Words Pro Wrestlers Say: Semantics, Semiotics and Speech

Once the term "sports entertainment" became synonymous with professional wrestling, the focus became much less about the sport itself and more about the spectacle. Arguably, the most popular and successful pro wrestlers are those who have sharpened their microphone skills to such a high caliber that they have already worked the fans into a frenzy before the in-ring grappling ever takes place.

This work examines the crucial intersection between the spoken word and athletic performance in professional wrestling. Providing examples and illustrations, it demonstrates how language has superseded the in-ring display, which historically took precedence.