Gaga
An overly booked finish to match with many gimmicks involved (run-ins, lights out, ref bumps etc) when one would have sufficed. Wrestlemania 2000 springs to mind.
Gaijin
The Japanese word for foreigner. In wrestling it is used for any non-Japanese wrestlers working in Japan.
Gas / Gassed
Gas was commonly used to refer to steroids. Nowadays being “out of gas” means the wrestler lacks stamina and blows up (panting). Ultimate Warrior was gassed 99% of the time, and we could also say he was on the gas a lot.
Gate
The amount of money earned through ticket sales. Merchandise sales may also be included in “the gate”.
Getting Light
Getting light is when a wrestler helps the other perform a move by pushing off to lighten the load. Best example I can think of is Big Show or Mark Henry pushing themselves up with their arm during a chokeslam or suplex.
Getting Over / Go Over
Every wrestler wants to “get over” because it means the fans pay to see them. Faces are over when they are universally loved. Heels are over when they are hated by everyone. Others may get over through split crowd reaction, like Cena or Reigns.
To “go over” is for a wrestler to beat another. This loosely combines with “getting over”, as the victor of the match “goes over” on a credible opponent, then the booker hopes the winner “gets over” with the fans. Two similar sounding terms, but there is a difference.
Gig
A gig is the blade a wrestler uses to cut him/herself. It may be stored in their tights, tape, or the referee may pass it to them when the camera pans away.
Gimmick
The gimmick is the character the wrestler is portraying. Some gimmicks are simple and may change, where others stand the test of time and never change. Some wrestlers portray several gimmicks at the same time (Three faces of Foley), It may also refer to the theme a character brings to the show. Gimmick may also refer to a weapon, or the attire a wrestler wears to enhance the character.
Gimmicked
A weapon that has been altered to break easily; like a table or chair.
Gimmick Table
A table used by (independent) wrestlers to sell their merchandise and is normally found near the concession stand.
Glorified Jobber
Someone who defeats regular jobbers, and may occasionally defeat mid-card talent, but always loses in big matches against the main event talent.
Go Home
Just like “Finish” from the previous edition, except to “Go Home” is the instruction to set the planned finish in motion. A referee may instruct the wrestlers to “go home” early if one is injured or the booker feels the match is tanking.
Go-Home Show
The last televised show before a PPV.
Go Through
When a match ends in a time-limit draw. I guess it’s called “go through” because the draw ensures the feud/rivalry continues in the future.
Going Bush
When a wrestler goes from a top promotion to a small independent promotion you could say they are.
Going Into Business For Ones-Self
When a wrestler or non-wrestler goes against the plans set out for a match or segment and improvises for their own benefit at the risk (and sometimes cost) of everyone else involved. A highly unprofessional move. Or in some cases it can save a segment by going off script and making it a little more “real”.
Gold
Another word for a championship belt. Everyone wants gold daddy!
Gongus Wrongus
When a wrestler continues to beat their opponent down after a match and the bell is rang repeatedly to signal for assistance.
Good Hand
Steady hand is the same thing. A wrestler who isn’t just fun to work with, but also doesn’t work too stiff or light and can take control of a match without getting lost.
Gorilla Position
The staging area just behind the curtain where the wrestlers make their entrances. Named after Gorilla Monsoon.
Goozle
The chokehold a wrestler applies just before the chokeslam.
Grab The Tights
When a wrestler pulls their opponents trunks (or other attire) to gain leverage during a pinning predicament, generally behind the referee’s back as it’s illegal.
Green
An inexperienced wrestler who has plenty to learn, and may be a hinderance or potential danger to other wrestlers. Austin may call such a wrestler “greener than goose shit”.
Gusher
When a wrestler blades (or is bladed by someone else) and the cut is deep to the point the blood flow is more than expected.
Ham-And-Egger
A term coined by Bobby Heenan to refer to jobbers. It was taken from the first Rocky film when Rocky told Tallia, “I just fight for ham and eggs.” It refers to the income jobbers had, which back then was rather low … but not so low they couldn’t afford a simple meal.
Hangman
When a wrestler gets stuck in the ropes and simulates being hung. It’s been known for wrestlers to do the hangman unintentionally, which has awkward results as their opponent and/or referee tries to free them.
Hardcore
Not the same as “Extreme”. Hardcore may refer to any match which introduces weapons. The hardcore style does not necessarily create a good match, and that can be proven by watching CZW.
Hardway
To bleed any other way except blading. Some wrestlers cut themselves the hardway to avoid being fined.
