31 Must-Know Pro Wrestling Slang Terms for Every Fan

The world of professional wrestling is a unique realm filled with vibrant personalities, thrilling showdowns, and a language that might feel like a mystery to outsiders. With over a century of widespread cultural influence, this sport-entertainment hybrid has cultivated its own distinct vocabulary. In wrestling, slang isn’t just playful jargon—it once served as a crucial tool for wrestlers to protect the industry’s secrets and keep audiences guessing about what truly happened behind the curtain.

Luckily, picking up the basics isn’t too tricky these days—though don’t expect using these terms to win you any favors with seasoned pros. So lace up your boots, embrace your inner villain, and get ready to explore 31 of the most widely used pro wrestling slang terms still in circulation.

1. and 2. Babyface and Face Turn

In professional wrestling, babyfaces are the heroes fans adore. The babyface (or face) is the character audiences rally behind, rooting for their victories and cringing when they face adversity. These personas vary widely, from John Cena’s playful rapper vibe to the patriotic American hero archetype made famous by Hulk Hogan. While they serve as the story’s protagonists, wrestlers can transition into villains or revert to being babyfaces (the latter referred to as a face turn).

3. and 4. Blading and Getting Color

Pro wrestling is a unique blend of scripted drama and intense physicality. While it’s staged, the risks are real, and the spectacle can be brutal. Blading (or gigging) is the act of using a razor to draw blood (often called juicing or getting color) during a match to simulate severe injury. This practice was banned by WWE in 2008, with wrestlers facing fines for violating the rule. However, other promotions like AEW and GCW still permit it.

5. Bump

Whenever a wrestler hits the mat, whether from a basic strike or an intricate move, it’s referred to as a bump. As noted in Green’s Dictionary of Slang, the term became linked to acts of violence (not limited to wrestling) by the late 1800s, describing everything from physical altercations to outright combat and even homicide.

6. Bump Mat

To make these high-impact moves safer, some wrestling events use a bump mat (or bump ring), which is engineered to absorb more impact, reducing strain on the wrestlers. In a standout moment from the reality series Tough Enough, Triple H demonstrates the art of taking a bump, emphasizing the stark contrast between simply falling and properly executing the move.

7. Closet Champion

In an ideal scenario, a champion would consistently defend their title to assert their dominance. However, some title-holders prefer to avoid the ring, earning the label closet champion. This term describes a wrestler who clings to their belt without risking a defense, often seen as unsportsmanlike and disrespectful to their peers. Yet, it makes their eventual defeat all the more satisfying.

8. Gimmick

As defined by Green’s, a gimmick is a “clever or inventive tool, gadget, or concept, often used to grab attention or generate buzz.” Dating back to 1893, this term remains central to professional wrestling, where it continues to serve the same purpose.

In wrestling, a gimmick typically defines a wrestler’s character, much like in Dungeons & Dragons, offering a framework for their actions and style in the ring. These personas generally begin as either a face or heel (more on that later) and evolve into unique identities, limited only by creativity. Regardless of the gimmick, it must captivate live audiences and the millions watching from home.

9., 10., 11., 12., and 13. Heel, Heat, Cheap Heat, Over, and Heel Turn

Every compelling story needs a villain, and pro wrestling is no exception. A heel serves as the antagonist, designed to provoke the audience and challenge the babyface’s journey to triumph. According to Green’s, since the early 1900s, the term has described someone deceitful, “particularly one who mistreats women,” aligning closely with its wrestling usage.

In wrestling, heels thrive on rule-breaking, unethical behavior, and victories achieved through cheating—all of which contribute to generating heat. When a heel targets the audience’s hometown or directly mocks the fans, it’s known as cheap heat, a quick way to provoke boos. This strategy also helps them get over, meaning they’ve sparked a strong reaction from the crowd. Whether positive or negative, this response is crucial, as it boosts their prominence and appeal within the show.

Similar to babyfaces, heels can embody a variety of personas, as long as they keep the audience engaged and booing. Iconic examples in wrestling history include Ric Flair, Harley Race, “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. When a face transitions into a villain, it’s referred to as a heel turn.

14. and 15. Job and Jobber

When a wrestler is scheduled to lose a match, it’s commonly referred to as a job, and the act itself is often termed jobbing.

A wrestler who frequently loses matches may earn the label of a jobber, someone whose role is to absorb punishment and enhance their opponent’s reputation. This isn’t a term to use casually at events, as being a jobber is rarely seen as a stepping stone to success or a long-term career goal. However, legends like Mick Foley and Bret Hart began as jobbers in the 1980s before achieving stardom in the 1990s. Even if it doesn’t lead to widespread fame, being a skilled jobber can earn a wrestler immense respect within the industry.

