Professional wrestling is often seen as a suspect sport and marginal entertainment. It is also one of the most popular performance practices in the United States and around the world, drawing millions of spectators to live events and televised broadcasts. That its display of violence is at once simulated and actual is part of the appeal for the fans who debate performance choices with as much energy as they argue about their favorite wrestlers. Its ongoing scenarios and presentations of manly and not so-manly characters- ...
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Professional wrestling is often seen as a suspect sport and marginal entertainment. It is also one of the most popular performance practices in the United States and around the world, drawing millions of spectators to live events and televised broadcasts. That its display of violence is at once simulated and actual is part of the appeal for the fans who debate performance choices with as much energy as they argue about their favorite wrestlers. Its ongoing scenarios and presentations of manly and not so-manly characters--from the flamboyantly feminine to the hypermasculine--simultaneously celebrate and critique, parody and affirm the American dream and the masculine ideal. This book looks at the world of professional wrestling both from the fan's-eye-view high in the stands and from the ringside in the wrestlers' gym. It begins with a look at the way in which performances are constructed and sold to spectators, both on a local level and in the ""big leagues"" of the WWF and the WCW. A close-up view of a group of wrestlers as they work out, get their faces pushed to the mat as part of their initiation into the fraternity of the ring, and the dream of stardom follows. The second half of the book explores professional wrestling's carnivalesque presentation of masculinities ranging from the cute to the brute, as well as the way in which the performances of women wrestlers almost inevitably enter into the realm of pornographic. Finally, it explores the question of the ""real"" and the ""fake"" as the fans themselves confront it. The game of wrestling may indeed be fixed, but no more so than the game of life. The real power may rest with the invisible money men, but at least in the arena, fans know the rules by which this particular game is played and are free to insist that the action meet their expectations. Sharon Mazer is coordinator of the drama program and lecturer in theatre studies at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.
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Add this copy of Professional Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle to cart. $2.61, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by University Press of Mississippi.
Add this copy of Professional Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle to cart. $4.27, very good condition, Sold by Books From California rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Simi Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by University Press of Mississippi.
Add this copy of Professional Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle to cart. $5.00, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by University Press of Mississippi.
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Add this copy of Professional Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle to cart. $6.92, good condition, Sold by Midtown Scholar Bookstore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Harrisburg, PA, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by University Press of Mississippi.
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Good-Bumped and creased book with tears to the extremities, but not affecting the text block, may have remainder mark or previous owner's name-GOOD PAPERBACK Standard-sized.
Add this copy of Professional Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle to cart. $6.94, fair condition, Sold by Midtown Scholar Bookstore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Harrisburg, PA, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by University Press of Mississippi.
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Fair. Acceptable-This is a significantly damaged book. It should be considered a reading copy only. Please order this book only if you are interested in the content and not the condition. May be ex-library. PAPERBACK Standard-sized.
Add this copy of Professional Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle to cart. $7.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by University Press of Mississippi.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Professional Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle to cart. $29.00, like new condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by University Press of Mississippi.
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Fine. A clean copy in excellent condition, appears unread. Wrapped in original shrink wrap. Binding is untouched. Excellent unblemished condition. Wrapped in poly bag to further preserve condition. Secure packaging for safe delivery.
Add this copy of Professional Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle to cart. $33.06, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by University Press of Mississipp.
Add this copy of Professional Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle to cart. $73.95, new condition, Sold by GridFreed rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from North Las Vegas, NV, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by University Press of Mississippi.
Add this copy of Professional Wrestling: Sport and Spectacle to cart. $103.38, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by University Press of Mississipp.