What is workrate anyway?

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Originally Posted by Supreme Olajuwon Definition: The performance level a wrestler puts into their matches judged by both a combination of skill and effort.

This, pretty much. I think the problem people have though is when it comes to people like Davey Richards, and a lot of indy wrestlers, who put a ton of effort/energy into their matches, but do stupid shit (unnecessary moves, flips, etc), during their matches.

Davey Richards is a hard worker, and he busts his ass in the ring. However, he tries too hard to be stiff, and bust out tons of moves every match. Same thing with a lot of the Dragon Gate guys. They bust their asses, but their matches are ridiculous.

Compare them to someone like HBK though, who has superb "work rate" and is an amazing wrestler.

I guess what it comes down to is that you can have great workrate, but still be a shit wrestler. However, chances are, if your work rate sucks, your wrestling probably does too, with a few exceptions. Mainly guys like current day Mark Henry, who don't have to really bust their ass in a match, but still look great, because it goes well with the style/gimmick.

I think a good example of workrate is RVD. In the original ECW, he busted his ass, had great matches, and, to my understanding of the term, had a good work rate. However, in TNA, he just seems to go through a routine in his matches, and not really try, despite doing a lot of the same moves.

I guess it goes, in a sense, to passion. Who looks like they care, and who looks like they're just trying to get paid.