It’s hard to believe that just 25 short years ago, Dallas, Texas was the Mecca of professional wrestling by the small crowds we see at indy shows today.  The Sportatorium would rock and roll so loud that you could hear the crowd from the highway as you drove by it.  Thousands of people would turn out and constantly cheer on the show.  Now, most independent shows are lucky of they draw 100 people.  Think about that for a second.  At any given time, there are over 200 people in a Wal Mart, but we can’t draw 100 at a wrestling show?  At any given time, there are more than 100 people just walking through your local grocery store.  But we can’t draw more than 100 at a wrestling show?

Now, seriously, why is that?  Is it because the believability has been blown away?  Is it because of the stronghold WWE has on wrestling?  Is it because people just aren’t interested in wrestling anymore?  All could, and would, be valid points all on their own.  But I think the answer is much more simple than that.  It all comes down to a single word.

AWARENESS.

I, myself, didn’t know there was a weekly independent wrestling show just five miles from my house for over a year.  Why is that?  Think about it for a second.  It could only be narrowed down to one simple reason.

LAZINESS!

Promoters would rather just use the internet and HOPE they reach some wrestling fans to come out to their show.  While the internet is a great marketing tool in its own right, it’s not the ONLY tool.  If you want a successful show, you have to get off your butt and put in the time.  Pound the pavement from door to door, passing out fliers, kissing babies, shaking hands, smiling, talking, canoodling, whatever the heck you want to call it, it simply doesn’t matter.  To be successful, you have to get the word out.  You have to let the families and fans know that you are right there, under their noses, ready to entertain them.  And when you finally get them in your arena, PUT ON A GOOD SHOW!  If you can get them there, once, you can get them there every time!

But promoters aren’t the only ones in the wrong.  Promoters aren’t the only ones being lazy.  Instead of taking their kids to a live wrestling event as a family, people would rather let their kids sit in their room playing XBox, Playstation and Wii.  They would rather lay on the couch, watching WWE on DVR than actually get up, get out of the house, and go see something that you are probably going to enjoy more than you thought.  It’s a simple equation, people.

Family Time + Live Wrestling Event = WIN WIN FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED!

You get to spend time with your family AND support local wrestling all at the same time.  WWE Superstars don’t just spring up out of the ground.  They are born in bingo halls, city recreation centers, and high school gyms.  You never know, you could be watching WWE one night and say “HEY!  That’s the guy we saw at (enter independent promotion name here).  If you don’t know about an independent show around you, then find out.  Don’t know how to find out?  Well, do what millions of people do millions of times a day….

GOOGLE IT!

– Wil Riggs