Abstract
Abstract This article examines concussion in 1990s wrestling, specifically during the World Wrestling Federation's (WWF) “Attitude Era,” an epoch marked by intense physicality and boundary-pushing narratives. Conventional discourse about concussion in sports typically centers on the inherent risks and regulations associated with athletic competition. However, to truly comprehend the nature and frequency of concussions in the Attitude Era, it is imperative to consider wrestling, especially in the WWF context, as primarily an entertainment medium rather than a conventional sporting endeavor. This perspective shift necessitates an exploration into the production pressures, viewer expectations, and dramatic storytelling that often overshadowed wrestler safety during live broadcasts. Importantly, this reconsideration of wrestling can offer broader insights into the intersection of entertainment, commercial broadcasting, and injury in televised sports at large. As the lines between spectacle and competition blur across various broadcast sports, the wrestling case study underscores the urgent need for a nuanced approach that incorporates the imperatives of entertainment in understanding and mitigating risks such as concussion.
Published Version
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