Professional wrestling (colloquially abbreviated to
pro wrestling or
wrestling) is an
athletic form of
entertainment based on a
fictionalized, highly exaggerated portrayal of a
combat sport. Taking the form of live events held by
touring promotions, it portrays a unique style of combat based on a combination of adopted styles, which include
classical wrestling,
catch wrestling and
various forms of
martial arts, as well as an innovative style based on grappling (
holds/
throws),
striking,
and
aerialism. Various forms of weaponry are sometimes used. The content including match outcomes is choreographed and the combative actions and
reactions are executed in special manners designed to both protect from, yet simulate pain. These facts were once kept
highly secret but are now openly declared as the truth. By and large, the true nature of the content is ignored by the performing promotion in official media in order to sustain and promote the willing
suspension of disbelief for the audience by maintaining an aura of
verisimilitude. Fan communications by individual wrestlers and promotions through outside media (i.e. interviews) will often directly acknowledge the fictional nature of the spectacle.