A wrestler is an athlete who competes in wrestling, a sport where two people try to pin each other to the ground or force each other out of position using strength, technique, and strategy. Unlike boxing or karate, wrestlers don't punch or kick: they grab, pull, lift, and use leverage to control their opponent's body.

Wrestling is one of humanity's oldest sports, appearing in the ancient Greek Olympics and practiced in cultures worldwide for thousands of years. Today, there are several styles: freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling in the Olympics, folkstyle wrestling in American schools and colleges, and sumo wrestling in Japan, where massive athletes try to push each other out of a circular ring.

Professional wrestling, like WWE, is different: it's athletic entertainment where wrestlers perform scripted matches with dramatic storylines, combining real athleticism with theatrical performance.

Successful wrestlers train intensely, building muscle, balance, flexibility, and mental toughness. A wrestler needs to think several moves ahead, like a chess player, while also being strong enough to execute those moves. Many wrestlers describe their sport as the ultimate test of individual determination: when you're on that mat, there's no team to rely on, no equipment to help you, just your preparation, skill, and will to succeed.