Wrestlers React to Being Called ‘Fake’

Don't ever say wrestling is fake, because there's nothing phony about the physical punishment these athletes withstand.

Professional wrestling used to be an extremely secretive business, with the performers never admitting publicly that their matches were predetermined. For many years, fans believed wrestling was 100-percent a shoot, but others attempted to call out legends of the ring and get them to spill the reality of the art form.

One of the most charismatic defenders of kayfabe was Macho Man Randy Savage. While taking calls on an early '80s public access show, Savage defended the business like any professional would have.

"Zero. Nothing," Macho Man responded to a caller asking how much of wrestling was "fake." "Professional wrestling [is full of] super athletes training all the time for money at the top. The money is better the higher up the card you go. There's very little reason in my mind why I would go on television and do anything to make me look ridiculous. If you can give me [a reason] give me one now."

After a few seconds of silence, Macho Man stated, "Yeah."

Another heated moment came from Becky Lynch just hours before she was set to headline Wrestlemania 35. In the buildup to her match against Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey, Rousey called wrestling "fake" on her social media.

"It's almost laughable," Lynch responded. "That is the same woman who disrespects our business when the rest of us are out working 52 weeks a year, at least five night [a week]. We are on the road, in hotels more that we are at home in our own beds. That's the life that we choose, but that's the life that we love, and we do that so we get the opportunity... hopefully one day... to main event Wrestlemania. She is handed that opportunity. How dare she disrespect my business."