Professional Wrestling School
How to become a pro wrestling superstar!
You have watched your favorite pro wrestlers in action, read the stories, followed the triumphs, and would like to know how to join them in the ring. The steps to become a professional wrestler are simple, but the road to glory is extremely challenging. If you have the talent, physique, personality, perseverance, and the right professional wrestling school, you just might make your pro wresting dreams come true.
We asked “trainer of champions” Eddie Shakey for input on how to become a pro, taken from his personal experience as pro wresting champion and owner of Pro Wrestling America, a former professional wrestling school and independent promotion (and namesake to the website). First, Sharkey suggests that you consider the advantage and disadvantages to becoming a professional wrestler. According the Sharkey, the advantages are that you are in great shape, laugh a lot, have amazing stories, are surrounded by characters, and are known – maybe even famous. The disadvantages are the demanding schedule, including travel to some not-so-glamorous locations (think Minnesota in February), physical pain, and dealing with some unsavory, even sleazy sides of the business. If you are not deterred, keep reading. We have outlined the most important things you need to know: 1. Pro wrestling is sports entertainment, but it is not “fake."
Rather, it is choreographed through a series of highly specialized moves performed by trained professionals. Some aspiring wrestlers think that there is no real pain involved in pro wrestling. This could not be further from the truth. “If you get hit over the head with a chair it is going to hurt,” says Sharkey. Presumably, if a 300-pound man lands on you from 20 feet in the air it will hurt as well, even if you know it is coming.
2. Become a well-rounded athlete.
Most pro wrestlers participated in multiple sports outside of wrestling. Lift weights and train. Before you become a pro wrestler you need to look like one.
3. Have a good time.
According to Sharkey “wrestlers take care of each other. You need to make friends and be in the inner circle to succeed”. You will live and travel with your fellow pro wrestling superstars and you will need to get along with them. You need to trust these guys (and gals); a botched move can cause serious injury. Besides, you don’t really want someone on your bad side when he is planning to give you “cloths line” later that evening.
4. Become a crowd psychologist.
You will feel if they love or hate you; are excited or board. Work on your stick, but do get too stuck on one character. You will need to find the character that fits you best and let the crowd help you figure out what works.
5. Go to professional wrestling school.
If you want to be successful in most careers, you have to go to school to learn your trade. Wrestling is no different. Aspiring pro wrestlers should master the classic wrestling moves and build upon those moves to gain success. It should take about two years for a student to perfect the art of wrestling. And remember – do not try this at home. A botched move can be dangerous and if you are not professionally trained you will botch a move, even it is looks easy. Success depends, in part, on “who you know” so make sure that your wresting school introduces you to the right people and is a feeder for a major pro wresting organization. You do not want to graduate only to find that your trainers do not have connections to promoters and will not be able to find work for you. Some schools make false promises, so make sure you research their program thoroughly. For most wrestling camps and schools in the United States you must be at least 18 years of age to enter. Some states allow wrestling training centers to take students as young as age 16, but that is not the norm. (Detailed information on wrestling training facilities and wrestling camps is at the bottom of the page.)
6. No drugs!
Steroids and performance-enhancing drugs have ruined the careers of too many athletes. Just don’t go there.
7. Look forward to your earnings, but keep it real.
Top performers with the WWE earn $400,000 to $500,000 per year. Top bills like Triple H and the Undertaker earn even more. Pro wrestlers also earn bonuses for pay-per-view performances and endorsements. Of course, many pro wrestlers cross over into acting for television and film. Before becoming a WWE superstar most pro wrestlers need to prove themselves in the small time promotions. In small venues it is not uncommon for a wrestler to earn $25.00 or $50.00 per match. Wrestlers are treated as independent contractors. They receive no benefits of any kind and are responsible for many of their own expenses (company covers travel and hotels). So health insurance (and its high for them), pension plans, dental, life insurance, etc are all up to the wrestler.
Professional Wrestling Schools, Training, and Wrestling Camps.
Pro Wrestling America has investigated professional wrestling schools and training programs and listed them at the bottom of this page. We did our homework, but have not personally tested these schools. If you have anything to say the schools we list, or any other wrestling camps, please let us know.
Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW)
This professional wrestling school is also an independent promotion and the only official developmental territory of the WWE. Located in Tampa, Florida. Steven Keirn, who was one-half of the Fabulous Ones with Stan Lane and also wrestled as Skinner, runs the school. Ted DiBiase, Jr., Jack Swager, Sheamus O'Shaunessy, and Kaitlyn all trained with FCW.
Florida Championship Wrestling
Funking Conservatory Wrestling School
This wrestling camp is run by former NWA World Champion Dory Funk Jr. and is located in Ocala, Florida. Some of the superstars that have passed through this school include Kurt Angl, Edge, Lita, Mickie James, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy and Christian. Johnny Ace, the current head of talent for relations in the WWE, is listed as a beneficiary of the Dory Funk Method of Pro Wrestling along with Giant Baba, Antonio Inoki, and Ric Flair.
Funking Conservatory Professional Wrestling School
Harley Race Wrestling Academy
Of all the schools on this list, no wrestler has a better in-ring resume than Harley Race. This school boasts training the third generation pro wrestling dynasties like the Hennig and DiBiase families. The school is located in Eldon, Missouri.
Harley Race Wrestling Academy
Johnny Rodz School of Wrestling
WWE Hall of Famer Johnny Rodz, who is famous for training pro wrestling legends, runs this school. Graduates include the Dudleys, Tazz, Tommy Dreamer, Bill DeMott, and Matt Striker. The pro wrestling school is located inside of Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn, New York.
Johnny Rodz Professional Wrestling School (Gleason's Gym)
Killer Kowalski's Pro Wrestling School
The Killer Kowalski professional wrestling school has been merged with Chaotic Wrestling. Some major players have come out of this wrestling camp including Triple H, Chyna, Perry Saturn, and A-Train. The school is located in North Andover, Massachusetts.
Killer Kowalski's Pro Wrestling School
Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)
Located in Louisville, Kentucky, Ohio Valley Wrestling was a former developmental territory of the WWE. Pro wrestling superstars like John Cena, Randy Orton, and Batista trained at OVW before entering the WWE. The school is run by Danny Davis, not the evil referee, but one-half of the Nightmares.
Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ring of Honor (ROH) Wrestling School
Ring of Honor is currently the number three promotion in the United States. Talent scouts from the WWE and TNA closely watch the ROH trainees. CM Punk and Samoa Joe are alums and ROH champions who also became WWE Champions. The Ring of Honor professional wrestling school is located in Bristol, Pennsylvania. The head trainer at the school is ROH star DELIRIOUS.
ROH Professional Wrestling School
The Wild Samoan Training Center
This school is run by Afa "The Wild Samoan" Anoa'i. Their most famous graduate is Batista, who was turned-down by the now-defunct WCW Power Plant. Other graduates that got their start here include Snitsky, Billy Kidman, and Chris Canyon. TNA pro wrestling stars that passed through the school during their development include Traci Brooks, Gail Kim, ODB, Velvet Sky, and Homicide. Afa also trained Mickey Rourke for his role in The Wrestler.
Wild Salmon Wrestling School
Let us know what you think! Please add a review of a pro wrestling training camp or school.
We want to hear from you! If you have trained with one of the wrestling schools we mentioned, or if you have feedback about another school please let us know - include the good, the bad, and the ugly.
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