Magazine Archive: The Wrestlers’ Tribune By Damien Sandow

As first seen in FightfulMag.com issue 3

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By Aron Stevens

“The best entertainment speaks to the human condition in an honest way.” – Gregory Hines

This quote is one of my favorite’s pertaining to my chosen profession. What makes pro wrestling so great? The electrifying entrance music? Brilliant pyrotechnics? Elaborate costumes? Feats of athleticism that appear to defy what the human body seems capable of?

No. It’s the wrestlers. It’s their ability, as individuals, to reach out and speak to the human condition. I kindly ask that you please continue reading as I will explain this fundamental truth.

When television first became a thing, pro wrestling was front and center. It was a simple set up of a camera in an arena transmitting action from the squared circle into people’s living rooms through the then miracle of that black-and-white picture box known as a television. Characters like Gorgeous Georgeand Killer Kowalskihad larger-than-life personas, which made them superstars.

One could argue that it was a different era. Controlled indoor pyrotechnics and a sound system with ground shaking abilities had not yet been invented. Athletically, the performers were nowhere near the fine-tuned athletes of today. And these are fair points, but riddle me this: How have almost all the top performers in the wrestling industry who have all drawn serious money accomplished this without ever having done a single backflip?

If you look at the top-earning performers in the history of the industry, and I mean people who have drawn money, here is the ice-cold reality: Steve Austin, The Rock, Jerry Lawler, Junkyard Dog, Austin Idol, Bruno Sammartino— did not sell out areas doing acrobatics.

Now, wait! Before you stop reading, this is not a condemnation of athleticism in pro wrestling. I think cool moves and exciting in-ring styles are awesome. I, for one, have personally never done a shooting star press. And if I’m honest, I certainly don’t plan to anytime soon. However, I would be lying if I said it wasn’t an incredibly breathtaking move to watch.

But were the aforementioned names known for being acrobats with cool entrance music? Or were they known for being amazing characters? With character traits, good or bad, that we could all relate to? For being unique individuals, yet somehow archetypal?

That is what I call “relating to the human condition.”

Start with someone who looks like a star. Throw in a dash of connecting on some level with the human condition. Add a pinch of salt, and there’s your recipe for becoming a wrestling legend. A valid argument can be made for wrestlers like Shawn Michaels, Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho, Edgeand Christian, and Eddie Guerrero. They all drew money. They also happened to be incredible athletes known for a faster-paced style. First and foremost, these top-level performers made you care about them as individuals and as great characters. Hell, they could pop the crowd simply by raising an eyebrow or giving a look.

Here’s another question to ask yourself: If the “style” of wrestling today is so fantastic, why are fewer people watching?

As a wrestler, I find myself in awe of the crazy in-ring stuff that goes on, but I also listen to the reactions. What I hear is that after whatever move or stunt is performed, the crowd usually goes back to sitting on their hands. They quietly wait for the next death-defying move, completely uninvested in the heel or babyface’s quest for victory. Why, when a performer’s entrance music starts playing, doesn’t a room erupt with cheers? Or become overwhelmed with guttural booing (I’m talking pre and post-pandemic, of course)?

Because… character.

Character matters. Can you imagine how incredible the business would be if there were the same character development of the late 1990s combined with the athleticism of today? Nothing could compare. So, why is this not the case?

In my humble opinion, several people in the wrestling industry forget what “the biz” (I loathe that term, by the way) is all about.

It’s about the people. The fans. The paying customers.

The paying fans are ultimately the wrestler’s boss. Too many forget this. When considering a character or when pondering a performance, remember that it’s the fans who matter the most. Not the critics, not people who write internet blogs; it’s the paying customer who is there to be entertained. Time and attention are worth everything. If someone is giving you theirs, respect that.

And the more you can appeal to a wider audience, the bigger your following will be. You can get there with athleticism. You can get there with mic skills. You can get there by whatever works best for your character. Just try not to be a backstabbing politician. You will have to look at yourself in the mirror — and you’ll also see all the same people on the way down who you saw on your way up.

But ultimately, if you remember nothing else, remember this: There’s a massive difference between being an incredible athlete and being a star. Stars make money; stars are in demand; stars put people in seats.

I am an optimist tempered with realism. I believe wrestling is a pendulum, constantly shifting back-and-forth yet always evolving. There’s so much remarkable talent out there right now, such as Orange Cassidy, Kenny Omega, Aleister Black, Thunder Rosa, Serena Deeb. The list goes on of the wrestlers who can preserve, as well as propel this thing I call “wrasslin’” into a promising future.

Put the audience first, connect with the human condition, and make sure your kicks and punches look believable (is there anything worse than atrociously rotten kicks and punches?).

Sounds easy. Right? Work smarter, not harder.

“Make. The people. Notice. YOU.” – Walter “Killer” Kowalski

Aron Stevens was formerly known as WWE superstar Damien Sandow. He currently wrestles for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and is also an actor.

Twitter: @AronsThoughts