Ain't As Good As I Once Was

But in the words of the late Toby Keith, "I'm as Good ONCE as I Ever Was."

At least, that's the goal every time I step into the ring to work with the Blaze Pro Wrestling trainees, to try and offer some wisdom, have a few laughs and to challenge them to be better than they were the day before.

It's a struggle. It's a damned struggle every day.

Not to make this a "woe is me" but I'm tired. I'm sore. And life is a busy one atm. 

But there are still things I want to pursue, in the ring and out. So committing time every week to work with these kids is both good for them (hopefully) as they get to pick my brain and maybe learn a thing or three; and good for ME to realize that I can still do a lot of the things I used to do even if I have to make some modifications along the way.

Plus. It's incentivizing. Makes me want to do more.

The next few BPW events are going to be interesting (fingers crossed) and I want to be as close to at my best as I can be. The crowds deserve that. And frankly, my ego has a hard time being less than I can be. Nothing wrong with a bit of ego driven incentive - so long as one can acknowledge it properly and not let it dominate the thoughts and actions.

After that. Who knows? My outside of the ring schedule is a bit of a shit show, but I'm always open to more opportunities in other markets. It's clear that the local scene is flooded with talent (?) so I'm beyond grateful for the place I have working with BPW. 

But ain't nobody ever gonna tell me that the Outlaw ain't able to deliver for crowds all across the Commonwealth.

But since "Mr Manitoba" Brenden Collins reminded me of it, I'd like to provide this link to a much younger Adam Knight, back when "you really could move, man!" I'll never be this kid again, but I guarantee I can still bring it.

Until I have more to say.

AK

BOOKS
SHIRTS
EVENTS

Pro Wrestling: The Purest Form of Storytelling

As I was working with the trainees at the Blaze Pro Wrestling academy yesterday we got into the discussion of motivations. Of personal and character development. Focusing on the WHYs of action and intention as opposed to "just the moves." 

For sure. The moves are cool. Even essential. That's the sizzle to season the steak, if you'll permit an oft overused metaphor. 

However, without the WHY in that ring nothing else matters.

Again, not a new opinion. Speak to any respected veteran with a podcast and they'll tell you much the same thing.

Here's where I can draw those parallels to movie making and books and other forms of entertainment and get the same point across. Why is the John Wick franchise so captivating in comparison to one of any dozen direct-to-streaming action franchises that also have terrific action? It's because of the WHY. Of the drive and dedication of the performers and craftspeople involved to bring you a multilayered story that also delivers some of the greatest action seen in cinema history.

Side note, for a deeper dive into the layered storytelling and themes of John Wick, please check out the amazing video essays done by Mikey Neuman of "FilmJoy" Fame:

But getting back to my thesis statement, Why do I think Pro Wrestling is the Purest Form of Storytelling?

In Pro Wrestling we as performers - athletes - clowns - bookers - competitors have the broadest canvas possible with which to tell and re-tell some of the greatest stories possible to a wide audience. An audience that ranges from little wee children all the way up to those grandparents in the front row trying to smack the "Bad Guys" with her cane (RIP Gracie, you were amazing).

When we first start out training wrestlers, the emphasis is so heavily focused on the action. About being safe and protecting yourself, which is absolutely how it should be. In process of doing that, we also "protect the business" as it were, ensuring that the performers we put in front of a crowd will be able to lend their creativity and efforts in a way to illicit the response from the paying customer who's more often than not only a few feet away from the action. This is admittedly a longer process for most than you'd think since the best way learn is often times by diving feet first into the ring and making mistakes live in front of said audience.

But the benefit of this is where we can begin to tell the simplest of stories with these wrestlers. In my mind I equate them to the "Little Golden Books" of matches, where a viewer of any age can watch and without to much effort get a grasp of what's going on.

For example: Young up-and-comer is nervous but excited to compete and prove themselves against the wily veteran who knows the craft better and isn't afraid to take advantage of the newbies' inexperience. Will the newcomer have the fortitude to stand strong? Will they be true to themselves? Will the veteran resort to chicanery and foul play? Will they welcome the new wrestler warmly and have a purely competitive bout?

And most importantly, who is going to win?

Every match - exactly like every book, movie, TV show etc - has so many variations on the same theme. Will The Protagonist face the challenge before them and show grit , perseverance and moxie even when The Antagonist lays roadblocks and obstacles in their path to challenge and defeat their ambition.

These stories - these matches - only get more complex and nuanced as time goes on. As performers get enough reps in, if they have the privilege to travel and see the world - to see how other countries and cultures perform their wrestling - they will learn how to layer in so many different variations on this theme. They will learn how to show conflicts within themselves. To show regret for their actions. Show righteous indignation and validations for wrongs done to them that are then repaid onto the dastardly bastards who've earned them.

Saying "Pro Wrestling is like a Morality Play" is obviously accurate. But I don't think it goes far enough to describe the nuances that are possible within different matches on the same card.

I don't think there are any other mediums (especially not LIVE mediums) where during one 2 Hour Event, you can literally have multiple stories that will appeal to all ages. From the "Little Golden Book" style Little Good Guy vs Bad Bully encounters all the way up to a John Wick-Style violent exhibition of a wronged individual fighting for revenge where no quarter will be asked or given. 

Pro wrestling can contain love stories. Stories of individuals overcoming personal adversities. Tales of friendship and betrayal and horror and comedy ... oh God, so much comedy.

But through it all, when done right - Pro Wrestling is Pure.

Because it can be anything, for anyone at any time. 

And that is kinda magical.

Thanks for reading. Please check the links. 

AK

BOOKS

SHIRTS

EVENTS