What It Really Takes to Succeed in Professional Wrestling
- Brainz Magazine
- Oct 14
- 7 min read
Dean Page is a certified life coach who is a two-time American Taekwondo Association World Champion and a three-time cancer survivor. These unique experiences have given Dean both strong empathy for clients who are facing challenges as well as an understanding of the mindset of the high-performance individuals who want to be the very best.
Dreaming of becoming a professional wrestler? Success in the ring requires more than strength or charisma, it demands discipline, humility, and mastery of the craft. In this guide, Dean Page reveals the five crucial keys that separate hopefuls from true professionals in the world of sports entertainment.
The 5 keys of successful training in professional wrestling
Key 1: Be coachable
“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” ― Epictetus
This is probably the most important aspect of today’s sports entertainment environment and one that is often overlooked by many hopefuls looking in from the outside. The fact that someone is an exceptional athlete will most likely not compensate for a lack of coachability. Simply put, there is a large pool of talented athletes to draw from, and being identified as coachable is a factor that can help make you stand out from the very elite.
Being coachable does not mean being a doormat or lacking confidence in your abilities. In fact, the opposite is true. Being coachable means that you have the confidence in yourself to be open to constructive criticism and feedback regarding your weak areas. It reflects that you have the character to be realistic in the assessment of your current abilities, along with the motivation to make the necessary adjustments. It is one thing to want to be the best that you can be, it’s another to be willing to accept critique on how to become your very best.
Key 2: Master the fundamentals
“First, master the fundamentals.” – Larry Bird
I have seen some new students come into the pro-wrestling school with expectations of learning the 450 splash or a backward moonsault on their first day in class, and instead, they were shocked that emphasis was placed on the proper technique of how to get off their back to a standing position, known in the business as “getting out of bed.” While the purpose of this article isn’t to detail the specifics of pro-wrestling moves, I will tell you that there are pragmatic reasons for the specifics of the manner in which one is to get up from the mat, and they serve multiple purposes.
Another important series of fundamental drills is the forward, right side, left side, and backward rolls. Many of the moves and “bumps” have elements of the physical body control required for these various rolls. By taking the time to master the fundamentals of the rolls, you are actually helping improve your technique for future moves and holds.
Now, those who may question why such concentration is placed on such a basic move instead of the more flashy moves have just answered their own question. If someone cannot master a basic move with fluidity and consistency, then how is that person going to be able to do the highly complicated and skillful moves? Simply put, if someone can’t do addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division correctly, do you really think they will be proficient in advanced calculus?
Key 3: Pay attention to the little details
“How you do the little things is how you do everything.” – Sharon Pearson
A key component of pro-wrestling is the art of storytelling. There is unquestionably a very physical element to this particular genre of storytelling, but in order to build a loyal audience following, the audience has to become invested. A simple yet profound element of building audience investment can be enhanced by paying attention to the little details. Instead of rushing from move to move or high spot to high spot, be sure to pay attention to the verbal and non-verbal cues that the audience is giving you. They are literally giving you a gift in that they are communicating to you in real time what is and what is not working.
Do they need a moment to process what they just saw? Are they becoming more vocal, and would a character facial reaction help intensify that moment to make it more memorable? Sometimes it can be as simple as a slight pause with either a sinister grin or an expression of firing up before the hero’s comeback. A.J. Styles recognized that some of his aerial moves were also performed by several other performers, so he added a little signature detail to his leg movement during the execution of the moves that made it unique to him. Look for the little details that resonate with an audience, which helps them remember you as a unique performer and not just an athlete who executes “cool moves.”
Key 4: Repetition, repetition, repetition
“When you think you have done enough, do a little more, because someone out there is working harder than you.” – Larry Bird
Naturally, repetition is a vital key to success in pro-wrestling. However, what is often missed is that it’s not just repetition alone that breeds success, but repetition in doing things the correct way. Muscle memorization is either an ally or an enemy, and you are the one who determines which one it will be. For example, if you make a conscientious effort to maintain the correct foot position during every drill, then during a show, muscle memory will aid you in your performance. On the other hand, if you practice with sloppy habits, then that is what the muscles have learned and will naturally reflect sloppiness.
There is so much happening in a wrestling match, the last thing you want to be doing is trying to remember to do all the fundamentals correctly. It is far better to have your body trained to respond naturally with expert technique every rep, rather than relying on the notion of “only when it counts.”
Another key component of correct repetitions is having proper training. There are so many nuances in the physical aspect of pro-wrestling that watching TV or instructional videos alone will pale in comparison to working with a qualified instructor. Don’t misunderstand me, videos can be a source of great additional tips and techniques, but only as a supplement to in-ring and in-person training.
Key 5: The performance starts when you arrive in the parking lot, not when you go through the curtain
“It is when we put in the hard work of mastering the little things and doing the fundamentals right that, over time, contributes to the building of a body of work that helps us stand out from the crowd.” – Mike “Coach” Hollow
Pro-wrestling, at its basic essence, is the art of live storytelling. There is the protagonist, who is known as “the Babyface,” and “the Heel,” which is the antagonist. There can be a cast of additional characters included that add different elements and intrigue to the story, but the Babyface/Heel component is the meat and potatoes of the show. While your character may be a heel to the audience, it is important not to be that way backstage.
Make sure that you shake hands and introduce yourself not only to the other “talents” working the show but also to the crew members as well. Think of it as being on a job interview that begins from your arrival in the parking lot to the time you head out for dinner after the show. A great question to ask yourself in reflection is, “Does the way that I am presenting myself and the manner in which I am interacting with others present a professional image of someone who does business outside of the ring as well as inside of the ring?” Are you presenting yourself as a professional or a prima donna? Are you a positive contribution to the locker room or a cancer to it?
Another area where you can make an impression is by helping after the show. Most independent wrestling shows do not have a paid crew staff but typically have volunteer students who are helping behind the scenes to “pay their dues” while learning their craft. Common courtesy and etiquette dictate that you help with the setup and teardown of the ring, staging, and equipment, as well as assisting in the venue clean-up.
It is here that I am reminded of Gabe, who, when I first came to the school, was a student who helped with ticket sales at the front door. Gabe also helped set up the ring, chairs, and the after-show clean-up. Gabe is currently the Champion of the promotion, and yet he still offers to help with setup as well as personally thanking each member of the ring crew. There’s a simple life lesson that one would be well advised to contemplate and then personally apply, you never know who is in the room observing how you treat people. You also never know who they may know. Like Gabe, you also might get mentioned in a magazine article as a result of your behind-the-scenes behavior. Fortunately, Gabe is remembered for the right reasons.
Conclusion
Am I suggesting that if you master these five keys, you are guaranteed a contract with a major wrestling program? No, I am not. I am saying that without these keys, your journey will be more challenging and most likely hindered unnecessarily. There is also a larger perspective in that these simple but effective keys can also be applied to careers, education, and life in general.
Read more from Dean Page
Dean Page, Certified Life Coach & High Performance Coach
Dean Page is a certified life coach who is a two-time American Taekwondo Association World Champion, multiple time “Top Ten Competitor”, and a three-time cancer survivor. After suffering the sides effects of "chemo brain", which affected his memory and the ability to learn, Dean determined that he would learn to learn again. He continued his education graduating with a GPA that resulted in invitations for membership in multiple collegiate honor societies. These unique experiences have given Dean both strong empathy for clients who are facing overwhelming challenges as well as an understanding of the mindset of the high-performance individuals who are not satisfied until they are the very best.
