Wrestling school.

Question
QUESTION: Hey Joe,
Next week I will be driving up to Harley Races Wrestling Academy! I am just driving by to check it out, I don't plan on starting wrestling until I'm done with college, that is in like 8 months. Well I was wondering what questions are good to ask, I don't really know what I should ask. I already know of the talent that come out of that place, and the price. So what are some questions I should ask that would be good to know about a wrestling school?
Thanks Joe

ANSWER: Great man, let me know about your experience. I'd like to know.

Oh, and to the questions. You've already gotten two out of the way, where you said you'll ask about alumni and price.

But, here are some others. Ask how often you can be there, if they have good work out equipment, ask him the year he got it. Ask if there is a nutritionist or someone who will help out with how to eat right. Ask if alumni stop by from time to time. Ask about how many links to big name organizations he has. Def ask how much he can teach, like how many styles. That is very key.

Just basically ask things that you can think of like that. Ask anything that you feel will hinder or benefit you by his answer. This is a great place, so I know that can help out. But there are some times where they may be a great school, but not teach the wrestling style you want to mold yourself into using. If that is the case, you'll need to find somewhere else.

Again man, let me know about everything you hear from him. Write it down if you need to, I am very interested in hearing what you find out.

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

QUESTION: Hey Joe,
We didn't get to make it out to the wrestling school yet. But I was wondering. Do i just show up, or should I call and set up a time to go there?

ANSWER: You could always just show up, but it's always better to call first, so that they know you're coming and what not.

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

QUESTION: Hey joe,
I went to the Harley Race Academy yesterday. We got there and it was closed. :( ...but there was a sign, it said T.Murduchs and had a address, we went to it and it was a Bar and Grill that Trevor owns. We talked to a worker and he said that trevor usually comes in around 4 or 5 and eats and Harley comes in around 3 and eats lunch, so we waited around and came back around 3 and got some food and waited for harley, he never showed up... BUT one of the waitresses introduced me to a wrestler named Darrin, He is hurt now and can't wrestle but he has been wrestling for 8 yrs and he is now the head trainer at the academy, he told me about some alumni. Michael McGillicutty (Joe Hennig) trained there, Ted Dibiase jr, and he also trained there and he wrestled 10 wwe matches in his career his first wwe match was with in the first yr of his training,
Well he didn't say to much, he just said to build up cardio and that it wont be easy, and then he called Harley and told him we wanted to talk to him so Harley met us at the Academy.
Harley pretty much told me that since i'm only about 150 that i would prolly have to really work out because wrestling places don't like little guys as much, he said they arn't working out. I asked what styles he trains, all he said was that he will train me to protect myself and to protect my opponent in any position or thing that could happen, and the rest is up to my heart and desire and what i want to do. They have 2 wrestling rings, and a pretty nice work out area, and Eldon has like 3 gyms in town. They have a connection with Japan Wrestling Noah. One of there wrestlers just got back i guess.   Harley wouldn't let us see the actual place where they trained or watch them for a bit, I understood why. It seems like a really nice place in a nice town.

oh and trevor murdoch was trained there as well.

Answer
Thank you very much for the information Tyler, Harley is a good guy but he is not the type of wrestler that can teach you certain styles that you may want to know. He is old school, and teaches the basics and fundamentals if you will. And he is totally right, it's up to your heart and desire. I recommend trying him out. See if they have a monthly plan, if so, try him out for a few months with that cheap rate and see if you like it. And if you don't, at least you didn't fork out a fortune to figure it out.

And yeah I've heard of Murdoch's restaurant, I love that he now has a few up! If and when I come to the area, I plan on visiting the place.

Harley is "sort of" right about the size thing. Rey Mysterio was the same weight when he went into WCW, well, he may have been 170, but he was no big guy. And he is a 2 time World Champion in the WWE. So, size matters in some cases. But today's wrestling is not so much focused on that size thing as much as they are focused on delivering good wrestling and entertainment.

Still, the big guy will always be a figure in the wrestling industry. But, the smaller guy isn't chopped liver anymore. Harley needs to watch wrestling on TV today if he thinks the smaller guy is nothing. This isn't 1960. People such as Chris Jericho, Bryan Danielson, Desmond Wolfe, Kurt Angle, Kaval, etc. all are normal sized men who work out and are in shape and that's their body. Angle is a little more built than the rest, but he was an Olympian and has an incredible work ethic. Also, he does use HGH. So he has a bit of an edge, one of which I DO NOT recommend.

I do recommend working out and eating well though. I recommend it for everyone though, not just wrestlers. It is a good way to take care of one's self.

Cardio is incredibly important to your wrestling though. Without it, you're completely useless.

I say stay connected with Harley and the academy. They can seriously help you. Harely can only teach you so much though, I recommend going to Japan and throughout the world to learn new skills and technique. Those who have are some of the best today and that has ever been. Especially go to Noah, PWG, Dragon's Gate, etc.

In any case, once again thank you for letting me know how it went. I really appreciate it. If you ever have any questions, you know where I am dude!