Yesterday, someone got in touch with me to caution me about the tone of my columns. "You should be careful", they said. "You wouldn't want to offend anyone." I wouldn't? Seriously? I respectfully disagree with that assessment. I think that this business and some of the folks representing themselves as professionals need a hard kick in the ass -- and if that means someone is gonna take some heat for doing that, I graciously accept.
There are people in the business that have asked me why I bother with this. In fact, one 30 year veteran called me and said "You sound like me ten years ago ... and you're wasting your breath. These guys are never gonna listen or understand what you're saying." So why do I bother?
When I broke into the wrestling business, the ratio was about one rookie to every ten experienced guys in the locker room. Every time I would show up to train or wrestle, I would be able to learn something from each of those guys based on their experience. Today, that ratio has reversed and for every one experienced wrestler in the locker room, there are ten guys breaking in. The opportunities to get the one on one instruction and guidance from guys that have had success just doesn't exist in the same way any more. This is why you see guys deviating from accepted protocols and etiquette, trying to run before they learn to walk ... and perhaps most significantly, taking bigger chances to distinguish themselves from their peers.
I think that those people in the locker rooms and in the wrestling schools that have an opportunity to identify and correct these mis-steps and crimes against the industry have a RESPONSIBILITY to speak up. After all, if we don't self-police our business, who will? If you see something wrong and you say or do nothing, than you have contributed to the problem. In this industry, there are too many guys focused on themselves and not caring about the business as a whole. WAKE UP! If you're the biggest star on a card that isn't drawing - what value are you to the company? To the business? The well-being of the industry is just as significant as what you do to propel your own career.
About a year and a half ago, I encountered an up and comer in this business who committed one of the most serious offences against the business -- disrespect of the guys who travelled the road before him. I was discouraged to see that not only did this action go unpunished -- but in fact, the business penalized ME for speaking out against it. I lost bookings because of it. I got really bitter about that for a while, but then I realized that there was a problem in this system. It wasn't the kid's fault that he had received improper instruction and mentoring -- he simply DIDN'T KNOW. Now, in most environments, ignorance of the law is not a recognized defense, but unlike most environments, wrestling's most important rules are not written down.
Recently, a promoter challenged me and suggested that perhaps when I see these things that are wrong, I should be more reserved and try to address that on a one to one basis. To some degree, I would say that is the right approach -- but in many cases, the mistakes are not unique to an individual. Taking the specific details of the incident out of the equation and generalizing it to some degree can help others to avoid the same mistakes. Sometimes, when not individualized - it is easier to see from farther way what is wrong with the picture and help to constructively direct better decision-making. Only in rare instances do I single out guys by name. Certainly during my career I have made mistakes myself (some for which I still kick MY OWN ASS) and I try to salt these lessons through all of the classes and seminars I get the chance to present across the country. Of course the biggest mistakes would no doubt make for some compelling reading -- and I suspect that would come with a price tag of $19.95 down the road.
Away from this business, I am involved in the shirt and tie world of risk management. Perhaps it is from this perspective that I look at the wrestling business and think about personal liability. If I see that there is a potential for someone to get physically hurt and I do nothing - could that result in a lawsuit down the road? Do I want to risk my home and my family's well-being for the sake of being 'one of the boys'? I don't think so. If I see the potential for one of the wrestlers to damage the reputation of the business in a community and hinder opportunities to make money in that town, what is my responsibility? What is YOURS? Why would we sit back and watch someone destroy what we have all sacrificed to build? Are we not all obliged to act?
As I get immersed in a rant like this one, I am reminded of the Garth Brooks song, "The Change":
.
One hand
Reaches out
And pulls a lost soul from harm
While a thousand more go unspoken for
They say what good have you done
By saving just this one
It's like whispering a prayer
In the fury of a storm
.
And I hear them saying you'll never change things
And no matter what you do it's still the same thing
But it's not the world that I am changing
I do this so this world will know
That it will not change me
.
This heart
Still believes
The love and mercy still exist
While all the hatred rage and so many say
That love is all but pointless in madness such as this
It's like trying to stop a fire
With the moisture from a kiss
.
And I hear them saying you'll never change things
And no matter what you do it's still the same thing
But it's not the world that I am changing
I do this so this world will know
That it will not change me
.
As long as one heart still holds on
Then hope is never really gone
.
I hear them saying you'll never change things
And no matter what you do it's still the same thing
But it's not the world that I am changing
I do this so this world we know
Never changes me
.
What I do is so
This world will know
That it will not change me
I am encouraged by some of the positive feedback that these columns have been getting from folks inside the business, and/or those that care strongly about it. Still, I recognize that there are dozens of folks that perhaps whole-heartedly disagree with my views, and maybe more that outright believe that I'm full of shit. I don't fool myself to believe that I am changing the business -- but I will continue to rant so that the business will know, that it will not change me.
I'll continue to spread these messages through blogs and in my travels as long as I have an avenue to do so.
Vance Nevada