Wrestling terminology 101: essential terms every fan should know
A complete glossary of essential wrestling terminology, moves, and concepts explained for fans new to professional wrestling.
Professional wrestling has its own language. Spotty terminology, insider slang, and a whole vocabulary that makes sense once you understand it. If you’re new to indie wrestling, this guide will help you follow conversations and understand what’s happening in the ring.
Basic concepts
The booking
Who fights whom, and in what order. “The booking for tonight’s show” refers to the lineup of matches.
The card
The full schedule of matches for an event. A wrestling event runs through a “card” from opening match to main event.
The finish
How a match ends. A clean finish means one wrestler clearly won. A dirty finish means outside interference or a rule violation affected the outcome.
Jobber
A wrestler who regularly loses matches, usually to help build up other wrestlers. The term comes from wrestlers “doing the job” (losing) for a bigger star.
Squash
A very one-sided match where one wrestler completely dominates. Often used to quickly establish that someone is strong.
Angle
A storyline or plot development. “We’re building an angle between these two wrestlers” means there’s a story developing.
In-ring action
Bump
How a wrestler safely falls to the mat. A “back bump” is falling on your back. The ability to take clean bumps without injury is fundamental to professional wrestling.
Sell
Reacting to being hit. A wrestler “sells” an opponent’s move by showing pain, stumbling, or taking time to recover. Good selling makes moves look impactful.
Spot
A planned sequence of moves, usually something visually impressive. “The spot hit perfectly” means the prearranged sequence executed well.
Blade/Blading
Cutting yourself (usually forehead) to draw real blood during a match. More common in hardcore or death match wrestling, less common in mainstream indie wrestling.
Blade job
A deliberate cut made to produce blood for storyline purposes.
Strap match
A match where both wrestlers are connected by a leather strap, preventing them from leaving the ring.
Cage match
A match contained within a steel cage. Usually the only way to win is to escape the cage or pin/submit your opponent.
Falls count anywhere
A match where pins and submissions count anywhere in the venue, not just in the ring.
Ladder match
A match where the goal is to retrieve an object (usually hanging above the ring) by climbing a ladder.
TLC match
Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. Wrestlers use all three objects as weapons and to access an object above the ring.
Moves and holds
Finisher
A wrestler’s signature finishing move. The move they use to end matches. Most wrestlers have one or two finishers.
Signature move
A move that’s closely associated with a wrestler, but not necessarily their finisher.
High spot
An impressive, usually high-flying move. A match with many high spots is “high-spotty.”
Submission hold
A hold designed to make an opponent surrender (tap out) by creating pain or threatening injury.
Foreign object
Anything not part of the ring used as a weapon. Usually results in disqualification if a referee sees it.
Weapon
Any object used to strike or damage an opponent. Bats, chairs, tables, light tubes, etc.
Wrestler types and roles
Face (or Babyface)
The good guy or hero. The crowd cheers for the face.
Heel
The villain. The crowd boos or dislikes the heel.
Turn
When a wrestler changes from face to heel or vice versa. A “turn” is a significant character change.
Tweener
A wrestler who’s neither clearly face nor heel. The crowd’s reaction is mixed.
Cruiserweight
A lighter wrestler, usually emphasizing speed and high-flying moves over strength.
Heavyweight
A larger, usually stronger wrestler.
Technical wrestler
Someone who emphasizes wrestling holds, submission moves, and technical proficiency.
High flyer
A wrestler who does high-flying moves, aerial attacks, and acrobatic offense.
Match outcomes and decisions
Pin
When a wrestler holds their opponent on their back for a three-count (referee counts 1-2-3). The pinned wrestler is defeated.
Submission
When a wrestler surrenders by tapping the mat or rope, or verbally submitting. Usually done when caught in a painful hold.
Disqualification
When a wrestler breaks the rules and is disqualified, losing the match (though they may not lose standing or titles depending on the match stipulation).
Count out
If a wrestler doesn’t return to the ring within a count (usually 10), they lose by count out.
Draw
When a match doesn’t have a clear winner (both wrestlers are counted out, time runs out, etc.).
No contest
A match result that doesn’t count as a win for either wrestler, usually due to outside interference or circumstances beyond the wrestlers’ control.
Storytelling and feuds
Feud
An extended rivalry between wrestlers that plays out across multiple matches and appearances.
Heat
When the crowd strongly dislikes a wrestler. “You’ve got great heat” is a compliment to a heel.
Babyface heat
When the crowd strongly supports a wrestler. “Getting over” as a face is building this.
Getting over
Becoming popular with the crowd. A wrestler who’s “getting over” is gaining fan support.
Heel turn
When a popular wrestler becomes a villain.
Face turn
When a villain becomes a hero.
Program
A storyline between wrestlers that typically spans multiple events.
Title program
A storyline centered around a championship title.
Production and performance
The gorilla position
The area backstage between the curtain and the ring. Named after Gorilla Monsoon’s usual position during matches. In the Gorilla Position takes its name from this wrestling term.
Hardcore match
A match with minimal rules where weapons are legal. Extreme wrestling.
Deathmatch
A match designed to be brutal, often involving weapons like light tubes, barbed wire, or broken glass.
Deathmatch wrestling
A style of wrestling emphasizing extreme, often dangerous matches.
Strong style
A wrestling style emphasizing stiff (impactful-looking) strikes and hard-hitting offense.
Lucha Libre
Mexican professional wrestling, characterized by high-flying moves, masks, and a distinct tradition.
Puroresu
Japanese professional wrestling, often featuring strong style offense and emphasis on legitimacy of the sport.
The business side
Mark
A fan who believes wrestling is entirely real (not scripted outcomes). Used affectionately now, but historically was somewhat derogatory.
Smark
A “smart mark”—a fan who knows wrestling is scripted but appreciates the craft anyway.
Worked/Work
A planned or scripted segment or match.
Shoot
Something that’s real or unscripted.
Shoot interview
An unscripted interview where a wrestler discusses reality.
Gimmick
A wrestler’s character or persona.
Over
Popular with the crowd. “That wrestler is over” means fans like them.
Push
When a promotion features a wrestler prominently, building them toward a title opportunity or main event status.
Mid-card
Mid-level wrestlers and matches. Between opener and main event.
Main event
The final match of a show, usually featuring top wrestlers.
Common shorthand
- WWE = World Wrestling Entertainment (largest promotion)
- AEW = All Elite Wrestling (major alternative promotion)
- ROH = Ring of Honor (influential indie promotion)
- GCW = Game Changer Wrestling
- IWT = Independent Wrestling Theology (cultural term)
- MVM = Match of the Year candidate
- 4WW = Four-star wrestling match
Learning more
The best way to learn wrestling terminology is to watch matches and hear commentators and wrestlers use these terms in context. Once you start watching indie wrestling regularly, this vocabulary will become second nature.
Additional resources:
- Glossary — In the Gorilla Position’s full glossary
- Interviews — Hear wrestlers discuss wrestling in their own words
- Articles — Deep dives into wrestling concepts and the indie scene
Your indie wrestling vocabulary
Now that you know the terms, you can:
- Follow wrestling commentary and understand what’s happening
- Discuss matches with other fans
- Appreciate the different styles and philosophies in indie wrestling
- Engage with the community on social media
Happy watching.