Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
Two of the most popular fighting sports in America are WWE and boxing. Each of them has a devoted following, and fans frequently come to blows.
But although though boxing and wrestling have some significant differences, they also share some similarities. Need to know more? To help you develop a healthy understanding of the other viewpoint, we have put up a comparison of two cherished hobbies.
Conceptual Disparities and Ring Performance
The foundations upon which boxing and WWE are based are fundamentally dissimilar, and this has a significant impact on how boxers are presented. WWE fights are planned performances that largely rely on charisma and spectacle to draw in viewers. Fans find grandeur in the spectacle that each wrestler delivers in the ring, and the excitement of WWE lies in the show itself.
The outcome of boxing contests is not fixed or choreographed. To win, a pugilist must accrue more points than their opponent, or use overwhelming force to finish out opponents. Fans enjoy the gritty, dramatic reality of how much skill and thought to go into each second of a match to attain the desired result.
Despite these differences, several performance characteristics are the same. WWE and boxing fighters must maintain top physical condition and command of a variety of combat styles in order to perform well.
Even a few well-known fighters, like Ronda Rousey and Ricky Hatton, have made the transition from boxing to wrestling or from the UFC to wrestling. This only helps to further demonstrate how, despite how some may see them, contestants across both sports eventually rely on comparable skills.
‘Brawl for All’
WWE even made an attempt at boxing in 1998 with the ‘Brawl for All’ competition. It was one of the few times when the results were not set, and on ‘Monday Night Raw’, a number of the wrestlers were handed the chance to compete in actual boxing matches.
This was an infamously poor idea as well as one of wrestling’s most criticized plotlines. Due to the fact that these artists had no formal boxing training, it was not only dangerous but also hardly imaginative. The so-called intended losers (as in the sense that WWE believed they would unquestionably win) fell short, and mid-card performer Bart Gunn emerged as the unexpected winner.
Due to this, Butterbean, a famous boxer, faced off against Gunn at ‘WrestleMania XV’ and easily defeated him. Making fast, simple work with the victor of the actual WWE tournament left such performers and the business in general with a poor impression. Gunn’s career never fully recovered.
Boxing and Wrestling Wagering Is Big
Both fans of boxing and fans of wrestling like wagering on sports, but fans of boxing are more likely to discover a website or a venue that supports their preferred sport. Boxing fans will not necessarily need to wager in person because they can do so from any state that allows sports betting.
For instance, Pennsylvanians can use a variety of PA WWE bookmakers’ sites to place bets on their preferred fighters, and online betting is also an option for residents of other authorized states like Nevada and New Jersey.
The betting environment for wrestlers, in comparison, appears to be fairly depressing. Many sportsbook operators will not create betting lines because the results of wrestling matches are frequently predetermined, in case information is disclosed to the public beforehand.
And although some bookies do see the benefit of taking WWE wagers, those who make the effort to calculate odds frequently restrict the amount of money customers can stake in order to guard themselves against significant losses. However, as WWE becomes more well-known, several providers are reevaluating their approach, so additional choices will probably become accessible over time.
Fighting Techniques & Special Moves
Pro wrestling uses fighting methods and strategies that substantially diverge from those used in boxing. Boxers are limited to using their fists to outmuscle opponents; they must instead employ jabs, hooks, slashes, and other hand techniques to dispatch foes. Boxers must adhere to strict restrictions regarding their movements; those who do so run the risk of losing the match and damaging their reputation.
The movements used in WWE contests are more varied and include the complete body, ranging from gripping and clutching to plunging and other more theatrical moves. In spite of the fact that pro wrestling has laws and restrictions as well, many fans think they should be broken. In fact, individuals who theatrically break them can become more well-liked than before.
Characters and Crossover
Over time, there has been a tendency toward professional wrestling-style characters in both boxing and mixed martial arts. Connor McGregor and fighters like him have gained more recognition than if they had simply been any ordinary guys because they are outrageous entertainers.
Mike Tyson has occasionally been in both WWE and All Elite Wrestling over the years. Prior to the epidemic, a match between Mike Tyson and Chris Jericho was scheduled for ‘All Elite Wrestling’. Even from a bout at ‘WrestleMania XXIV’, Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather defeated ‘Big Show’. Tyson Fury most recently faced Braun Strowman in Saudi Arabia for the Crown Jewel 2019 event, and he has previously indicated a desire in taking on WWE champion Drew McIntyre.
Both WWE and boxing, each with its own distinctive style, meet the entertainment needs of viewers worldwide. Why not think about venturing out a little if you are a devotee who is locked into one camp? After all, you might discover a newfound affection for a discipline you previously had little interest in.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
