Glossary of Professional Wrestling Terms - C

C

C-Show

An event featuring the lowest level of talent in a promotion. Often used as a derogatory adjective.

Call

To instruct the other wrestler of what is going to happen in the match.

Card

The lineup of the matches that will be staged at a given venue for a given performance. The card is generally performed in a roughly inverse order to the way in which it might be printed for posters or other promotional materials. The major matches between well-known opponents may be for "titles" and are said to be "top of the card" or "headliners" while the preliminary matches between lesser-known opponents are said to be the "undercard." In Lucha libre, cards are generally five matches although big events might have more and smaller promotions might not run the full five match card. The first match is called the Primera Lucha, the second is called the Segunda Lucha, the third is usually the Combate Especial or the Lucha Especial, the fourth or second to last match is called the Lucha Semifinal, and the main event is called the Lucha Estelar or Lucha Estrella.

Cheap heat

The incitement of a negative crowd reaction by insulting the crowd (by insulting the city or a local sports team, like wearing a Yankees jersey in Boston) or by using a news event as part of his promo.

Cheap pop

The incitement of a positive crowd reaction by "kissing up" to the crowd (for example, mentioning the name of the city or complimenting a local sports team). Heels often follow the same principle but in reverse: insulting the city or bringing up something it is infamous for (such as an under-performing sports team) to get booed.

Cheap shot

An underhanded tactic, such as a low blow or a foreign object to get an advantage over an opponent.

Claret

To draw blood. Especially in British professional wrestling.

Clean finish

A match ending without cheating or outside interference, usually in the center of the ring. (Compare "screwjob")

Closet champion

A titleholder (usually a heel) who ducks top-flight competition, cheats to win (often by managerial interference), and—when forced to wrestle good opponents—deliberately causes himself to be disqualified (since titles often do not change hands by disqualification) to retain his title.

Color

The amount of bloodshed in a match.

Crimson Mask

A face covered in blood, comparable to a mask.

Cross-promotion

An event which occurs when two or more rival promotions put together one card or wrestling event. Some promoters have used cross-promotion style angles to further interest. Cross promotion dates back to the early days of wrestling as challenges between rival promoters in the same area often occurred.