Professional wrestling has a language of its own, designed to protect the business and keep the magic alive.
Wrestlers and insiders use this unique slang to communicate without revealing secrets to the audience.
Many of these terms trace their roots back to carny talk, a coded language used by traveling carnival workers to keep outsiders in the dark.
From “kayfabe” to “jobber,” these words help shape the drama, rivalries, and spectacle that make wrestling so thrilling.
Wrestling Slang
Angle
An “angle” in professional wrestling refers to a planned storyline, feud, or situation designed to build drama and entertain the audience.
Angles can involve betrayals, rivalries, alliances, or shocking moments that keep fans engaged.
A well-executed angle helps elevate wrestlers and drive ticket sales, often culminating in a high-profile match.
Examples in sentences:
- “The latest angle between the two wrestlers has fans on the edge of their seats.”
- “His heel turn was one of the most shocking angles in years.”
- “They crafted an angle where the champion would lose controversially to set up a rematch.”
- “The angle involving the masked attacker will finally pay off at the next pay-per-view.”
- “This angle has brought in a lot of new viewers to the promotion.”
Babyface
A “babyface” (or simply “face”) is a wrestler who portrays a heroic or likable character that the audience is meant to cheer for.
Babyfaces often follow the rules, stand up against villains (heels), and are portrayed as role models.
Many legendary wrestlers, such as Hulk Hogan and John Cena, built their careers as dominant babyfaces.
Examples in sentences:
- “The babyface made a dramatic comeback to win the championship.”
- “His charisma and connection with the crowd make him a natural babyface.”
- “The veteran wrestler turned babyface after years of playing the villain.”
- “Fans were upset when their favorite babyface was unfairly attacked by the heel.”
- “Every great babyface needs a strong heel to feud with.”
Blade
In wrestling, a “blade” is a small razor or piece of metal used for blading.
Blading is cutting oneself to create “color” (blood) during a match.
Wrestlers often hide the blade in their wrist tape or gear and use it discreetly to enhance the intensity of a match.
Some promotions banned blading, while others embraced it as part of hardcore wrestling storytelling.
Examples in sentences:
- “He discreetly pulled out a blade to add some color to the match.”
- “Blading with a fresh blade ensures a clean cut, but it’s still risky.”
- “He got caught using a blade and was fined by the promotion.”
- “Back in the day, veterans taught younger wrestlers how to properly use a blade.”
- “Some wrestlers keep a blade hidden in their wrist tape for easy access.”
Blading
“Blading” is when a wrestler intentionally cuts themselves, usually on the forehead, to create the appearance of real injury.
This practice is often used in hardcore or old-school wrestling to add realism and drama to a match.
However, many modern promotions discourage or ban blading due to health and safety concerns.
Examples in sentences:
- “He got caught blading and was reprimanded by the company.”
- “Blading is an old-school trick to make a match look more intense.”
- “Some wrestlers prefer hardway bleeding instead of blading.”
- “Blading too deep can be dangerous and lead to excessive blood loss.”
- “The veteran showed the rookie how to blade properly without getting caught.”
Chemistry
“Chemistry” in wrestling refers to how well two wrestlers work together in the ring.
When wrestlers have great chemistry, their matches appear more fluid, intense, and entertaining.
Some rivalries and tag teams become legendary because of the incredible chemistry between the performers.
Examples in sentences:
- “Their chemistry in the ring made every match a must-see event.”
- “The new tag team is still developing chemistry, but they have potential.”
- “Even though they were bitter rivals, their chemistry made for some of the best matches of the decade.”
- “Chemistry isn’t just about moves—it’s about storytelling and timing.”
- “Some wrestlers click instantly, while others struggle to find chemistry.”
Color
In wrestling, “color” refers to blood, typically when a wrestler bleeds during a match to heighten the drama.
Wrestlers sometimes intentionally cut themselves (a practice called “blading”) to produce color, while other times, it happens accidentally due to hard-hitting moves.
Promotions with a more hardcore or old-school style often emphasize color as part of their storytelling.
Examples in sentences:
- “That match had a lot of color after he got busted open.”
- “The veteran knew how to get just the right amount of color to sell the story.”
- “Color can make a brutal match look even more intense.”
- “Back in the day, wrestlers used to blade to add color to their matches.”
- “The ref had to check on him because of all the color he was losing.”
Draw
A “draw” in wrestling is a performer who brings in fans, whether through ticket sales, merchandise, or TV ratings.
The biggest stars in wrestling history, such as Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, were massive draws.
