Leverette, Marc

Dr. Marc Leverette is a doctoral student in media studies at Rutgers University, where he also teaches courses in media, communication, and popular culture.

Professional Wrestling, the Myth, the Mat, and American Popular Culture

2003 0-7734-6625-8
Provides answers as to why wrestling is so popular, and illustrates the symbolic functions of wrestling as an act of social meaning. Throughout the history of professional wrestling, its peaks in popularity can be directly correlated with the political, social, and cultural events of the time. The structure has traditionally been one of good vs. evil, fashioned after the traditional morality play, though this model has recently changed. Wrestling’s villains have always represented a threat to our nation state and our livelihood. The heroes have always been for, and usually of, the people, enacting our hopes and desires through their exploits in the ring. Through analyses of past wrestling matches and storylines, it is shown that wrestling acts as myth in the same way that other genres such as westerns have done.