Professional wrestling has become a big business that holds its own against the major sports. For most people involved, the journey begins with pro wrestling training. As an aspiring pro wrestler, you have a vast selection of schools and training facilities to choose from. There is a lot to consider when looking at pro wresting schools, but if you choose correctly, you could embark on a promising career, and find yourself playing the main event in some of the world’s most renown venues.
Once upon a time, pro wrestling schools were concealed in secrecy and difficult to find, at best. Times have changed, since there are currently more schools than ever before. Keep in mind, however, that not all schools are created equal. Some have excellent reputations for training wrestlers who have graduated and gone on to perform for the WWE® and TNA®. Others unfortunately, are not so great. If you choose a bad school, you will only be throwing away your money and putting yourself at risk of serious injury.
When evaluating pro wrestling schools, the first thing you need to find out is who will be training you. Most trainers are actually former or current wrestlers themselves, so this may be criteria you want to look for. Whether the trainer is established in the business or not, make sure he has the credentials and certifications to train you as a professional wrestler. Keep your options open — in other words, remain flexible in your choice of teachers — as your particular wrestling style may work better with one trainer as opposed to another.
Next, find out if there is a safety program associated with the school. Wrestling is a very dangerous sport and even the experts are injured quite frequently. While minor bumps and bruises are to be expected, try to set your sight on pro wrestling schools that have incurred as few serious injuries as possible. The last thing you want to do is get severely injured during training and prolong, or completely halt, your potential career as a professional wrestler.
Last but not least, conduct the extensive research needed to find out if the pro wrestling schools are affiliates of a major promotion. For example, The Funking Conservatory, a school run by Dory Funk Jr., is the official American training facility for All Japan Pro Wrestling. Likewise, Florida Championship Wrestling is the official development promotion for the WWE®. Enrolling in schools such as these can dramatically enhance of your chances of making it into the big leagues.
When taking the time to properly evaluate pro wrestling schools, you are far more likely to find one best suited for your individual requirements. Nothing is promised, but successful wrestlers like Kurt Angle, Christopher Daniels, and Mark Henry have all traveled the same path. With the appropriate training, the right attitude, and loads of dedication, you could be the next king of the wrestling ring.