Modern Gladiators: A Content Analysis of Televised Wrestling

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore how antisocial content in televised wrestling is represented in match-nonmatch time and in three different television time periods: prime time, after midnight, and weekend morning time. Based on previous television violence studies, the antisocial content (aggressive acts, rule violations, and glamorization of violence) important in evaluating televised wrestling was analyzed. The results indicate that national televised wrestling programs (World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling, and Extreme Championship Wrestling) frequently show more antisocial content than locally oriented ones (National Wrestling Alliance and International Wrestling Union). The antisocial content is also frequently represented in nonmatch time as well as match time. There is no significant difference of frequency of antisocial representation among prime time, after midnight, and weekend morning time periods, so this study suggests that children might be exposed to similar amounts of antisocial behaviors regardless of time period.