Trixie Ephiphany · 11:32am Oct 17th, 2015

I mentioned in my Status Update post that I was working on an EqG story. Trixie is a major character of that story, so I've been thinking about her a lot. Which is understandable; she's a popular character who lends herself to a lot of different interpretations.
Which is when I realized that pony Trixie is basically a professional wrestler.

Yes, seriously.

First, some disclaimers: this post relates exclusively to the pony Trixie; my thought process for the EqG Trixie is quite different. I'm also not claiming this as my single, definitive take on Trixie; it's just an interpretation of her that occurred to me which I thought was interesting. Furthermore, whenever I use the term "wrestling" in this piece, I am referring to the Entertainment format (such as WWE) rather than the sport.
Most importantly, I am not a wrestling fan. Everything I know about wrestling has come from wikipedia and TV Tropes; if I misuse any of the terms involved, please, let me know and I'll correct this.

Trixie is a travelling magician. Her arrival in Boast Busters has her putting on a show in Ponyville, but even if the travelling cart doubling as a stage wasn't proof that this was her occupation, her indignation in Magic Duel that "Wherever I went I was laughed at and ostracized" proves that she put's on similar shows in other towns. This idea mirrors how modern Wrestling companies, such as the WWE, tour the country and put shows on in different cities.

When Trixie arrives, she announces herself; the stage unfolds, and some small special effects go off. There is also a small trill of music (though it's unclear whether there is some kind of sound system set-up to 'announce' Trixie or if that is solely for the audience's benefit). While it is decidedly small small, it is comparable to the more elaborate introductions, effects and music used by modern wrestlers.

Everyone has to start somewhere.

The audience Trixie attracts to her show's also reflects public attitudes towards wrestling. It seems to fall into four distinct groups: kids who see what is going on and believe it is real (Snips and Snails), kids who see what is going on and don't think it's real (Spike), adults who see what is going on and mock it for not being real (Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash) and adults who see what is going on and don't care (the rest of Ponyville).

Where the kid's try to prove their point by invoking the Ursa, look at the adult's reactions to it; Trixie is horrified that anyone who be so far "Out of [their] pony minds" as to actually bring an Ursa Major to Ponyville. That suggests that the Ursa's reputation is pretty well known... in which case we can assume that the adults of Ponyville knew Trixie was exaggerating. Twilight only began research because hearing about the Ursa made her curious, not because she wanted to know if it really could have been banished. It seem's likely that the adult ponies were simply willing to suspend their disbelief for the same of a good show... which is an aspect of modern audiences for pro-wrestling.

Trixie has a gimmick, like most professional wrestlers; she's the most powerful unicorn in all of Equestria. Consequently, she has the most stereotypical costume one could associate with that role; a wizards hat, a cape, and a stage with "mysterious" symbols and planets.

She lost the hat, but she's still channeling the magician gimmick. Must be the "Attitude" era.

Next, consider Trixie's boasting. Her introduction is full of her explaining how amazing she is; she is the most magical unicorn in all of Equestria, only she has the power to vanquish the dreaded Ursa Major, and end's by setting herself up as a challenge to anyone who is willing to take her on. Aside from the fact that her egomania is not unlike that shown of certain professional's in the industry, it's also a good example of her 'cutting a promo', establishing herself and her character and calling prospective opponents out.

What else do we know about Trixie's boasting? She create's elaborate story lines for herself and her character, such as 'Trixie defeated an Ursa Major single-handedly'. It would be surprising if she didn't have other past exploits lined up to establish her credibility if necessary... but those kind of elaborate plot lines are also a part of professional wrestling. In fact, Boast Busters falls into a lot of the tropes associated with professional wrestling matches. Trixie spend's the episode beating the Mane Six, then loses to the Ursa, which Twilight defeats. Consequently, Twilight comes across as looking better, being able to beat the opponent Trixie couldn't.

Not to mention what happens after the 'Ursa' story line is completed. Trixie holds a grudge against Twilight Sparkle for upstaging her. Magical Duel is a grudge rematch between the two, the kind of thing that wrestling markets for months -if not years- then sell's a lot of tickets to watch the conclusion of. Trixie's story line is full of her doing Heel Turns and Face Turns, and both of her show appearances have concluded with her jobbing to Twilight Sparkle.

Seriously, market this. It would sell so many tickets.

Most importantly, however: Trixie NEVER breaks Kayfabe.

Kayfabe is the term given to the willing suspension of disbelief involved in wrestling; generally, what it means is accepting that the things which happen in the show are "real"; that is, nothing is fake. One aspect of it involves the wrestler in question staying in-character.
(As a nerdier example, Tom Baker had something similar. During his tenure as the Doctor, he didn't smoke or drink in public, partly because he was a role model).

This In-Character role is one Trixie does very well.
Trixie's habit of referring to herself in the third-person is one of her most recognizable traits, one of the thing's that identify her as 'Trixie'. It's an trait she keeps up for almost her entire screen-time; when she is on-stage, when she is pampering herself after the show... and most notably when she has just woken up. Even when being roused in the middle of the night by crazy fans, she still has enough awareness to use the third-person rather than saying "I".

In fact, when Trixie does break character, it is always seen as a BIG DEAL, an instance -to borrow the TV Trope label- of OOC Is Serious Business. Her breakdown at the end of Boast Busters, when she admits that she can't defeat the Ursa, is delivered entirely in "normal" pony speech patterns, and she only returns to using the third-person when she is boasting again of her own greatness before running away.

Similarly, Twilight recognizes that Trixie's attitude in Magic Duel is extremely out of character for her... and after Trixie has been cured of the amulet's influence, she begs for forgiveness using first person pronouns:

It's the least I could do. I treated you and your friends so horribly when I was wearing that amulet. I just couldn't control myself. You can forgive me, can't you?

...and once she has been forgiven, she returns to the third person and reacts in-character by boasting once again.

In conclusion: even if Trixie isn't meant to follow the tropes set down by the WWE, she does a pretty good job of it. A lot of the story lines, and her own character, match up with that as a valid interpretation of her character.

Trixie is a professional wrestler.