Dirt sheet explained

In the English speaking professional wrestling culture, a "dirt sheet" is a wrestling magazine, wrestling newsletter or website that covers professional wrestling from a real-life perspective as opposed to treating the storylines as real.^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]} Another term sometimes used for these publications is "rag sheet."^[6]

Reputation

Many wrestlers in the past resented so-called "dirt sheets" since they felt that they ruined the business by breaking kayfabe, i.e. exposing professional wrestling as staged.^[7] However, second-generation wrestler Bret Hart recalls that many wrestlers themselves were avid readers of the magazines in his youth because they too wanted to keep up with the backstage news;^[8] other people such as wrestling journalists have backed up that this was the case in the past.^[9] Wrestler Steve Austin often saw wrestling newsletters passed around the locker rooms when he started out in the industry.^[10] In the 21st century, some people in the industry, such as Vince Russo, Bruce Prichard and Eric Bischoff, still think that such publications hurt the wrestling business, as well as ruin the fans' immersion and enjoyment.^{[11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17]} Some wrestlers have themselves written for news websites, e.g. Matt Hardy for 411Mania.^{[18] [19]} Chris Jericho created his own called Web Is Jericho.^[20]

List of publications or websites often considered dirt sheets

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON), often considered the first "dirt sheet", created and run by Dave Meltzer^{[21] [22]}
• Pro Wrestling Torch (PWTorch), created and run by Wade Keller^[23]
• Pro Wrestling Insider (PWInsider), created and run by Dave Scherer^{[24] [25]}
• Pro Wrestling Sheet, created and run by Ryan Satin.^{[26] [27]}
• Wrestling News World (WNW)^[28]

See also

• Glossary of professional wrestling terms
• The Dirt Sheet, a wrestling web series

External links

• The Wrestling Directory

Notes and References

1. Bob Hansen; Like a Champ; 2007 - Page ?
2. Jonathan Alan Gray, Cornel Sandvoss, C. Lee Harrington; Fandom: Identities and Communities in a Mediated World; 2007 - Page 70
3. James Guttman; World Wrestling Insanity Presents: Shoot First... Ask Questions Later; 2008 - Page ?
4. Web site: Dirt Sheet History: Wrestlemania XX. Joey. 8 January 2014.
5. Web site: WWE release surprising update on Kevin Owens' 'quitting' angle from RAW. 1 September 2018. GiveMeSport.
6. Adam Kleinberg, Adam Nudelman; Mysteries of Wrestling: Solved; 2005 - Page 135
7. Web site: Dirt Sheets: Love Them or Loathe Them?. Paul. Austin. Bleacher Report.
8. Book: Hart, Bret . Bret Hart . . Ebury Press . 2007 . 9780091932862. ?.
9. Jeff Archer, Rick Boucke, Linda Frantzen Carlson; Theater in a Squared Circle: The Mystique of Professional Wrestling; 1998 - Page 121
10. Book: Stone Cold Steve Austin, Dennis Bryant. The Stone Cold Truth. Pocket Books. 2003. 0-7434-7720-0. ?. registration.
11. Kyle Bowman; Saving Pro Wrestling: Booking & Writing Storylines; 2013 - Page ?
12. Web site: 411MANIA. Vince Russo Says Marks & ‘Dirt Sheet’ Writers Are Gay.
13. Web site: Does Social Media Ruin The Moment In WWE?. 27 March 2018. Cultured Vultures.
14. Web site: Dirt Sheets: Their Effect on Pro Wrestling & Pro Wrestling Fans. Jake. Milliron. Bleacher Report.
15. Web site: WWE News: Sasha Banks comments on dirt sheet reports of backstage heat and turning heel. 2 July 2018. www.sportskeeda.com.
16. Web site: Vince McMahon Explained, Quite Frankly, Why He Doesn't Like Dirt Sheets. 9 March 2016.
17. Web site: Bischoff claims TNA contract won't expire in 2014. Geno. Mrosko. 4 October 2013. Cageside Seats.
18. Web site: Wednesday Cook Wednesday: Hardy Hate…DELETED. Greg. DeMarco. 14 December 2016. 2 January 2019. 29 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190329051749/https://medium.com/yes-wrestling/wednesday-cook-wednesday-hardy-hate-deleted-f8989cd49e2. dead.
19. Web site: Fox News out dirties the dirt sheets with some fake Usos news. Sean. Rueter. February 16, 2019. Cageside Seats.
20. Web site: Stoked to announce the launch of #WebIsJericho...an entertainment news site with hourly updated info on wrestling, movies, music & paranormal and original essays and commentary from our amazing writing staff!. Chris. Jericho. 12 August 2019.
21. Brian Solomon; Pro Wrestling FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the World's Most Entertaining Spectacle; 2015 Page ?
22. Web site: Jerry Lawler Calls Out Dave Meltzer; Details Early Struggles With Bret Hart. 18 May 2018. WrestleZone.
23. Patrick Jones, Joel Shoemaker; Do it Right!: Best Practices for Serving Young Adults in School and Public Libraries; Neal-Schuman Publishers: 2001 - Page 147
24. Web site: Popular Dirt Sheet Throws Major Shade at Brian Christopher's Death. 1 August 2018.
25. Web site: Konnan Fires Back At Dirt Sheet Writer Over Racist Remarks. 29 November 2018.
26. Web site: Collider Acquires Pro Wrestling Sheet, Will Hire Team to Produce More Content. Bleeding Cool. July 10, 2018. Jude Terror.
27. Web site: Former TMZ Producer, Ryan Satin Calls Out Other Dirt Sheets While Former WWE Superstar Adam Rose Talks About Losing Artistic Expression . Russo, Vince . https://archive.today/20180329185741/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/vince-russo/former-tmz-producer-ryan-_b_10777922.html . 29 March 2018 . . July 5, 2016 . 2018-03-30 . live .
28. Web site: AJ Styles Calls Out Dirt Sheet on Fake Contract News. Bleeding Cool. February 3, 2019. Gavin Sheehan.