wrestling as a career

Question
QUESTION: Respected Sir,
         Good Morning.
         Sir, my name is Sourav Sarkar, age of 19 yrs residing in a India. I am a big fan of WWE and have seen the likes of John Cena, Randy Orton, The Rock, etc. I too want to pursue a career in wrestling. I have a bit of outdoor experience as i have frequently participated in outdoor games specially football and cricket. But as there are no good wrestling schools in India, i'm running short of options. I have a passport and hail from a middle class family. please kindly guide me how to proceed.
         Thank you.

ANSWER: First off, I've very impressed with your English. I get a lot of people from India who contact me here, and you've been the best with English I've spoken with. It's funny, there's a boom of people who want to wrestle from there, but there is no credible school there. Such as shame!

But anyway, the best thing for you to do is to go to the United Kingdom. There is a ton of spectacular wrestling schools in that area. While it is small, the UK area is a great place to learn wrestling. The entire European area is a big wrestling continent. So, it's one of the best areas in the entire world to learn at.

I'd also advise going to Japan, where there are also wonderful schools and promotions.

Now, the price for these schools will most likely be on the high side. So, before you go, you need to be sure you have the money before leaving. Because there is no guarantee you'll get a job when you arrive there while in training.

Having a passport is excellent! And it's a big thing to have in this industry. Hold on to it, and never lose it. It's a lifeline for you when you get out of the country.

Now, if you'd like, I could get a few schools from Japan and the UK together for you to look at, and you can see which fits you best. Or you could look. Up to you

I do also advise that you buy the Mary Berger Book for how to Speak proper English. You'll need to know this once you get into WWE. They'll want you to speak English well, and if you can't you won't go far there in America. Also, you'll need to know this when you get in the UK, as the dominant language is also English, with a mix of Scottish and Irish, but everyone seems to be able to speak English.

This book will help, make sure to order the CDs with it too, otherwise it's not worth it. Once you get all of the Mary Berger set, study it often. It'll help, trust me

But anyway, back to the schools. Let me know if you'd like for me to help on that. If not, hope I was able to help you


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you, Sir, For your kind information.
        Now, as a matter of fact, its true that to get a contract in WWE is not easy. I am not thinking so far right now, first of all i need a tough training for years to perfect my skills and to participate in the WWE Tough Enough competition which as far as i have learned, is the roadway to the WWE.  So Sir, kindly advise me from where to start and how help me to reach my goal with your vast knowledge.
         Thank You.

ANSWER: Tough Enough is one avenue to WWE, yes. But, that is not the only way. It's just simply one way. And you have to win it to be guaranteed anything with WWE. So, it's not the best case scenario.

Now, training is the most important thing for you. You'll need to be in training for around 3 years to get the proper things down and learn the style and character you want to be.

WWE comes to Europe twice a year, and when they do, they try out European talents. So, a guy like you who may be training in the UK, could do a try out match with WWE once you're ready to do so. That is down the line, but it's one way.

Now, my favorite way, and the one most fans and WWE respects is the Indy years. Every single male WWE performer worked with a ton of Independent promotions throughout America or the world. Even the Miz, although he was famous from the Real World on MTV here in America, worked in the Indys for about 5 years before WWE allowed him to come up to the main roster in any form. And he even came in second on Tough Enough one year. But now look at him, he's been very successful.

You can be too, but usually it's spending time in the Indys that gets the attention of WWE. And fans from all over want to watch you more, because they saw you on the Internet with other promotions. Trust me, the Internet fan base is something that drives the WWE nowadays.

So, it's not always about where you're from or where you've wrestled. WWE will hear about you if you're good enough.

Now, here are a few schools to look into:

Japan 1-Located in Japan, it's considered one of the top schools in the world, and it's one of the only that require you to train 5 days a week. But you learn a mix of all the different styles, versions of MMA and Karate, and conditioning. Training is great and so are the facilities. Everything is top of the line. But, it's a bit expensive.

Dragon's Gate- DG is a promotion/school in Japan that the great Ultimo Dragon started. Dragon still comes around with the Japanese one, but he is not leading the training like he used to be. There is also a DG-USA. So, you have a chance to get in touch with an American audience.

IWW- Irish Whip Wrestling located in Ireland is basically the school I recommend to any and all who come here. It has WWE connections, good facilities, and good training. Sheamus and Drew McIntyre trained there. Others have come through it such as one of the best in the world today, AJ Styles.

Justin Richards' training- This school is the UK, and has relatively good facilities as well as a fitness program. It has good training as well, and many top names in the UK have come through it.

All Star Wrestling School- Now, ASW is in my opinion, a great place to learn basics. This is a place I'd go to, basically to learn the ins and outs of how to be a pro-wrestler. But, it's not the only place you'll need to go to, if you want to get a ton of training. ASW is a good starter area, but you'll need to visit an even better school after. But don't write it off.

Hope this helped

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you , Sir , for your kind infomation.
         Please kindly explain me about these Indy years and the cost rate of the wrestling schools which you have suggested previously. Moreover,Sir, what if i try out for a job in U.S and then try out for the wrestling school in Tampa, Florida. I have just passed my 12th grade. But i want to give out my best shot. With due respect, Sir, i have one more question - John Cena is my role model. I have tried to gather his information through the internet, but never got the important ones. How did he rise from a chauffeur to be a WWE champion?
         Thank You.

Answer
Well Cena's story is kind of cool. He was always a big wrestling fan, loved it his whole life as did his father and brothers. But, he never thought about it as a career. He went into bodybuilding. And then he was working at a gym one day and was asked about being a wrestler. So, he decided to check into it. He did, and loved it. So, he went to UPW, a school in California. And he trained there. Then, he ended up going to OVW, Ohio Valley Wrestling, which was a school that WWE used to develop wrestlers at the time. He was there with guys like Randy Orton.

Cena then was asked to do a spot on SmackDown with Kurt Angle, he did. And the rest was history. He actually thought of doing the rapper gimmick he had. He was from Boston and loved rap/hip-hop music. So, he came up with the idea and wrote his own stuff. The fans loved it and it got him over.

He then was so over, WWE threw the WWE Title on him and now he's the top guy in WWE.

Now, Indy years are things you have to do for a little while. But you'll start on it during training. Most of the time, these schools have schools that are connected to their promotion. So, you'll be training and learning at the same time. Which is cool of course.

Usually you can't just try out for a job in America for a promotion. They have to want you in the promotion. So, say you got on with ROH. They'd allow you to take Indy dates outside of their promotion because right now, they can't secure you under a top contract. Same with any Indy promotion right now. They are all too small to offer big time money for you to stay. They only pay by match mostly.

Now, I can't give you a going rate on wrestling schools because all are different. And also, I don't know what the currency difference would be in comparison to your country and others. So, that's something you'll need to find out when you contact schools. They'll tell you.

I always tell people that they need to get an education first. So, as long as you're out of high school and are at least 18 years of age, then go for it. But, I'd also consider college. It's important to have a back up plan. But, it's up to you.

Hope this helped!