Wrestling head coach Matt Fiordirosa would be the first person to tell you that WWE has distorted our perception of the sport.

Real wrestling is tactical, fundamental, and gritty; the favorite sport of the Greeks.

But thanks to the likes of John Cena and Vince McMahon, when we hear “wrestling,” we think of steel chairs, sabotage, and Stone Cold Steve Austin. 

They make headlocks and takedowns look tame compared to powerbombs and chokeslams. Scripted, dramatized, and over-the-top, “pro wrestling” is the antithesis of the action found on a high school mat.

But for a few hours on Thursday night, “real wrestling” will go WWE, when the Varsity Wrestling team will shut off the dull fluorescent lights of the fieldhouse, and perform for the first time under the unforgiving glare of a spotlight that the team hopes will elevate both the atmosphere and its performance on the mat.

Purchasing the powerful spotlight set the team back $2,000, money it raised through its annual dodgeball fundraiser.

“Man, is it cool,” gushed Fiordirosa, who spearheaded the initiative.

Used most often at collegiate and international levels, spotlights are rare at the high school level. Ironically, Lake Zurich, their opponent Thursday night, is one of the few local schools that have a spotlight themselves. Years of visiting the Bears helped to inspire the fundraising effort, as Fiordirosa always came back impressed by how electric the atmosphere was.

While the wrestling team always draws a strong crowd of family members and close friends, there has never been a consistent student presence at meets. Fiordirosa hopes the spotlight will change that.

“[We’re] hoping the spotlight will help bring a few more people out to our home meets. If the spotlight can get them in the stands they will see that it is really an easy sport to learn and watch.”

More than the spotlight, the team is an attraction unto itself. The Scouts (5-1, 1-0 conference) are ranked ninth in the state by IWCOA, and figure to make a deep run in the IHSA playoffs.

“The team we have right now is probably one of the strongest lineups Lake Forest will ever have,” junior Bennett Duggan boldly declared.

Duggan was one of five wrestlers that advanced to sectionals last year, all of whom are returning for this season.

Fiordirosa revealed that the team plans to use the spotlight three more times this season, in crucial January meets against Waukegan, Libertyville, and Stevenson, which could provide for an intimidating home mat advantage.

“We are extremely excited to have it for this season and the years to come,” said Fiordirosa, who became the winningest coach in Scouts wrestling history last weekend. “We are hoping it will help to spark interest in wrestling for both athletes and fans.”

Fiordirosa, more than any other coach, knows what a spotlight can do. A retired MMA fighter, Fiordirosa relished the spotlight in his 15 professional bouts.

“I have always loved being under the bright lights and felt that it helped me to perform at my best level,” he recalled. “I’m hoping it helps to make an environment that brings out the best in our athletes, it always did for me.”

“It adds a level of seriousness to the event,” added Duggan, who has yet to wrestle under a spotlight. “It’s gonna be nerve-racking for everyone in the gym. Wresting is unique in that once you’re on the mat, the only person you can turn to is yourself, and I feel that the spotlight will highlight that.”

Make no mistake, the wrestling will remain real. But under the watchful eye of a gleaming spotlight, the ambiance will be amplified to new heights.