To most people the term "wrestling values" seems like an oxymoron. What values could pro wrestling have when even its basic ethics are flawed? These are people who are outside looking in and are focusing solely on the negative. Pro wrestling has values that can be a positive influence for any person, not just wrestlers. They are simple concepts, nothing complex that give stability to an unstable business. These values have taken many kids and turned them into men including myself.
MAKE THE BOOKING
Rain, sleet, snow, flu, broken limb doesn't matter - you make your bookings. Never call an hour before belltime and tell a promoter you're not gonna be there. If you're advertised to be somewhere and maybe only one person paid specifically to see you but if you're not there, you may have lost a fan forever. If I tell someone I'm going to be somewhere whether for a show, a dinner date or anything else I'm there. I don't flake out and no show anyone or anything.
ITS GOOD FOR BUSINESS
Notice "It’s good for business" not "it’s good for you". Ken Wayne talks about an era where workers worked together to build the company, not themselves. If the company was more successful with "Guy A" on top then everyone worked together to make "Guy A". It would be better for "you" to be on top but is that what is good for business? Now imagine working a 9-5 and someone giving up their management position to someone else because it was good for business. Has anyone ever done that?
THE HANDSHAKE
Respect in its simplest form, the handshake. Because of pro wrestling, the handshake is an automatic in my everyday life. In wrestling, it’s our alpha and omega, the beginning and end of everything. It’s our contract, our word. You shake someone’s hand and tell them you'll be at their next show, or you'll do the favor for a next guy in line when leaving a company. Many have broken their word but the handshake is still our measure of a man. We remember those who defy the handshake, who have lied straight to our faces and we never forget. The handshake creates some kind of moral accountability. I can't explain it because I don't think it can be explained but it works.
Are there negative aspects in pro wrestling? Yes, but there are negative aspects in life. We can learn positive from many different avenues and pro wrestling is one of them. Wrestling Values do exist and they exist in every corner of our business. So I ask all involved to steer away from the negative and concentrate on being a positive influence and pay it forward by passing these values on. I promise if you do, then it can only make our business better and when "The Golden Boy" Greg Anthony makes a promise it as good as gold.
----Greg Anthony is a regular on the local area circuit. He won RRO Booker of the Year 2008 and is listed in the top 5 of the RRO Top 10 2008. Greg is currently working as booker of NEW and can be seen tagging with legend Bobby Eaton and Brian Thompson as “Midnight Gold”.