Being a draw is a key factor in a wrestler’s success and earning power.
Examples in sentences:
- “The champion is the biggest draw in the company right now.”
- “He may not be the best technical wrestler, but he’s a major draw.”
- “The promotion relies on its biggest stars to be consistent draws.”
- “Some wrestlers are great in the ring but don’t have the star power to be a draw.”
- “The new wrestler quickly became a top draw after an incredible debut.”
Finish
The “finish” is the conclusion of a wrestling match, often involving a big move, pinfall, or controversial moment.
A well-planned finish helps tell the story of a match and can build anticipation for future events.
Different types of finishes include clean finishes, screwjob finishes, and surprise finishes.
Examples in sentences:
- “The match had a controversial finish that left fans talking.”
- “They rehearsed the finish multiple times to make sure it looked perfect.”
- “A strong finish can turn a good match into a great one.”
- “The finish was changed at the last minute to set up a rematch.”
- “The crowd exploded when the underdog pulled off the surprise finish.”
Finisher
A “finisher” is a signature move that a wrestler uses to secure victory.
Finishers are often the most powerful and recognizable moves in a wrestler’s arsenal.
Famous examples include the Stone Cold Stunner, the Tombstone Piledriver, and the RKO.
A well-protected finisher can make a wrestler look dominant.
Examples in sentences:
- “His finisher is one of the most feared moves in wrestling.”
- “She kicked out of his finisher, shocking the audience.”
- “A wrestler’s finisher needs to look devastating to be effective.”
- “He debuted a new finisher to surprise his opponents.”
- “The crowd erupted when he hit his finisher out of nowhere.”
Gig
A “gig” is a small razor blade that wrestlers use to make themselves bleed intentionally, a process known as “blading.”
This technique is used to add realism and intensity to matches.
Many wrestlers hide the gig in their wrist tape or tights to cut discreetly.
Examples in sentences:
- “He used a gig to add color to the match.”
- “Blading with a gig was common in the old-school wrestling days.”
- “Some wrestlers refuse to use a gig and prefer to bleed naturally.”
- “The referee discreetly took the gig away after the wrestler used it.”
- “He gigged too deep and ended up bleeding more than intended.”
Green
In wrestling, “green” refers to a wrestler who is new to the business and lacks experience.
Green wrestlers often struggle with timing, selling moves, and working safely in the ring.
With time and training, a green wrestler can develop into a polished performer.
Examples in sentences:
- “He’s still green, but he has a lot of potential.”
- “The veteran had to carry the match because his opponent was too green.”
- “They’re not putting him in big matches yet because he’s too green.”
- “You can tell she’s green by the way she moves in the ring.”
- “Being green isn’t a bad thing—it just means you have a lot to learn.”
House Show
A “house show” is a wrestling event held for a live audience but not broadcast on TV.
These shows allow wrestlers to experiment with their matches, test new moves, and entertain the crowd without storyline pressure.
Since house shows are not televised, wrestlers have more creative freedom.
Examples in sentences:
- “The champion defended his title at a house show in Chicago.”
- “House shows give wrestlers a chance to connect with the audience.”
- “Sometimes, unexpected title changes happen at house shows.”
- “He made his debut at a house show before appearing on TV.”
- “House shows often have a more relaxed atmosphere than TV tapings.”
Indies
The “indies” (short for independent promotions) refer to smaller wrestling organizations that operate outside of major companies like WWE or AEW.
Many wrestlers start in the indies to gain experience before getting signed to a bigger promotion.
The indie scene is known for its passionate fans, innovative matches, and underground appeal.
Examples in sentences:
- “He made a name for himself in the indies before signing with WWE.”
- “The indies are where you find the most creative and high-flying wrestling.”
- “She’s one of the top indie wrestlers in the world right now.”
- “Many indie wrestlers dream of getting their big break on national television.”
- “The indie scene is filled with hungry wrestlers trying to prove themselves.”
Job
To “job” in wrestling means to lose a match, usually to make another wrestler look dominant.
While jobbing might seem negative, many wrestlers make a career out of being reliable performers who help build up others.
Examples in sentences:
- “He did the job to the new guy to help him look strong.”
- “Veterans sometimes job to younger talent to pass the torch.”
- “He’s been jobbing a lot lately—maybe he’s on his way out of the company.”
- “Not every job is a burial; sometimes, it’s part of a bigger story.”
- “Some wrestlers refuse to job, even when it makes sense for the storyline.”
