Do you consider professional wrestlers to be ATHLETES?

Answer 1

NO

3rd rate actors

Answer 2

Absolutely.

Regardless of the reputation of the WWF (oh, wait, WWE, whatever.) for being "fake" and whatnot...I can't see how anyone can question that.

The amount of physical training, running, weight lifting, choreography, and conditioning that goes into being a WWE athelete is amazing. Just look at them. The plots are fake, a lot of the blood is fake, and the "suspense" of the results of each match is fake....but those muscles, those leaps, those positions and massive amounts of sweat are all real.

Look at synchronized swimming, for example. Can you hold a perfect, poised position while treading water, timing your breath, and remembering the next twenty moves you have to make - all while staying in sync with the 5+ people around you?

Similarly, wrestlers not only have to be in incredible physical condition and remember the choreography...there is not much room for error. In our sync swim example, a large error could lead to a reduction of points and perhaps a muscle injury or a good scare from inhaling water.

In the WWE, a mistake COULD cost a life. Though the actions are faked, there is enough velocity and body mass involved with MANY maneuvers that someone, untrained, could cause a great deal of damage with. Broken bones ARE a reality of the WWE, and a broken neck is a possibility in the style of "performing art" (as I've heard it called) that they do.

There is also the competitive nature of the sport. While yes, it is predetermined and set up to being an entertainment as well as a sport, the men and women are ALL subjected to public scrutiny in regards to the way they look, the size of their muscles, their scripted persona and other attributes.

Though the WWE has a good basis of rules concerning the use of steriods and other performance-enhancing drugs, I am sure (and, with no disrespect intended, as we have seen with the sad loss of Chris Benoit) that these things are a pressure within that community.

Not to mention the fact that they are constantly travelling, attending fan events, and working out to maintain and improve their performance for the entertainment of millions. They have little time for personal interests, let alone to see the family that (if they have one) is often left behind due to a hectic road schedule.

That much dedication to ANY sport, no matter how hokey or cheesy it may be, is athleticism to a fine degree.

Answer 3

If you're talking about "professional wrestlers" like in the WWE ... They're athletic ... but I would classify them more as entertainers more than I would "athletes" -- their show isn't really a "sport" - so I hesistate to call them athletes.

If you're talking about wrestlers who train to go to the Olympics and get sponsored to train & the like... those are "professional wrestlers" who are truly ATHLETES.

Answer 4

I came up with the conclusion that wrestlers are just overpaid stuntmen. Think about it. Stuntmen do crazy things in front of a camera like jump off buildings and fly through windows and when they fight they're not really hitting each other and everything is rehearsed, scripted, and coordinated and the outcome of the fight is always decided before the actual fight starts.... That's exactly what wrestlers do!

Answer 5

Hey, well yeah I do. I watch WWE, And soem of them are real professionals. Though people like Randy Orton, is just taking steroids and he is a waste of time. The real athletes are John Cena, Rey Mysterio, and people like Jeff Hardy who can run fast. Though in female wrestlers, the athletes would be Victoria, Michelle McCool and Trish Stratus.

Answer 6

NO. Many are bodybuilders who take steroids and put on a show. Some are not even in shape, and fat guy with a folding chair and brightly colored boots doth not an athlete make.

To those who say they're all in shape:

Kamala the Ugandan Giant.

Answer 7

Athletes? Of course. Those guys combine strength and agility, which combine to make athleticism. Do I put them on the same level as NFL players? No way. But are they athletes, yes, 100%. The fact that they pretend to hit each other with sledge hammers, burry each other alive and have obscene story lines doesn't change that.

Answer 8

Of course. I'd like to see a non athlete do that for 200+ days a year

Answer 9

Definitely.... Sure they are in the entertainment industry, so some if it is an illusion, but their bodies take a beaten!! They really have to be tough and athletic to do what they do.

Answer 10

depends if you mean somebody from wwe NO, most of their stunts are staged. But u can find some good wrestlers who ARE athletes

Answer 11

No. I consider them to be stunt actors..which requires them to be athletic, but does not make them an athlete.