Being as good as your word.

In the world of independent Wrestling, you see a lot of “stuff” happen all of the time. People pay lip service to your efforts, Wrestlers make commitments to appear (and sometimes don’t), and worst of all, promoters promise a decent payoff while HOPING the gate allows them to keep their promise. It’s a world that exists because MOST of the time, people are true to their word, and keep their commitments at all costs. By seeing this all the time, you begin to see why the “Big leagues” insist on contracts for everything – that way, words are kept at risk of reprisal.

The thing is, writing a column/blog about Wrestling can sometimes have exactly the same issues. At times, there are people who will contact you to make appearances on their Shows (Radio, Internet Radio, Podcasts, etc), and just like that hopeful Promoter, you gamble that they will keep their word.

I bring this up today because frankly, I am sick of it all.

While I don’t consider myself anything special to the wrestling world, I take pride in my knowledge about the business. I take pride at being referred to by quite a few people as ‘A walking Wrestling Encyclopedia” – not because it gets me over, but because it shows me that people have noticed that I give 110% and have a passion for this wacky business.

It’s because of this that I have been contacted quite a bit to appear on shows, either a one off invite to give my opinions on specific subjects, or on a running basis as a co-host. I’m not bragging, believe me – some of these “shows” have audiences that can be counted on the fingers of one hand, and at least one I fully believe existed only for the host’s vanity. Each time though, I was flattered at the request, and accepted or refused accordingly.

As I sit here remembering some that I have accepted (And thoroughly enjoyed), I can’t help but to remember some that I have accepted that just mysteriously dried up, and have moved me to write this column.

You see, like I said at the start, writing about Wrestling has some of the same pitfalls as actually being in (or around) the ring. I have been contacted by several entities over the past few months who have requested that I appear on their programs. Each time I have been contacted, I acquiesced to the requests – but to this day they have not kept their part of the bargain. Promises of a phone call to arrange dates have gone unfulfilled although I set aside very specific times as requested. And in one case, although I have been assured repeatedly that “It’s coming soon”, I still haven’t even received an Email let alone a call.

Here’s a clue to those entities – your word is your bond, fellas.

You may think it’s no big deal – but in the Wrestling business (particularly the indy side), you can only burn so many people before the word gets out. Suddenly, people who were happy to do your show just give excuses as to why they can’t appear. And after that, phone calls aren’t answered because you’ve become known as unreliable. You literally become a non-entity, not because your show may be bad , but because the “Cons” at that point outweigh the “Pros”.

Now, this isn’t a threat that I am going to start some vendetta,  it’s a friendly warning that you really, REALLY need to keep your word. If you call somebody about working with you – keep your word, and fulfill your obligations. Because if you don’t, you’ll find yourself in the same position as some indy feds out there – the only talent you’ll be able to book is 3rd rate at best – even lower than some guy who writes a column/blog about Wrestling.

Reputation is everything in this business. Build yours by being true to your word.