The term “Old School Wrestling” describes the style of pro wrestling entertainment from about 1941 when Gorgeous George debuted his “Glamour Boy” image, until about 1993 when “Monday Night Raw” introduced fans to a new, slicker production with less actual wrestling, less body contact, and more fast-paced matches coupled with dramatic, long-term storylines.
The specific moves, psychology, and language that distinguish Old School wrestling from the modern style is hard to describe. Trying to define Old School Wrestling is like trying to define hard-core porn — I know it when I see it.
Joe, who writes the always insightful Ringside at Skull Island blog, recently offered his definition of Old School Wrestling in his informative article: How to Do Old School.
He provided these ten statements that paint the picture of Old School Wrestling so accurately, you can taste it and smell it. He reminds wrestling fans of a certain age why we fell in love with this red-hot sport and strove to never miss an episode.
I hope Joe won’t mind that I took his content and copied it here, illustrating his words with some old images I had laying around the hard-drive. I’m sure he will understand that I was inspired by his words and trying to agree with, and honor, what he said.
I definitely agree with Joe that there was something “transfixing” in these dominant and submissive positions, grunts and groans, and sweating, straining muscle.
