I think the best thing about writing this column, will be five years from now, reading it again, and thinking, "Wow! I didn't know shit back then!"
So with that mentality in place, let me tell you what I've learned over the last five years about being a manager in pro(independent)-wrestling.
Being a Manager in wrestling is like being a kicker in football.
Look at it this way. A kicker technically is a football player, even though everybody looks at them differently. A Manager is technically a worker, even though everyone looks at them differently. A kicker is only used to start off the game with a kickoff, and then they only get used a few more times a game, but when they are used, they better not screw up the kick. A manager is only used to start off a match with a promo, and then is only used a few times a match, but when they do have a spot, they better not screw it up. Kickers aren't signed onto teams for their athletism, but for their skill. A manager is also hired based on skill, not physical athletism (but it doesn't hurt.) Finally, a bad kicker will always be reviled, and a good kicker will be appreciated, but not celebrated. The same can be said about a manager, which brings me to the biggest lesson I've learned.
It's NOT All About Me
When I first started, I couldn't wait to get to try all the cool things I'd always wanted to try in a ring. I always wanted lots and lots of spots, the more the better. Now, these spots were about 5% offensive and 95% getting my ass whooped, but I loved it anyway. I was instantly addicted to the pop of a crowd. "What, need someone to take a table bump? Duuurp, I'll do it!!!" I honestly felt that I was adding to the match by doing the "hardcore" things I did in the first couple years. I also had a knack for being able to run my mouth at the audience NON-STOP and keeping heat on constantly
But then something happened.
I noticed, after a while, that I was drawing the attention of the audience away from the match and my wrestler, and focusing too much of it on myself. While part of me (the egotist) explained this as me "being over", the reasonable part of knew that this just wasn't right. My job as a manager is first and foremost to get MY WRESTLER over, not me.
For those of you unaware of the history of wrestling, back in the early 1900's, wrestling was found almost exclusively at carnivals. The man in charge of the show was the carnival barker. His job was to hype up the wrestlers to try to draw in an audience. His claims of grandiose warriors from all parts of the world were spoken through a silver-tongue meant to enrapture the audience to either want to cheer for a competitor, or want to face of with the grappler themselves. This was the genesis of the manager.
And that's what a manager's primary responsiblity is. Remember, if you want to be a manager, it doesn't matter how over you are. If the audience doesn't give a crap about your wrestler, than you haven't done your job.
Dr. Payne