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NewsLingomania! (C-D)

Lingomania! (C-D)

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C-Show

A term coined for WWE’s ECW brand til it was replaced by NXT. Meant as an insult as WWECW was nothing like the original ECW and felt more like a cheap copy of Smackdown.

Call/Call A Match

Often the most experienced wrestler will call the following move/moves to their opponent, but not always the case. Also it’s usually the heel who calls the match, but again is not always a surefire method. Calling is done wrong when you can visibly hear them, often giving away the following sequence of moves. Botchamania (online blooper show) often ridicules Cena for “talking too much” during his matches.

Called It!

Added this one personally. It’s used when someone predicts a wrestler will appear, or something will happen ahead of time, and it happens a short time later, leading the predictor to say “Called it”. It can be used in the negative sense; showing how predictable the show/product is, or it can be used in the positive sense when the predictor called something which ended up as shocking and/or entertaining. “Oh My God AJ Styles, Called It!”

Another way to use “Called It” is by calling the action in the ring like a commentator would, then the commentator repeats the exact words a few seconds later, leading to a positive “Huh, Called it!”.

Card

A wrestling card is the line-up of wrestling matches for the event. While the card primarily focuses on the matches, the show can deviate from the wrestling and introduce segments between the matches to break it up. A wrestling card is one where the event focuses on the matches, while an entertaining card adds promos, backstage segments, and other distractions to entertain fans who desire a little more.

In the olden days it was the biggest honour to wrestle on the “top of the card”, the phrase used for those who earned the right to wrestle in the main event. In WWE it’s common practice to include several “main events” on big PPVs like Wrestlemania. WWE has been known to have main-event caliber matches to open their shows as well. While being at the “top of the card” is becoming less prominent, it’s still regarded as an achievement to consistently wrestle in the main event.

Carry

An experienced wrestler having to work extra hard to make the match a success as their opponent lacks experience or have limitations with movement (due to size or injuries). Often a wrestler will carry a rookie because the promoter wants the rookie to look good despite their limitations, and “put them over” with the crowd. Carrying another wrestler is often looked down upon by fans, as they feel the match lacks due to the talent/ability being so one-sided.

But it’s not always the case, as sometimes even the best wrestlers have off-nights, and their opponent carries the match as a favor to the other; out of respect for them, and the fans watching.

Catchphrase

“Can You Smell What The Rock Is Cooking?” If you can give me a “Hell Yeah!” If you don’t care for catchphrases then you can “Rest In Peace!” Because I’m The “Best In the World”, “The Best In The World At What I do”, “The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best There Ever Will Be”, and “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived” all rolled in to one. You get the point.

CAW

Introduced over a decade ago when Smackdown games featured Create-A-Wrestler for the first time. The internet gave the fans the ability to share their CAWs, often asking for CAWs of wrestlers not included in the game so they could create fantasy matches and stables.

Chain Wrestling

Two technical wrestlers at the top of their game (with great chemistry) able to use wrestling holds back-to-back with counters holds to simulate an amateur wrestling contest. Often the chain wrestling ends up on the mat and can lead to many pin-falls, a submission attempt, or a break-up

While chain wrestling is beautiful to wrestling purists, many wrestlers choose to adopt offense which looks painful, more than offense which would gain them leverage in a wrestling contest..The four best examples (I can think of at the moment) would be Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero vs. Dean Malenko, Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe, and CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan. Should not be confused with the chain match shown below.

Chain Wrestling

Championship

A championship is a kayfabe accomplishment. The wrestler who holds the championship is decided by the booker in advance. The angles and feuds will center around the championship, and the belt representing the championship will be awarded to the winners. While babyfaces will express their desire to defend the championship frequently against any opponent, a heel is more likely to use the belt (as an illegal weapon) to defend their championship title through cheating.

World Championships are generally the biggest prize of any promotion, and are awarded to the wrestler who either 1) gets the biggest reaction, 2) sells the most merchandise, 3) looks great on promotional material, and/or 4) works better in the ring than anyone else. There’s no set rule, but the best champions of all time are those who are all-rounders and tick every box. Rarely will a wrestler self-book themselves to be champion, but when it does it can lead to serious heat with the fans, sometimes damaging the company’s reputation, depending on how it’s handled.

Cheap Pop/Heat

Purposely fishing for a positive/negative reaction by mentioning the audience’s hometown and/or local sports teams. Some wrestlers use cheap pops on purpose as they have the respect of the fans and can get away with it. Have a Nice Day EWN!

Cheap Shot

Usually a heel getting the advantage via low-blow, interference, or using an illegal object behind the wrestler/referee’s back. As long as the wrestler catches the other by surprise, and is underhanded in their assault, it’s considered a cheap shot.

