Is professional wrestling the most powerful martial art?

[Drathnoxis]

Well, is it?

I dare any of you to contend otherwise!

 

[Blood Brain Barrier]

martial
ˈmɑːʃ(&#601l/
adjective: relating to fighting or war.

Since professional wrestling involves neither fighting nor war, I'd venture to say "no".

 

[Chimpzy_v1legacy]

Only when the opponent plays along with the script.

 

[Phoenixmgs_v1legacy]

Doesn't CM Punk losing his UFC matches prove otherwise?

 

[Smithnikov_v1legacy]

Only when the opponent plays along with the script.

Rasslin nerd moment here, buuuuutt...

Most matches don't have a script at all. Those involved will verbally lay out the really flashy and dangerous sequences they'll do, but the rest is mainly improv'd or they'll call a spot while the match is going on.

Promos are scripted now, but they used to be completely improvised, and were a lot better.

 

[Pseudonym]

Yes, obviously. Have you seen them hit people with metal ladders? Nothing can stand up to that.

 

[Smithnikov_v1legacy]

Well, also ask yourself, could you fight under these conditions?


Don't fuck with Japan.

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

Professional wrestling is soap opera for men.

 

[Drathnoxis]

martial
ˈmɑːʃ(&#601l/
adjective: relating to fighting or war.

Since professional wrestling involves neither fighting nor war, I'd venture to say "no".

Professional wrestling has never been used in war ONLY because the use of such would be so devastating as to be classified as a war crime!

Yes, obviously. Have you seen them hit people with metal ladders? Nothing can stand up to that.

Exactly! This is what I'm talking about! What other fighting form can turn such everyday objects into weapons with such RAW DESTRUCTION capabilities!

 

[Palindromemordnilap_v1legacy]

Only when the opponent plays along with the script.

I mean, doesn't that describe quite a lot of martial arts?

 

[ObsidianJones_v1legacy]

Exactly! This is what I'm talking about! What other fighting form can turn such everyday objects into weapons with such RAW DESTRUCTION capabilities!

Well, Ninjustu.

For instance the Kama [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kama_(weapon)], the Tonfa [https://blackbeltmag.com/martial-arts-weapons/how-the-tonfa-became-one-of-traditional-karate-deadliest-weapons/], the Sai [http://www-cs.canisius.edu/~cody2/Library/Database/Sai.htm]...

Wait. I'm supposed to sell?

Oh... NOTHING COMES CLOSE TO WRESTLING'S WEAPONS!!! MAH GAWD, THAT MAN HAS A FOLDING CHAIR! DON'T CALL THE ARMY, THEY WILL BE USELESS!!!

*ahem*

 

[Silentpony_v1legacy]

No, straight up. Its acting, theater. Its not a martial art at all. Those 'wrestlers' are basically dancing.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Actually, yeah. I mean, it really rakes in the viewers, and that's a form of power. Right?

 

[Drathnoxis]

Exactly! This is what I'm talking about! What other fighting form can turn such everyday objects into weapons with such RAW DESTRUCTION capabilities!

Well, Ninjustu.

For instance the Kama [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kama_(weapon)], the Tonfa [https://blackbeltmag.com/martial-arts-weapons/how-the-tonfa-became-one-of-traditional-karate-deadliest-weapons/], the Sai [http://www-cs.canisius.edu/~cody2/Library/Database/Sai.htm]...

Wait. I'm supposed to sell?

Oh... NOTHING COMES CLOSE TO WRESTLING'S WEAPONS!!! MAH GAWD, THAT MAN HAS A FOLDING CHAIR! DON'T CALL THE ARMY, THEY WILL BE USELESS!!!

*ahem*

Finally, now you're starting to get it!

No, straight up. Its acting, theater. Its not a martial art at all. Those 'wrestlers' are basically dancing.

Typical. Jealous words from someone who dedicated themselves to an inferior fighting style.

Professional wrestling is soap opera for men.

Soap operas are fake, you can't fake a suplex!

 

[Saelune]

A scripted punch to the face is still a punch to the face. If people want to criticize 'professional wrestling' for being scripted, fine, that's fair. But we need to stop downplaying the physical requirements and tests of endurance in those scripts.

 

[Smithnikov_v1legacy]

Exactly! This is what I'm talking about! What other fighting form can turn such everyday objects into weapons with such RAW DESTRUCTION capabilities!

Well, Ninjustu.

For instance the Kama [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kama_(weapon)], the Tonfa [https://blackbeltmag.com/martial-arts-weapons/how-the-tonfa-became-one-of-traditional-karate-deadliest-weapons/], the Sai [http://www-cs.canisius.edu/~cody2/Library/Database/Sai.htm]...

Wait. I'm supposed to sell?

Oh... NOTHING COMES CLOSE TO WRESTLING'S WEAPONS!!! MAH GAWD, THAT MAN HAS A FOLDING CHAIR! DON'T CALL THE ARMY, THEY WILL BE USELESS!!!

*ahem*

Who says wrestlers can't use those other weapons too?

FMW was nutty, yo.

 

[Pseudonym]

No, straight up. Its acting, theater. Its not a martial art at all. Those 'wrestlers' are basically dancing.

 

[Palindromemordnilap_v1legacy]

A scripted punch to the face is still a punch to the face. If people want to criticize 'professional wrestling' for being scripted, fine, that's fair. But we need to stop downplaying the physical requirements and tests of endurance in those scripts.

Martial arts fight: Not scripted per se but highly controlled and safety conscious. Neither opponent does anything unexpected, use of weaponry is limited, moves can often be for show rather than practicality depending on discipline. If either fighter seriously hurts the other, they?re doing it wrong.

Professional wrestling fight: Scripted but by no means safe. Moves entirely for show meaning they can actually be as dangerous as they look since safety gear spoils the illusion. Liberal use of heavy objects as weaponry with, again, no safety gear. Injuries are quite likely and you are expected to simply power through them because that?s kayfabe baby.

So yeah, I do suspect a lot of the snobbery from martial artists towards wrestling is based less on logic and more on them realising that their own art is a little more scripted than they care to admit and being a teensy bit insecure about it

 

[Lufia Erim]

What's that martial art that focuses on grappling?

 

[Marik2]

Wild west thread