Boxing, kickboxing, ju-jitsu, mixed martial arts (MMA) and other forms of wrestling are some of the most popular sports for decades now. Nowadays, professional wrestlers can earn a lot of money from both prize money and sponsorships, but they need to be extremely capable and maintain a high level of fitness if they want to compete. Becoming a professional wrestler requires years of hard training in one or more forms of fighting, as well as building your reputation and maintaining the highest level of fighting skill during matches. Read the following steps to find out how to become a professional wrestler.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Develop Your Skills
Step 1. Learn to fight
If you are going to be a pro wrestler, you need to be the best and give it your all. Study the techniques and training regimes needed for any fighting style you are interested in learning more about.
- Mixed martial arts (MMA) is by far the most popular modern fighting style. Combining elements of boxing, martial arts, wrestling and street fighting, MMA might be the right choice for you.
- Martial arts such as karate, taekwondo and ju-jitsu provide a truly impressive mental and physical discipline and a lot of spirit of sacrifice for learning. Studying these martial arts takes many years to perfect, and may involve moving to another country in order to learn from the best masters in the world.
- Wrestlers have a large network present mainly in US schools and universities. You could join a wrestling team to gain the necessary skills expected to fight in the ring and to have the foundation with the goal of expanding your wrestling skills to other styles.
- Boxing is the most classic wrestling sport there is. Old school gyms filled with heavy sacks and skipping ropes exist all over the world, but particularly in the United States. Often, boxing programs are available for young people at relatively low cost, suitable for those who want to start early.
Step 2. Narrow your focus
Do you want to become a professional boxer? Do you prefer MMA? Or do you want to give muay-thai a try? Despite being interested in many forms of fighting, if you are planning to become a pro you will need to specialize. Find a gym where you can practice the particular type of wrestling that catches your attention and let yourself be guided by a great teacher, who will teach you the secrets of the art.
You could join more than one gym to learn from numerous instructors and practice with a variety of opponents
Step 3. Train hard and frequently
Practice with a wide variety of opponents to improve your fighting skills, such as hitting, reacting and recovering quickly. During meetings, wear protective gear to minimize the impact on your body and not get hurt.
Step 4. Get a good coach to prepare you
An experienced master who has trained professional or amateur wrestlers to high levels will be invaluable to your career. It can help you develop your strengths and minimize weak ones by evaluating your performance and adjusting your training accordingly. It can also pair you with good matchmaking partners, with whom to fight in the right way during training.
Step 5. Be willing to pay
Strictly disciplined nutrition, expensive gym memberships, a commitment to time, and a certain impact on your body - the costs of becoming a pro wrestler will quickly increase. If you break your wrist in a fight when you are still an amateur, who will pay for it?
Do physical work that gives you the hours you need to practice and earn a salary while pursuing your dream. People loading and unloading from trucks and vans have to lift heavy boxes but work early in the morning, leaving the rest of the day free. Physical work also has a double benefit, as it will keep you fit while earning money. Find a job with a courier, and look for a place that offers you a competitive insurance package
Method 2 of 3: Get Sponsored
Step 1. Compete in amateur races
With the help of your coach, determine which races might be suitable for your physical condition and steadily increase the amount of matches you participate in each month. The more fights you win, the more you will be noticed by the talent scouts.
Step 2. Network
It would be great if a sponsor noticed your skills in the ring and offered you a contract to become a professional wrestler, within a team, with a new manager and a coach, but the truth is you will have to do most of the work yourself. to get you noticed. At conventions and big match nights, tell everyone who introduces you that you are training to become a professional wrestler. Create a personal profile that demonstrates your passion and skills as a fighter, with a number of amateur-level titles behind you - you'll gain interest from sponsors.
Sign up for websites and forums focused on the struggle to make connections on the internet. Use all the resources you can to make a name for yourself. Use social networks to sell yourself and to promote your phenomenon
Step 3. Talk to management firms
Approach companies of this type, but choose those that have experience and a good reputation, which have a proven history of great fighters. Negotiate a management contract with the right person.
By making the decisions yourself, you will have a better chance of determining who your team will be made up of. However, it is important to understand that most management firms will only be interested if you have proven to be an attractive investment in the ring by winning a number of key fights against strong opponents. Keep triumphing to give yourself the best possible chance
Step 4. Be unique
Mike Tyson used to step into the ring without the sports robe traditionally worn by boxers and was surrounded by policemen, accompanied by the sound of rattling chains and a lit siren. It was absolutely intimidating and instantly iconic. Kimbo Slice's prison tattoos, gold teeth and big beard made his bareknuckle fights on YouTube one of the most memorable and compelling. The wilder and more flamboyant your reputation, the more chances you will have of being noticed and becoming a pro wrestler.
- Create a nickname and use it to promote yourself. It should be intimidating.
- Use your background to tell your life story for people to reflect in you. If you are a war veteran, use that image to appeal to people's patriotism. If you have been in prison, use this experience. If you come from a wealthy family and your dad is an insurance manager, again cultivate a sensational personality to stand out in the crowd.
Method 3 of 3: Continue Your Career
Step 1. Stay healthy
Your body is your life, so keep it fit so you can work. Train properly, regularly and intelligently. George Foreman tried to return to the ring towards the end of his career and appeared out of shape and far from prepared; don't make the same mistake. Let your wounds heal and rest before you go back to the ring and put your career on the line. Avoid drugs, alcohol and other such choices at the expense of a healthy lifestyle.
Step 2. Fight regularly
If you want to stay on top, you will have to keep fighting. Taking too much free time could send your skills to the back burner and people could stop having a good estimate of your talents. Treat your training as a job and your struggles as a promotion. He works constantly, headed for the next victory and the next rung of the ladder.
Step 3. Forget the defeats, but also the victories
Few wrestlers retire undefeated. If you miss a match, go back to the gym and keep exercising. Do your best to forget about defeats and don't strut for your triumphs. A fighter should always be willing to do better to prove himself. Challenge those who are better than you to continue improving your skills.
Michael Jordan used to stick notes with negative criticisms (even those that weren't that much) to his locker with duct tape to motivate himself in preparation for the games. A good fighter should adopt a similar attitude. Test your skills in front of people, other fighters and yourself
Step 4. Take part in the championships
Eventually, a career as a wrestler ends if you don't make it to the top. Too many defeats and too many periods of inactivity will result in lost sponsorships and a lowering of the prestige of your matches. To maintain a career in this industry you must take part in the championships and defend your titles against the best fighters in your division.
