"We Go To School For An Education...Why Not Act Like It?"

How many times have you heard the saying, "We are the best?" Too many to count, huh? Before I get into this deeper, first let me say hello to all my "Real Deal" fans out there. It's been a couple of months since my last article, so I feel this one is overdue. Sit back, relax, and read some "real deal" hard-core facts and truths!

As you all know from my past articles, the professional wrestling industry is a "dog-eat-dog" market. Wrestlers are coming out of the woodwork even from the backyards of neighborhoods around the world. In this report I would like to touch base one more time on pro wrestling schools and how to choose the correct one. If you desire to pursue a career in professional wrestling, please go about it the right way. There is just too much "wrong way" out there at the present moment. This is not what the paying fan spends his/her money to see when they attend a pro wrestling event. Not to mention it's a great way to injure yourself or, more importantly, others!

There are schools that claim to be "THE BEST." Let's be honest here. There are way too many good schools out there to consider any one of them the BEST. I run and operate the NWL's "Superior Pro Wrestling Training Center/HOUSE of PAIN" in Hagerstown, Md. Here at the NWL school we would never be arrogant enough to say, "We are the best." That would be totally ridiculous and disrespectful to the other outstanding organizations that also put out "quality" pro wrestling talent. Instead of insulting my constituents with a comment or statement like this, I would rather say, "The NWL training center is not the best...but it is just as good as the rest!" My point being, there are a lot of good schools around the country that do put out quality talent.

Looking at this from another standpoint, consider all the different wrestling stars in the business today. Who is the best? Who can proclaim to be the best? When you have billions of fans, any wrestler can be someone's favorite or the "best" in their eyes. We have the option to choose who we like and for whatever reasons we choose to like them. The same goes for pro wrestling schools. There are many schools out there that appeal to different people for different reasons. I get asked all the time, "What is the best wrestling school in the country to attend?" That all depends on what you are looking for in terms of wrestling style. Many schools offer hard-core, extreme training, along with various other styles of wrestling. Other schools take a different approach in training and offer what I refer to as "TV style" wrestling. Not that one is better than the other, again it's a matter of personal preference.

What should a training prospect look for in a training center? I have a basic checklist I offer anyone that asks me this question. Since I cannot give an honest answer as to which school is the best, I can honestly share with you "my" checklist I created to help anyone who is interested in joining a training center. The following is what I consider to be the most helpful approach to making the wisest selection possible to suit your needs:

1. Location of school-This is very important. Traveling long distances and putting in long/difficult training sessions can erode one's determination and motivation rather quickly. I suggest looking for a school that's not much more than an hours drive from where you reside.

2. Availability of actual training-What days/hours is the school open for actual "hands-on" training? How long will the training last? How long are training sessions? Are there set times or can classes be arranged according to work schedules?

3. Instructor/Instruction-Who runs the school? Does this individual have the credentials required to take beginners in off the street and "safely" train them? Is the instructor always there for each training session? What type of reputation, if any, does the instructor possess? Does the instructor have an impressive background in pro wrestling, and do they have the experience needed to teach what must be known? If someone hasn't done something, how can they teach it?

4. Cost-From my past experience I have gathered that schools charge anywhere from $1000.00 up to as high as $10,000.00 to teach you what you need to know to begin your dream of becoming a superstar. Just like choosing any other service, shop around for "the best buy for your buck". We all know everyone works too hard for their money, so make sure that the school you are looking at uses the same philosophy.

5. Experience-How much actual "match" experience, if any, will you receive while your training is progressing? Will you have to wait until your training is totally complete before you actually wrestle a match in front of a crowd? If you get these opportunities, how often will these matches be available for you to "work" so you may gain that much needed experience in a "dog eat dog" business?

6. Connections-Does the school have connections with leagues/promoters around the country? When you get done with your training you are going to need a place to work.

7. Honest Approach-Is the school willing to sit down with you and tell you that starting off as a pro wrestler you will need to work a 40 hour a week job to support your "wrestling habit"? As a rookie, and for many years to come, you will STARVE if you expect wrestling to pay your bills. This is just like any other entertainment industry...you pay your dues for many years, awaiting that big break that rarely comes!

That is my "real deal" rundown based on my experience and education,now passed on to you.. If you follow this checklist you cannot go wrong in choosing an adequate school to lead you to your dreams. The NWL has a fantastic school located in Hagerstown, Md. that has seen trainees come from around the world to join us. Our success speaks for itself. Is it fair for me to say the NWL's school is the best? Quite frankly, "Hell no!" There's the Wild Samoan Training Center, WWF's Dojo, WCW Power Plant, ECW's school, the APW school, the NDW school, and on and on and on.. All of these are great places to go learn the trade. But like I did say,

"The NWL school might not be the best
...but we are just as good as the rest!!!"

Thank you for taking the time to read another "Real Deal" and I hope you have found this article to be as enjoyable and "enlightening" as my past bits of work. Until next time, have yourselves a safe and happy time!

ps...4-6-99 marks my 2nd year anniversary at the NWL's training center. In that time, the NWL has taken great strides in becoming a top-notch supplier of quality "family-oriented" professional wrestling entertainment. I am very proud to be a part of this winning team lead by our NWL owner/president Dick Caricofe. Thank you to Afa the Wild Samoan for teaching me! Thank you to all my friends and fans that have made this all possible for myself. YOU'RE ALL THE BEST!!! I can say that! If you're in the vicinity of the NWL training center, please stop by for a very festive evening of HoPWF matches..."Live from the heart of beautiful downtown Hagerstown, Md.!

Published: March 24, 1999