Foundations of Professional Wrestling

[SpicyMcHaggis]

We've been all talking about what makes a pro wrestling show good. Here are what I believe are fundamentals both with booking rules and characterizations that are necessary to help your show's image and make your show's stars. I'd love to hear your ideas and/or additions as well.

Pro Wrestling Show Rules:
- The World Title means EVERYTHING and is the reason why wrestlers compete in your promotion
- Champions do NOT lose non-title matches unless it leads to a title match for opponent or else what are they a champion of?
- Keep it simple, not everything needs a storyline, some are just there to earn wins for a title shot
- Gimmick and Stipulation Matches should never be done COLD, there needs to be purpose
- Managers and valets are useful, especially for guys who can’t talk
- Maintain integrity especially if you’re doing a family oriented show
- Guided, not scripted, promos work best for those who CAN talk

Pro Wrestling Stars:
The Workhorse: This is a face who is has the “never say die” attitude and always steps up to the challenge when adversity threatens the promotion.

The Technician: This character can go back between being a face and a heel but always maintains the attitude that they are the best wrestler in the entire promotion because of their style. Submissions are usually the specialty and way they finish someone off.

The Top Tag Team: They have one purpose in life, the tag team titles. They have a bit of the workhorse attitude in them but at the same time they are also always looking out for each other more than anyone else.

The Manipulative Heel: This heel should be great on the mic and always trying to get into the head of whatever face opposes them. They have an obsessive attitude when it comes to their rival and won’t stop until they’ve been defeated or the other has been. Great adversary for the Workhorse.

The Comedy Act: This is usually a tweener character that should wrestle well in a match but always is entertaining because they’re there to have fun and always put on a good show. They’re only serious when absolutely necessary and the odds are against them.

The Brawler: A badass who doesn’t care about anyone else but himself and is there to fight, plain and simple. They always have their eye on the gold like anyone else does, but they consider themselves to be above the rulebook and authority.

The Authority Figure: A non-wrestling character who runs the show. It can be neutral like an Executive Producer or can be a heel or face Commissioner. Either way, what they say goes and they are the law when it comes to what goes down in the wrestling show.

The Bodyguard/Enforcer: Usually good as backup for the Authority Figure but can also be similar to the Workhorse where they fight for the good name of the company and clear out the trash when necessary.

[Sinestro]

I think that the rise of MMA-ultimate fighting and those type of venues have replaced professional wrestling and taken fans away.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I'll be honest, the above formula is essentially what Paul Heyman used and look what it did for ECW. Obviously his business practices in terms of finance weren't the best things to do for a show but the above stuff is what kept people coming back to watch more.

[conman823]

Your formula is a simple back to basics which I think all of us have touched on at one time or another. I found TNA was doing this several years ago when I got sick of WWE. TNA has since had a few "eras " or errors since then. The only thing I would add is:

The Jobber- This character is essential to helping your superstar look super. 7 minute squash matches might not be ideal for a 2 hour show but it could help forward the storyline the superstar is in for the PPV. It gives the fans what they want. Superstars featured with high spot finishers etc. These guys are better then using other superstars doing the job just because they aren't part of the PPV etc that month.
Plus growing up I knew 70% of the jobbers by name even though they lost and got embarrassed every week.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I totally forgot about that. Mikey Whipwreck was the perfect example of it who turned into a star because of it.

[CYYYFYYY]

What are your feelings on the GM/Owner. I myself feel the GM should be a neutral guy who is slightly more face than heel. They should also make it clear winning makes you money. Also a key thing is good announcers. I could not watch TNA when Don West was the announcer

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Essentially that's what I thought in the Authority Figure role. That character should only be used when necessary. They should not be on all the time. Their matches can simply be stated by announcers. "Our Commissioner has signed for tonight..." is a simple phrase that sums it up quite nicely. Take ROH for example. We don't see Jim Cornette all the time but we know he's in charge and the announcers remind us every now and then. He's only seen when necessary.

Announcers are essential but they're not "star" making character types. The dynamic between the two should be entertaining. I actually started to like Don West towards then end because he was growing into his heel persona without being obnoxious about it. Commentators are there to call the action and add insight. They're not there to describe every single moment that happens on our television. Tenay and West did that A LOT in the early years of their tenure going into the first couple of seasons on Spike. Announcers should not be forced to do something they're not used to doing. Tenay was always an analyst, which is why it's awkward when Taz corrects him on moves like a wiseass.

Three man teams can get confusing but if used right they can work. There's the play-by-play, the color guy who adds his own flair and then the analyst. Color commentators are usually almost always heel. Bobby Heenan was the best at it and no one has come by since that could emulate it. The trick is not to recapture lightning in a bottle from previous teams but to let two guys who work well together bring a voice to the product that's unique and goes with what you're trying to present.

[conman823]

I totally forgot about that. Mikey Whipwreck was the perfect example of it who turned into a star because of it.

Barry Horowitz, king of jobbers

[Melk]

The most essential point:

No matter how the product is the wrestlers, managers and announcers treat it like it is real.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Of course. Suspension of disbelief is very hard to do nowadays and I know a lot of people say kayfabe is dead but there are ways that even the most hardcore of fans can second guess themselves.

[Dan 'Hampton]

Rampant steroid abuse and brain damage.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

That's an unfortunate side effect that should be categorized on the individual who does it because it should never be a reflection of what goes on in pro wrestling.