To give students a better understanding of professional wrestling and the images and ideals it portrays to them.

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LEADER PREPARATION

Be familiar with wrestling jargon, federations, and the currently popular wrestlers (see Resource List). Bring paper and writing utensils.

GROUP PRESENTATION

Bring pictures of professional wrestlers from magazines, posters, t-shirts, etc. Ask the group if they can identify them. If possible, also bring in some pictures of "older" wrestlers (see Resource List). If possible and appropriate, show a clip of wrestling from TV (Monday nights and Thursday nights).

GROUP DISCUSSION

As appropriate with the gender and age group, ask any of the following questions:

• Do you watch pro wrestling or know anyone else who watches pro wrestling? If so, which ones (i.e., WWF, WCW, ECW) does he/she watch?
• Which wrestling federation is your favorite? Why?
• What do you like most about wrestling?
• What don’t you like about professional wrestling? How would you make it better?
• Which shows in particular do you watch?
• How often do you watch wrestling?
• Who are your favorite wrestlers? Why?
• Which wrestlers do you hate? Why?
• Do you or someone you know own any wrestling paraphernalia?
• Do you own or ever play wrestling video games on the Nintendo 64 or Playstation? If so, which ones?
• Who are the good guys and bad guys in pro wrestling?
• Do you think that young children should watch wrestling? Why or why not?
• Have you ever watched a Pay-Per-View wrestling event on TV? Which one(s)?
• What do your friends think of pro wrestling? Teachers? Parents?
• Do you think wrestling is real? Why or why not?
• Do you feel wresting is too violent? Why or why not?
• Do you think that there is too much sex in wrestling? Why or why not?
• What do you think of women in wrestling?
• Do you subscribe to or buy any of wrestling magazines? Which ones? Why?
• What do you think of the profanity in wrestling?
• Do you ever "play" wrestling or do wrestling "moves" on your friends or vice versa?
• Do you or anyone you know ever quote wrestlers and their sayings (i.e., "Cause Stone Cold said so!" or "jabroni" or "Roodypoo")?
• What are some of the storylines in wrestling?
• Have you ever been to a live wrestling event? Who do you go with?
• Why do you think certain wrestlers are more popular than others?
• Why might parents or certain people not like professional wrestling?
• What messages might professional wrestling be sending to people?
• What do you think your youth leader’s reaction would be if he or she were to watch professional wrestling with you? Explain.

WRAP UP

• Ask the group if they have any final thoughts, questions, or reflections to discuss.
• Affirm them in their honesty and openness, and in their attempts to analyze the subject.

EVALUATION AND FOLLOW UP

• Ask teens what attitudes, images, and ideals professional wrestling is really trying to give them.
• Ask teens to consider these ideas, images, and attitudes when they are watching wrestling and to ask themselves: "Are they giving me a realistic, positive message?"
• Encourage teens to ask their friends why they like professional wrestling. Consider giving them a survey for their friends, to faciliate a conversation with others about pro wrestling.

IMPLICATIONS

Professional wrestling is a huge realm of entertainment for teenage and young boys. However, the messages that professional wrestling sends young people are those of sex, violence, and disrespect. This discussion will open up communication between teens and youth leaders, provide a better understanding of why people find wrestling appealing, reveal how it can be a substitute for dealing with emotions, and see how it fills a perceived need for entertainment and violence.

Joey Wang cCYS