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A BRAVE NEW WORLD

March 20, 2008

What are you in it for?

It's a question you should really be asking yourself before SB 413 goes into full effect.

We stand at the dawn of a new era for the Georgia independent wrestling scene. Scary and exciting; trying and rewarding. I've been wrestling for 6 years. Trained, tempered, and growing as a wrestler in a state with such rich history in regards to the mat wars. The initial SB 413 doctrine was mind-blowing in regards to how taxing, mentally and financially, it would have been on fans, promoters, and workers in the state. Had it passed, wrestling would have been extinct. Killing wrestling in Georgia would have been like uprooting all the peach trees and asking us to find another fruit. How could you do either without feeling like our culture was being torn to shreds? The initial bill was the equivalent of giving wrestling a steel-toed boot to the ass after decades of great service; instead of a happy retirement with 401K and a gold watch.

Fortunately, we've seen vast changes and battles won in favor of a more lenient set of rules designed to regulate, not suffocate, the sport myself and so many others give their bodies for. I remember wondering if North Carolina and Alabama were going to be my only options for work until I graduated in March [this was in early December, of course]; and now I find myself on the horizon of perhaps the most exciting time to be an indy wrestler in the Peach State.

Yes, I said exciting. I’d say exciting for the fans and the promotions that remain standing as well. It’s just a matter of thinking ahead as opposed to the “now” of things.

For wrestlers, SB 413 is going to immediately weed out some of the pretenders to our storied scene. Whether they’re unable to obtain the physical and pay the $20 fee; or they realize just how serious it’s going to get now that the law is involved, the price to pay has gone up considerably. This sport has always been known for minimum glory with maximum sacrifice and this type of legislation is going to seriously kill off the “Yeah, I’m a wrestler” wrestlers. Those are the “wrestlers” who watch some Monday night spots, worry about hitting them all in a 20 minute match devoid of all the psyche to actual carry it, and say, “Yeah, I’m a wrestler,” to impress the ladies and peers.

Safe to say, I hate those guys. They’re tourists in a land of serious business. I may not be the biggest fan of SB 413, but if it pushes a vast majority of those fakers out, it’s done more than enough good just in the inception.

Now of course, you’ll get the few that slip through the cracks, but they’ll get weeded out thanks to the other beauty of SB 413 in regards to wrestlers. This new era is going to leave those who seriously want to better the indy scene or strive for greater things in the future. Promos get better, ring work gets tighter, gimmicks develop into fleshed-out characters, and even physiques sharpen.

All for the sake of being in the hunt.

Let us not forget, as a worker, you’ve got to be in the hunt now more than ever. Unlicensed promotions will be closing down [for better or for worse] and now, promoters will be thinking twice before trying the tricks of old or contemplating a lackluster show. That especially means the talent on their shows. You can’t just get off the couch and decide, “Hey I’m going to promote!” anymore. The fees and censures in effect make me think that those who want to make a play for opening a promotion will actually have that thing called a “business plan” in effect to make sure their product is worth it for their employees as well as the fans.

It’s not a cheap decision anymore, which leads me back to my point for workers. You have to be on your game more than ever. Don’t think for a second that promoters are going to book 3rd tier workers on their show if it brings down the quality. Drawing fans and making money is going to be more important than ever to the average promoter with the fees and taxes they have to pay out. They will need workers that not only can perform when the lights are on bright [credit JBL for that one], but can also carry themselves like stars and give back to a business that was almost about to flatline a few months back.

The ultimate winner of SB 413 … the fans. With promoters looking to push for better shows to make more money than they would usually have to; and workers stepping their game up to gain bookings with a tighter circle of promotions, I’d kill to see more Georgia indy shows now more than ever. I cannot recall a time for Georgia wrestling where the fans hold this much power. Their dollars will make or break which promotions prosper during this brave new era. With fan support will come the creation and rise of new stars, pushing themselves to new limits in an effort to stay relevant and prove that it wasn’t just a good physical that got them a wrestling license. Maybe they should start doing wrestling aptitude tests just to make sure they’re worth the privilege?

What? I’d just be able to sleep better at night knowing a licensed worker knows what “bump and feed” is, among other ring fundamentals.

So I repeat … “What are you in it for?”

Me, this has been my dream since 3 years old. I would stop at nothing, even when my own second thoughts kicked in, to make my dent in the business. I have yet to find what I’m looking for, but I can feel myself getting closer. I’m in this business because I want a conversation to go down like this one day…

Wrestling Fan: So who is your favorite wrestler?

Acid Fan: Jamar Acid.

Wrestling Fan: Never heard of him, who does he wrestle like?

Acid Fan: Nobody, really. He wrestled like…well….Jamar Acid.

Wrestling Fan: But he’s not on TV or anything.

Acid Fan: I know, but he should be.

Call it a pipe dream; call it a reality that may come true. It’s what keeps me studying tapes and working as hard as I do to stay relevant to the Georgia wrestling scene. If you want this, I’m talking wanting this like a flower wants good sun, then you’ll know why you’re in this business. Know it and cling to that thought. A brave new era looms upon all of us and what I just discussed is a very real scenario we can all look forward to. SB 413 has been discussed with venom from many, with the positives from this never seeing the living daylight from the public.

Perhaps a 23 year old journeyman with 6 years under his belt and a dream could provide the illumination you’ve been missing. Promoters, workers, and fans alike can expect a new frontier like we’ve never seen before; and in the comforting words of John Legend [performing the national anthem at WrestleMania 24 no less], “Don’t be afraid of a little bit of pain, pleasure is on the other side.”

A brave new world awaits us and the shady promoters, half-hearted “wrestlers”, and other pariahs that have blackened the eyes of our sport need not apply. I know why I’m here? Do you know why you promote? Why you wrestle? Why you watch?

Figure it out, but the future won’t be kept waiting. Frankly, it couldn’t get here soon enough.

-J.dot, Real Talk

Jamar Acid is a 23 year old, Georgia independent wrestler who has worked for 13 promotions in his 6 year career. His main rounds include NFWA, GWP, UCCW, and he will be debuting for GOUGE in April. He looks to provide a candid perspective on the wrestling landscape from a wrestler’s point-of-view.