Ever wonder how to start your own wrestling federation? If so, Ric Drasin is kind enough to supply a capsule handbook on the art, which has been modified for reproduction here:
"It’s not as easy as it looks or more people would be successful at it …
there is NOT a whole lot of money in it. Most promoters lose money and some, if lucky, just break even. I’m sure your have heard the horror stories about wrestlers not getting paid after a show, or the promoter ducking out before anyone can find him or the plane tickets never arriving. They are all true … otherwise, being a wrestler is easy. You just have to show up. Many of the boys ask me when I’m going to run another show. Well, a few years ago, I had many and they were easier to line up. Lately I think that wrestling has become over saturated and the interest on the Indy level has declined. Going into a building and putting up a ring and hoping people show, is way too risky. If you draw 100 people you are really lucky. The biggest problem is ‘promotion.’ Letting people know you are there, is so important. If no one knows, no one shows! …
First of all, you must have access to wrestlers. You need to have at least 30 on a list in case some can’t show and you need stand-by matches. Plus, you should find out the reputation of your talent and see if they are reliable. You don’t want someone to commit to being there and then not show after you have advertised them. You will need a ring (obviously). If you don’t have one, you can rent one and the price should be fair -- no more than $350 for the night. You also will want to list all the people that you need to work the event: lighting, camera, ticket booth, door man, security, timekeeper, referee, dressing room monitor (send guys out, etc.), announcer … These are basics and mostly you can get friends to do it for ‘free’ admission. The building, if you rent it, should cost no more than $500.
Liability insurance is another thing. You don’t want to get sued by
someone who gets hurt. I carry $2 million liability. I have a blanket
coverage that costs me $180.00 a year for shows, training people, etc. If
I have to additionally insure a venue, it’s an added $35 for the night.
That is very reasonable and necessary. Now, your overhead with paying 12
wrestlers ($25, $50, and up depending on experience and time in the
business) each will be around the $1,200.00 mark, give or take. I haven’t
figured in publicity at this point. I always make posters and flyers and
leave them all over the area where I am running a show. I also will get
our radio stations here to plug it. Sometimes that’s difficult but in my
case I have a lot of friends that are DJs. Same with some of the local
news channels. This is just an added plus.
In order to make a profit at this point, you will need in attendance 120
people at $10 a head. Also figure in that kids’ prices will be cheaper,
maybe $6. This increases the number you need to attend. The best way to do
this, rather than taking a risk on a building, is to find a club or
charity or, in my case, I use a high school and get the PE Dept. to
sponsor it. I ask for a $2,000 dollar deposit and then we do a 50/50 split
on profits at the door. My $2,000 is deducted on my 50% at that point.
Having the club or school involved assures me that they will help promote
by giving flyers out to every student (1,000 or 2,000) and that a good
number of those kids will show up and bring their family and friends. Last
time I did this, I had 600 people show up and it was a big success.
I give the school concessions as part of the incentive. I also tell the
wrestlers to bring photos , T-shirts, and anything they want to sell.
Having that deposit also guarantees me payment for the ring, wrestlers and
all other expenses and includes my profit. At the show, I already have
everyone’s payment (in cash) in an envelope with his or her name on it. I
want everyone to go home happy! I send out booking agreements and after
the show I include with payment a letter of thanks for their
participation. I feel it’s important to treat everyone as a professional
and with respect. Having wrestled for years, I have been on all ends of
that and I want everyone to know that I respect him or her …
One week prior to a show, I do a personal appearance at the school and
bring a few wrestlers to a pep rally to get the school charged up to
attend the event. This works really well. I will also send a letter of
thanks to the school or charity, thanking them for the help and asking to
schedule another show for the following year. After doing this quite a few
times, you can usually keep yourself booked throughout the whole next
year. This is a good formula to follow and it works. Remember, you just
don’t throw up a ring in a building like a ‘backyard fed’ and expect it to
work. Much success to you all!
