Ever wonder how wrestlers throw fireballs? Or how they hit each other with chairs
without getting hurt? I have, too. After some searching, I finally
found the answers to these age-old questions.
1. How do wrestlers throw fireballs?
A: A substance called nirocellulose is formed into a blazing paper
known as flash paper. It burns extremely quickly. When lit up
(usually by a lighter concealed by the referee until the right
moment), it produces a dramatic flash for a few seconds. The
wrestler throws the fireball after lighting it, and if timed
right, will seemingly explode in the other wrestler's face. There
is very little damage to the other wrestler, and no one has
actually been burned from the trick.
2. How do wrestlers color their tongues?
A: Food coloring, suckers, candy, Kool Aid...
3. How do wrestlers blow mist?
A: Although this is common in Japan, few wrestlers in North
America perform it. However, those who do blow mist in the U.S.
are usually associated with it (for instance, what stands out most
in your mind about the old WWE wrestler in the mid-90's, Quang?).
The "evil green mist" is performed when wrestlers mix water with
food coloring. They then put the mixture in a small baggie or
ballon, and have the referee conceal it in his pocket until the
planned time. Sometimes, though, the wrestler will already have it
in his mouth, but that's usually just during a short match. Of
course, there is a choking hazard here, so it would be wise not to
try this one at home.
4. How do wrestlers hit each other with chairs without getting
hurt?
A: All of the fold-up chairs the wrestlers use are designed to
take most of the impact of a blow and ost of the time, wrestlers
don't hit their opponents very hard, which reduces the risk of
injury. Be warned: Regular kitchen chairs won't take most of the
impact (as if you didn't aready know) and will end up actually
injuring your opponent.
5: How do wrestlers bleed?
A: Despite what you might have heard, 95% percent of the time, a
wrestler bleeds by "blading" himself, and not by using a blood
capsule. Here's how it works: A wreslter rolls out of the ring and
hides himself from the view of the audience. He then pulls out a
small blade (usually concealed in a taped-up wrist or finger) and
quickly cuts his forehead. Cutting anywhere else is very dangerous
and is rarely ever attempted. However, cutting the forehead is
somewhat dangerous, because you can hit a major artery if you cut
too deep. New Jack learned this the hard way. The thirst for blood
has let up lately, because of the fear of AIDS.
6. What is a wrestling ring made of and roughly how big is it?
A: wrestling ring is usually either 18' X 18' or 20' X 20'. Some
of the smaller feds have rings as small as 12' X 12'. The smaller
venues need smaller rings. The 18X18 or 20X20 is the standard. I
believe ECW uses 18X18 and WWE uses 20X20. I am not sure about
WCW, but I may have read somewhere that is was 18X18. The ring
usually consists of a thin covering, usually canvas or nylon, a
thin foam padding, usually around and inch and a layer of plywood.
The bracing is either made of steel or wood and there is a spring,
similar to a coil spring on a car, that gives the ring the spring
in the mat to pull off dropkicks and moves like that. Also there
is often a microphone under the ring to catch the noise of the
blows to ring.
7. What are the ring ropes really made of, and why do they look
different in the different feds?
A: Most ring ropes are either
plastic-covered steel cables or plastic-covered actual ropes. WWE
uses rope, while WCW, ECW and Japanese feds uses steel. In Europe,
some feds actually use bare steel cables. Mick Foley was wrestling
Vader in Germany and he did a simple head tie up in the ropes and
ended up severing his ear, thus ending up with the sporty, earless
look he has now.
8. What is the deal with the "creative control" we are always
hearing about?
A:Creative control is a section in a wrestler's
contract that lets him or her have a final say in all storylines
and or titles and match finishes that have a say in his/her
career. This is why you see many wrestlers rarely lose, even
though their work-rate has been failed significantly or they are
visibly injured. Originally, this was a favor to an older and
respected wrestler, but this has been abused of late for wrestlers
who are beyond their prime and refuse to believe that they are not
the star they were in the mid '80's.
9. I want to be a wrestler, what do I do?
A: First off, it is
best to have an athletic background. This will make it much easier
for you. Second off, have a plan to do something in case the
wrestling thing doesn't work and have something you can do when
you get out of wrestling. Only a small percentage of trained
wrestlers actually make it and remember most wrestlers are done by
the time they hit 40. You still have a lot of time left in your
life once you finish wrestling. Next is to find a school that is
reliable, successful and nearby. Many wrestlers have been
successful by moving to suit a wrestling school, it is advisable
to stay close to home. Plus you can always mooch a meal off of the
parental units when you're near home... Once you have found a good
school, work hard, keep your mouth shut and obey the rules of the
trainers. And get used to it, you will be following rules for a
long time. Remember, most wrestlers who maintain a good physique
have to follow a strict diet and maintain a stringent work out
schedule. Something else to remember, work hard. Almost always,
hard work will be rewarded. Check out the
wrestling schools page as well to find a school near you.
10. Why is Mick Foley not working in the ring anymore?
A:Mick has had many severe concussions in the past few years and
has been suffering the typical signs of post-concussion syndrome.
It was best for Mick and his family, for him to leave the ring and
follow a career that was less harmful to his health. Mick has
taken over the role as commissioner and is surely helping out
backstage when he can. Mick has hinted that he may return to the
ring, but for all intents and purposes, the match at Wrestlemania
was his last.
11. So really, were Nash and Goldberg shooting back then?
A: "shoot" is something that is unscripted in wrestling and for
all intents and purposes, real. Nash and Goldberg were saying
things that were probably true and from the heart, but they were
certainly prompted by Russo and WCW behind the scenes people and
they were both encouraged to speak their mind. Indirectly, there
were subtle things that especially Nash said that have been
dissected at the other sites that showed Nash has thoughts about
his future, the WCW and the current state of wrestling. Goldberg's
speech was heavily edited, so perhaps much of his stuff went too
far. Our old friend Matt "Mountaineer" Marcus told me one time, if
it is on TV, it is a work, and I tend to agree. About 95-99% of
the time, if it is on TV, it is a work.
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