Professional Wrestling (1983: Doomsday)

Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance, held primarily in North America and Oceania. It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which minic a combat sport. The unique form of sport portrayed is fundamentally based on classical and catch-as-catch-can ("catch") wrestling, with more modern additions of striking attacks; strength-based holds and throws; and acrobatic maneuvers. Various forms of martial arts have influenced the genre. An additional aspect of combat with improvised weaponry is sometimes included.

The matches have predetermined outcomes in order to provide entertainment value, and all combative maneuvers are worked in order to lessen the chance of actual injury. These facts were kept highly secretive throughout the industry pre- and post-Doomsday. By and large, the true nature of the performance is not discussed by the performing company in order to sustain and promote the willing suspension of disbelief by the audience.

Originating as a sideshow exhibition in North American traveling carnivals and vaudeville halls, pro wrestling grew into a standalone genre of entertainment with many diverse variations in cultures around the globe. In North America, it has experienced several different periods of prominence in cultural popularity during its century and a half of existence.

"American-style"
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Lucha libre
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Puroresu
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Shoot style (aka Natchez Style)
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Pre-Doomsday
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Noted figures
Mil Mascaras

Jerry Lawler

Randy "Savage" Poffo

Noted promotions
CWA (Evansville)

ICW (Lexington)

World Wrestling Association (Brisbane)

Wrestling from West Texas

AAA

CMLL

Natchez Wrestling Club

Virginia Wrestling

Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling