Fighting for Connection Empathy, Cooperation, and Crowed Work in Scottish Professional Wrestling

Abstract

Action, Drama, Characters. The deep-rooted popularity of professional wrestling in Scotland is somewhat elusive, yet among its vibrant fanbase and practitioners, the uniquely identified theatrical sport-performance is as much a hobby as it is a lifestyle. This article compares two sides of the professional wrestling experience, from a ringside seat at a show in Perth, to the passionate environment fostered in a training school in Glenrothes. Between conceptions of reality and unreality as it pertains to the common attribution of 'fake' to professional wrestling, this article additionally dives into the emotional requirements of participation, from the wrestlers and fans alike, of 'selling' a display of violence through inherently empathetic vulnerability.