Populism and Professional Wrestling in the Sunbelt South: From Rasslin’ to Sports Entertainment

Populism and Professional Wrestling in the Sunbelt South explores the history of professional wrestling in the South between the 1950s and 1990s, examining how it reflected political, social, and cultural events such as the Civil Rights Movement and technological and economic modernity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 162 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Populism and Professional Wrestling in the Sunbelt South: From Rasslin to Sports Entertainment delves into the rich history of professional wrestling in the South, particularly within the Trans-Mississippi Region, spanning from the 1950s to the 1990s. By examining professional wrestling through the lens of kayfabe, which refers to the perception of realism and suspension of disbelief among fans, this book uncovers that the dissolution of kayfabe coincided with significant political, social, and cultural events in Southern history, such as the Civil Rights Movement and the advent of technological and economic modernity.

In his comprehensive analysis, Christopher L. Stacey establishes that the same political, social, economic, and cultural forces of modernity prevalent in the Sunbelt South were reflected in a new form of southern and national populism that permeated the professional wrestling industry. This new populism manifested itself in various ways within the territories of the Trans-Mississippi region, including the portrayal of characters, storylines, gimmicks, and angles.

To provide a deeper understanding of the business of professional wrestling during the mid-twentieth century and its connections to racial, gender, class, and national identity, Stacey employs a range of sources, including autobiographies, biographical information, and shoot interviews. Through these firsthand accounts, readers gain a closer glimpse into the world of professional wrestling and its impact on the social fabric of the Sunbelt South.

This book is a valuable contribution to the study of sports entertainment, popular culture, and Southern history, offering insights into the complex interplay between professional wrestling, politics, and society during a transformative period in American history.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666951264