If you’re a long time wrestling fan, chances are you know where you were and what you were doing between the days of March 23rd and March 26th back in 2001. It was the announcement that rocked the sports entertainment world: “WWF PURCHASES WCW.”
On Friday, March 23rd, 2001, WWF.com plastered that headline on their main page, making it public knowledge that the McMahon family had a monopoly on pro wrestling. Upon realizing that yesterday marked fourteen years since WCW folded, it made me stop and think about the impact it has had on wrestling.
In 2001, as a lifelong wrestling fan and diehard WWF supporter, I was excited that the WWF bought out it’s competition. All I could ponder about was the potential dream matches that could now occur: Austin vs. Goldberg. Sting vs. Undertaker. Booker T vs. The Rock. What I didn’t stop to think about was how having only one major wrestling organization would effect the wrestlers themselves. As a wrestler in 2015, I think about that part a lot more. To this day, wrestlers young and old feel effects from the extinction of WCW.
It got me to thinking. If WCW were in business, I’d might be making an easy six figure salary! I mean, Lanny Poffo did without ever working one WCW event! Now, I’m pretty lucky. While I don’t make the money that Lanny did, and I have to work a few more dates, I make a pretty decent living as an independent wrestler. It’s unfortunate though, because there are a lot of independent wrestlers that struggle.
Is this a direct result of the extinction of WCW? Or is it something else?
Former ECW and WWE Kid Kash was recently interviewed by PWMania, and when asked as to why he was retiring from pro wrestling, he had this to say:
“With the lack of successful companies other than WWE, indie promoters and indie wrestlers make it hard to make a living because the promoters have become too cheap, and the younger wrestlers work for way too cheap.”
Reading that really got me thinking a little bit more. This week, I want your feedback. Do you think the death of WCW is the reason why wrestlers struggle to find work? Is it the fault of promoters who refuse to pay wrestlers decent rates for putting their bodies and lives on the line? Is it the fault of the wrestlers, who perhaps don’t speak up for the wages they believe they deserve? Is it some combination of all of the above? Is it something more than the above?
Send me your comments via Facebook, Twitter, and let me know your opinion. I’ll address your thoughts, and offer my opinion later in the week!
-Greg
