PROFESSIONALISM IN WRESTLING
What does this mean?
This is a topic that I think about a great deal. As I travel from show to show, spend time in different locker rooms with new crews, the level of professionalism among the folks in the business is always one thing that stands out for me. Especially when you are at an event where from the locker room, you don't have a good vantage point to watch the guys in the ring, you find yourself making judgments of talent based on their conduct and professionalism in the locker room.
There are a lot of schools that focus on the in-ring exchanges and physical conditioning required for someone to step in the ring. Without question, this is vital to one's success in this business. Some trainers/schools do this incredibly well and are producing some amazing athletes, but I would suggest that very few trainers focus on the mental and social aspects of our business that are so important. I could go on for pages and pages about this, but here are a few things that jump out at me:
1. APPEARANCE:
People are drawn to wrestling by the mystique of pro wrestling's character and the perceived 'celebrity' of the wrestlers. In order to inspire someone to buy a ticket, it is important that independent wrestlers do their part to maintain that professional distance from the customers and also take steps to ensure that they protect that image.
If you drive a car that is a piece of crap, don't let the fans see you in it. Arrive early to the shows, park at the back of the venue away from public view, arrive early and get into the building before the fans. If you're driving a beat up 1988 Chevette, and the fans are driving 2007 Mustangs, it will take them only seconds to look down their nose at you -- regardless of what your financial reality is. People draw conclusions. Similarly, opinions are made about how you're dressed and the company you keep. ALWAYS show up to any venue where there is a chance of being seen by the public dressed better than the fans. Ripped jeans and stained t-shirts will not do. Dress like you're money, because you want to be treated like you're money. Some cases can be made for dressing somewhat in keeping with one's character ... there are exceptions to every rule. If you're just coming up through the ranks, and you know you'll be setting up the ring, bring a change of clothes for your ring duties, but coming from and leaving the venue, look sharp -- job interview sharp.
2. PROFESSIONAL DISTANCE:
Heels should NEVER be accessible to the fans outside of when they are physically performing. They shouldn't catch you at the concession stand, be caught standing next to you in a public washroom, or given the opportunity to see that there might be some redeemable human qualities about you. Your job is to make people dislike you -- whether it's hate, fear, disgust, or mild amusement (in the case of 'comedy' heels) ... that's your job. The fans CAN respect your talent in the ring, but your role is clear.
On the other side of that coin, babyfaces should be accessible to the people. This is wrestling's equivalent to the 'home team' that you would find in any other sport. They need to believe in you, like you, and relate to you. Take the opportunity to talk to them during intermission, after the show, and develop that bond. Not only does this help you get the reactions you want during your match, and solidify their dislike for the heels, but it also helps develop brand loyalty for your specific commodity (yourself) at the merchandise table, and that can add up to considerably good business for you.
Unless directed to do so by the promoter (in the case of a sponsorship agreement), never get your post-match meal in the same town or neighbourhood as the event, and whenever possible, exercise kayfabe to the best of your ability in public. Some still argue that the concept of kayfabe is dead, and I disagree. People come out to wrestling INSTEAD of UFC because they WANT to believe, they want to be worked. Don't believe me? Look at how hard these ringsiders cheer their favorites and cuss out the wrestlers they don't like. Even though they'll tell their buddies "I know it's all bullshit", we can still draw 'em in and make them buy our product.
In line with this -- don't TOUCH THE CUSTOMERS. It is not "getting good heat" to strike a fan or push them down. Two things can happen, either you hit 'em too light and they laugh it off in front of the crowd, effectively killing you in front of that audience. Or, you hit 'em hard and they take you to court. How do you think that's going to affect your bookings with that company -- or worse, that company's ability to book that town again? Our art is a 'controlled chaos' and the spectators are just that -- paying witnesses. Do not physically engage the fans, directly or indirectly. Stir 'em up, but no contact. Now, in a riot situation as was experienced in the 1970s and 1980s when guys were literally fighting their way to the safety of the locker room -- different deal. It's a whole new culture and as we fight against the negative stereotypes that people have about our business, we need to protect it more than ever.
