Wrestling, whether professional or recreational, boasts millions of fans worldwide paying to watch as one man pins another man in order to win a title belt. This billion dollar industry has formed a large following over the years; however few people understand the meaning behind the wrestling ring. Looked at as just a stage for elaborate moves and dramatic acting, the wrestling ring is more than just a prop. In fact, the ring can be viewed as a resource that will make or break these professional and recreational athletes.
Materials
Wrestling rings are made of durable materials to handle constant jumping, stomping and the excess weight of two or more wrestlers at a time. According to ProWrestling.com, standard wrestling rings are made of a plywood base covered in thick foam padding. Vinyl or nylon is then stretched and secured over the padding to form a smooth wrestling surface. Ropes are made of steel cables that are protected by plastic coverings to help prevent injury during signature wrestling moves. Smaller rings used for recreational and amateur wrestling measure roughly 18 feet by 18 feet with professional rings a bit larger at 20 feet by 20 feet.
Safety
Looking at the ring's main material makeup, the first conclusion one would come to is the importance of safety for the wrestlers. The ring's major function is to serve as a safe environment for matches to take place. Sharon Mazer, author of "Professional wrestling: sport and spectacle" states that extra padding of the mat and ropes cushions the falls that are required during a match. Wrestlers experience everything from throws to lunges daily, and standard flooring such as wood or concrete increases the risk of contusions and broken bones. Rings are reinforced and perfectly padded to allow for these weight bearing movements without risking the life and health of the wrestler.
Movement
Looking at a wrestling ring during a match, it may seem that the middle of the ring springs up like a trampoline when your favorite wrestler jumps or lunges at his opponent. No you are not seeing or imagining things, the middle of a wrestling ring is indeed equipped with a metal coil that is designed to give the mat buoyancy during those dangerous moves, according to ProWrestling.com. The metal coil is centered in the middle of the ring to give wrestler's the added oomph they need when performing a drop kick or other tricky move that requires them to bounce upwards. The spring also prevents further injury from unintentional falls by bracing the mat and wrestler's full weight.
Showcase
There is also an amount of showcasing meant for wrestling ring use. The ring is elevated so that spectators can see the wrestler's from different vantage points. After all, what's the use of watching a match if you cannot see the moves and athletes. Maze points out that the wrestling ring is not only a place to wrestle but also a venue for showing the strength, ability and size of more prominent wrestlers who take dominance over the ring. Beginners and intermediate wrestlers spend most of their training times on the floor mats, while seasoned veterans use the ring to execute more complex moves requiring the use of ropes and the ring's metal coil.
References
- Pro Wrestling: Wrestling 101
- "Professional wrestling: sport and spectacle"; Sharon Maze; 1998
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