Pop (professional wrestling)

In professional wrestling, a pop refers to the reaction of the crowd, often integrated into the show. It is measured by the amount of cheers or derision a wrestler gets during his entrance, interviews, and in-ring performance (especially when a trademark spot is performed by the wrestler). There are many kinds of pops.

Although the term can in some contexts be used to refer to either positive or negative crowd reactions, "pop" is more often used specifically to mean a positive crowd response (cheering etc.); its opposite being "heat" or a negative reaction (booing etc.).

Name pop

Pops involving the mentioning of a very popular or very unlikable wrestler is known as a "name pop". Booker T in World Wrestling Entertainment used the names of Stone Cold Steve Austin and Bret Hart to get a crowd reaction when he was promoting the King of the Ring Tournament. Wrestlers often bring up legendary wrestlers for name pops to hype a title's lineage.

Hometown pop

When a wrestler makes an appearance in his real or "billed" hometown, he or she more often than not gets a huge crowd reaction. This is referred to as the "hometown pop". This can also happen if a wrestler from a country other than the U.S.A. or Canada makes an appearance anywhere in their home country to wrestle. Edge, then-WWE Champion, received a huge reaction in his hometown of Toronto, when he competed against John Cena, for the WWE Championship at Unforgiven 2006. World Wrestling Entertainment commentator Jim Ross, now working for Friday Night SmackDown, has always received a huge reaction anytime their WWE Monday Night Raw television program stops in Oklahoma City and will presumably receive similar attention if SmackDown returns to the city. However, this can go the opposite way such as when William Regal appears in England on a WWE tour and the crowd boo because they feel that England is being misrepresented by his character; however on the most recent tour a hometown pop resulted in a one night face turn for Regal. Another example of this is Sylvan at a recent Smackdown! taping. Even though he has played a heel jobber as of late he received a huge reaction from his hometown Montreal fans. Certain North American wrestlers get a home country pop when WWE tours that country, i.e. Batista when WWE toured The Philippines in Oct 2006, or Rey Mysterio when he tours Mexico.

Cheap pop

Wrestlers will get a cheap pop when they either use the name of the city or something it is famous for to get cheers. Heels often follow the same principle but in reverse: insulting the city or bringing up something it is infamous for (such as an underperforming sports team) to get booed. Mick Foley turned getting cheap pops into something of a catchphrase. He would call attention to what he was doing, giving what he described as a "big, cheesy thumbs-up" as he declared that he was thrilled to be "right here in (the local hometown)!".

The Rock would wear his Miami Hurricanes jersey and namedrop the team in his in-ring interviews in order to get both a "Hometown" and a "Cheap" pop. He would also feed off the local fans by beginning his promos with, "Finally, the Rock has come back to (the local hometown)!"

pot pop

This is when the crowd gives a large reaction in anticipation of a trademark move by the wrestler. A signal from the wrestler that the move will be attempted will initiate the pop. Examples of "Spot Pops" include:

When Hulk Hogan "Hulks Up", which is a signal of his "take home" series of moves.

When Stone Cold Steve Austin gives his opponent the double middle finger shortly before performing the Stone Cold Stunner.

When Kurt Angle removes his singlet straps before performing the Ankle Lock or the Angle/Olympic Slam When The Rock removes his elbow pad to perform the People's Elbow or semi-squats behind his opponent in wait for the Rock Bottom.

When Shawn Michaels "tunes up the band" (holds onto the top rope and strikes the canvas with his foot several times, gradually picking up speed) to perform Sweet Chin Music.

When John Cena puts his hand in the air, signifying the Five-Knuckle Shuffle.

When The Undertaker or Kane mimic a beheading by moving the thumb horizontally across the throat, signifying either the Chokeslam or the Tombstone Piledriver.

When Batista has his arms at shoulder length with both his thumbs pointing up, and then turns them over to a thumbs down position (referred to commentators as "thumbs up, thumbs down") to signal his intent to perform the Batista Bomb.

ee also

* List of professional wrestling slang
* Heat (professional wrestling)