What makes wrestling professional, part 2

Historically catch-as-catch-can may and must be regarded as the basis of all pro wrestling, not only speaking of time before or during the 80’s but also after that era. In that particular art there was nothing more important than the quality of contact, though it must be mentioned that underlining the fact in this very context feels absurd to say the least. The aim of a skilled catch-wrestler was to create situations advantageous for him, which would not only allow him to constantly go for different forms of submission holds but also maintain the attack despite of any attempt of defence or counter from the opponent’s part. Thus it was inevitable that the opponent would, sooner or later, be driven to a dead-end with this strategy, meaning having him either pinned or submitted. The old term “hooking” actually refers to a similar action that happens in fishing: to have the fish caught with the hook isn’t enough, it is yet to be pulled from the water which is a process of its own. Likewise, in the catch-as-catch-can philosophy the opponent is to be put under such barrage of intense grappling that it becomes impossible for him to break loose anymore.

Many of today’s wrestlers choose to train their muscles bodybuilding-style, although some of those whose style is more aerial do focus on acrobatics. The problem is that neither method, useful as they may be, is best possible when we think about the art itself as wrestling not a competition of brawn or gymnastics. The goal being efficiency in grappling one should really exercise the body with moves that are meant and developed for wrestlers and their training. Understanding this properly will lead the individual to select such forms of exercise that utilize bodyweight and comprise the extension of muscles as well as flexing them, the result ultimately being that both physical ability and looks become adequate; what is expected from a person representing the sport of wrestling.

As time passes changes obviously do take place, a fact concerning all phenomena in the long run. Judo, elaborated in the 19^th century, is very different from Jiu-Jitsu practised in Japan’s feudal age; MMA these days is nothing like the first Ultimate Fighting tournaments etc. There is transformation from what was before due to outside factors and those that work from within too, and we are not to try to prevent the natural course of things from happening. Still, it is reasonable to analyze this progress and question whether it is or is not desirable, asking ourselves what the essence should be and what we want it to be. Up to what point is our wrestling “professional,” what is the prerequisite and what are the chances for the art to remain the way we think it should. Is there any need for criteria? Who is to say to which direction the sport should be taken – the audience, the wrestlers, future participants or the sport itself?

Pro wrestling has traditionally been called The Sport of Kings. Later on in history a new definition was given in Japan; a parallel one: The King of Sports. My will is to value the completeness of strategy more than anything, so there be no satisfying with anything less than what’s been declared above. Because the most sophisticated forms of martial arts are often described as “poetry in motion” it is not enough that this poetry is only being kept from decaying to the worse meaning – it must be it at the very best to stay!

Waino Ketonen