Jobber
A “jobber” is a wrestler whose main role is to lose matches, often quickly and dominantly, to build up other wrestlers.
Some jobbers become fan favorites due to their perseverance, while others remain unknown enhancement talent.
Examples in sentences:
- “The jobber got squashed in under two minutes.”
- “Even though he was a jobber, fans respected his dedication.”
- “The company brought in some jobbers to make the new champion look strong.”
- “Some of today’s biggest stars started out as jobbers.”
- “A good jobber knows how to make their opponent look great.”
Kayfabe
“Kayfabe” refers to the traditional practice of keeping wrestling’s scripted nature a secret.
Wrestlers and promoters maintain kayfabe by staying in character and treating storylines as real.
While kayfabe has loosened in modern wrestling, it remains a core part of the industry.
Examples in sentences:
- “Back in the day, wrestlers protected kayfabe at all costs.”
- “Breaking kayfabe can ruin a storyline’s believability.”
- “Even though everyone knows wrestling is scripted, kayfabe still exists.”
- “Some wrestlers keep kayfabe alive even on social media.”
- “Kayfabe makes wrestling more fun by letting fans suspend disbelief.”
Mark
A “mark” is a fan who fully buys into wrestling storylines or overly idolizes certain wrestlers.
In the past, marks were those who believed wrestling was 100% real.
Today, the term is also used to describe passionate fans who get too emotionally invested in the product.
Examples in sentences:
- “That guy is such a mark—he actually thinks they hate each other in real life.”
- “The best wrestlers know how to work the marks and get them emotionally invested.”
- “Some wrestlers love playing up to the marks on social media.”
- “A good storyline will make even the smartest fans feel like marks.”
- “He was a mark as a kid but later became a wrestler himself.”
No Show
A “no show” happens when a wrestler fails to appear at a booked event without prior notice.
This can damage their reputation and frustrate promoters and fans.
Sometimes, no-shows are legitimate emergencies, but other times, they’re due to contract disputes or personal issues.
Examples in sentences:
- “The main event had to be changed because the challenger no-showed.”
- “No-showing a booking without a good reason can get you blacklisted.”
- “The fans were disappointed when their favorite wrestler no-showed.”
- “He had a reputation for being unreliable after multiple no-shows.”
- “Some wrestlers no-show events as a protest against bad booking.”
Over
Being “over” means that a wrestler has connected with the audience, whether as a beloved hero or a hated villain.
A wrestler can get over through charisma, skill, or strong storytelling.
The ultimate goal in wrestling is to get over with the fans.
Examples in sentences:
- “She finally got over with the crowd after months of great matches.”
- “He’s been struggling to get over despite a major push.”
- “A wrestler can be over as a face or a heel, depending on how the fans react.”
- “The best wrestlers stay over no matter what storyline they’re in.”
- “Merchandise sales are a good indicator of how over a wrestler is.”
Pop
A “pop” is when the crowd erupts in cheers or boos in response to something exciting.
A big pop can come from a surprise return, a dramatic moment, or a beloved wrestler winning a match.
The bigger the pop, the more invested the audience is.
Examples in sentences:
- “The surprise entrance got the biggest pop of the night.”
- “Nothing compares to the pop of a hometown hero winning a title.”
- “Even though he’s a heel, he still gets huge pops from the crowd.”
- “A deafening pop filled the arena when the legend returned.”
- “She worked hard for years to finally get a pop like that.”
Potato
A “potato” happens when a wrestler accidentally strikes their opponent too hard, often due to miscommunication or bad timing.
Some wrestlers throw potatoes on purpose if they’re unhappy with their opponent, leading to real tension in the ring.
Examples in sentences:
- “He got potatoed by a stiff punch to the jaw.”
- “They were working snug, but that suplex was a total potato.”
- “After getting potatoed, he gave his opponent a receipt.”
- “Potatoes happen sometimes, especially with inexperienced wrestlers.”
- “He apologized backstage for the accidental potato during the match.”
Push
A “push” happens when a wrestling promotion decides to elevate a wrestler by giving them more wins, title shots, and screen time.
A push can lead to superstardom, but if a wrestler fails to connect with the audience, the push may be dropped.
Examples in sentences:
- “He’s getting a major push toward the world title.”
- “The fans rejected her push because it felt too forced.”
- “Some wrestlers never get the push they deserve.”
- “Creative had big plans for his push, but an injury ruined it.”
- “Backstage politics can sometimes determine who gets pushed.”