16., 17., and 18. Kayfabe, Work, and Shoot

Kayfabe is the foundation that drives the pro wrestling universe. According to Merriam-Webster, the term emerged in the late 20th century (pre-internet) and refers to the portrayal of wrestling events—rivalries, disruptions, and matches—as entirely genuine, even when they’re prearranged.

This concept transforms wrestling into a dramatic spectacle rather than a straightforward display of athletic skill. Historically, kayfabe also served as a code among wrestlers to stay in character and protect backstage secrets, though the internet has diminished its necessity. Scripted elements are called a work, while unplanned, real-life intrusions into the storyline are known as a shoot (or breaking kayfabe).

The exact origin of the term kayfabe remains unclear (outside the industry), but it’s believed to be a scrambled version of the phrase be fake. Some theories suggest it comes from Pig Latin, resembling “ebay akefay,” or from carnival jargon, as wrestling events were often held at carnivals. Another possibility is that it was named after a real wrestler, Kay Fabian. It might also derive from the Latin verb cavēre (pronounced “kave” or “kay-ve”), meaning “to beware” or “take care.”

19. Mark

Why would wrestlers remind each other to maintain kayfabe? The answer is simple: to avoid breaking character in front of a mark, someone who believes wrestling is entirely real and fully invests in its storylines. Marks root for the babyfaces they’re supposed to love and passionately oppose the heels.

As noted in Green’s, this term dates back to at least 1733 and refers to “the target of a con artist,” which aligns perfectly with its wrestling usage, albeit in a more lighthearted context.

20. Near-Fall

Understanding this term is crucial for watching matches, as it’s commonly used. The primary way to win a match is by pinning an opponent for a three-count. In a near-fall, the wrestler secures the pin, but the referee only reaches two (sometimes nearly hitting the mat for the third time) before the opponent escapes and continues the fight.

21., 22., 23., and 24. Phantom Bump, Sell, Botch, and Showing Light

Occasionally, wrestlers take a phantom bump, where a move doesn’t land, but they act as if it did, a technique called selling. Mistakes like this in the ring are often labeled as a botch, where a planned move fails to execute properly. If the audience notices the error, it’s an instance of showing light, exposing the artificial nature of the action. Instead of a convincing hit, viewers see a noticeable gap between the wrestlers.

25., 26., and 27. Potato, Stiffed, and Receipt

In wrestling, a potato refers to an unscripted, genuine strike (sometimes described as stiffing, meaning hitting an opponent with real force). While this can be intentional to enhance a storyline or match intensity, it’s often linked to inexperienced wrestlers. However, some legends, like William Regal, were renowned for stiffing, as it was part of their training and added realism to their matches.

Unsurprisingly, these real hits can catch the receiving wrestler off guard, prompting them to deliver a receipt—a retaliatory strike to remind their opponent to tone it down.

28. Promo

A key part of wrestling storytelling happens during promos, where wrestlers take the mic to address the audience or an interviewer. These segments, often scripted and pre-approved, are designed to heighten rivalries and generate hype for upcoming matches.

Certain promos become legendary, transcending the moment. A prime example is CM Punk’s infamous “pipebomb” promo, where he voiced his frustrations with WWE live on air, highlighting issues many fans agreed with. This bold move was seen as a challenge to authority, earning Punk cheers from the crowd. Yet, in true heel fashion, he quickly turned the blame onto the fans themselves, accusing them of contributing to the industry’s decline.

29. Schmoz

A schmoz refers to a chaotic, no-holds-barred brawl involving multiple wrestlers. It’s an effective way to fill the ring without needing complex choreography, relying instead on improvisation. While the term’s origin is unclear, it bears a resemblance to shemozzle, a British term from 1886 meaning “a noisy disturbance or commotion,” making it a fitting description.

30. Smark

While pro wrestling thrives on audience deception, some fans are fully aware of the scripted nature yet remain deeply passionate. Known as smarks (a blend of smart mark), these fans appreciate wrestling for its artistry and storytelling, often possessing extensive knowledge of the industry.

31. Squared Circle

The term squared circle refers to the wrestling ring, despite its rectangular shape. Its origins likely stem from amateur wrestling, where matches occur on a square mat with a central circle for combat. Alternatively, some attribute the term to 18th-century boxing, where fighters battled within a chalk-drawn circle on the ground.