As most of you know, I have been involved in pro wrestling in one way or another since 1992. I was trained by the late Neil "The Power" Superior, whom was himself trained by AFA, of the legendary Wild Samoan wrestling family.
Now, I make no claim to be on the level in terms of wrestling knowledge as those who did this as their full time living ( tip of the hat to a few friends here whom may be reading- Boogie, Budro, etc) but I'd like to think I've learned a thing or two over all these years, having wrestled approximately 1,200 matches in that time frame.
The question that I used to get asked all the time was "how do I get started?"; however, that question has been replaced by "how do I get booked (put on a card) with (fill in name of promotion)?
I can't speak for everywhere, but in my home promotion (CPW) the way to do so is simple, yet most refuse to participate: we ask that, if we are unfamiliar with you, unless you have a reference, that you show up a few hours early and work out for us. Now, this isn't one the infamous Anderson Brothers "try outs" that so many fell victim to back in the 1970s ( quick rundown: pay $XXX dollars, do 1000 squats, 1000 push ups, run the ropes for 30 minutes, get in the ring and get pummeled, get sent home,broke AND broken)
We simply want to see a few things: 1) are you a danger to yourself and 2) are you a danger to your opponent. All too often, young guys will try to impress you with the latest and greatest "cool moves", while not even showing they know the basics. And the basics start from the time you get out of the car.
Ettiquette is a big, BIG part of wrestling, and if you do not know it, it can effect someones impression of you; and sadly, alot of guys havent been taught, because their trainers didn't know it themselves. So, heres a few helpful tips for the young, aspiring, & up and coming grapplers who will one day rule our sport!
1) introduce yourself- to EVERYONE! Just your luck, the guy you blow off because he doesn't look like anyone is the guy you need to impress the most. You need to make the effort-its not anyones job to know who you are, its your job to let them know who you are!
2) take a seat in the dressing room- and keep quiet. Everyone is waiting to rip you if you start shooting off at the mouth-save yourself the aggravation!
3) DO NOT take someone elses chair- a real "no-no"! I see this one ALOT-and whether you realize it or not, this is a big "F YOU" to the guy who was there first! I usually just pick on a guy who does it to me, but I have seen guys get slapped around ( I'm not kidding)
4) find out, thru asking or reading the line-up sheet, what match you are, and what is expected.
a) do not act disinterested in what the boss is saying; b) do not try to change the instructions
5) ask a "Veteran" wrestler to watch your match, and to offer advice afterward
(this one goes a LONG way; it shows you don't think you invented the armdrag)
6) afterward, shower, get changed, thank EVERYONE involved, and DO NOT hound the promoter for money! Believe me, he knows you're there!
7) find a place somewhat secluded, a watch the rest of the matches
( another good sign that you want to learn; remember, you can learn from even the worst matches)
These a just a few pointers, if you want to wrestle regularly for certain groups.....the more you wrestle, the better you get; the better you get, the more you wrestle.....( I should put that on bumper stickers! Available soon at a gimmick table near you....ahh, that'll be my next blog: "How to work the gimmick table"...stay tuned!
Until next time.....
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