‘Take downs,’ pro wrestlers always put on a show
Whether it’s learning how to throw, pin or fly off the ropes, professional wrestlers all have one goal – to put on a show.
Breaking into the business is no easy task, said Kyle Sasso, a creative writer with the Pensacola Wrestling Academy (PWA) in Pensacola, Fla. Although anyone willing to pay the $200 entry fee can join the academy, the primary stages of gaining a sufficient level of physical fitness can be enough to make someone quit.
“You go through Hell Week,” Sasso said.
Sasso said the Hell Week tryout period includes repetitions of push-ups, sit-ups and learning how to run the ropes. Afterwards, students learn how to fall and lock up.
He said some students aren’t comfortable performing in front of people. The PWA helps in that regard too. Trainers work with students to develop signature moves and holds and work on character development. Traditionally, students at PWA train anywhere from six months to one year, but learning never stops, Sasso said.
“We have guys who have been wrestling for 15 years,” he said. “They are still learning new moves.”
Although life can sometimes deal various trials which limit students’ abilities, progress depends on each person, Sasso said.
He said one student is currently out of commission after suffering a broken rib during a training session. The student, who came from Iowa to dedicate his life to the sport of professional wrestling, should be back in action within six months.
At lower levels of the sport, wrestling for a living is not lucrative, Sasso said.
“What you make at this level won’t put food on the table,” he said. “This level of wrestling will not fill your gas tank.”
Sasso said most students at the school have full-time jobs with which they sustain themselves and wrestle on weekends.
“They come here with a dream and what they think they’ll make of themselves,” he said. “A lot of guys love doing it.”
Sasso said the PWA has a television show in which the students are the primary participants. Each match is carefully scripted, and then it is showtime.
“It’s a three-hour play we do every week,” Sasso said.
According to www.bonebreakers.com, the Web site for the Bonebreakers Pro-Wrestling Center located in Arbutus, Md., the following is a typical schedule for new students at the center.
1. The Basics of Wrestling Amateur and Pro
•Locking up
•Running the ropes
•Break falls, front and back
•Posture
•Take downs, turn overs, Submissions, etc.
2. Skill and speed training
•Speed of rope running
•Turnbuckle to turnbuckle
•Leapfrogs, tackles and dropdowns
3. Charisma and character development
•Learning to be aggressive
•Developing a personality
•Learning to wrestle with emotion
4. Ring psychology
•Ring poise
•Developing ring chemistry
5. Nutrition information
•Diet and fitness programs
•Discounts on vitamins and supplements
•Discuss individual requirements
6. Physical appearance, conditioning and training
•Stretching exercises
•Standing squats
•Overall cardiovascular conditioning
7. Television interviews and match playbacks
•Characterization
•Interviews on camera
•Studying tapes
•Learning proper execution of short and long interviews
8. A personal unbiased report on your strengths, weaknesses, potential and required improvements
•Mastering your favorite moves
•Ordering your tights and boots