How to start your own wrestling promotion

Exactly Whatit Saysonthe Tin:how?? I heard you could use a trampoline for a ring, and how much does paying your wrestlers and a place to wrestle at cost?

Frankly, I wouldn't advise it. Read any of the autobiographies of the current wrestlers and you'll learn just how dangerous things are when you know what you're doing. You can watch any number of "secrets of pro wrestling" bits on You Tube that will give you an idea of what's going on behind the scenes, but my advice is to have your wrestlers go to a legit school to learn, and talk with people who have a promotion about where they get their ring. You may be surprised at just how many independent promotions exist in the area. I know Pittsburgh supports at least three.

What if the promotion is made up of a various gimmick match with variations?

I personally think that would be likely to make things even more dangerous.

Having worked professional wrestling rings, I would say a trampoline is inadequate unless you are just stripping one for Raw material. The last ring I put together was composed of iron, cables, duct tape and plywood yet 190-230lbs guys running around and jumping around it loosened the turnbuckles enough to make audience concerned.

I would get someone who has some knowledge of wrestling, such as a retired wrestler, or at least a manager/referee/commentator/ect and have them consult you on how to treat the athletes. You obviously have to take their needs into account, but you have to know when to be firm too. You will likely be able to relate to your guys a little if you have an acting or athletic background but wrestling is more than just acting or athletics so there are a lot of things you probably will not be able to grasp right away.

When you start your own promotion, do you have to follow the Three Month Rule (which I find to be stupid)?

And what if the matches are booked, but they aren't booked to have a fixed outcome? What if you let your guys actually wrestle?

edited 16th Aug '13 7:49:34 PM by SciFiSlasher

You still need to give them a time limit even if you let them decide the outcome.

How exactly would you get your audience to distinguish a wrestler as a Tweener? Furthermore, what is the true definition of a Tweener? I know that they are neither Faces or Heels, but the Wild Card page on this wiki says it's a heel that is cheered, but elsewhere it just says they are neutral.

You let the audience decide who is a tweener. I would not try to force it.

I don't want to force it, but it's simple for Faces (they do something to get them cheered, even if they are booked as Heels) and Heels (they do something to get them booed, unless it's X-Pac Heat). But how are Tweeners meant to act?

Tweeners are usually heels that get enough cheers to be booked like faces against other heels but not enough to overshadown the true fan favorites.

Take Money In The Bank 2013 where Cody Rhodes and Fandango were cheered against the other heels like Jack Swagger, Wade Barret, Dean Ambrose, Antonio Cesaro but then they went right back to booing Fandango when he wrestled eternal baby face RVD.

At most, if I thought someone was established as a tweener I would still have them do asshole things but rarely have them insult the crowd directly. (They may take a count out loss but they won't respond to any fans who boo them for it).

So basically, the lesser of two evils.

Now, how would you promote your promotion enough to get people to really notice?

I'd argue that the "Three Month Rule" is taken as seriously as you choose to take it. If you don't plan on repeating storylines, you don't have to (eventually, you'll start repeating stories, but that's because there are only so many stories to tell). You could even choose to not run any real sort of character arcs and simply have your wrestlers as archetypes that don't change.

As regards "letting the wrestlers decide who wins", I refer you to the arguments on the Kayfabe page. Basically, real life fighting tends to be less exciting and is far more likely to get your wrestlers injured. We do also have a page on how to book a match so you can take a look there, but I'd again say that you really need to talk to some professionals in the field and ideally, you should go through wrestling school yourself so that you understand how it all works.

As for "tweeners", I hadn't even known people were using such a term, but I recommend Hitman, the autobiography of Bret Hart. Not only was he an excellent example of a heel who was loved by the fans, but he has a lot to say on the "Attitude Era" when faces started acting like heels.

In the Attitude Era, Bret was a face who was hated by fans, because he preached moral superiority and decried the WWF product and it's increasing reliance on sex and violence. I think it was spurred on when the crowd at Wrestlemania 13 started cheering for Stone Cold even though he lost his submission match against Hart.

In my yes, as long as there are no groins hits (or, if fighting with an object, hits to the groin or head or face) and no ridiculous New Jack-style falls, legit wrestling isn't that unexciting or dangerous. And if there are serious injuries, time for recovery will be given.

Get a cup of coffee, this is a looooong read. Speaking as somebody who actually did train I'm gonna say this: DO NOT USE A TRAMPOLINE FOR A WRESTLING RING!!! First and foremost it's too dangerous. It's pretty hard to balance yourself on one and you can very easily twist your ankle or buckle your knees. Not being able to balance yourself while doing moves can also get you and somebody else injured or killed. Also you can possibly tear all the way through if you're trying to lift somebody. Another thing is it screams out backyarders at the top of it's lungs. In pro wrestling perception is reality and if you act like a backyard fed that is the way wrestlers, other promoters, and most of all the fans will see your company. Backyarders and backyard feds don't have a very good reputation. Put simply, it looks like shit. Spend the money and get an actual wrestling ring from either Highspots or Title boxing. If you can't afford to buy one outright either rent one or set up a deal with another promoter. Maybe buy a used one. If you're going to buy a used one something to look for is make sure the framework looks solid. If it's all rusted out and looks like it's ready to fall apart, run! The ropes, canvas, and aprons you can buy. Obviously things like custom logos and what not are gonna be more expensive but generic ones in a variety of colors are available and work fine. Oh and for the love of all things holy, don't skimp on the padding. Taking bumps on hardwood hurts like hell. Believe me, I know.

As for renting out a venue that depends on a couple things and prices will vary. For one thing make sure they are actually allowed to hold wrestling events at that venue. Make sure you also have a promoter's license, insurance, and all medical personnel on hand as required by law. You don't want the State Athletic commision showing up and shutting down your show. You'll probably also be required to rent the seats and tables for your show. Some venues like high school gyms will usually have bleachers but you'll want to put some seats around the ring too to maximize profits by seating more fans. Also if you're going to be taping for DV Ds you'll want a good place to mount the hard camera. Ideally somewhere that's high enough that fans walking around won't be a problem. You'll want a building that's easy to load in and out of. Ideally somwhere you can back a U-Haul truck up to a loading dock door. Nobody wants to be lugging ring framework and A/V equipment up and down three flights of steps or trying to get it through a narrow doorway. Speaking of A/V equipment, you'll also want an area with plenty of easily acessable electrical hook ups. You'll also want good lighting. DV Ds look like shit if they're filmed in what looks like a dungeon.

You'll also want somewhere for the wrestlers and talent to change and stay out of sight of the fans. Plus I know it's not healthy but some wrestlers smoke or chew tobacco and it kinda kills kayfabe to see the heels and faces mingling with each other during the show especially if they're supposed to be feuding with each other or somebody is supposed to be injured. It also kills kayfabe if marks are able to mingle with the wrestlers and just stroll around backstage like they're at a damn highschool reunion. It also kills your image, it should be a privilege to see the wrestlers and talent. There needs to be a certain mystique about them. Who'd pay to see someone who is basically about as mysterious and interesting as your neighbor? Finally make sure the venue has plenty of parking. Fans and wrestlers don't want to have to walk three blocks through nasty weather in a real bad part of town to get to and from the show.

Sorry to be so harsh and longwinded but wrestling is a big thing to me. It's been part of my life since I was 10 years old and I get very impatient with a wrestling show that looks like shit or promoters and talent who treat it like one big joke.