Why A Pro Wrestling Ring Is Called "The Squared Circle", Explained
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Professional wrestling is one of the best examples of entertainment genres that mixes athleticism and show business. There's a reason why the wrestling industry has thrived for many decades and has a massive fanbase on a global stage. Although professional wrestling is not like any other traditional sport, there are some elements that professional wrestling takes from it. One of the elements is the title of the professional wrestling ring, "the squared circle," the same moniker commonly used for boxing rings.
Related: Sons Of The Squared Circle: 10 Wrestling Kids Who Look Like Their Dads (And 10 Who Don't)
Professional Wrestling Utilizes A Sports Based Presentation
Professional wrestling is an entertainment genre that utilizes a sports presentation of its production. For instance, WWE has always maintained a sports-based product to an extent. It's not just WWE either, as almost every wrestling promotion specializes in the sporting presentation of its entertainment. Organizations like All Elite Wrestling, especially, have taken the "sports presentation" idea to the next level by utilizing the concept of records. It was something very unique on the company's behalf.
However, the one aspect that almost every wrestling organization utilizes in a sports presentation concept is the four-sided ring. Because the four-sided ring looks similar to a boxing ring, it's generally known in the wrestling industry as "the squared circle."
Related: 10 Things You Didn't Know About The WWE Wrestling Ring
The Origin Of "The Squared Circle" Moniker For The Professional Wrestling Ring
Boxing is arguably the most popular competitive sport that usually utilizes a four-sided ring area for its combatants to compete against each other. In fact, the "squared circle" moniker actually originated from the sport of boxing.
The "square circle" phrase surrounding boxing goes back to the 1700s, stemming from the London Prize Ring Rules. Back then, boxers engaged in combat inside a shape of a circle drawn on the floor. It wasn't until the 1800s that boxing moved away from competing in a circle-shaped area on the ground to a four-sided ring with ropes, introduced by the Pugilistic Society.
Because boxing evolved into competing in a four-sided ring, the boxing ring itself gained the reputation as "the squared circle," keeping in line with its original roots of engaging in combat in a circle-shaped area.
As for professional wrestling, although it's entertainment rather than a competitive sport like boxing, it doesn't change the fact that the rings used in professional wrestling are also known as "the square circle" because of the similarities to the rings used in boxing. The combat in professional wrestling may be scripted, but it still gets mostly showcased in a four-sided ring, just like boxing.
The Connection Between Professional Wrestling And Boxing
The correlation between professional wrestling and combat sports like boxing has always had a unique history. It's worth noting that many boxers are fans of professional wrestling, and it's no surprise that the wrestling industry has welcomed these very boxers among its ranks.
Some boxers who've worked in the wrestling industry have also helped generate massive business. One could look at Mike Tyson's WWE run in 1998 as an example, where he helped WWE reach mainstream notoriety during the early years of the Attitude Era. And who could forget the highly-anticipated WrestleMania 24 bout between Big Show and all-time boxing great Floyd Mayweather, which helped generate massive PPV buys for the event?
There are a lot of other examples one could cite, but the point is, because of the similarities between professional wrestling and boxing, there's a reason why the wrestling industry would adopt certain phrases that stem from boxing.
Wrestling Respects The In-Ring Action In "The Squared Circle"
Many people don't give enough credit to professional wrestling for being one of the best platforms for showcasing an intense level of athleticism. Because it's an entertainment platform, it often gets targeted for ridicule by some, especially those who don't take it seriously compared to boxing or amateur wrestling.
However, there's a reason why many consider professional wrestling a sport, even though technically not of a competitive nature. And with "the squared circle" moniker of the professional wrestling ring, it sends a message that what goes on in that ring is just as serious as any competitive sport. No one should ever doubt the in-ring ability that happens inside "the square circle," as it's something people who are fans of both sports and entertainment genres can also appreciate.
