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By: “DragonKingKarl” Karl Stern (Patreon / Facebook / Email)

Webmaster & Writer - When It Was Cool

Podcast Host - Wrestling Observer, When It Was Cool

I Asked AI to Write an Article About the Evolution of Pro Wrestling From the 1800s Until Now… How Did it Do?

There are a few weird things that I consider myself an expert on. They are very different but, for whatever reason, I know a lot about them. The realm of expertise I am best known for, I suppose, is being an expert in professional wrestling, especially the evolution of pro wrestling. In fact, I literally wrote the book on it: DragonKingKarl’s Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus: The Bible of the Pioneer Era of Pro Wrestling. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer called my book, “the best book written on the era”.

I also, of course, help run this website, When It Was Cool, a hub for pop culture and retro pop culture which includes, of course, pro wrestling history. With the explosion of interest in artificial intelligence, I decided to see if it could be of any help yet in writing articles for the website. So, as an experiment, instead of having ChatGPT simply clean up my articles, I asked it to write one. Literally.

So, here we go. I’ll let you know what I think about the quality of the article as we go along, again, I am an expert. The AI article is in bold and any corrections or commentary from me is in standard text.

ChatGPT said:

The Evolution of Pro Wrestling: From 1800s to Today

Introduction

Professional wrestling has evolved into a global entertainment phenomenon, with its mix of athleticism, drama, and storytelling captivating millions. While today’s WWE events and indie wrestling promotions are widely known, the roots of professional wrestling date back to the 1800s.

Karl - I think it is interesting that AEW doesn’t even get a name drop aside from being lumped into ‘indie wrestling promotions’ which would also include TNA, ROH, MLW, and others. No big deal, just interesting. I will have to watch out for any non-WWE mentions in this AI generated article since, if AI believes there is only one wrestling promotion, WWE, then that is problematic and similar to most main stream media outlets.

Over the centuries, wrestling has transformed from a form of legitimate sport to a scripted, choreographed display of athleticism and storytelling. In this article, we explore how professional wrestling has changed, from its early days to the modern spectacle we enjoy today.

The Origins of Pro Wrestling: The 1800s

In the 19th century, wrestling was a legitimate, competitive sport. Unlike today’s wrestling, where matches are predetermined, the 1800s saw the sport practiced as a test of strength and technique, with matches often taking place in fairgrounds, carnivals, and as part of variety shows. Wrestlers were typically regarded as tough athletes, competing for real titles, and there was no concept of scripted outcomes. The origins of professional wrestling as we know it can be traced back to the emergence of Greco-Roman and catch-as-catch-can styles, which would later influence the development of modern wrestling.

Karl - ChatGPT obviously, has not read my book. It really should, because the first two sentences are completely false. During the 1800s I would estimate that of the big main event level matches, less than half were legitimate. There are many wrestling historians who would probably disagree with that percentage but from my experience in researching the pioneer era of wrestling for around 30 years I honestly don’t believe the number is higher. However, the idea that pro wrestling was ‘real’ in the 1800s is total mythology. Were there real matches? Yes. Were there lots of ‘worked” (or as it was called in the 1800s ‘hippodromed’) matches? Yes. It also is clear that AI does not really know or at least does not mention any 1800s era wrestlers. It is not even believable that an article on 1800s pro wrestling could be written without even mentioning William Muldoon, Col. James H. McLaughlin, Evan ‘Strangler’ Lewis, or John McMahon.

As the 1800s progressed, wrestling became increasingly popular in Europe and the United States. It was often performed as a form of spectacle, with wrestlers engaging in physical feats designed to entertain the audience. This was a time when “shoot” wrestling (legitimate contests) was still common, but the rise of "worked" matches, where the outcomes were predetermined, was already beginning to take root.

Karl - This is a reasonable enough summary, though at odds with its first paragraph. Also, the popularity of wrestling in Europe, especially France, pre-dated pro wrestling in America.

The Birth of "Sports Entertainment": Early 1900s

By the early 20th century, wrestling was no longer just a competitive sport; it was evolving into a form of entertainment. The influence of carnival promoters played a crucial role during this period. Figures like Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt became larger-than-life personalities. Gotch, for example, was a world champion who wrestled in legitimate contests, but the business side of wrestling was changing, and promoters began to realize that they could make the matches more profitable if they introduced a certain level of theatricality and planned outcomes.

Karl - A fair summary. Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt were certainly two of the biggest names in wrestling… well… ever!

The first major shift toward “sports entertainment” occurred during this time, especially in America. Promoters began to control the results of matches, and while the wrestlers were still skilled athletes, the emphasis on entertainment and spectacle grew. The early days of pro wrestling also saw the formation of organizations like the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), which would later become one of the most influential governing bodies in the history of professional wrestling.

Karl - For a person with a mild interest in the subject this paragraph reads as a fine summary. The whole story is much more complex, but this this is a fine, if simplified version of events.

