Feed a fantasy at SmackDown!

Brace yourself for a strong dose of reality. Wrestling – believe it or not – is actually fake.

OK, unless you’ve been stuck in a headlock for the past decade, you probably already knew that.

However, if you’re like some folks, you haven’t watched a professional wrestling match since a sixth-grade sleepover when you drank one too many Jolt Colas and got sick in your sleeping bag.

Rest assured, not all that much has changed since the days of the Hulkster, Randy Macho Man Savage and the Junk Yard Dog.

Wrestling characters and storylines are still deliciously fantastical, and folding chairs still curiously line the immediate exterior of the ring.

The superstars of World Wrestling Entertainment make their return to Spokane on Tuesday evening, once again offering locals an up-close and personal chance to get up to speed on their professional wrestling when WWE SmackDown! hits the Spokane Arena.

John Cena is set to take on Booker T. in a title belt match.

Of course, if you’re like some folks, you haven’t seen a figure-four leg lock since you unleashed a punishing one on your best friend’s younger brother.

So it is conceivable that you didn’t know Tuesday’s SmackDown! event at the Arena also doubles as your best chance to get some primetime face time this side of a Gonzaga basketball game.

As with all WWE Smackdown! events, this Tuesday’s match in Spokane also will be rebroadcast on the UPN network two nights later during its usual Thursday night slot at 8 p.m.

According to WWE spokesman Joe Villa, it’s a slot that virtually bodyslams its UPN peers.

“Every week, WWE Smackdown! is watched by almost 3.5 million households,” Villa says.

For those keeping track at home, that’s more than enough for SmackDown! to crush UPN peers such as “America’s Next Top Model Cycle 3” in ratings.

Villa says WWE SmackDown! is the top-rated show on the UPN network.

One more reason why you should check out a little wrestling in person while you still have the chance: Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown! is the only WWE event scheduled for this year in Spokane.

If you’re as dosed up on reality TV as most folks, it might feel good to simply fake your entertainment for a change.