Image Source: Faden Cloete
Key Takeaways
- Pro wrestling is considered an artform that involves various moving parts, including "selling," which is the act of conveying a story through body language and facial expressions.
- Body language plays a crucial role in selling, especially for luchadores who have their faces covered and must rely on non-verbal cues to convey emotions.
- Pro wrestling veterans like MVP emphasize the importance of letting wrestlers who are "over" with the crowd, such as Rey Mysterio, sell and perform without interruption.
- The art of wrestling involves a deep understanding of crowd psychology and the ability to work a match that perfectly flows, creating a seamless and engaging experience for the audience.
Introduction to Selling in Pro Wrestling
Pro wrestling is a unique form of entertainment that combines athleticism, theatrics, and storytelling to create an immersive experience for the audience. One of the most critical aspects of pro wrestling is "selling," which refers to the act of conveying a story through body language and facial expressions. According to pro wrestling veteran MVP, "Vince McMahon would always say: ‘You make your money here’ – your face, your facial expressions convey so much." This emphasizes the importance of non-verbal cues in selling, as wrestlers must use their bodies and faces to tell a story and engage the crowd.
The Importance of Body Language
MVP notes that body language is particularly crucial for luchadores, who often have their entire faces covered and must rely on non-verbal cues to convey emotions. "If they’re happy? They have to show you with their body; the way they’re talking, the way they’re moving. If they’re angry? You know, their body has to tell you how they’re feeling, because their face can’t do it." This is evident in the way luchadores like Rey Mysterio sell injuries and pain, using their body language to convey the severity of their condition. As MVP explains, "Let’s say Rey Mysterio, for example, showing his knee hurts? He’s going to grab his knee, he’s going to hug it, rock back and forth, and throw his head back and show you."
Lessons Learned from Wrestling Rey Mysterio
MVP recalled a valuable lesson he learned from wrestling Rey Mysterio, where he realized the importance of letting Mysterio sell and perform without interruption. "When you have somebody like Rey Mysterio, who has the sympathy of the crowd – and dude, I did this for real. This is a true story; this actually happened and the crowd got in on it," MVP said. During the match, Mysterio took a heavy bump, and the crowd immediately showered MVP with boos. MVP then decided to slow down and play to the crowd, noticing that when he simply put his hands on Mysterio, the crowd would erupt again. As he noted, "I learned a valuable lesson: when somebody is as over as Rey Mysterio? Let them sell! Get your heat on them!"
The Art of Wrestling
MVP’s experience with Mysterio highlights the art of wrestling, where everything perfectly flows, and the crowd is fully engaged. He praised the way luchadores communicate, noting that "they’ve mastered the art of letting you know. And – a little less sexy, a little less glamourous – they got a mask on, they can talk!" MVP also recalled working with another former co-worker, Jeff Hardy, who was heavily over with the crowd. As soon as he’d touch Hardy, the crowd would immediately hate MVP, demonstrating the power of crowd psychology in pro wrestling. As MVP expressed, "This is the art of wrestling. This is the art," emphasizing the importance of understanding the crowd and working a match that creates a seamless and engaging experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, selling is a critical aspect of pro wrestling that involves a deep understanding of body language, facial expressions, and crowd psychology. Pro wrestling veterans like MVP emphasize the importance of letting wrestlers who are "over" with the crowd sell and perform without interruption, creating a seamless and engaging experience for the audience. By mastering the art of selling, wrestlers can convey a story, engage the crowd, and create a memorable experience that leaves a lasting impression. As MVP noted, "This is the art of wrestling. This is the art," highlighting the unique blend of athleticism, theatrics, and storytelling that makes pro wrestling a unique and captivating form of entertainment.
https://www.wrestlinginc.com/2068136/aew-mvp-importance-body-language-rey-mysterio-jeff-hardy/