What's it all about...?
by John Rambo

Hello friends and fans. Welcome to another "Real Deal" article featuring the truth about professional wrestling. When I speak of the "truth" in professional wrestling, the first thing that comes to my mind is the fans. What do the fans consider to be true and what do I consider to be offending to the fans? This is what the truth of professional wrestling means to me. Like me or hate me for it, I won't mind either way. Simply because the following is the truth...the whole truth...and nothing but the truth!

Where do we begin? Easy, the big "kay fabe" or as you fans know it better as "keeping our mouths shut." That's where this whole charade began. Keeping the secrets of the business just that. But over the years too much has been exposed. Too much has been revealed by disgruntled, unsuccessful wrestlers dying for that fame and recognition. Too many trainees have gone through schools and passed so much information off to friends and family. Not to mention, they then told their friends and family. Before we knew it, the entire world was "smart" to professional wrestling. The only problem is, the industry is still treating fans as if they are marks.

Over the years I spent traveling around the globe wrestling in different places, I always observed the people. I always studied the crowds and the way the wrestlers interacted with the fans. Fans have been looked down on by many people in the business. Could this be why you will not see a majority of upper middle to upper class fans attending pro wrestling events across the country? I am not insulting wrestling fans here, I am simply saying that your so called "professionals" are not found at the wrestling events like they are at other forms of entertainment. Let's face it, professional wrestling did start off as a carnival act. But the potential of the business has now become immense. Even if we don't get the "professionals" attending, their children will most likely be fans. With that close a tie to gaining another group of fans, why not reel them in? Show them reason to respect what we do.

Let's touch on the fan issue a little more. We already know the public is smart to the basics of pro wrestling. Yet, no promotion wanted to admit this and make that needed change. Not to pat myself on the back (I do that enough when I'm alone), but I have a pretty good business mind and I am very well educated. This is why I decided to take on this new, and needed approach. Other leagues or bookers may not agree with my philosophies, but hopefully they will open up to the truth. And keep in mind, I am only speaking the truth and logic here. The fact of the matter is, after I "smarten" anyone up, that person is less likely to want to get in the ring with me. The NWL's new approach is going to set the new guidelines needed in order to preserve the interests of this business. Peoples' desires change and old methods become just that...old! Out with the old and in with the new. Respecting tradition is what it is all about, not following an outdated approach pattern.

Is this all a disrespect to a business that has been around for over 100 years? Is this new approach a disgrace to the many hard working forefathers of the wrestling industry? What about what we see on TV today? Is that respectful? Is that a disgrace? Should it go on this way another 100 years? What is so wrong with letting the fans know what we do? Why not let them see everything involved in putting on a great match at anytimes notice...with NO choreography. Why not tell them just what we do and how we do it so that they can scrutinize everything we do. Wouldn't it make the workers work harder? Wouldn't it make it more interesting for the fans to follow what's going on? But the big question, wouldn't it be less of an insult to someone's intelligence? Does anyone really believe what we do is actually real? Come see ONE NWL event and no matter how much I smarten you up, you will NOT want to get in the ring with us.

Respecting the business is what it is all about. Trying to improve the business for the better comes from having respect for it. Getting the business back on track is where the respect will be gained. By doing this, new fans will emerge. Different types of fans will become interested in what we do and more people will appreciate what is being performed, and how. Like I said, the "little secrets" can be kept just like in any other entertainment field, but we don't have to lie about what we are doing. Old fashioned, HARD HITTING, professional wrestling with a good versus evil plot is what professional wrestling should be about. Men and women who step in that ring and make real contact. Tight, snug wrestling were every fan watching says to themselves, "Wow, they had to feel that. I wouldn't want to get hit like that" That's where the real respect is found!

Professional wrestlers are very tough actors. Well, at least we were intended to be. Acting is such a fun field of entertainment and then we get to throw in physical abuse! Can you imagine if Hollywood or Broadway actors and actresses could beat on each other like we get to! Do you think they would enjoy it? There would be so many lawsuits, the National Inquirer would look like a Chicago phonebook each issue. What secrets do we possibly need to keep anymore? Other than personal issues of course. :) So what if Masked Assassin #1 goes and drinks beer with Wrestler X after the matches? Should this have any bearing or effect on how well a match is carried out? Or better yet, does it effect how hard each worker should wrestle in a match? The fans pay to see entertainment. That should be the focus on every workers mind when they approach a ring.

Respect only comes one way. Respect has to be earned. My goal, and the goal of everyone in the NWL, is to gain the respect of everyone that comes to see one of our shows. Whether it be a free Tuesday night event, or a larger scale "paying" NWL event, you are guaranteed to hear fans saying, "those guys are tough!" That's gaining respect. That is what was intended by our wrestling forefathers, respect for what they were doing and the fact that they didn't want fans thinking that anyone off the streets could do what we do. Sadly, so many kids today are trying to do what they see wrestlers doing on TV. So many fans today think they can join a wrestling school and become a star. To those fans, I say come see one of our shows. I guarantee anyone they will think twice about wanting to get into this business. To me, that is respect.

Respect is also earned by respecting others. If you lie to someone, they tend to take offense. You lose the chance of making or keeping a friend that way. Respecting others and being honest is the best way to earn respect. Respecting the values of the family and society, respecting the trust people place in you so they don't have to worry about their children seeing inappropriate material, and respecting everyone on all morals is what it's all about. If the other leagues don't want to let the fans know what's going on, come check out the NWL. If the other leagues don't want to respect the fact that pro wrestling entertainment should be viewable by the entire family, come see the NWL. Or if any fan is just interested in checking out what will be the "new wave" of professional wrestling, come see the NWL. I will tell you whatever you want to know, but watch us wrestle one time and you will NOT want to get in the ring with us.

Jack Nicholson said one of the most popular comments of all times in "A Few Good Men." Nicholson said, "You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!" What I have said is the truth. You can like it or you just can't handle it! It's the truth, and there's no argument that can be made to discredit this point made. Now, what's it all about? It's about treating all people with respect while still respecting the business. We workers can still have our "little secrets," but making the rules of the game known to the fans is a must! And to all you fans, remember this new revolution in professional wrestling entertainment is coming to you from Hagerstown, Md. Home of the National Wrestling League and the HOUSE of PAIN. Others may try to imitate, but they aren't going to duplicate! Check us out when you get the chance. Until next time, be good and be safe!

ps...The next issue of the NWL WEEKLY Newsletter will be sent out on Friday, 7-9-99. To subscribe to the NWL Mailing list and the NWL WEEKLY Newsletter, e mail me at JRamboNWL@aol.com

John Rambo, NWL Booker / Instructor, HoPWF President, LLC
NWL John Rambo Profile
http://www.nwlwrestling.com/profiles/rambo.html

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This is the Official NWL: John Rambo' "Real Deal." All rights are reserved.
All material is copyrighted © 1999 by the National Wrestling League
and the House of Pain Wrestling Federation.   HoPWF
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John Rambo,
NWL Booker/Instructor, HoPWF president, NWL Heavyweight Champion
www.NWLwrestling.com
NWL John Rambo Profile

Published: July 5, 1999