How do I analyze a pro wrestling match?

As a fan of the WWE for over a decade, I have been watching RAW, SmackDown and PPVs and now with NXT in the mix, I get a chance to see what wrestlers like depending on the storytelling, moves, finishers and everything else in between. Hopefully one day, I can call a wrestling match, but it depends on when.

Remember that professional wrestling is an art form and that everyone has different taste. Many fans are impressed by work-rate, psychology, mat wrestling skill, innovative moves, speed, agility, and stiff striking, regardless of the angle that brought the two combatants together.

For the majority of us, a strong angle that logically brings together two capable in-ring storytellers and climaxes with an emotional, dramatic, technically impressive battle is the absolute best set of circumstances to leave us feeling like we’ve witnessed something special.

So the question to all wrestling fans is: How do I analyze a pro wrestling match?

Emotion, intensity, innovation, high-flying, technical prowess, self-destructive bloodshed, comedy, power, or speed? What’s the right combination?

I see it like how I analyze a movie or TV show. I look for the story. See if there is a story outside of the ring. Is there some history between the two? Is this match something built up significantly or is it just some random contest out together?

Storyline vs. skill, big moments vs. modest venues, famous rivals vs. untested opponents; no one ingredient is more critical than another in the recipe for great matches.

Then I look at the script for that story, which is down to the in-ring psychology of the wrestler involved. Does all of this make sense? How will this match go to convey the story?

What story is the wrestler putting on? Is it a classic back-and-forth? Small guy vs. big guy? Is it sports-like with no villain or hero or well-defined heel-and-face dynamic in place?

What's the face doing to make you like them? What's the heel doing to make you dislike them and make you cheer for the face? What do they do to engage the crowd and make them react?

Will this be a quick 10-minute action-packed rush or will it be a slow-burning 20-minute plus epic? Will injuries (kayfabe or not) be a factor? Will those be focused on by the opponent? Will there be some interference? Is that interference justified?

I look for clean and crisp techniques. I look for the wrestlers acting as well. Their facial expressions and how they convey the fatigue, the frustration, their triumph, or their loss.

If a contest entertained you, impressed you, or pulled you into the drama and emotion of the story, it was worth your time. If you found the violence, or comedy, or strategy of a match to your liking, it did its job.

If two wrestlers wowed you with incredible high spots, painfully realistic strikes, or incredible submission holds, then it was a great match for you. That’s all that matters.

Does the story of the match make sense logically in the wrestling world? Does what happened earlier in the match mean something at the end? Does the match build emotionally to the finish and have a crescendo?

Ask yourself, "does it make sense?" Like, does it make sense for them to use certain moves? Does it make sense for certain moves to occur at certain times, or take a certain amount of time? Does the amount of heat make sense? Does the length of the match make sense?

The story becomes about how a wrestler overcomes an Achilles heel and defeats their opponent who is willing to exploit their potential downfall.

That's how you analyze a pro wrestling match.