Do WWE Superstars Use Real Steel Chairs During Matches?

Along with wrestlers, WWE employs weapons which come out often. During No Disqualification matches, TLC, Hell in a Cell and Extreme Rules, we see weapons become an integral part of wrestling. Perhaps the most popular and commonly used weapon is the steel chair.

How real are WWE steel chairs?

Wrestlers have utilised the steel chair since the 50s and 60s, before Vince McMahon merged the American pro wrestling market. It is the first of WWE’s weapon triumvirate [TLC], and became synonymous with many wrestlers.

From legendary figures like ‘Wild Bull’ Curry to more popular hardcore wrestlers like Bruiser Brody, Dory Funk and Abdullah the Butcher, the steel chair became an effective weapon. However, what is the current steel chair made of?

According to a metallurgical analysis report by WWE, the steel chairs are actually 92% aluminium. Certain fan groups and wrestling experts criticized the WWE for calling them ‘steel’ chairs and misleading the WWE Universe. However, it’s obvious that with 92% aluminium, the harm to wrestlers is much lesser.

The report reads, “The folding chairs described by WWE as ‘steel’ are primarily made of aluminum (92 percent), tin (6 percent), and copper (1 percent), with residual amounts of steel and tungsten.” WWE’s report came under scrutiny, mostly because of poor timing. The company put out the report a day after WWE TLC, the PPV dedicated to steel weapons.

What are the most dangerous weapons in wrestling?

Although the steel chair looks like relatively less dangerous weapon as compared to other weapons. The ladder became a dangerous weapon once Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon used it to maim each other. It then became synonymous with prestigious title matches in WWE, especially the infamous TLC wars.

The WWE Universe’s favourite weapon is the table. When a wrestler goes through a table, few people realise the physical damage is a lot lesser than landing on concrete. However, the fans absolutely love when a wrestler crashes through a table, and credit goes to the Dudley Boyz for making them so popular.

Triple H‘s sledgehammer, Sting’s baseball bat, Jim Duggan’s 2×4 and Undertaker‘s urn are signature weapons, but nothing poses as much danger as the steel chair. WWE has banned chair shots to the head as a part of their Wellness Policy. A risk of brain damage and CTE [chronic traumatic encephalopathy] isn’t worth seeing man getting walloped in the head with a chair.

Read more: Why Is WWE Superstar Triple H Called The King of Kings? The Mystery Behind His Nicknames

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