Questions of authenticity aside, professional wrestling is a spectacle like no other. Champions are made, alliances are formed and broken, and lessons can be gathered from each week’s shifting story arcs. Just like at the office.

Which is why I’ve plucked out a few of my favorite wrestling moves and applied them to the circus that is the workplace. What better way to learn how to get ahead in your career than by watching a bunch of 'roid ragers wrestle in glittery pants?

Make an entrance
Now I’m not saying make sure everyone knows when you’ve walked into the conference room. That screams of insecurity and general douchiness. Instead, allow a dapper tailored appearance and an air of confidence act as your feather boa and pyrotechnics. You’ll get noticed by the higher-ups soon enough. (And hopefully also by that smoking hot chick in sales.)

Know how to work the mic
The greats like the Macho Man Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan, and “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair became legends in the sport not for the technical nature of their Pile Drivers, but rather by their ability to stir the crowd into a fervor from the center of the ring. Being able to communicate effectively (and charismatically), is a vital tool in the workplace. Take some toastmaster classes to force yourself to speak in public and to help get over stage fright. Stepping into the spotlight will help foster an off-the-cuff speaking style that’ll come off great in your next presentation to the board.

Enter the steel cage
If you have a direct rival at work who’s been calling you out in front of everyone, don’t be afraid to step into the cage and face them until only one of you is left standing and victorious. It’s going to be bloody and messy, but you’re in this to come out with the belt. Just make sure you’re not an under-matched cruiserweight going against The Big Show, otherwise you’re just walking into a career beating.

Have a good tag-team partner
Consider having a trusted colleague that you can “tag-in” if the work piles up. Ensuring that they succeed alongside you (by making sure credit is given if they help you out in a jam), guarantees that you have an ally in the workplace, and someone to cover if you need to duck out early to make it to happy hour once in a while. Just make sure you help them out when you’re tagged in, because this is a partnership, not servitude. Also, it couldn’t hurt to come up with a tag-team move (like the Devastating Dudley PowerPoint Death Drop), which utilizes both of your particular strengths.

Keep up on your ring work
You can’t go around doing nothing but Senton and Frog Splashes off the turnbuckle the whole time. You need to occasionally keep your nose to the grindstone and take care of the simpler, everyday tasks. Being seen as a mindful contender who gets ALL of the job done, as well as someone who can be creative and wow the arena, makes you the total package.

Play dirty
So you’re squaring off against a rival. The promotional title is on the line, and you need an edge to get the quick 1-2-3? Perhaps you should consider using the "ole knuckleduster in the trunks trick." (Not literally... serving jail time tends to be a career hindrance.)

If you know your detractor is leaning on some poor intern to get his work done, take the poor guy out to lunch and get him to turn. Maybe his boss spends quite a bit of time looking at “Art Films” on the company laptop. It certainly would be a shame if the IT department were (anonymously) made privy to that info. Make sure that if you’re going to do this, your target actually deserves it, ‘cause I have no advice on how to deal with the Karmic hit you’ll have coming otherwise.

Jump off the top rope
Want to separate yourself from the rest of the jobbers you work with? Then you’re gonna have to go big Superfly. Just like coming off the top rope in order to deliver a crushing leg drop, stepping up to deliver a big presentation or volunteering to take the lead in a new project is a flashy way to leave your mark. Just make sure you calculate the potential risks and benefits beforehand, or you may be in for a hard landing.

Have a finishing move
Having a “signature move” or skill is an easy way to get noticed, and can make you indispensible at your job. Can you turn over edits faster than anyone? Can you hammer out graphics that pop? Can you make the best Vanilla Roast coffee? Hell, who cares? Just figure out what you do best, and make that your Choke Slam.