Concussion in professional wrestling: agency, structure and cultural change

In this article, we utilise the social dynamics of concussion in professional wrestling to examine and critique calls for cultural change as a solution crisis sport. Drawing on interview data from wrestlers, promoters, referees healthcare providers UK wrestling, illustrate experiences, attitudes subcultural norms exhibited relation concussion. Despite increasing concerns that brain injuries present unique risks long-term health, wrestlers continue embody culture which pain is ignored, ‘playing’ with injury linked notions masculinity identity. We further explore organisational features facilitate compound these risk-taking behaviours, conclude by identifying structural-cultural causes wrestling. sum, economic precarity encouraged while ‘free agent’ status many obviated potential any continuity or paternalistic protection. Moreover, changes dominant performative character led undertake increasingly risky moves, serial nature development centrality interpersonal negotiations workplace practice threw precautionary into conflict self-identity reputational concerns. therefore existing public health interventions designed address sport, particularly concept change, need diversify predominantly medical psychology-based models embrace more holistic, structural conceptions culture.