Biological Connections to Wrestling: Relationships

Following my Mathematical Connections to Wrestling article, I decided to apply my knowledge elsewhere and see what connections to wrestling I could find in biology.

Since this article I have written the third in this series Philosophical Connections to Wrestling: Ethics.

Wrestlers on a roster are very similar to animals in the wild and interact very much in the same way. Some find very different ways to achieve success, but all do it through relationships.

Symbiosis

This is a relationship where two or more species rely on each other for survival. The bond can be biased, but all parties receive something from and give something to the others.

Coral reefs are a good illustration, where coral organisms and the algae that live inside them both rely completely on each other for survival.

It is quite easy to pick out some examples in the WWE, such as Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder. This is a pretty equal relationship where both give similar benefits to each other. Neither is really a good wrestler, but their association as a tag team is keeping them afloat in the WWE.

Similarly, I believe Brian Kendrick and Ezekiel Jackson fall into the same boat, but given a small push, both could have a chance at surviving on their own.

These relationships are in a constant state of flux, though, and some wrestlers can move from one relationship to another.

Parasites

Some animals are so successful in the wild that parasites have evolved to survive solely off that success. It is a complete one-way relationship, but most of the time little or no harm is done to the host (stronger wrestler).

Mosquitoes are a well-known parasite that feed off the blood of their host and usually do no damage to them (after the bite goes away).

This is not a situation a wrestler wants to be in. On their own, they will have no chance, so they rely on the better wrestler that they are affiliated with to stay popular and keep them alive (in a professional sense).

Before Lance Cade was fired, he was in an almost parasitic relationship with Chris Jericho. He had been successful in a symbiotic relationship with Trevor Murdoch prior to this, but following their split, he needed this union to avoid getting fired. However, we know this didn’t last long.

Hornswoggle is another who could fall into this bracket. Some may disagree, but without Finlay, I don’t think he would have a place in the WWE.

The Pack

Various species live in large groups, as they stand a better chance of survival in bigger numbers. Most could stand a chance at survival on their own, but there are many benefits to living in large numbers.

Lions, tigers, and even ants are good examples of creatures that co-exist on mass. All provide protection for each other, and food is distributed among them all.

In many ways, these similarities apply to wrestling, as some wrestlers form large groups known as factions. Within these factions, there are dominant well-known characters along with less popular, weaker wrestlers.

The popularity they gain is shared approximately equally throughout, and all wrestlers protect each other from attack.

Randy Orton’s Legacy has recently formed and is dominating the scene of RAW. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase could likely have successful singles careers if the group split, but at this instance in time they are all benefiting each other staying together.

The faction has been a popular and successful way of wrestlers gaining popularity, and clearly draws similarities to the biological world.

Lone Wolf

One of the most simple and common way of an animal surviving in the wild is relying on No. 1. Many animals, although occasionally relying on others, can live their entire lives alone.

Bears provide a good instance of an animal surviving on its own. Although they must interact for mating and occasional social activity, they can sustain themselves on the food they gather individually.

Size, however (as the bear analogy may suggest), is not an important factor to be counted in this category. Wrestlers like Rey Mysterio have made a successful living purely off their own back, although not devoid of relationships within the business.

Great skill, personality, acumen, and in-ring presence can give some wrestlers the attributes they need to make it on their own, which we quite often see in the wrestling world.

Although my biologic knowledge is not as extensive as my mathematical know-how, I hope this has made for enjoyable reading. As this shows, wrestlers rely on each other in many ways in pro wrestling, like in the wild, and by considering them in this manner it helps us understand why relationships are so important.