Wrestling with the Controller: Why professional wrestling’s relationship with realism and narrative has hindered its remediation into computer game form

Abstract

The remediation of wrestling from television to video games has resulted in a loss of match narrative, match structure and ring psychology. Although professional wrestling and video games share some core principles such as escapism and narrative, the storylines in video games are largely dictated by the authors, whereas the kayfabe storylines in professional wrestling television shows are effectively authored by the wrestlers themselves. This paper explores the history of professional wrestling, and discusses important elements such as kayfabe and ring psychology, which make it more than a standard competitive sport. This paper questions whether or not wrestling belongs in any of the standard video game genres (sport, ‘beat ‘em up’ and franchise), and makes recommendations for recreating professional wrestling in the video game medium that accurately recreates the television-based spectacle.