Additional Information
In order to become a professional wrestler, athletes need to train their
bodies and learn the business side of the industry from a wrestling school.
"Nowadays, you can find a wrestling school as [easily] as a 7-11," says Curtis
Mckellar. Mckellar is a professional wrestler.
"Find a school with a trainer that has done everything you want to accomplish
in the business," he advises.
Melissa Maughn is a professional wrestler. She says that finding an appropriate
wrestling school to begin training is the first step.
"A good school will not only show you moves in the ring, but also teach
you about the business part and how to tell a story in the ring because that
is essentially what you're doing."
Attending a wrestling school not only prepares athletes for the industry
but also provides contacts from within. Kevin Knight is a professional wrestler
and owner of an independent wrestling federation in New Jersey. His federation
also operates a wrestling school.
Knight says that his school has "trained hundreds of wrestlers from 15
states and six countries that compete in bouts for organizations around the
globe, including WWE, ECW, OVW and TBA."
"Classes cover basic holds, maneuvers, interview skills and tape studies
of your matches to evaluate progress so you reach maximum potential," he says.
Knight also adds that getting a high school and post-secondary education
is extremely important.
"Education is very important if you want to succeed in any aspect of life,"
he says. "Get your high school. Go to college. If a four-year college isn't
for you, then go to a two-year college or a trade school."
Because it is very difficult to make a living being a professional wrestler,
the vast majority of wrestlers still go to school and have other full-time
jobs in order to support themselves and their families.