The World Wide Federation heroes may be acting in the ring, but kids are now trying the moves on their own at home and many are getting hurt. Fifteen year old Chris Donnally broke a wrist and strained an elbow mimicking the pros moves at home in his basement. Chris, like many boys his age, has the wrestling fever. He identifies masculinity with the pseudo sport, stays glued to the tube for matches unless ring side seats are available, and models his words and behavior after the tattooed, muscle massed vaudevillian characters he follows in World Championship Wrestling. His parents are concerned.
Experts are appalled.
Pile Driving which involves holding your opponent upside down and then smashing his head into the ground can cause serious, even life-threatening injuries. Further, parents and experts are concerned about wrestlers foul language, crude gestures, violent outbursts and sexual inferences. Both fear wrestlers model dangerous moves and bad behavior. Monitor the Internet Amateur wrestlers are finding fame on line. Underground backyard wrestling is gaining popularity.