The Golden Age of Wrestling: 1950s-1980s

The mid-20th century witnessed pro wrestling’s rise to national prominence, with the creation of iconic wrestling stars and the development of wrestling promotions. The 1950s and 1960s gave birth to legendary figures such as Gorgeous George, whose flamboyant persona and entrance rituals helped set the tone for future wrestling stars. His success proved that wrestling could be more than just athletic competition—it could be a full-blown spectacle.

Karl - The 1970s, apparently, never existed in pro wrestling, but still, I am being a little harsh, this is a fine, if generic explanation.

By the 1980s, the wrestling industry reached a new level of popularity, thanks in part to Vince McMahon and the launch of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) (then the WWF). McMahon’s vision of combining high-energy performances, larger-than-life personalities, and storylines turned professional wrestling into a global entertainment juggernaut. This era is often called the Golden Age of Wrestling, marked by larger-than-life characters such as Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and Randy "Macho Man" Savage. These wrestlers became mainstream celebrities, and wrestling was no longer confined to local arenas but began to fill stadiums worldwide.

Karl - OK, so to an expert, you get the gist of this paragraph but for a novice it is misleading. The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) had existed since essentially 1953 as Capitol Sports and then later becoming the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), then the WWF, then dropping the ‘F- Federation’ and replacing it with ‘E- Entertainment’. There was much drama about all this, including losing a highly publicized case against the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) which won its letter back in court.

Modern Wrestling: The Rise of Globalization and Innovation

Karl - From this point forward, ChatGPT gives an overview of modern professional wrestling instead of the transformation from the 1800s era of pioneer wrestling. I was hoping for a more educated break down of the changes from the circuses and opera houses of the 1800s to the multi-billion dollar industry it is today.

As the years have passed, professional wrestling has continued to grow and adapt. The 1990s saw the rise of the Attitude Era, led by the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and Triple H. This period was characterized by edgier content, more aggressive rivalries, and a broader appeal to a wider audience. Wrestling moved from family-friendly entertainment to something that could also engage an older demographic.

In the 2000s and beyond, wrestling promotions have evolved further with the advent of social media, streaming platforms, and global broadcasting. WWE’s expansion into global markets and new promotions like All Elite Wrestling (AEW) have created an even more diverse landscape, offering different styles of wrestling that cater to a wider range of fans. The era of reality TV, YouTube, and interactive fan engagement has changed the way wrestlers build their brands and how fans connect with the action.

Karl - AEW does, in fact, exist.

One of the biggest shifts in modern wrestling has been its shift toward storytelling. While the athleticism has always been a huge draw, today’s wrestling is just as much about the complex characters and storylines that unfold both inside and outside of the ring. Wrestlers are seen as characters in ongoing soap operas, with rivalries, betrayals, alliances, and personal drama driving the plotlines.

The Future of Pro Wrestling

The future of pro wrestling is still unfolding. As technology advances, so does the way wrestling is consumed. From streaming services to virtual reality experiences, wrestling continues to experiment with new forms of entertainment. Fans can interact with wrestlers and storylines in ways never before possible, making the experience more immersive.

Wrestling may also see further cultural shifts, as more women’s wrestling gains prominence, with stars like Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair leading the charge. The diversity of wrestling’s talent pool and the global nature of the industry will likely continue to shape its evolution.

Karl - The future of pro wrestling is certainly up for debate. AI’s guess about the future is really just common sense built on current trends. The change from traditional television and cable to streaming brings pro wrestling in line with modern times and opens the door to a larger audience in the future. Though pro wrestling’s pop culture popularity current is mild at best, the bigger promotions like WWE and AEW are seeming doing well financially even if their storylines are still often criticized by fans. The current pool of heavily invested pro wrestling fans seems to be at its lowest number in many years.

Conclusion

From the legitimate athletic contests of the 1800s to the global sports entertainment phenomenon it is today, pro wrestling has undergone a remarkable transformation. While the nature of the matches may have shifted, the core of wrestling remains the same: it’s about creating larger-than-life characters, telling compelling stories, and delivering high-energy performances that captivate audiences. The journey from the 1800s to today’s modern wrestling showcases an enduring form of entertainment that adapts to the times while still honoring its roots.

Karl’s Conclusion

AI’s article was a mixed bag. The writing quality was good, but the information was superficial and not detailed. The lack of any specific wrestler names or events, especially from the pioneer era of wrestling is noticeable. AI is also quantifiably wrong about the legitimacy of wrestling in the 1800s, one of the main reasons I wrote DragonKingKarl’s Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus book - to disprove that mythology. ChatGPT’s writing prompt seems pretty good right now in a basic way, but ChatGPT is still repeating the long used (and incorrect) story that pro wrestling was legitimate in the 1800s. For the real story behind pro wrestling in the 1800’s please check out my book here.

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