3. COMMON COURTESY & ETIQUETTE:
People make a lot of assumptions about you by the way you talk and conduct yourself. The language and gestures you use, the manner in which you respond to others are all indicators of the person you are -- away from the ring and out of character. You could be the best in-ring talent in the history of the business, but if you don't observe good etiquette and are not courteous to that close circle of guys you're sharing a locker room with, you'll find that promoters will easily do without you. As a group, wrestlers are constantly under attack from skeptics, critics, athletes from other disciplines, and even within our own families (often). We need to develop that brotherhood and comraderie and to function like a team in every environment we are in if we want to re-build our business -- a business that has been battered by scandal, and adversely affected by the big-scale productions of the U.S. which focus less and less on actual wrestling in pursuit of prime time ratings. This hurts our ability to book buildings, secure sponsors, and get the family audiences back in. We need to attack this collectively and look out for one another.
Be mindful of your manners. It seems simple and stupid, but it is the first step. Whenever somebody does something for you, remember the value of "thank you". If a promoter delivers on his promises - "thank you", if the person at the merch table takes good care of your inventory and money - "Thank you", if a rookie runs to get you a drink because you can't leave the locker room after your match - "thank you". These are not things that are OWED to you, you are not entitled. When you get 'em, remember to express your gratitude sincerely.
4. KNOW YOUR SPOT:
No, not know your role -- know your spot. Understand where you are booked on the card, how you are being booked, and what is expected of you. If you're the opening match, probably you are not doing any top rope leg drops -- you're getting out there to engage the crowd and warm them up. Keep all the action inside the ropes and to deliver a clean finish. The show should build to a fever pitch, but improper placement of moves and actions on a card can negatively affect the overall show. Be aware of this. You're not booked to be the feature attraction every night, and when you're not, understand what you can best do to support that main event. When the tables are turned, you'll be glad you did.
5. RESPECT:
Disrespect for those that have paved the road before you is the QUICKEST way to end your wrestling career before it begins. Be ever mindful of the fact that the guy in the room with five or ten years more experience than you has been where you are -- they have paid their dues coming up and have a lot of wisdom to share. Don't dismiss the opinions or advice from these people, as once you shut them down one time, or give the impression that you already know it all, that avenue may never be open to you again.
Respect also applies to your peers, never try to get ahead at the expense of others. Work your way to the top on your own merits and abilities. Politicians aren't respected in locker rooms, and while we all see it all the time, we also know that we naturally gravitate to those workers who are not selfish in the ring.
RESPECT the venues and hotel rooms. If you're running a show in a school, don't smoke and drink in the locker room -- and if you do, don't leave the evidence behind. It hurts the business. That school principal doesn't care which wrestler did it, just that it was one of "those wrestlers", and the next time the promoter tries to run that venue, he'll get shot down flat. In smaller towns, venues are limited, so actions like this can kill towns. Similarly, hotel rooms -- don't trash 'em, because you can kill a promoter's ability to provide you with that accomodation next time.
6. UNIQUENESS:
Pick up any wrestling magazine and look at the names of guys out there and the gimmicks that they work. How are you unique by comparison to the wrestling community as a whole? Do you have the same gimmick as a guy in another territory? Well first of all, that is one territory that you're not working, now you compete with that guy for bookings elsewhere. If that guy gets picked up by TNA or WWE, how many bookings do you think you're going to get now? Who will be perceived as the copycat. Find a gimmick that is original, and also allows you to put your own spin on it. Similarly, your appearance, and how you distinguish yourself on any show that you're on will also determine how successful you are. Go into any independent locker room and you'll see a whole lot of black and red gear. That's not a dig on anyone, that's just how it is. Vary it up. Dress in a manner that makes you different from the pack. Good work + good look + good attitude = success.
7. SELLING:
By God, it doesn't "kill your character" to sell. In fact, good selling helps to generate emotion in audiences and get them to better follow what it is that we're doing in the ring. Failing to sell effectively makes your opponent look like a dick, and also hurts the fans' ability to get into the match. If you're not selling it, they're not buying it ... it's that simple. Watch the babyface work done by Hulk Hogan throughout the 1980's. Here was a guy 6'7", selling his ass off for every opponent, and while as workers, we might pick holes in how he did it, we can't argue with the financial success that he had (and continues to have) after 23 years on top!
Those are just a few items that come to mind today.
Verne Gagne used to tell guys this in his camp in the 1980's (Tom Zenk mentioned this in an interview one time): "Thank God there is such a thing as a work." Ponder that one for a while and determine what that means to you. I'd be interested to know what you think about that. You can catch me at vancenevada@hotmail.com
Vance Nevada