Is WWE a Sport?
Contents
Is WWE a Sport? The jury is still out on that one. Some say it is, some say it’s not.
Introduction
WWE, formerly known as World Wrestling Entertainment, is an American entertainment company that deals primarily in professional wrestling. WWE has also branched out into other areas of entertainment, such as movies, football, and reality television.
What is WWE?
WWE is an entertainment company that produces professional wrestling events. It is not a sport because there are predetermined outcomes to the matches. However, it is a very popular form of entertainment.
WWE’s History
WWE is a publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling. WWE also has branches in other fields, such as movies, real estate, product licensing, and direct product sales (through WWEShop). Vince McMahon is the majority owner, chairman, and CEO of WWE. The company’s headquarters are located in Stamford, Connecticut with offices in New York City, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai and Tokyo.
WWE has long been considered an entertainment company rather than a sporting one because kayfabe (a wrestling term for the portrayal of events within the industry as being real) was never broken on television. This changed on November 9th 1997 when “Bret Hart” (real name Bret Harte) was scheduled to lose to Shawn Michaels in the WWF Championship match at Survivor Series. Bret had already announced his intention to leave for rival promotion WCW at the conclusion of his contract which expired on that date. Vince McMahon then informed Bret that he had to lose the match as Shawn Michaels was the future of the company. Bret refused to do this and a backstage argument ensued between himself and McMahon. As a result of this altercation Bret was screwed out of the title (later known as the Montreal Screwjob) by McMahon and referee Earl Hebner on live PPV. Following this event it became apparent to fans that kayfabe was no longer something that would be stuck to by those involved in pro-wrestling.
Despite WWE’s denial that it is not a sport, various athletic commissions have recognized it as such for licensing purposes. In 2000,the New York State Athletic Commission classed WWE as a sport after Vince McMahon testified that WWE was indeed a sport and not pre-determined entertainment. In 2008 Pennsylvania’s athletic commission followed suit. However it should be noted that other states have taken the opposite stance; California’s athletic commission have stated that they do not consider WWE to be a sport while Ohio uses a combination of both classifications depending on which brand is running shows in their state at any given time (RAW being classed as entertainment while SmackDown is classed as a sport).
WWE Today
WWE is an American entertainment company that is primarily known for professional wrestling. Though it hasevolved over the years into a multi-platform entertainment company, it still retains its roots in wrestling. In recent years, WWE has come under scrutiny for its treatment of wrestlers, with many alleging that the company does not do enough to take care of its performers both during and after their time with WWE.
Is WWE a Sport?
WWE is a entertainment company that features scripted, athletic performances. While the matches are predetermined, the athletes train like any other athlete would to be able to properly and physically execute thescripted events. Whether or not WWE is a sport has been a topic of discussion for many years.
The Argument For
Wrestling is a form of entertainment that has been around for centuries. It is a physically demanding activity that requires athleticism, strength, and conditioning. While the outcomes of matches are often predetermined, the performers still put their bodies at risk every time they step into the ring. There is no question that professional wrestling takes physical skill and talent.
The Argument Against
WWE does not adhere to traditional sporting rules or regulations. There are no weight classes, and matches are often pre-determined. In addition, there is very little athleticism required to be a successful WWE wrestler.
Critics argue that WWE is more entertainment than sport. The matches are scripted, and the outcomes are predetermined. While there may be some physicality involved, it is not on the same level as traditional sports such as football or basketball.
In addition, WWE has been embroiled in numerous controversies over the years. These have included cases of sexual harassment, steroid use, and concussions.
Conclusion
WWE is a unique entertainment product and while it has elements of sport, it is not a sport. The company’s position as a entertainment business is reinforced by the fact that it does not adhere to many of the traditional sporting regulations, such as drug testing, injuries and matches decided before they take place.
