User Tools

for kids who can't troll good and want to learn how to do other things good too

Site Tools

tactics:kayfabe

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision		Previous revision
tactics:kayfabe [2025/11/22 12:36] – [Digital Kayfabe] General MacOwlthurtactics:kayfabe [2026/08/19 09:09] (current) – [Origin of the Term] Humphrey Boa-Gart
Line 1: Line 1:
 ====== Kayfabe ====== ====== Kayfabe ======
  
-In the world of professional wrestling //(a form of "sports entertainment" in which all the matches have a fixed outcome)// **kayfabe**  is a nebulous term which loosely refers to the scripted nature of the event. Since professional wrestling is more about promoting captivating spectacles than it is real sportsmanship, a suspension of disbelief is necessary on the part of the audience to immerse themselves in the narrative - much like if one were watching a fictional movie or playing a video game. Wrestlers will oftentimes stay in-character outside the ring, in order to aid this suspension of disbelief and to help build an engrossing shared universe of characters.+In the world of professional wrestling //(a form of "sports entertainment" in which all the matches have a fixed outcome)// **kayfabe**  is a nebulous term which loosely refers to the scripted nature of the event. Since professional wrestling is more about promoting captivating spectacles than it is real sportsmanship, a suspension of disbelief is necessary on the part of the audience to immerse themselves in the narrative - much like if one were watching a fictional movie or playing a video game. Wrestlers will oftentimes stay in-character outside the ring, in order to aid this suspension of disbelief and to help build an engrossing shared [[x:egregore|universe]] of characters.
  
 Kayfabe is analogous to the [[wp>Fourth wall|fourth wall]]. A professional wrestler who breaks character might be referred to as //"breaking kayfabe"// - Similar to how an actor breaking character on-screen would be //"breaking the fourth wall"//. Kayfabe is also used as a code word or safe word, when discussing the logistics of this fake reality around outsiders. Kayfabe is analogous to the [[wp>Fourth wall|fourth wall]]. A professional wrestler who breaks character might be referred to as //"breaking kayfabe"// - Similar to how an actor breaking character on-screen would be //"breaking the fourth wall"//. Kayfabe is also used as a code word or safe word, when discussing the logistics of this fake reality around outsiders.
Line 18: Line 18:
  
 > Another theory suggests that the term derives from the expression "keep cavey", from the Latin verb caveo, which means "look out for"; this phrase was used throughout Britain and by Jews living in East London between World War I and World War II. According to that theory, many US promoters and wrestlers at that time were of Eastern European origin and many had heavy accents, leading to the term being transformed into "kayfabe". > Another theory suggests that the term derives from the expression "keep cavey", from the Latin verb caveo, which means "look out for"; this phrase was used throughout Britain and by Jews living in East London between World War I and World War II. According to that theory, many US promoters and wrestlers at that time were of Eastern European origin and many had heavy accents, leading to the term being transformed into "kayfabe".
 +
  
 ===== Digital Kayfabe ===== ===== Digital Kayfabe =====
Line 29: Line 30:
 4chan and the other imageboards are notorious hotspots for kayfabe-type shenanigans. The controversial **QAnon universe** is a type of kayfabe. The **/x/** subforum in particular has hosted many ARG's and digital pranks, including the infamous [[ed>Haunted Majora's Mask Cartridge]]. 4chan and the other imageboards are notorious hotspots for kayfabe-type shenanigans. The controversial **QAnon universe** is a type of kayfabe. The **/x/** subforum in particular has hosted many ARG's and digital pranks, including the infamous [[ed>Haunted Majora's Mask Cartridge]].
  
-Kayfabe can also be used as a form of [[tactics:cointel|counter-intelligence]]. Wielded in this way, kayfabe can be incredibly effective at throwing off spies, stalkers and the press, who might otherwise get in the way of [[:op|operations]]. It can also be wielded in a destructive context, such as in cases of [[tactics:triangulation|triangulation attacks]].+Kayfabe can also be used as a form of counter-intelligence. Wielded in this way, kayfabe can be incredibly effective at throwing off spies, stalkers and the press, who might otherwise get in the way. It can also be wielded in a destructive context, such as in cases of [[tactics:triangulation|triangulation attacks]].
  
 ===== Other Instances ===== ===== Other Instances =====
  
-Comedian and prototypical troll **Andy Kaufman** was fascinated with professional wrestling, and in particular the kayfabe aspect. He worked it into his own comedic routines to great effect, even staging a long-running kayfabe feud with real wrestler Jerry Lawler.+Comedian and prototypical troll **Andy Kaufman** was fascinated with professional wrestling, and in particular the kayfabe aspect. He worked it into his own comedic routines to great effect, even staging a long-running kayfabe feud with real wrestler Jerry Lawler, which allowed them to covertly disrupt talk shows and TV studios with their shenanigans.
  
 {{tag>Tactics}} {{tag>Tactics}}
  
tactics/kayfabe.1763815002.txt.gz · Last modified: (external edit)

Find this page online at: https://bestpoint.institute/tactics/kayfabe
CC Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International The Anonymous Fruit Company Erischan Novelty Lanterns

Copyright 2026 Best Point Holdings Ltd. Co.
"Limited Liability, Limitless Lulz."