Pop (professional wrestling)
Encyclopedia
In professional wrestling
, a pop refers to the reaction of the crowd, often integrated into the show. It is measured by the amount of cheers or derision a wrestler gets during his entrance, interviews, and in-ring performance (especially when a trademark spot is performed by the wrestler). There are many kinds of pops. Although the term can in some contexts be used to refer to either positive or negative crowd reactions, "pop" is more often used specifically to mean a positive crowd response (cheering etc.); its opposite being "heat
" or a negative reaction (booing etc.).
makes an appearance anywhere in their home country to wrestle. An example of this is Zack Ryder
wrestling in his hometown of Long Island
, New York
on the June 16, 2011 edition of WWE Superstars
.
often follow the same principle but in reverse: insulting the city or bringing up something it is infamous for (such as an under-performing sports team) to get booed. This is known as Cheap Heat.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
, a pop refers to the reaction of the crowd, often integrated into the show. It is measured by the amount of cheers or derision a wrestler gets during his entrance, interviews, and in-ring performance (especially when a trademark spot is performed by the wrestler). There are many kinds of pops. Although the term can in some contexts be used to refer to either positive or negative crowd reactions, "pop" is more often used specifically to mean a positive crowd response (cheering etc.); its opposite being "heat
Heat (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, heat refers to both crowd reaction and real-life animosity between those involved in the professional wrestling business. In terms of crowd reaction, heat is usually either cheers for a babyface or boos for a heel...
" or a negative reaction (booing etc.).
Name pop
Pops involving the mentioning of a very popular or very unlikable wrestler is known as a "name pop".Hometown pop
When a wrestler makes an appearance in his real or "billed" hometown, he or she more often than not gets a huge crowd reaction, which is referred to as the "hometown pop". This can also happen if a wrestler from a country other than the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
makes an appearance anywhere in their home country to wrestle. An example of this is Zack Ryder
Zack Ryder
Matthew Joseph Cardona, Jr. better known by his ring name Zack Ryder, is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE and works on the Raw brand as a wrestler and the SmackDown brand as an assistant to SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long.Cardona wrestled mostly with his tag...
wrestling in his hometown of Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on the June 16, 2011 edition of WWE Superstars
WWE Superstars
WWE Superstars is a professional wrestling television program produced by World Wrestling Entertainment that originally aired on WGN America in the United States. It debuted on April 16, 2009 and ended its domestic broadcasting on April 7, 2011...
.
Cheap pop
Wrestlers will get a cheap pop when they either use the name of the city or something it is famous for to get cheers. HeelsHeel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
often follow the same principle but in reverse: insulting the city or bringing up something it is infamous for (such as an under-performing sports team) to get booed. This is known as Cheap Heat.
Spot pop
This is when the crowd gives a large reaction in anticipation of a trademark move by the wrestler. A signal from the wrestler that the move will be attempted will initiate the pop.See also
- Glossary of professional wrestling terms
- Heat (professional wrestling)Heat (professional wrestling)In professional wrestling, heat refers to both crowd reaction and real-life animosity between those involved in the professional wrestling business. In terms of crowd reaction, heat is usually either cheers for a babyface or boos for a heel...