Great Expectations

   Hello SUPLEX NEWSWIRE subscibers. It sure is nice to sit down and do some writing again for Shujan Agha and the #1 informative professional wrestling newswire. I had a hard time thinking of something different to talk about until I recieved a phone call from an interested trainee/prospect. As he ran through a ton of questions, one question for some reason just stuck in my head. "What can I expect to make starting off as a new wrestler?" was the question. I thought you all would appreciate the honest and REAL DEAL answer*, but first I want to run through a few quick items.

   I have noticed over the past half year that the internet has become the popular forefront for professional wrestling news and information. I have also noticed a lot of the people doing all the research and inquiring are new wrestlers themselves. I, myself, get a lot of e-mail from new wrestlers asking for bookings, or even just asking me to take the consideration of possibly getting them booked.

   Over the last 10 years I have noticed a huge difference in breaking into the business now as compared to back then. In the 80's it was much harder to become a pro wrestler. There were not as many schools, or "smart marks" supposedly training themselves. If you wanted to become a wrestler back then you needed your tuition paid in full, upfront, and you were trained by a very skilled/qualified professional. Each training session was very grueling, brutal, and painful. If you couldn't hack it, you got your jacket! The point I am trying to make is that there were not as many wrestlers as there are today. This effects the business in many ways.

   The biggest reason for this increase is the overwhelming popularity and demand for cruiserweight wrestlers. No longer are pro wrestlers expected to be huge 6 foot plus madmen that terrorize you just from the sight of them. The Orient, Puerto Rico, and Mexico have contributed mainly to the cruiserweight interest. With this new influx of interest comes a whole new wave of eager trainees. Just like the bigger guys that watched wrestling on TV and said to themselves, "I know I can get in there and do that too!", the smaller fans are doing the same thing. This is very benficial to promotors today because it is a new and different style. Cruiserweights are proving to be just as exciting to watch as the heavyweights. People are attracted to something different and that puts butts in seats. Butts in seats means more $$$$$. This is good. The interest is also very good for wrestling schools. More students means more $$$$$. This is good. I do not know the number of active pro wrestlers in the world today, but I guarantee the amount has increased tremendously. More active wrestlers means less booking opportunities and less $$$$$. This is not good, but it gets us closer to the answer.

   Today you can't be concerned with what you will make on a match when you are starting off. I will be honest with all of you, just like most respectable wrestling instructors will be (as taught to me by my instructor, Afa the Wild Samoan) experience, improvement, and recognition are the ONLY 3 things that should concern you for at least a few years. Unless you are a real standout with something extremely hot to offer, expect your career to go this way. Like they say, "it's a dog eat dog world".

   *ANSWER    Wrestling is a very tough business in many ways. Physically, mentally, socially, and financially. To make it successfully in professional wrestling, one has to be a very determined individual. After close to 10 years I am just beginning to get somewhere. Don't be discouraged or think you do not have what it takes because you have to hold down a job in order to wrestle. We all have had to do the same thing when we started and most newcomers have good jobs today. Thats just the way it is and will be for some time to come. Keep a good attitude and most importantly,......"never loose, or stop chasing your dream"!

Published: Febuary 11, 1998