The Art of Ribs in Professional Wrestling

The world of professional wrestling is replete with a unique blend of athleticism, storytelling, and a myriad of humorous pranks known as 'ribs.' These tricks, playful and sometimes mischievous, serve as a crucial part of the wrestling culture, reflecting the camaraderie and internal competition among wrestlers.

What are Ribs?

In the realm of professional wrestling, a rib is a planned prank or act of mischief that often has a comedic or thrilling element to it. Ribs can range from simple jokes to elaborate tricks designed to test a wrestler's resilience and sense of humor. These pranks are not merely for fun; they often serve deeper purposes, such as building chemistry within the wrestling team, or creating tension and drama for upcoming storylines.

Types of Ribs

There are numerous forms of ribs in professional wrestling:

Hiding a Wrestler's Gear

One common rib involves hiding a wrestler's gear for comedic effect. Imagine a situation where a wrestler is about to perform, but his gear is missing! This trick can create chaos and laughter in the locker room and backstage. In some cases, this rib can be quite creative and even an entire room's worth of gear can be hidden, playing a game of hide and seek with the wrestler.

Altering Entrance Music

Another popular rib is altering a wrestler's entrance music. Wrestlers often have distinctive entrance themes that play a crucial role in their brand. By changing their music, wrestlers can create an unexpected and entertaining moment for their fans. This rib adds an extra layer of excitement, making the crowd even more engaged during live events.

Setting Up Unexpected Outcomes

Wrestlers also use ribs to set up unexpected outcomes during matches or backstage. These moments can range from a wrestler appearing out of nowhere to a sudden shift in the competition's mood. These ribs are not only fun but also add depth to the storyline, making it more unpredictable and dynamic.

Infamous Ribs

While ribs are generally meant to be fun, some have become infamous and have even created tension among wrestlers. Here are a few examples:

Mr. Perfect's Eyebrow Prank

Back in the heyday of the WWF (World Wrestling Federation), Mr. Perfect performed a notorious rib on the Rougeau brothers by shaving off one of their eyebrows while they were asleep on a plane. This prank led to a significant falling out between the two teams, the British Bulldogs and the Rougeau brothers, creating the iconic blood feud that the WWE prided itself on for years.

X-Pac's Night of Infamy

In one legendary incident, X-Pac played a particularly nefariously mean rib on other wrestlers. He not only had a colleague defecate in Sable's bag but also intentionally had someone defecate in Sunny's food. This prank not only caused physical discomfort for the recipients but also fueled animosity and temporary breakdowns in the backstage dynamic.

Jerry Lawler's Memorable Feat

Jerry Lawler, who was a powerhouse promoter for the WWF in Memphis, had a unique tradition of pranking talent who once worked under him. Each wrestler who transitioned to the big leagues would unknowingly deposit their own waste in Lawler's crown, leading to a humorous and often grotesque experience for the prank's target.

Johnny Valentine and Jay York

Johnny Valentine, a self-proclaimed tatted up tugboat captain, played a particularly harrowing prank on professional wrestler Jay York, who was dealing with asthma at the time. Johnny Valentine inserted lighter fluid into York's inhaler, a daring and dangerous move that directly impacted the wrestler's health and safety. This prank pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in the wrestling world and garnered both public and behind-the-scenes attention.

The Steiners' Ceiling-Floor Prank

The Steiner twins, Christian and Billy, gained infamy with their elaborate gambling schemes involving other wrestlers' gear. They would chain other wrestlers' bags to pipes hanging from the ceiling, padlock them, and expect the wrestlers to find a way to free themselves with bolt cutters. This prank was a spectacle that tested a wrestler's patience and creativity.

JBL's Show-Off Stunt

An infamous prank carried out by Shane McMahon (JBL) involved him walking into the shower where Edge was also showering. At the time, Edge was a young wrestler. Shane proceeded to soap up Edge's buttocks, an act that was designed to freak Edge out and likely satisfy some sadistic desires. This prank became a memorable moment and sparked discussions on the appropriateness of such actions in the wrestling community.

Aftermath and Consequences

While many ribs are intended to be harmless fun, some can have serious consequences. Unintentional or poorly planned ribs can lead to tension, crisis, and even physical harm. The nature of the wrestling industry, where so much depends on the external perception of the performers, can make such pranks even more impactful. As a result, there is a growing emphasis on ensuring ribs are conducted with the appropriate respect and consideration for all involved parties.

Key Takeaways:

Ribs in professional wrestling serve various purposes, ranging from building camaraderie and spoofing storylines to simple jokes and tricks. While many ribs are meant to be lighthearted pranks, some can lead to serious consequences and damage relationships among wrestlers. Successful ribs require careful planning and consideration for the safety and well-being of the performers. The legacy of ribs in professional wrestling is both entertaining and cautionary, highlighting the importance of the human element in the sport.