It's A Dog Eat Dog Business, Let's Expose That...
Backstabbing, lies, deceit, hatred, jealousy, racism, and greed! That's what makes this world go round! That's what makes "La Grapple Nostra," This Wrestling Business Of Ours, go round too! Will this ever change? Will history always repeat itself with these same words describing the way the times are? It may very well be, but there is that small chance of hope. Until that time arrives, this is the way things are.
Professional wrestling has reached the top of many discussions lately. From the television exposes to Jesse the Body becoming Governor of Minnesota. So much is talked about and "revealed" that means so little to the pro wrestling industry. People are thriving for information about our "much talked about" profession. Even those who depise the line of work we choose, seem to know quite a bit about what we do. Or so they think!
Let's start at the very beginning when an individual realizes it's in their blood that they have to attempt to reach their goal of becoming a pro wrestler. Let's forget about all the hoopla and exposes that tell you what you have heard or suspected for years. Let's talk about the way a person has to live and cope with "headaches & heartbreaks" in that attempt to reach a dream. That's where the real battle is. That's where the real professional wrestlers are made.
This business has become swamped with wrestlers of all shapes, sizes, ages, and gimmicks. Many of which, as I have written about in a previous Real Deal article, do not deserve to be stepping in a pro wrestling ring. Point being, there is way too much competition for good work to be found. Think of all the thousands of wrestlers here in the States alone. Now think about how many "good" wrestling events are held each week. Just like in the Big Two, the independent market has become just that, a "market." The competition has driven down the amount of pay these new guys receive. This may sound very depressing to many who are interested in becoming pro wrestlers, but I am not here to tell you lies. This is the real deal about a dog eat dog business.
I put on "wrestling training matches" every Tuesday night here in Hagerstown, Md, totally free to the public. That means no one pays a penny and no one makes a penny! You ask yourself why do such a thing? That's easy for me to answer. Pro wrestling has come to the point where the new guy must do what he can to make a name for himself. I am giving these new guys the opportunity to showcase their talent. The new wrestler of today needs that steady 40 hour a week job to be able to chase that dream. There were times when I first started that I accepted bookings on shows just to go wrestle in front of a crowd, for no pay. Many new wrestlers refer to their career as their "hobby," and an expensive one it can become. Today, getting your name in results and getting the exposure is far more important than making money. Infact, what I tell new guys is, "if you are expecting to make money for the first 5 years you better go look for something else to do."
This brings me to a heartbreaking part of the business. Now say after all this hard work, training, little to no pay shows, traveling from state to state, and paying your dues in the ring, the time comes to see your name in newsletters and wrestling magazines. All the years you read these publications and saw all these new wrestlers getting "ink." You wait your turn, and wait, and wait, and wait. What, ...you are expecting because you are actually a good, talented wrestler you are going to appear in these publications? Ha, guess again. The biggest heartbreaker in pro wrestling is "politics"! If you are not a "politician" <someone who will do and say anything to keep an even keel and keep a job> you better pack it up! Brown nosing and ass-kissing have made some of the biggest stars in professional wrestling. Playing politician goes all the way from promoter to reporter. Get use to it or hire a campaign coordinator.
Now is the time to throw in the opening article statement. Backstabbing, lies, deceit, hatred, jealousy, racism, and greed! You made it this far as a new wrestler and you are confronted with all this. That's right, you would be amazed at the things others will say, do, and make up just to land a booking instead of you. All the times you were told to keep your mouth shut and listen, and you did. Yet somebody manages to find a way to convince a booker you said or did something you shouldn't have. Like what? Heck, it could be anything. I have heard guys make up stories about other wrestlers with other wrestlers girlfriends just to cause "heat." Anyone can say anything and most likely someone will say something during your career. It's all just another added treat.
So, by this time, 5 or more years have passed by and you have made a name for yourself on the independent circuit. Maybe you were even fortunate enough to work a TV territory or two. Maybe you were fortunate enough to have landed and overseas tour or two. Maybe you are poorer now than you were 5 years ago. Maybe you lost your spouse/girlfriend due to all the traveling, the groupies, the phone calls, and the late night<or next day> return back home. Maybe now you have to wait 5 more years before the Big 2 will even look at you. Maybe you made it to the Big Two and they have no use for you now. Maybe now you better sit back and say to yourself, "Damn, that pro wrestling stuff isn't that easy after all."
This is my expose on this dog eat dog story. There is still hope in this crazy world of ours. There is definitely hope for new wrestlers in this crazy business of ours. You just need to seek out the right people! There are many good people left in this business. One just needs to sort through all the confusions to locate them. If anyone is still interested in becoming a pro wrestler, or wants to debate the legitimacy of the "toughness" required to make it successfully as a professional wrestler, feel free to e mail me.
Published: November 16, 1998