Chemistry

The chemistry of two wrestlers whether they are tag team partners or opponents will determine the quality of their matches. The best opponents will push each others limits and know their thought processes and moveset, leading to competitive matches. The best tag team partners know each other and will double team their opponents frequently to gain the advantage.

Chemistry doesn’t just occur in the wrestling ring, it extends to all aspects of the business. A commentary team needs good chemistry if they are to call the action and keep it entertaining. Managers need chemistry with their wrestlers, or the manager won’t feel like a good fit.

The writers of the show need chemistry with their talent, or there will be a disconnection and the wrestlers may not buy in to what the writer is selling. Having the best chemistry makes it better all-round for everyone; the wrestlers, the commentary, the managers, the backstage staff, and most importantly the fans. Even a wrestling crowd can have “chemistry”.

Circus

An old derogative term for the WWF back in the late 80’s to early 90’s when every wrestler had a silly cartoon gimmick.

Claret

Mostly used over here in British wrestling, Claret is when a wrestler draws blood. It takes its name from a red wine from Bordeaux, France.

Clean Finish

When a match ends decisively with no outside interference. A clean finish will hurt if a heel beats a face clean (showing how weak the face is), while a face beating a heel clean is often used to end a feud after the heel cheated many times before. Fans prefer championships to change hands on a clean finish; even if the winner is heel.

Clean House

Most recent example is Brock Lesnar cleaning house in the Royal Rumble. The Wyatt Family were firmly in control .. enter “The Beast”, and shortly after the ring was his.

Clean Wrestling

A babyface vs. babyface contest which begins with a shake of hands. The match would continue as a sporting contest til the finish. As long as both wrestlers remain within the rules the wrestling is clean, and the fans would appreciate it for the competition more than a heated rivalry.

Closet Champion

When a heel champion does everything in their power to avoid matches. When they are forced to defend their title, purposely getting themselves disqualified or cheating to retain. They frequently hide behind stables or hired bodyguards, frustrating the babyface and fans alike.

Clubberin’

The term used by Dusty Rhodes on commentary when tag team partners would repeatedly punch their opponent together. “They be clubberin’, Tony!” during a Nasty Boys WCW match.

Clusterf**k

When a battle royal has no direction and it’s just a mass of bodies aimlessly working together. The old Divas Battle Royals spring to mind.

Color

When discussing how much blood the wrestlers should use, they will refer to it as color. Sometimes a bladejob can go too far and give too much color.

Color Commentator

Color commentators fill the gaps between play-by-play, and provide entertainment value. A face color commentator will be light-hearted and joke at the expense of the heels, while heel commentators will discredit their fellow commentators opinions, praise the heels for doing bad (and explaining why it’s good), and talk down about the faces as frequently as possible. Bobby Heenan is considered the best color commentator of all time.

Comeback

When a babyface comes back at the heels after a lot of punishment after encouragement from the fans. In John Cena’s case, resentment has the same effect.

Copout Finish

When the promotion wants to highlight a feud by putting two wrestlers in a match, but because they want to extend the feud to the next PPV they decide a screwy finish which doesn’t hurt either wrestler’s momentum. Also done sometimes to give a controversial ending, giving a reason to vacate the championship. Either way a copout finish feels like the cheap way out of a booking decision.

Crash TV

A term coined by Vince Russo for his style of television in the Attitude Era. The concept that the fans have short attention spans, and the only way to keep them gripped is to show controversial content with short matches so they don’t get a chance to switch the channel. Gimmick matches were also a prominent feature.

Crimson Mask

When a wrestler’s face is covered in blood.

Cross-Promotion

When two (or more) wrestling promotions work together on a card. This is done to showcase the best talent from both promotions, and gain some publicity. The most recent cross-promotion is between ROH/NJPW, and TNA/Wrestle -1.

Cue

A cue can used to signal a spot or sequence of moves during a match. Cues can be given by the wrestlers or the referee, and doesn’t always need to be voiced.

Curtain Jerker

Usually referred to the first match on the card, or a mid-card wrestler who frequently opens the show. While most curtain jerkers are used to ease the fans in, sometimes WWE will open a show with a main event caliber match; like Owens vs/ Ambrose at the Royal Rumble.

Cut A Promo

The art of crafting an interview which accurately portrays the characters motivations and goals for their feud and/or match. Promos are used to belittle the opposition for entertainment purposes, or simply to have fun. Either way, a wrestler, (or on-air personality) with the ability to cut an entertaining promo will create moments which will be remembered, and will go a long way in selling what they like to the audience.

