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As you know I am a fan of a couple reality shows and “America’s Got Talent” happens to be one of them. Well last week I was totally surprised when I saw two independent wrestlers and a young lady walk out on that stage. Why, you ask? Well our business only works in its own controlled environment, and a theatre stage looking for an act to entertain on a high dollar Las Vegas stage sure ain’t one of them.
I don’t know any of this trio (Steve Boz, Austin Roberts, Koa Marie Turner. I met Steve briefly a few years ago in Chicago), but I’m sure they are nice people and are probably good workers, but before the first move was made I was sure they would bomb on this tryout no matter what they did. The audience quickly shot them the X sign and began booing. OK, you had your 30 seconds of national television exposure, now when the judges tell you that you didn’t make the cut; be professional smile, thank them for the chance and exit stage left. Well one of the judges (Piers Morgan) mentioned that “this was a complete waste of time” and that one of the fellows wasn’t a spring chicken (I have no idea if that’s true or not) and in turn that fellow decided to cut a heel promo on the judge, which may have entertained and got them over with their friends watching, but I looked at it as just adding to the negative public perception too many already have of our industry. Simply this wasn’t a wrestling crowd, show, or environment, and the whole thing was totally out of context. It just wasn’t the time, or the place for a wrestling promo and they came off badly. Let me say here that Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat in their prime would have bombed the same way in the same setting. An opera star is revered in an opera, but stands out for all the wrong reasons at a heavy metal concert.
All of the people in this industry need to realize that there are times you will do more good for your business and your own image by not acting like a professional wrestler then playing your role. I have no idea why anyone thought doing wrestling moves in a small space on a theatre stage, in front of an audience looking for something entirely different would equate into a million dollar contract. I’m not mad at these folks, but they got bad advice from some place. Bottom line is that nothing positive came from this for the athletes or the industry.
The phrase perception is reality is common in the wrestling business and too often it is for all the wrong reasons. I received a letter from a young man the other day telling me that he and his friend had been practicing a few wrestling moves for a year and a half and their friends and family thought it was funny and clever that they were pretending to be wrestlers. However the young man said that in his mind he was a wrestler and wanted to be in the spotlight and asked if I could help him get noticed.
From this letter apparently his perception of being a pro wrestler was doing a few moves and being funny. I can’t for the life of me figure out where he got that idea? Can you?
Too, too, too, often…did I stress too often that is the conversation you hear around young people with dreams of making it in our industry. They labor over inventing a newer, wilder gimmick that has never been seen; they worry about the type of music that will showcase their entrance, and spend hours discussing the costume that will make their small body look bigger, or hide the fact that they should find a gym and lose 50 pounds. Almost as important is trying to invent a new move that will allow them to do three full twists off the top rope and out flip every current high flyer. Pacing, ring psychology, how to work a hold or building a match? Why, would they ever think of worrying about minor stuff like that?
Many of these future stars consider the history of the industry as starting when WWF changed their initials to WWE, and were amazed when they discovered there really was a Rick Steamboat when they saw him face off with Jericho, and even more amazed to discover that the little things he did in the ring got such a great reaction, and it was called “working”. Why hell, he didn’t even know how to do a quadruple back flip.
We lament the fact that the number of very talented workers are diminishing and a big part of the reason is that there is no pressure to become skilled at the art, and too much emphasis on developing a CHARACTER. Let me state now that there are talented athletes currently in the big time, and athletes wanting to develop the proper skills as well, but the focus is not on talent but entertainment.
I’m being sarcastic about it here, but if any of these youngsters want to be remembered after they are gone with the real pros of the past; those that were craftsmen. Then they had better move the mat skills to the forefront of the list of things to learn and prefect, and the place to start developing these things is at the beginning, the independents. Because currently too many are more worried about the icing instead of the cake, and the sizzle instead of the steak.
Why does Les harp on these things over and over? Because too often they fall on deaf ears, and if you plan to lead like a Jericho, Michaels, Taker, HHH, Angle, Danielson, Lynn, etc then you had better have the foundation.
Today is the scheduled surgery for my longtime friend Gerald Brisco. We have exchanged a couple of e-mails this past week, and his is upbeat and confident just as you would expect from a class athlete. Please keep Jerry in your thoughts and prayers.
Waldo Von Erich passed away earlier this week at age 75. He had been admitted to the hospital after a fall, and passed away suddenly. I didn’t know Waldo well, but worked with him a few times early in my career, and he was helpful, and a gentleman. My sincere condolences go out to his friends and family.
Train hard and master your craft.
Till Next Time,
Les
Les and Harley Race form Elite Pro Wrestling Training along with the principles left by former staff members Ricky Steamboat and Dr. Tom Prichard. For more information on the company go to www.epwt.com . To book an EPWT seminar, training camp, or trainer contact Les at les@epwt.com .
Get your copy of “The Professional Wrestler’s Workout & Instructional Guide” by Harley, Ricky, Les, and Alex Marvez published by Sports Publishing LLC at your local bookstore or the PW Insider.com Super Store.
The annual Harley Race/Pro Wrestling Noah training camp is set for September 28th thru October 2nd at Harley’s school in Eldon, MO. This year’s special guest is Ric Flair. You can sign up now. All the details are at www.harleyrace.com .
Join Les and host Rich Tate every Wednesday night at 9: PM EST with special guests for “Peach State Pandemonium” by clicking on www.georgiawrestlinghistory.com .
