Kayfabe/Playing With


 * Basic Trope: Characterization and plot as applied to wrestling
 * Played Straight: Joe Goodguy is pitted in a match against Bob Badguy, the outcome of which is predetermined.
 * Exaggerated: Months leading up to the big match feature Bob and Joe's allies and enemies mixing it up, and a well-developed storyline involving We Used to Be Friends, Abduction Is Love, Heel Face Revolving Door, and More Dakka, just to name a few tropes.
 * Inverted: Bob and Joe wrestle, but the outcome of the match is not predetermined, and there is no storyline or character; it's just two guys fighting.
 * Justified: It helps draw out fights and make them more interesting to watch (gains ratings), and also helps prevent injuries because the matches are controlled.
 * Subverted: The match doesn't appear to have much story behind it or make sense.
 * Double Subverted: But then Joe plays the We Used to Be Friends card and gives an epic World of Cardboard Speech detailing How We Got Here...as Bob thinks for a minute before proceeding to continue beating up Joe.
 * Deconstructed: As with anything else involving storylines, the storylines must be carefully crafted so as not to break the Willing Suspension of Disbelief or rely on Cliche. Otherwise, the audience will either be confused, bored, or both.
 * Reconstructed: The storyline is well-written, and Joe Goodguy (and his stable) don't necessarily always win against Bob Badguy. Also, they are good enough at making the moves look like the real deal (even though they are fake.)
 * Lampshaded: "That throw was definitely not faked!"
 * Parodied: The wrestling is set to ballet music, in slow motion, on a theatre stage instead of in a ring.
 * Averted: See "inverted"
 * Enforced: "We need to make our wrestling match more interesting...how about giving these guys a reason to fight?"
 * Invoked: Bob and Joe are seen outside the ring at a public appearance, and taunt each other as they would in the ring.
 * Defied: Bob and Joe are seen eating lunch together at a restaurant, laughing it up and talking like best friends even though everyone and their grandmother knows the two are mortal enemies.
 * Discussed: "Wrestling is so fake. It's like going to the theatre to watch two guys (or girls) whale on each other!"
 * Conversed:
 * Played For Laughs: Bob and Joe taunting one another.
 * Played For Drama: Almost always is.

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