And despite the fact that most of them perform over 200 cardio-busting live shows per year, wrestlers aren't largely respected as athletes. This comes from the rather unfortunate, Western ethos that our activities be based on competition. Because a wrestling match is the constructive effort of two performers working together, and not an actual attempt by two combatants to maim one another, America short-changes it. The logic is that since there's no real winner, it can't be a sport. The problem with this notion is, if it is true, then non-competition rock climbing, hiking or skiing shouldn't be considered sports either.
Some critics indict pro wrestling as violent and morally corrupt.
Others say it is cartoonish and too silly for serious discussion. If we want to make a case against wrestling we'll have to pick one or the other. Together they cancel each other out. The real point here is that I've never heard an argument against pro wrestling that carried any weight. My only wish is that the people who don't understand it get off their high horses and hush up.