A reader of this blog has shared with me his theory that the appeal and popularity of pro wrestling is rooted in the behavior patterns that we inherited from our primitive ancestors. After all, have we really evolved that much from our days of walking around nearly naked and beating each other with clubs? (Oh wait, pro wrestlers still do that!) This theory is based on a few assumptions:
- Humans (all species) are born with some ingrained behavior patterns in their DNA.
- The greater the survival value of a trait, the more likely it will be passed down and remain ingrained.
- Our inherited traits when it comes to social patterns is most likely similar to our ape cousins (especially chimpanzees with whom we share the most DNA).
An example of a valuable inherited trait is the reflex action of a human baby to grip an object such as his mother’s hand when placed in his palm. It’s not taught, so the baby is naturally born with this tendency — which prevents him from wandering off and getting eaten by a sabre tooth tiger. Even though we have now invented cribs, carriers, and other devices to restrain our babies, the babies continue to maintain the grip reflex generation after generation because it may be too soon to safely discard such a critical trait. (The store may run out of those Baby Gates or something…)
To ensure the survival of the social group, primates inherit the tendency to organize into packs under the authority of a leader. For example, chimps will usually form a troop headed by an Alpha Male with multiple females as well as subservient males who defer to the Alpha. The Alpha breeds with most or all of the females, and any mature male who is not submissive is driven away from the troop. (Keep in mind that we share over 95% of our DNA with chimps!)
The Alpha calls the shots: what to eat, where to sleep, how to fight other troops. He needs to be strong and dominant to ensure the survival of the group (and his authority). He will frequently be challenged by males in his own troop or foreign invaders, and must beat them into submission or kill them to maintain his power (and the right to bed all the females and pass on his DNA).
When two males battle for Alpha, the other members of the troop watch with great interest. They gesture wildly and make noise, supporting their favorite. They will follow and obey (and mate with) whoever emerges the victor — either the same old leader, or the eager young hopeful.
Eventually, the old Alpha will lose his edge and be defeated by a younger, stronger male who takes over as the leader (and gets to mate with all the females.) This replacement ape is faster, fiercer, and more aggressive, so he will strengthen and better protect the entire troop. This explains why the spectators watch so intently and work themselves into a frenzy as the fight rages on — their very survival may depend on it.
A bout to determine the new Alpha is an emotionally charged proving ground with the very survival of the troop (and on a larger scale, the species) hanging in the balance.
When the Alpha finally falls in defeat, the spectators go “ape-shit” over the outcome. They think: “The King is dead! Long live the King! (And more important, us too!)”
It is likely that when humans lived in the wild, we organized into troops similar to chimps (our close relatives). To survive the harsh conditions of nature, we likely had Alpha Males (champions) and challengers, and the outcomes of their skirmishes could greatly affect our lives.
The Theory of Inherited Wrestling Behaviors (as I’ve called it) declares that these old habits are still ingrained in our thought patterns. The reason that the bizarre, violent sport of pro wrestling remains popular is because it models the behaviors of chimps (as well as early man) fighting for Alpha — so the scenarios feel as comfortable and natural as a baby gripping his mama’s hand.
The spectacle of pro wrestling is perhaps nothing more than a re-enactment of the primordial struggle our ancestors witnessed (or participated in). The brutal action and exciting victories in the ring appeal to our monkey brains — to our sub-conscious behavior patterns inherited from our primate ancestors. We know it is fake, ritualized brutality, but it still presses the right primeval buttons and so we get drawn into it and it feels good to watch.
We sense instinctively that the outcome of a fight is critical to our survival and will affect us personally. We naturally tend to respect and fear (and even worship) a victor. The Alpha Male, in our old monkey brains, is to be obeyed (or mated with, or challenged if you’ve got the balls.)
Just watch the crowd working themselves into a frenzy during the next big Pay-per-View title bout: you can almost smell the bananas on their breath.
Thanks to philosopher and fellow pro entertainment wrestling enthusiast Wrock for these insights.
who is the “new champ” in the last photo? TA Magnum? Hot stud !!!
Interesting angle! In the news over the last few years, they’ve been scattered stories of violent attacks by Chimpanzees towards humans. There’ve been reports of male adult chimps attacking a man’s face AND CROTCH REGION in which – putting it mildly – the end results weren’t pretty. Also, in the film, Quest For Fire, rthere’s a violent scene in which a marauding group of Neanderthals attack the film’s protagonists – a trio of fire-seeking, Homo Erectus. During the violent attack, one giant, muscle-bound Neanderthal attempts to rip into the crotch area of one of his enemies with his TEETH! (EXTREME BALL BUSTING!) Thankfully, the more primitive man misses his target and ends up biting into the more evolved guy’s upper, inner thigh region…agonizingly painful and highly dangerous nonetheless in that “pre-antibiotoic” period. I fully agree with you; we appear to share many of our innate impulses with our primate relatives…including attacks to our “baby makers”. I have to admit though, that watching a wrestler “pretend to” knee or grab his opponent in the groin region is one HELL of a sexual TURN ON for me! (Hmmm. I suddenly have a hankerin’ for a nice, big, thick banana!) I’m anxious to read the second and third installments. 😀
super great and very smart analysis, I must add that the fight of alpha males is very sexy and hot!!!