Ok, so near falls are 100% necessary to the basic premise of a professional wrestling match. After all, the main aim for each competitor - if we're suspending disbelief enough to believe each bout is a legitimate struggle - is to pin their opponent's shoulders to the mat for the count of three. With that in mind, the idea can become quite diluted when the concept of the near fall is treated like a necessary evil by the people working each bout. Watching the opening minutes of most basic wrestling matches, it becomes clear that the wrestlers feel they absolutely must throw in at least a couple of near falls, even though it's obvious the end of the match is nowhere in sight. On one hand, it makes sense that each grappler would want to try and pull a fast one on their opponent, but why would each wrestler, who isn't even nearly tired or battered, wait until the count of two to kick out every time? Near falls can be fantastic devices when fans truly believe the end is nigh, only for one wrestler to pull his shoulder up off the mat, but they look a little silly when used as a transitional move from one spot to the next.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.