Head Drop
When a move is performed wrong and the wrestler doing the lifting drops their opponent right down on their head; resulting in concussion or a broken neck. It may also refer to the special bump taken in puroresu where the wrestlers plan a “head drop”, a move which appears like they were dropped, but in reality took the impact with their shoulders and upper back. These moves still carry great risk.
Heat / Heat Magnet / Heat Vacuum
There’s varying forms of heat. To “have heat with someone” means a wrestler has pissed someone off backstage and is in the dog house. This version of heat only refers to backstage politics.
To “get heat” with the crowd depends on whether the wrestler is babyface or heel. A babyface will get heat if they do something good and the fans support them with cheers. The opposite way for heels as they fish for booes to gain heat. If a babyface/heel gets cheers and booes, the heat is mixed and not the desired reaction … but it counts nonetheless.
Next is “Go away heat” AKA “X-Pac heat”. To have go away heat means the fans boo because they are tired of seeing the wrestler whether they’re face or heel; fans may react with a consistent groan of disinterest. Then there’s heat magnet, and heat vacuum. A magnet draws tons of positive/negative reactions, whereas a heat vacuum is a talent who sucks all the excitement away and silences the audience.
Heavy
When a wrestler is hard to lift, or purposely makes themselves hard to lift to sandbag their opponent. May also refer to a large wrestler used as a bodyguard/enforcer for a smaller wrestler.
Heel
The bad guys of the wrestling world. Heels talk down to fans and show little respect for their rivals. They use villainous tactics to win matches, and may form stables to gain a numbers advantages. Others side with management (authority), or hire managers for title opportunities.
They will do anything to win, a trait shown through outside interference, low-blows, cheap shots behind the referee’s back, and other underhanded tactics that may get them disqualified.
A heel may win a title and use the “champion’s advantage” for their own benefit by purposely getting disqualified before they lose a match. They are referred to as “closet champions”, and rarely win matches clean with no support.
Hide
When a wrestler has a minor injury a booker may hide them in six-man tags and/or keep them away from major shows
High Rent District
A term coined by Jim Ross in the Attitude Era to refer to a wrestler standing on the top turnbuckle.
Highspot
A risky top rope move, a combination of dangerous moves, or a stunt performed with added protection. Like Shane McMahon jumping off the cell.
Hold Up
When a wrestler refuses to work a match because they feel the pay is too low. May also refer to a champion refusing to defend the title in another promotion unless certain conditions are met.
Hooker
A hooker is a wrestler with legitimate wrestling holds and fighting background who can end a match (or even a career) by forcing their opponent to lose if they try going into business for themselves. The moves uses to end matches in this way are known as “hooks”.
In the old days of wrestling the champions had to be careful because if their opponent decided to go for the pin, and the champion lost, the result would stick because kayfabe was strictly adhered too. The champions had to be legit tough guys to make sure matches ended as the booker intended to avoid controversy. One of the best hookers was the legendary Lou Thesz.
Hope Spot
It’s the same thing as the “False Comeback” from the last edition. The face starts making a comeback, the heel cuts them off and the audience wait for the real comeback with higher anticipation.
Hoss
A large wrestler with limited movement and skills. A match with two hoss wrestlers delivering plenty of stiff strikes is known as a hossfest.
Hotshot
A rushed feud, or one that ends too soon. Includes PPV quality matches given away on TV for ratings. Also refers to sudden turns and angles for the purpose of short-term shock value.
Hot Tag
After the heels gain advantage in the tag match, the face-in-peril’s partner reaches out for the tag. The heels isolate the face-in-peril in their half of the ring, raising the crowds anticipation for the tag. After some failed attempts, the faces pick their spot and get the hot tag; making the crowd pop. The face comes in fresh dishing out tons of punishment before running out of steam.
House
The amount of money generated at an event.
House Show
An untelevised event which may draw fewer fans than a major show.
Hulking Up / Hogan Pop
Hulking up is when a wrestler no-sells their opponents offense after taking tons of punishment, and fights back with superhuman strength and vitality.
A Hogan pop is when an excited crowd cheers for so long the wrestler (and others in the ring) has to acknowledge and stand in awe. Recent examples include Shane McMahon’s return, and many Daniel Bryan moments.
Hype
All the promotional efforts made to increase awareness and popularity of wrestlers, wrestling events, angles, and other special events. A good example of hype during an entrance would be Goldberg walking to the ring with security.
And that’s all for today, G-H was bigger than expected. I hope you join me for the second volume of The Best Of British. Thanks for reading! See you soon.
