It is a common sight these days to see a television set on every household and form of entertainment they offer through the years have greatly evolved. It is no longer limited to sitcoms and soap operas but some new of forms of entertainment has invaded our TV set. The history of professional wrestling has been part of this new form of entertainment.

This modern form of entertainment used to be an authentic sport until 1920. Due to the theatrics it employed on every match has prompted the critics to consider it as an illegitimate sport. On that day on it has been all about the amusement of the audience. The fighters are no longer employing the basic rules and instead play for the benefit of the audience. Let us go back in time to see its humble origin.

It was 1830 in France, when showmen in traveling carnival presented wrestlers under weird titles that are attached to their fake names. They challenged people in the public to beat them out for 500 francs. These wrestlers employed fake names and played up any animosity of the public to encourage betting.

Later somewhere in 1848, a French showman named Jean Exbroyat established the first ever modern associations of wrestlers that he named circus troupe. He then created a rule not to execute any holds that are below the waist, a style he called flat hand wrestling. This new style started spread to the rest of Europe which they call the Greco Roman wrestling.

Additionally, it became the widely popular in Europe and the most fashionable sport because the wrestlers wore flamboyant costumes to attract the attention of the masses and entertain everyone. Later in 1898, the first Professional World Champion was announced as Paul Pons. He is widely known for the title of the Colossus.

This trend was later revived by United Kingdom and also United States, named it the catch as catch can style. It was more lenient on its approach, it diversified itself from the Greco Roman style in the way it allows grapple. It allowed holds below and above the waist, which also includes leg grip. Both were authentic sports then. Somewhere along the line a sub section changed things and is recognized for allowing theatrical antics similar today.

The prowrestling was divided into regional leagues after the second world war. They come up with an agreement not to steal any talent from another or expand their arena shows into another region. However, Northeast federation is eager to broke the agreement. They went into direct competition with other regional leagues, stealing the talent and scheduling television shows on their soil. They are now known as World Wrestling Federation.

Through television, it has gained influential an audience. Its characteristic has changed to fit the nature of television, improving wrestler traits and background stories. Some wrestlers even break in becoming influential personalities because of television. Mixed Martial Art is now hailed as the descendant of this new type of entertainment.

There is no denying that the history of professional wrestling is an interesting one. It has shifted from an influential sport to become a powerful means of entertainment. The entertainment it offers still allure us even to this day.