The history of professional wrestling is a history of sport as entertainment. Matches are preplanned with an agreed upon outcome. It combines theater and athletic skills including striking attacks, strength based holds and throws, acrobatic maneuvers, and improvised weaponry. A masculine soap opera, it's often a battle between good and evil. Like in the real world, evil sometimes win, but good returns for another battle. Add hot chicks and you have blockbuster entertainment.

Those who hate professional wrestling abhor the violence, the phony scripts, the use of cheating to win. Fans know it's phony. They love the soap opera stories. They love cheering and jeering at their heroes and anti-heroes. It's all good sport with no after event fights between fans of warring wrestlers.

Throughout history, fighting has been a popular form of entertainment. Traveling brawlers were especially popular in Europe in the 19th century. In North America carnival fighters challenged local brawlers to prove themselves in the ring. The carnival strongman was trained in holds and throws, and was not above a little cheating. Betting was fast and furious with townspeople usually betting on their homegrown hero who almost always lost the match.

As popularity grew, events were held in arenas mimicking boxing matches. In the late 19th century, local and regional promoters established their own championship stories and belts. The NWA, a loose association of regional promoters, was formed in 1901.

Matches became increasingly sophisticated in the 1920's This was the beginning of time limit matches, catch matches, tag teams, and signature moves. Tag teams developed the ruse of distracting the referee so they could cheat. Wrestlers signed long term contracts. Promoters developed more soap opera-like story lines.

The 30's saw lots of competition. Promoters fought for territory and the best talent. The NWA used its influence to establish informal agreements among promoters. Territories were established. Promoters looked for new talent, but didn't try to steal wrestlers signed with other promoters. A national championship was established.

In the 40's and 50's, television increased the popularity of this entertaining "sport". As the market contracted in the 60's and 70's, cutthroat competition again became the norm. Today WWF, renamed WWE in 2002, is the largest company in the business. Vince MeMahon was a forceful businessman who succeeded in buying out most of his competitors. He negotiated profitable TV network and pay-per-view contracts.

Another league that had a major impact was ECW which popularized ladder matches, and the use of chairs as weapons. They popularized the flying leap from the top rope and crashing into tables. Eventually bought out by WWF, the popular hardcore stunts became a regular part of the story.

Prominent companies in business today are TNA, Combat Zone Wrestling, and Ring of Honor. In Mexico the top associations are Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, and Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion. In Japan the top competitors are New Japan Pro Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling Noah.

Well known wrestlers have become internationally recognized superstars. It's a billion dollar business with a revenue stream including event ticket sales, television and web shows, home video sales, and branded merchandise. The WWE alone has over 13 million viewers and shows are aired in 150 countries. The history of professional wrestling is an ongoing story.