The sight of two or more muscled men, and in some cases, women, struggling with each other in an arena has enthralled millions of fans for some time. People simply cannot get enough of the testosterone filled battle between the giants. Live shows and television broadcasts attract enormous numbers of viewers and many of the giants of this sport have very large followings. Yet the history of professional wrestling is long and often illustrious.

Today, this sport is no longer recognized by any formal sporting body. Promoters, organizers, referees and contestants all work together to carefully plan matches where the final result is scripted. In fact, every move and every spectacular action throughout the contest is carefully planned and rehearsed. The participants know that they are taking part in a show and that entertainment is the only purpose.

Modern matched are typically pitched battles between at least one hero and one villain. Most successful participants have stage names, masks and recognizable costumes. The public is encouraged to take sides and to become involved in matches. The uninitiated may be aghast at the amount of abuse hurled at the participants by the crowd, but this is par for the course and part of the entire show.

Just because these matches are fixed and choreographed does not mean that the contestants must not be physically strong, lithe and fast. The potential for injuries are real and the contestants have to perform complicated movements. This is why most successful career wrestlers are large muscled and supremely fit. They are also particular about their diets and they spend a lot of time warming up before each match.

Detractors argue that amateur wrestling is a legitimate sport that is even contested at the Olympic Games. They are of the opinion that pro events detract from the strict rules that govern the sport and that the public may see the legitimate matches as being organized as farces similar to those offered on the pro level. The standard defense is that the public are aware of the differences and that they simply do not care.

The present version of this sport has its origins in traveling carnivals in the eighteen hundreds. Wrestlers used to challenge the audience to last a certain amount of time with them n the ring in order to be awarded a cash prize. Later, wrestlers competed with each other while bookmakers took bets from the crowd. Promoters started fixing the outcomes in order to lull the public into betting on what seems like a sure winner.

Wrestlers are depicted on ancient drawings dating back centuries to the Babylonian and Egyptian times, proving that the sport has very deep roots. It was also very popular during the Roman times, when the rules were formalized. The Greeks differentiated between pro and amateur versions and these differences are valid to this day.

As a form of mass entertainment pro wrestling probably has a long and prosperous future. As long as people enjoy the theatrics, the costumes and the supposed violence the crowds will keep supporting their heroes. The history of professional wrestling is an ancient one and the shows people watch today is a far cry from the original versions.