I'm sure at one point in life, you have heard someone say: "It's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know." I've often thought that the folks that say that, use it as an excuse for their own inability to achieve success. Chalk it up to powers beyond ones control ... yep, I'm great, but I'm not known in the right circles, so it's no use. That's not to say that it is an entirely inaccurate concept. I think as that relates to the wrestling business, some people might see that there is some relevance to that. Take a look at the current crop of WWE superstars with familiar last names and a lot of folks will readily assume that nepotism is at work. But what does that mean for the rest of us in this business? Is there hope?
I would suggest that in this business, it's not a matter of who YOU know. Success in this business relies heavily on who knows YOU.
Consider this: In western Canada alone, there are probably more than 150 active wrestlers, add that same number for Ontario and Quebec, combined. There's probably another 100 scattered across the Maritimes, including Newfoundland. So, in Canada, even with the remote geography that we have, we probably have about 400 active professional wrestlers at varying skill levels, career focus, etc. Now add to that the number of active wrestlers in the United States, which is more populated and has tons more booking offices scattered across 50 states. It's easy to estimate that you're talking about more than 2,000 pro wrestlers in North America. I'm not even going to get started on the active rosters in Japan, the U.K. or the rest of Europe -- and we can all recognize that those countries have an active presence in North America as well.
TWO THOUSAND wrestlers, all focused on securing a contract with one of the major organizations in the United States. Don't forget, that in addition to the pressures of all those guys jockeying for position, at the top of the business there are 100 guys who are already in the system that are competing to KEEP their jobs. Don't forget, in order to create an opening ... someone needs to be cut. (If you think you're frustrated at the slow pace of your progress to get TO the top ... imagine the stress of the guys who are under contract, but seem to be lost in the shuffle. Those guys go to work every day wondering if this is the day they get sent home.)
There are a lot of numbers presented here, but what's the point? Quite simply, in a mass of two thousand guys jockeying for a top spot in the business, nobody can book you unless they KNOW you. This is ground level WRESTLING 101. Right from the first day that you get into the business, you need to be making contact, sending our pictures and promotional material to promoters and letting them know that you're in play. It's no different dealing with a local promoter in your area, as it is with the folks in the top companies in our business. If your goal is to secure a job with TNA, you need to contact the talent relations department and show them who you are and what you have to offer. Makes sense, huh? Really? How many promoters and booking agents have you been in touch with today?
The only change that you'll see as you move up the ladder is that there is increased competition for the same select number of spots. However, when you consider that most regional promoters are reluctant to take on wrestlers from outside their trade area due to the increased costs associated with transportation and hotels for a talent which doesn't have a proven track record to draw in his town -- I think it evens out. Still, it comes back to making contact and letting people know you're in play.
In the "real world" this is a no brainer ... you see a job posted that you want, you submit your resume and application and let the employer know that you want THAT spot. Why would wrestling be any different? Wrestling is a business, and in business this is the way the game is played. Nobody is going to call you out of the blue and offer you your dream job when they have a stack of 50 applications on their desk from people who have communicated more interest in the role than you.
So what can you do to make sure that the people in the business are taking note of you? How can you distinguish yourself from the rest of the pack? What can you do to ensure that people in the business are talking about you? Hmm, I wonder ...
The possibilities are really limitless, but the important thing to consider is this: If you want to make money in wrestling, then you need to pursue it as a business. That means devoting time EVERY DAY to developing your product (hitting the gym, getting pictures, producing video) and marketing and promoting the hell out of it in as many different avenues as possible. That could mean speaking engagements at a local school or community centre, newspaper and radio interviews, appearances at community events. Promotion is not only limited to contacting promoters and letting them know about yourself. Yes, promoters will book you, but it is the ticket buying public that needs to be excited about you that they will buy tickets to see you. You need to consider every possible avenue.
How many people in the wrestling business KNOW you? How many promoters know that you're interested to get booked and available to travel? How many wrestling fans are aware of you as a rising star - a future legend of our industry? Does the trade media (wrestling magazines/websites) know about you?
Ask yourself these questions. Once you start to answer "YES" to most of these questions, you'll start to feel that you're making some progress.
If you're sitting there wondering if any of this is necessary, or more importantly perhaps if you will see a return on your investment ... could this really work? Let me ask you this:
Did you ever hear of a guy named Vance Nevada?
Vance Nevada