Professional wrestling – multi‐million pound soap opera of sports entertainment

Abstract

Professional wrestling is a multi‐million pound industry. Loyal fans watch events and buy merchandising. However, even the participants admit that the results are pre‐arranged, with writers producing the stories and the characters for those involved. In other words, the whole phenomena is manufactured. The spectators are aware of this, and still continue to offer their support. This study looks at the ways in which the industry seeks to entertain these fans and offer them the product that will maintain their interest and their attention and ensure that they will continue to pay regularly so as to maintain the industry’s profitability.

Citation

Pratten, J.D. (2003), "Professional wrestling – multi‐million pound soap opera of sports entertainment", Management Research News, Vol. 26 No. 5, pp. 32-43. https://doi.org/10.1108/01409170310783457