Drake Hayes attending a Smackdown show The Xavierite
“Finish… the… story,” Cody Rhodes pinned Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 40 and Rhode’s music hit. The crowd roared and vibrated Lincoln Financial Field. I watched this happen along with four of my best friends and we were ecstatic. We watched as Rhodes received his first WWE World Title and it was one of my most memorable moments as a wrestling fan. And yet, people will say this isn’t a sport.
It’s disheartening as a sports entertainment fan to hear people utter the words, “It’s not a sport.” I don’t understand how people can say that, yet they watch reality television and say that’s real television. It’s a major double standard in the sports that people subscribe to and normalize.
Sports entertainment is a display of artwork from athletes. In a way, it is acting but it’s more sophisticated than just acting. It’s a fight. Every move you see performed that person takes damage. Although the athletes do protect themselves from some hits or their opponent, they have to take that hit.
Can you blame someone for trying to protect themselves from Professional Wrestler Roman Reigns, leaping from six feet away to tackle them? Even if that doesn’t sound too bad, what if you had Professional Wrestler, Nia Jax, dropping her full body weight on top of you. If you really want an excuse to protect yourself in a ring, try getting slapped across the chest from Professional Wrestler Gunther who has a whip for an arm.
Some of these athletes do actually get hurt from performing. Injuries are a part of any sport including sports entertainers. On the night of Jan. 27, 2025, Professional Wrestler JD McDonagh suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung off of a failed move. McDonagh was attempting to jump off of the ropes and fell onto his opponents out of the ring. When he jumped, McDonagh landed and his momentum carried him too far and he collided with the announcers table. The replay was very scary, and luckily for him, he was able to finish the match. Currently, he is taking time off.
“But wrestlers aren’t real athletes,” that is far from the truth. Professional wrestlers are some of the most athletically gifted people on the planet. From strength to speed and leaping ability they have it all. Most professional wrestlers are former athletes. For example, Professional Wrestler Bianca Belair was a former collegiate track and field athlete. According to an article on RingsideIntel.com, Belair was All-SEC and an All-American Honors. Professional Wrestler Bobby Lashley had a career in MMA. According to Sherdog.com, Lashley had a 15-2 record in his time in MMA.
All names I’ve given are in the World Wrestling Entertainment brand, with an exception of Lashley who is now with All Elite Wrestling. Lashley signed in the fall of 2024 after WWE decided not to re-sign him. Professional wrestling is a business and there is an economy in WWE just like the NFL, NBA, NHL, and etc. Like any professional sport, in order to be a part of the team you need a contract. The same goes for WWE and the same way people can get signed is the same way people can be released.
If that isn’t compelling enough to consider professional wrestling a sport there’s also another aspect that happens once a year which is a draft. Yes, you can get drafted as a professional wrestler. It’s mainly an opportunity for wrestlers on the show NXT to get brought up to either Smackdown or Raw, which is considered, which is another show WWE owns that serves as a G League for wrestlers. Don’t underestimate them, there is a lot of talent there.
One of the most fascinating things to see is the emotional attachment. I’ve watched many sports in my lifetime and have seen many emotional fans, but none compare to diehard professional wrestling fans. The same way they all sing along to Rhodes theme song, they will show their displeasure toward Professional Wrestler, Dominik Mysterio speak. Which gives all the more reason to why professional wrestling is a sport. In all, people need to accept professional wrestling not only as an artform, but as a sport.