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Pop (professional wrestling)

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In professional wrestling, a pop refers to the reaction of the crowd, often integrated into the show. It is measured by the amount of cheers or derision a wrestler gets during his entrance, interviews, and in-ring performance (especially when a trademark spot is performed by the wrestler). There are many kinds of pops. Although the term can in some contexts be used to refer to either positive or negative crowd reactions, "pop" is more often used specifically to mean a positive crowd response (cheering etc.); its opposite being "heat" or a negative reaction (booing etc.).

Name pop

Pops involving the mentioning of a very popular or very unlikable wrestler is known as a "name pop".

Hometown pop

When a wrestler makes an appearance in his real or "billed" hometown, he or she more often than not gets a huge crowd reaction, which is referred to as the "hometown pop". This can also happen if a wrestler from a country other than the United States makes an appearance anywhere in their home country to wrestle. An example of this is Zack Ryder wrestling in his hometown of Long Island, New York on the June 16, 2011 edition of WWE Supertars.

Cheap pop

Wrestlers will get a cheap pop when they either use the name of the city or something it is famous for to get cheers. 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. This is known as Cheap Heat.

Spot pop

This is when the crowd gives a large reaction in anticipation of a trademark move by the wrestler. A signal from the wrestler that the move will be attempted will initiate the pop.

See also