As far as pro-wrestling is concerned, it's key to remember that everything happens within a controlled setup, it’s a scripted performance where each outcome is planned. This lets audiences dive into the fantasy, play out different dynamics, and explore themes of strength, vulnerability, and dominance without anyone actually getting hurt. From a psychological angle, there’s something intriguing about seeing the unexpected, like a “cute” or seemingly "strong" facing defeat. This taps into a well known phenomenon where we’re drawn to contrasts: seeing someone who looks sweet, innocent, strong or attractive in a tough or challenging position can be both unexpected and exciting. In fantasy, this can make the character even more appealing because it adds layers to how they’re perceived, flipping the usual power dynamics. People may vote for or root for certain characters based on attraction, but there’s also a fascination with the idea of someone “out of their element,” which might just add to the character’s appeal.
And here’s the thing, pro-wrestling does this neat little trick on our subconscious, too. We’re watching these dramatic, high energy battles, but deep down, we know it’s all a performance. This knowledge taps into something deeper, almost giving the whole thing a subconscious layer where the beatdown we see on the screen feels both intense and harmless. It’s like the mind has this little signal going off saying, “This is all part of the act; she’s in on it, it’s consensual, it’s sexy, and it’s not real.”
This understanding lets people enjoy the tension without any of the guilt or worry they’d feel if it were real. There’s a comfort in knowing that every slam, every throw, every bit of trash talk is all planned and agreed upon, no one’s actually getting hurt. In my opinion, it’s really this subconscious setup, the knowledge that pro-wrestling is all for show, that makes people so often enjoy seeing the more attractive competitor lose. In this scripted environment, we know the stakes aren’t real, so the fantasy of seeing someone beautiful “defeated” becomes exciting rather than troubling. It’s like we get to see this unexpected contrast without any real harm coming to anyone, and that’s intriguing on a different level.
But then, when it comes to other types of polls or competitions, especially in non-scripted contexts, things change. People are naturally wired to link good looks with success, strength, and achievement. That’s a basic psychological association... attractive people are often seen as more capable, charismatic, or deserving of victory. So, in those cases, fans usually want to see the better-looking person come out on top because it just feels more in line with the way we’re conditioned to think.
