Lounge Act

Have you ever seen a wrestler who wants to show that he is too good for the competition strike this reclining pose over the corner ropes?  He will lay his back across one rope and toss his legs up over the perpendicular rope strand so it looks as if he just woke up and is still lounging around in his underwear, or maybe that he’d prefer to lay in a hammock all day rather than lower himself to wrestle with the other guy.  He is using his recumbent position to send a loud and clear message that someone needs to find him some real competition worthy of his high skill level, which is a huge slap in the face to the disrespected opponent.  I’m not sure what wrestler first invented this arrogant pose, but it really sends a Cooler Than Thou message and always gets my attention when done well.

Draping oneself over the ropes, especially if done in the middle of the match after you’ve already bested him in a few holds, is a direct insult to your competitor — as if you aren’t concerned in the least that he may attack you while in this vulnerable position.  It also sends the message that you own the ring and can therefore use it however you wish, similar to putting your feet on the coffee table when you’re having a party just because it’s your coffee table (and nobody else had better put their feet on your furniture.)  This is also the classic pose of a villain, because good guys — heroes — have pride and confidence, so they always stand up straight and face their opponents with perfect posture, whereas bad guys slouch and lounge and sprawl like cats.  How many movies have you seen where the creepy, somewhat effeminate villain will gain control of the throne, then drape his body disrespectfully sideways over the arms of the chair rather than sitting up properly, and it makes you want to just slap his rude face?

Another effect of the Rope Recliner pose is the tension it creates for the audience.  They’re usually very eager for the bell to ring and the action to get underway.  They paid to see wrestling after all, lots of sweet moves, and someone in agony.  If they just wanted to watch guys lie around in their speedos, they could’ve gone to Europe or South American and gone to the beach.  Making them all wait while you rest on the ropes is like telling some poor kid on Christmas morning that he can’t open his presents until Aunt Mabel gets there — Aunt Mabel better hurry her ass up.

So this delay builds suspense in the crowd, stoking up their anticipation and excitement as they hope and pray that the other man can prove himself and somehow punish the cocky Bad Boy who dared to lay on the ropes instead of standing properly at attention.