Receipt
A “receipt” in wrestling is when a wrestler deliberately hits back after receiving a stiff or careless shot.
It’s a way of keeping respect in the ring without turning a match into a real fight.
Examples in sentences:
- “After getting hit too hard, he gave his opponent a receipt.”
- “He knew a receipt was coming after that stiff elbow.”
- “Receipts are common when wrestlers work too rough.”
- “She threw a receipt to let him know she didn’t appreciate the potato.”
- “Back in the day, receipts were part of the business.”
Rib
A “rib” is a joke played on another wrestler, sometimes harmless, sometimes extreme.
Wrestling culture has a long history of ribs, and while some are good-natured, others can be mean-spirited or even dangerous.
Examples in sentences:
- “He fell for an old-school rib in the locker room.”
- “Some wrestlers are known for pulling legendary ribs.”
- “The rib went too far, and management had to step in.”
- “He was the target of constant ribs as a rookie.”
- “One of the funniest ribs ever was swapping his entrance music.”
Shoot
A “shoot” refers to anything in wrestling that is legitimate and not part of the script.
If a wrestler breaks character and speaks their real thoughts, it’s called a shoot promo.
A shoot fight occurs when things get real in the ring.
Examples in sentences:
- “That wasn’t part of the show—he went off on a shoot.”
- “The interview turned into a full-on shoot when he spoke his mind.”
- “They got into a shoot fight after a stiff exchange.”
- “Some wrestlers are known for blending shoots with storylines.”
- “A well-done shoot promo can add realism to wrestling.”
Stiff
A “stiff” move is when a wrestler hits harder than usual, either accidentally or on purpose.
Some wrestlers are known for working stiff, making their moves look more realistic.
While stiffness can add intensity to a match, too much can lead to injuries.
Examples in sentences:
- “That forearm was way too stiff—he nearly knocked him out!”
- “He’s known for working stiff, but it makes his matches look real.”
- “After taking a stiff clothesline, he had to get checked by medical staff.”
- “Some wrestlers prefer a stiff style, while others avoid it.”
- “The chop was so stiff it left a handprint on his chest.”
Turn
A “turn” occurs when a wrestler changes their alignment, going from good to bad (heel turn) or from bad to good (face turn).
A well-executed turn can shake up a storyline and excite the audience.
Examples in sentences:
- “His heel turn shocked the entire crowd.”
- “The long-awaited face turn finally happened at the pay-per-view.”
- “She teased a turn for weeks before finally attacking her partner.”
- “A well-executed turn can make or break a wrestler’s career.”
- “Some wrestlers turn so often that fans never know what to expect.”
Undercard
The “undercard” consists of matches that take place before the main event.
These matches often feature midcard or up-and-coming wrestlers looking to make a name for themselves.
While not as high-profile, undercard matches can still steal the show.
Examples in sentences:
- “He started on the undercard before working his way up to main events.”
- “Some of the best matches happen on the undercard.”
- “She had an undercard match that impressed everyone.”
- “Undercard feuds can be just as entertaining as the main event.”
- “A strong undercard keeps the audience engaged before the big matches.”
Valet
A “valet” is someone, often a female performer, who accompanies a wrestler to the ring to enhance their presentation.
Valets typically do not wrestle but play a role in storylines by interfering in matches, distracting opponents, or adding to a wrestler’s overall image.
Examples in sentences:
- “His valet always made a dramatic entrance alongside him.”
- “The valet played a key role in helping him win the match.”
- “She transitioned from valet to full-time wrestler.”
- “Valets add a layer of showmanship to wrestling characters.”
- “A well-matched valet can boost a wrestler’s presence.”
Work
A “work” refers to anything in wrestling that is scripted or part of the show. This includes matches, promos, and storylines. If something appears real but is actually scripted, it’s called a “worked shoot.”
Examples in sentences:
- “That heated argument was just a work to build hype.”
- “Fans couldn’t tell if the injury was a real shoot or just a work.”
- “A good work blurs the line between fiction and reality.”
- “He played along with the work to keep the story going.”
- “Sometimes wrestlers stay in character even outside the ring to protect the work.”
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Founder -
@PollyWebster
Polly Webster is the founder of Foreign Lingo and a seasoned traveler with a decade of exploration under her belt.
Over the past 10 years, she has journeyed to numerous countries around the globe, immersing herself in diverse cultures, traditions, and languages.
Drawing from her rich experiences, Polly now writes insightful articles about travel, languages, traditions, and cultures, sharing her unique perspectives and invaluable tips with her readers.