The Key To Survival in Pro Wrestling and Marketing

Hi, my name is Derek Morton, and I’m an incurable wrestlingaholic. I grew up watching more wrestling on Monday nights than football. While many of you may laugh at that little known fact about me, it’s something that I’ve learned to accept. (My wife on the other hand still hasn’t.) In fact I consider meeting Rick Steiner (the Dog Face Gremlin) one of the highlights of my life. I know that there are a few of you that are jealous, but are not willing to admit it.

Since I got married I haven’t been able to watch wrestling for a few years. I thought that I had finally moved past that phase of my life, but sadly I haven’t. Why haven’t I moved on? My wife decided to give Netflix a try. It was soon there after, that my relapse began. I found myself watching shows such as The Rise and Fall of WCW, The 50 Greatest Wrestlers of All-Time (how anyone but Hulk Hogan could be #1 is beyond me), and the 50 Greatest Matches of All-Time (They got this one right. Mankind vs Undertaker Hell in the Cell). Not only that, but I also get my fix by watching old matches on YouTube. But why would I bring up my incurable wrestling addiction? It’s because of what I love about wrestling:

1) Showmanship- The key to survival in the wrestling industry is being able to get the audience to buy into your character, and generate a reaction. If they didn’t put on a show that the audience didn’t find entertaining, they weren’t going to last. They created different characters, and it didn’t matter if they were a hero or a villain, they were going to try to entertain the audience. You have to be trying to entertain the audience to wear some of the things that they do. (Golddust is still disturbing) Have you ever met someone that was so boring, that you couldn’t take it anymore? (yes, church counts) So how is your showmanship? Are you able to get people’s attention, and draw them in? Or do you help them achieve the afternoon nap they’ve been hoping for.

2) They took risks- Yes, I know that wrestling is fake, but those wrestlers still were willing to take risks in order to give the crowd what they wanted. Whether it was a cage match, any hardcore match, or doing a hurricanrana off the top rope (I love the luche libre style). They were willing to put their bodies on the line. What are you willing to put on the line in order to help give your fans their money’s worth.

3) Good didn’t always win- Sometimes the villain won. But it’s alright the good guy got up, and prepared for his next match. Why people think that good will always prevail in business is beyond me. In every industry there is a huge jerk that is successful, and there is nothing that you can do about it. So stop worrying about what they are doing, and focus on doing what you know is right for your client. It will benefit not only you but you business better in the long run.

Now if you will excuse me, I’ve gotta get back to my double-wide before someone steals my Dale Earnhardt memorabilia