“Break Down Here” has a lot of meaning to a wrestler. The newest release from country artist Julie Roberts has a lot of significance for an aspiring wrestler. Even though this song tells of a woman who is getting away from a relationship, the lyrics also make me recall a lot of wrestlers in the Indy circuit.  “Pretty lies and broken dreams” is a perfect description for Independent wrestling. 

 

When beginning, the sport seems to be the one that has so much potential and you could make it to the top, however, the broken dreams and the pretty lies all have their roots in wrestling.  The desire of all the wishes that a wrestler has when they start training is not beautiful the next morning.  The sore back and the screaming it is when you first get out of bed the next morning is something that all wrestlers have to endure when they decide to pony up the money and try out the glittery idea of robes and belts. 

 

The glitter and the radiance of wrestling have its ups and downs, especially in the Independent arena.  The soon-to-be wrestler has to see what Independent wrestling is all about.  A lot of new rookies need to know that not all of them will even have the touch to make a first impression for a big-time promoter.  Whether or not a wrestler can afford the robes and the glitter to make their bodies look better, it is not the flashy look that makes a wrestler.  Wrestling isn’t all looks and how well the body looks, the talent is what promoters are looking for.  That is where the broken dreams come from. 

 

Over the past couple of months, having seen wrestlers that have wanted to learn the craft because it looks cool and they have a dream larger than Texas, that makes them the perfect candidate.  Then two weeks passes, the trainer gets a phone call, “I can’t make it, and I’m not feeling well.”  This isn’t a sickness of the stomach; it’s a sickness of the soul.  The idea of having to exert energy to get what the dream is made of, wasn’t as expected.

 

Unfortunately, a lot more people than I care to mention have seen this sickness.  Their hopes become pretty lies and broken dreams and the hopeful rookie with a glint in his or her eyes is gone.   Regrettably, independent wrestling is full of this type of phenomena.  If anyone wants to know what Indies has to look towards in the future, alas this is it.  Over the past three months, I have seen and/or heard about at least five different wrestlers in different territories that have moved on because they thought wrestling was too tough, that’s the business.  The harder the job, the more weak ones will be weeded out and they become yesterday’s news. 

 

Without naming names, several months ago, an email from a wrestler who started out very well in the sport came into the inbox.  He had the entire package; however, after a few months in the ring, the glamour was gone.  When asked about why he left, he said that he just didn’t like it anymore it got too hard.  A promising career gone because it got too hard, that glitter doesn’t last long does it? 

 

This quark doesn’t only occur in Independent wrestling.  Even WWE and TNA guys and gals have gone through some of the same doubts.  Being away from the family that is left at home to injuries that never seem to heal, the traveling and the wear on the body leaves even these professionals wondering if they are going to see the lovely sight of a title or the dream of being at the top.  Look at Eddie Guerrero’s career, for example.  Everyone heard the phone call he made to his wife the night he won the title.  The sacrifices that Eddie made sent him into a whirlwind that took him a long time to recover from.  The visions of fame and future were blurred and the future was bleak.

 

However, like Guerrero, the wrestlers that are considering quitting because of the broken dreams and pretty lies should think about a few things.  Why did you want to get in the ring?  The money?  The fame?

 

If money is the reason you laced up your boots, you are in the WRONG business.  Independent wrestlers do not get into the ring for money.  Fame being as fickle as a teenager’s crush should show that as fast as the light gets warm on your face, the lights can go out just as quickly.  All wrestlers that have considered getting into the ring or have already gotten there, do not let the dreams fade or the lies keep that ring further away than it already is.  Just try to gut it out. 

 

I would also like to put in congratulations to Belle of the Brawl interview alumni Chase Stevens and his tag team partner Andy Douglas in their winning the NWA Tag Team Championship.  Congratulations to these two young wrestling stars. Who knows, there may be another interview with me in the future for both stars.

 

As for this column, it comes to a close.  I would like to thank everyone for the birthday wishes over the past couple of days.  Any comments, questions, or just feel like talking wrestling, email me at belleofthebrawl@yahoo.com For more information on Julie Roberts, her website is www.julieroberts.com Just a small plug.

 

Thank you again and have a wonderful rest of the week.