Wrestling 101: A Beginner's Guide

Lesson 1: Heels and faces

Every match is a story between a hero and a villain.

1. The face The hero the crowd cheers. Plays fair and shows fighting spirit.
2. The heel The villain. Cheats, taunts the crowd and takes shortcuts.
3. The turn When a wrestler switches sides, one of the biggest moments in a storyline.

Tip: Read our page on heels, faces and the turn for famous examples.

Lesson 2: How a match is built

Most singles matches follow a familiar shape.

1. The shine The face looks strong early.
2. The heat The heel takes control, often with a cheap shot, and the crowd gets frustrated.
3. The comeback The face fights back as the crowd rises.
4. The finish Near falls, signature moves, and a winner.

Tip: Watch for the moment the heel takes over. That is where the story starts.

Lesson 3: Ways to win

Standard rules in most promotions.

1. Pinfall Both shoulders on the mat for a three count.
2. Submission The opponent taps out or says they give up.
3. Count-out Staying outside the ring for a ten count (twenty in some places).
4. Disqualification Breaking the rules in front of the referee.

Lesson 4: The big promotions

Who is who.

1. WWE The biggest company, with Raw, SmackDown and NXT and premium events like WrestleMania.
2. AEW All Elite Wrestling, founded in 2019, with Dynamite and Collision.
3. NJPW New Japan Pro-Wrestling, home of Wrestle Kingdom every January 4 at the Tokyo Dome.
4. CMLL and AAA Mexico's lucha libre giants, with masks, trios matches and high flying.

Lesson 5: Safety

Wrestlers train for years to do what they do.

1. Never copy moves at home Even simple-looking moves rely on trained partners, a sprung ring and years of practice.
2. Want to learn? Look for an established training school with qualified coaches and a proper ring.