Recently, I did an article for The
Indy Corner (link) about imports on the UK wrestling scene. It's been
a subject that I've thought about for a long time now and felt the
need to bring attention to. Additionally to this, I was speaking to a
good friend of mine who dropped a few names of people that had
similar opinions of imports as I do and I felt it was worth seeing
for myself how these individuals really felt.
I messaged Mad Man Manson about this
subject and he happily obliged to share his thoughts on imports. He
was also kind enough to share his thoughts on the British wrestling
scene.
I live in hope that my words will
somehow make people think and change things that they do. I realise,
however, that this probably won't be the case and people will
continue to do what they are doing because they get certain
endorsements that give them the justifications to continue. Hopefully
people will listen to the following words from a British wrestling
favourite and think hard about their future dealings in British
wrestling.
The following is an interview I
conducted with Mad Man Manson on 'Imports' and 'British wrestling':
What is your general view on imports on the UK scene?
Well, here's the general dealio:
It's not the import's fault, I've been an import for half my 'career', they are just guys trying to make money in the job. It's the promoters and fellow 'wrestlers'. Promoters paying over the odds and acquiescing to their demands while on the other hand arguing with their regular talent about £5 extra for exes, etc.
Some promoters use them brilliantly – Fludboat (Stephen Fludder - PCW) in Preston tells them exactly what he wants and if they don't do it, he fucks them off. Perfect business. If you hired a plumber to fix your sink, you wouldn't let him watch your TV, eat your dinner and paint your door.
The 'wrestlers' are their own worst enemy on this one - How many times have you seen “I get to wrestler
Sadly, there's nowt I can do about it, nor is it my place to judge others on how they wish to behave. I do know that as long as XYZ wrestling is paying £500 plus quid to cover some shitbox yank who works for $50 at home, we'll always be looked down at as jokes by the rest of the wrestling world.
What do you think imports bring to British wrestling?
If they have any kind of name value, they bring in paying customers. Some of the more experienced ones can also be used to teach students but in general, the teaching should be left to the British guys. People from all over the world come here to train - guys like Brian Danielson, Fergal Devitt, El Generico and loads more came here to learn the job before going onto great success. Every Summer, Japanese, American and European wrestlers travel to this country to learn how to work. This country! This is where they choose to learn. SO, why the fuck do people here fly off to those countries under the guise of it being to learn? It doesn't make sense. If you're not making it here, it's one of two reasons - 1: You're not good enough. 2: You're not fucking good enough.
Imports are over valued, British wrestlers are under valued. This is British wrestling, nobody can do it better than a British wrestler.
Are they really worth the expense?
Depends on the expense. If you get Hulk Hogan for a tenner and two people pay a tenner each to see him, who wouldn't have been coming to the show without him, bang! Profit. If, however, you pay a tenner for someone who doesn't bring in a paying customer or a DVD sale, bang! Loss. It really is that simple.
People like to cloud and muddy the issue using buzz words like 'exposure' and 'elevating home talent' but it's bollocks. IF YOU AREN'T MAKING MONEY AS A WRESTLER, EITHER STOP DOING IT OR GET BETTER. IF YOU'RE NOT MAKING MONEY AS A PROMOTER, EITHER STOP DOING IT OR GET BETTER.
Do you feel that British wresting show-goers know who the majority are?
Depends on the show goer. There's no average. The crowd up at PCW would know the majority but the crowd at Devon Cliffs wouldn't have a clue. Similar attendances, different audiences. Promoters and wrestlers in this country are blinded to the bigger picture as the majority are fans, not businessmen. Being a fan is not a bad thing, but allowing your heart to rule your head is. People get caught up in calling it 'the business' like the rules are somehow special and specific only to it. Remove 'the' and you're left with just fucking business! That's what it is. Treat it as such.
What is your view on British wrestling at the moment? Is it the in a “great” place like many claim it is?
It can't be judged with a sweeping statement as there are far too many variables. Some of us are successful, make good money and enjoy it. Others don't. Are there some exciting things going on? Definitely. PCW, PROGRESS, that ICW in Scotland. All doing brilliantly. Making money, entertaining fans and giving the wrestlers a solid, safe, enjoyable environment in which to work.
We can work 3 or 4 days a week, every week. During the Summer, we can work anything up to a dozen jobs a week. NOWHERE else in the world is that available. It should be appreciated and respected.
What do you see as the main problems in British wrestling?
No business sense. Too many training schools. Too few barriers to entry into the job itself. An immature attitude towards the job from those within it. Fragmentation of market sector leading to diminishing returns in terms of profitability, audience share and potential growth.
There's some great things going on. There's some shit things going on. I'm involved in both.
Is there a problem with training in this country and too much of a 'fan mentality' amongst the 'wrestlers'?
There are about 9 people in this country good enough to train. There are about 90 training schools. See the problem? Why would someone go all the way to Dean Allmark's excellent, reliable, safe, productive school when they could play wrestler with their mates in their local hall? If the job was harder to get into, the fans who try to get into it would either a) Become excellent tradesmen having overcome the obstacles or b) Understand that it's not a viable career or job for everyone and go back to being fans again.
The absolute best piece of advice I can offer to anyone thinking of, or currently training is this - Look at the training school. Look at the trainer. Now ask these questions: Has that school produced anyone who is where you wish to be? No? Walk the fuck away. Has that trainer produced anyone who has gone on to be where you aspire to be? No? Walk the fuck away.
People are picking training schools based on geography. How fucking ridiculous is that?! 'Well, training school A is well run, successful and safe but training school B is near my bus stop. B it is!' Clowns.
Some of us look after each other and let each other know when there's money to be made somewhere. A promoter will always try and get a price down (as they should, that's business) but the fan wrestlers are so desperate to wrestle, they drop their price to a pittance. The business minded wrestlers charge more of a premium as they are not desperate to be performers.
What do you enjoy about wrestling?
I enjoy the adventurous lifestyle at times. I enjoy seeing new places and experiencing new things. I enjoy spending time with my friends who are also in the job. I get a buzz from entertaining people and making them laugh. I also enjoy the money and opportunities it provides for me, without that, I would not be involved in it. I have gotten far more from my time in the job than it has asked of me. That is a real positive for me.
Why do you do it?
I do it primarily for money. The same reasons most people do most jobs. It is a trade that I have trained in and know how to do well, within my own limitations. People want to give me money to ply my trade. I want to let them. The bonus to that is that I enjoy entertaining people. I get a good feeling when something goes well, when something is received well. Like an actor or comedian on stage, it feels good to connect with an audience as an entertainer.
As I said in the introduction to this interview, I hope that this makes people think more. Whether it is bringing in imports or our general attitude to how things are done in British wrestling, things still need to improve in this country if we are to be seen as more than just a place to get an easy pay-off and where anyone can get on a show. Manson is right, it SHOULD be harder to get into wrestling.
I'd like to thank Darren (Manson) for his time and answers. It was refreshing to hear what someone REALLY feels about some of the most important issues in British wrestling instead of the usual sugar-coating that a lot of people seem to do.
Support British Wrestling
@jimmosangle
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