I get it. I have been questioned before.
What makes you such an authority? Who did you ever beat?
Come on, you were mid card at best. What have you ever
done in the business? Who are you to knock that guy?
I’ve heard or read it many times.
I readily admit and acknowledge that I
am not in the same category as Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels,
Triple H, Ric Flair, Steve Austin, Kurt Angle or any
other icon you want to name who’s “been
there, done that.” So why do some question those
who put me over or respect my ability as a trainer and
coach? After all, I was never a major player in the
business. What do I know and what gives me the right
to be respected as a trainer or “great mind”
in this business?
Number one, I’m not really such
a great mind in this business. I failed miserably when
I was on the writing team for WWE and felt like a fish
out of water. But I got to thinking about the things
I could do well and what makes a good coach.
I don’t believe a great player always
makes a great coach. That player may have the talent
and know how to do what he does best, but can’t
convey or motivate others to reach their potential.
I believe a great coach is one that knows how to motivate
and find players’ potential and work towards someone’s
strengths.
When I say I have the experience to teach
or coach someone, all I’m saying is I’ve
made the mistakes first, therefore I can guide you on
what not to do and steer you in the right direction
(hopefully!)
One thing I did learn by sitting in on
writing, booking, pre and post production meetings was
how talent was picked and the steps that talent took
to get picked. It was an eye opening experience for
me. I was always insecure and didn’t want to make
waves. Hell, if I was good enough, the powers that be
would put me in that spot. Well, it doesn’t exactly
work that way.
I learned so much when I stopped wrestling
on a regular basis and became the first WWE developmental
talent manager and trainer. I was invited to a creative
meeting one day and continued to show up to every meeting
after that. All the while I was in the ring with newly
signed talent and I was able to give updates on their
progress. One thing I will not deny or apologize for
is I can teach someone the basics and give them a solid
foundation. The rest is up to them.
But I listened to how the talent had come
up with ideas and “why don’t we give it
a shot” was heard on a regular basis. Simple as
that! A talent actually had an idea that sounded pretty
good (at the time anyway) and it was going to be used
on TV. Damn! If I only knew.
Well, I did know. I mean this has always
been a self promoting business and you can’t sit
back and wait for someone to come up with a brilliant
idea to make you a Superstar. You must have the ambition,
passion, desire and belief in yourself to present something
to creative. If the first idea is rejected, try and
try again. Stunning Steve, The Ringmaster, and finally
Stone Cold. Trial and error.
How big of a part do you want in the company?
Can you carry the load? Do you have enough confidence
to explain and then follow thru with what you’re
presenting? WWE is a big machine. It can be an intimidating
machine and if you want a piece of the action you’ve
got to take charge of your career and do what’s
best for you. That’s not an easy thing to sort
out or figure out how to do.
That’s where the coach and trainer
come in.
I feel the best coaches are motivators
and mentors to a certain extent. While I never applied
the aggressive strategies to my own career I was now
able to tell talent what they needed to do to get that
coveted spot. I understood the passion I had for the
business but I also understood the hesitation in not
wanting to “ruffle feathers” or say the
wrong thing. I felt I could have good matches but I
wasn’t confidant enough to suggest anything to
advance or change the direction of my career. Or maybe
I just wasn’t that good.
As a coach and trainer you have to push
your players. You have to be honest with them too. Some
just aren’t made for this business. It’s
hard to accept but there comes a time when you must
face facts. Being in the booking and writing meetings
gave me insight as to what creative was looking for
and it helped me get the guys ready.
But you still have to take the initiative
and go for it. At the right time. Timing is everything
in this business and one of the hardest elements to
understand and master. A coach should be there for encouragement
and be on your ass when you need it.
I never main evented in MSG. I wrestled
there many times. That doesn’t make me an expert.
What I have learned thru life and professional experience
is what makes me a qualified teacher. I have wrestled
many of the top guys. I have been around the business
most of my life. I understand the ups and downs and
that sometimes there are going to be more downs than
ups and that’s when you’ve really got to
kick it in gear.
I have come across many coaches/trainers
and one of the best is Rip Rogers in Louisville. Rip
has an understanding of how to do something in the ring
and has the passion to share with his students. He’s
worked in the office, booked, wrestled and done pretty
much every aspect of the business. He is a motivator
and mentor to many in the OVW beginner’s class.
He’s had a hand in training many of the up coming
WWE Superstars and understands that there is no substitute
for a solid foundation.
A great coach makes you want to learn.
The coach must have the passion and get his students
passionate about learning and becoming better every
day.
When I do camps and seminars I am straight
forward about the hardships and trials that will come
up. There is no such thing as an overnight success.
It takes long hard work. But you must gain the confidence
in yourself that you are deserving of the position you
want. Then you’ve got to pull it off.
What I did in the business shouldn’t
matter. What I learned should. I learned more when I
stopped wrestling than I did on the road. I have always
tried to steer that anxious rookie in the right direction
and give him sound advice. Sometimes it’s easier
to step back and look at the picture when you’re
not in it. You don’t have to have won or even
played in the Superbowl to coach a team to victory,
do you?
Every coach has their own style and way
of doing things. Teaching the fundamentals is really
all the same. It is up to the motivation and inspiration
of the coach that can make practice fun and exciting
or dull and dreary. For anyone who’s been to one
of my camps I hope you found them to be motivational
as well as informative.
As a member of Elite Pro Wrestling Training
(EPWT) with Les Thatcher and Harley Race I am getting
a chance to keep my passion alive and spread it to more
hopefuls out there looking to begin in pro wrestling.
I hope that those of you who don’t understand
what the fuss is all about to find out. Come to a session
and find out what it really takes to get in this crazy
business.
*November 6 will mark the two year passing
of Mike Lockwood, aka Crash Holly, aka Erin O’Grady.
I met Mike when he came to the second developmental
try out in Stamford for WWE. He worked as Erin O’Grady,
sort of a leprechaun gimmick that handed out chocolate
coins to fans before his matches and could do any style
with anyone in the ring. I appreciated his love for
the business and like Chris Candido I could talk to
Crash about anything anytime. Steven Richards was probably
his best friend in the world and I know his death hit
him hard. I just wanted to remember and say that Mike
was one of the boys and loved life to its fullest.
***
Listed below are some of the dates
where the EPWT Trainers will be appearing:
Harley Race will be appearing at these
World League Wrestling events. 11/10 ST. Louis, MO.
11/12 Eldon, MPO. For details on all these events go
to www.harleyrace.com.
Join Les and co-host Doc Young every Sunday
evening 6 to 8: PM EST with their special guests on
“Wrestling Weekly” by clicking on www.wrestlingweekly.com.
Nov. 18, 19, 20, Les, Harley, and Dr.
Tom will be joined by Tully Blanchard for a 3-day training
camp in Spindale, NC. at the Spindale House sponsored
by New Generation Wrestling with a star packed legends
show on Friday in the same venue. There will be two
rings and this event is open to beginner thru experienced
wrestlers. See the entire line-up at EPWT.com and to
sign up or for details contact Matt at ngwmatt@yahoo.com
or call 864-878-9239.
Harley and Tom will join many other super
stars in Spartanburg, SC. Sat. 11/19 for a “Tribute
to Starcade”. More info can be had by going to
www.carolinachampionshipwrestling.com.
December 1, 2, 3 Les and Tom will be in
West Liberty, KY. for a 3-day camp sponsored by Retro
Wrestling Alliance at the Morgan Co. Community Center.
For details or to sign up go to www.rwaonline.biz
or e-mail Joey at admin@rwaonline.com.
