promotion founded in 2019. Its inception was announced by entrepreneurs Shahid Khan and his son Tony, with the former acting as the promotion's lead investor, and the latter being the founder, president and CEO of the company. Professional wrestlers Cody Rhodes as well as Matt and Nick Jackson, collectively known as The Elite, are the promotion's inaugural contracted talents. The three are serving as both in-ring performers and executive vice presidents alongside Kenny Omega, fellow professional wrestler and co-founder of The Elite.