4. THE CARNY ERA
The Carny Era (Carnival Era) was a unique time in the history of professional wrestling. Beginning in the late 1800's, carnival workers would work as bookers and promoters who would go out and find big, brutish men to come and join their travelling shows from town to town, holding impromptu matches against one another. There have been instances where the wrestlers would compete against a live bear, just to spark interest and sell tickets to the shows, which would also result in more patrons at their carnivals.
Along with these traveling carnivals, there would also be large, traveling circuses who would also book these wrestlers from time to time as well. During this time, a lot of the over-the-top characters and gimmicks would come to life. The Carnival Era was very influential to the overall evolution of the business as we now know it.
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