Steve Austin criticizes the business for scripting promos and not allowing the talent to speak from the heart. He highlighted the freedoms he had in the 90’s, and how talent today have to remember lines instead.

Cutoff

The moment when a babyface is gaining momentum, but the heel cuts them off with a cheap move. Mind games, eye gouges, interference, low-blows, anything necessary to stop the comeback. Even a dropkick will do it.

Dark Match

Usually refers to matches appearing before, or after an event which are not televised. Dark matches feature jobbers, mid-carders, house show talent, local talent, wrestlers in development, or wrestlers looking for a full-time contract. Championships are rarely decided in dark matches. They are not to be confused with Pre-show matches.

Dead Weight

When a wrestler doesn’t do enough to make themselves light during a move; either because they are untrained, or to rib/embarrass the other on purpose. Inevitably, it’s been known for its share of botches and injuries. When it happens on purpose, the wrestler sabotaging the match is more likely to be punished backstage.

Deathmatch

A Deathmatch is a glorified hardcore fight to end a feud, usually involving barbed wire, chairs, tables, trash cans, thumbtacks, C4 explosives (Funk vs. Cactus Jack), kendo sticks, glass, and any other weapons the wrestlers want to introduce.

Decision

The end of the match when the referee calls the ending and the (booking) decision is enforced. Sometimes the decision can be changed due to injury, or controversy. The decision could be made to restart a match immediately, or due to lack of evidence, could be reviewed and decided later. The decision is final, and all involved must see it through to the end.

Dirtsheet

A dirtsheet is a newsletter, magazine, or website which focuses on the insider news of professional wrestling. Dirtsheets have been criticized by wrestlers and promotions for spreading false information through bad sources and speculation. Dirtsheets have also been criticized for giving spoilers for pre-taped events, and reporting the sightings of big names appearing at future events. The internet has made it easier for dirtsheets to spread spoilers.

Dirtsheets are not to be confused with newsletters, magazines, or websites who focus on reporting the kayfabe news, while also giving fun facts and information which cater to fans who enjoy not knowing the insider information.

Disqualification

When a wrestler breaks the rules and is disqualified by the referee, The wrestler loses the match as a result. In most companies, a championship cannot change hands by a disqualification, so a heel will use it to their advantage when the time calls.

Not breaking at the count of five, using weapons, attacking the referee or other personnel, interference, or refusing to stop an assault after a match has been stopped, can all lead to being disqualified.

Diva

An old term referring to any wrestler who’s hard to work with, as well as boisterous and/or entitled backstage. Nowadays it’s the term used by WWE for their Women’s division. Divas are female wrestlers who also feature in photo shoots, media events, and other televised shows.

Do Business (on the way out)

To do business is a mutual agreement between two wrestlers to put on the best match they can to get the winner over in the best way. It can also refer to a wrestler who has to leave (injury/retirement/jumping ship) so they agree to pass the torch on.

Double Down

Near the end of a long match when both wrestlers are on their backs after taking much punishment. The referee will start counting and the fans will encourage them to continue. In the case below, the double down was indefinite.

Double Turn

The rare occurrence when two wrestlers switch roles from face-to-heel, and heel-to-face, at the end of a match. The best example would be Bret Hart and Steve Austin at Wrestlemania.

Draw/Drawing Power

To have drawing power means you have the ability to sell. Whether it’s an individual wrestler, or an entire promotion, the drawing power will entice fans to watch the product on television, purchase tickets to live events, and buy merchandise.

Drop/Drop The Belt

Similar to doing business. Dropping the belt is considered a negative experience for the champion, as they may have picked up an injury, or they failed to live up to expectation. The company asks the champion to vacate, or a match is booked to drop the belt to someone else. Either way it’s a tough decision which has to be made sometimes.

DUD

When a match is so abysmal, it hurts. A match not only devoid of wrestling, but also defies logic with unnecessary subject matter. Can also refer to main event matches which ended prematurely; Sting vs. Jeff Hardy at Victory Road springs to mind.

Dusty Finish

Dusty! Thanks for making it this far. To end C-D, the Dusty Finish is a controversial ending to a match, usually with the wrong winner being announced. Multiple referees, special guest referees, and those involved create an ending where the decision is highly opposed. Sometimes a new champion could be crowned, only for the match to be restarted and the second match ending with the original champion retaining.

There’s so many ways you can have a Dusty Finish, but I think it’s been done so much in the past, it’s seen as a cheap ending to a title match. Its sole purpose is to continue a rivalry past the event, and add more heat to the fire. Some fans would feel ripped off after buying tickets only to see the main event end in controversy. The Dusty Finish is an acquired taste, much like alcohol, now and then is probably the best way to go. Thanks for reading everyone!