If Chris Jericho had his way, professional wrestling would be an Olympic sport.
During a recent interview on Neal Brennan’s podcast Blocks, Jericho proposed the idea, saying, “I’ve started to really think about how pro wrestling could easily be an Olympic sport because it’s an athletic display between two people, much like figure skating or synchronized swimming, or anything else that’s judged on points.”
Unlike other Olympic sports based on winning and losing, Jericho suggested that wrestlers from their respective countries could perform a match (or routine) judged on technique and execution rather than the outcome.
Said Jericho, “So let’s say I’m from Canada. Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, the best wrestler from Canada. We put together our routine, and then you got Will Ospreay and Michael Oku from England. They put together their routine. Then you got Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson — from the United States — putting together their routine. Then the judges would say, ‘Okay, this was the best.' It doesn’t matter who wins or loses. Like figure skating.”
While Jericho’s idea makes sense initially, the key question is on what merit a pro wrestling match or routine would be scored. For example, figure skating routines are judged on technical elements like the difficulty and execution of jumps and program components, such as choreography.
With that in mind, one must ponder which wrestling moves would form the core of a routine. Would wrestlers be expected to perform a Spanish Fly, or would the emphasis be on executing traditional holds and sequences?
Another complexity is the psychology and structure of a match, including the dynamic roles of heels and babyfaces, storytelling, and selling. How would these elements factor into scoring? Alternatively, would a wrestling match be judged by audience reception, akin to current fan and observer-rated star systems?
While elements of pro wrestling may draw comparisons to sports like figure skating, its essence remains predominantly artistic rather than purely athletic. To reduce wrestling to the mere execution and difficulty of maneuvers is to overlook the unique elements that make it special: character development, promos, and the story arcs that culminate in matches that tell distinct physical stories at a specific place and time.
Ultimately, pro wrestling, despite its awe-inspiring physicality, isn’t suited for the Olympics. Instead, its dramatic flair and storytelling mastery warrant acclaim on stages like the Oscars or Emmys rather than the pursuit of gold, silver, or bronze medals.
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