So you drive to the mall and sign autographs until 3. Its time to head over to the arena and get prepared for work that night. After a short workout, its already 5:30 and you go over your match with the events booker. If you can find the time, you and your opponent go over the match in detail and what is going to happen. It is seven o"clock and time to perform. You wrestle a match and leave the arena by 10:00. By the time you get to the hotel it is around 11:30-12:00 and try to get some sleep in order to the same thing over again the next day. Somewhere in between the daily events the wrestler has to condition and workout in order to keep the size and strength he has. .
It isn't impossible to become a wrestler. The first thing you have to do is attend a local wrestling school. These are scattered all over the country and usually run around $2,000 for a two-month program. It is estimated that around 99 percent of all wannabes don't make it past the school. The trainer doesn't care if you quit or not, he's just doing his job as he physically pushes you to the outer limit. Pain and injury is almost unavoidable and most people walk away after the first week with dark bruises. If you are one of the determined to make it through the school, then it is time for the independent federations.
In the beginning, you"ll be working in front of a crowd around 100-300 people is size. The usual pay for this is $25 a night. These matches are viewed as a means for wrestlers to work on ring skills and personality. Many wrestlers will be in these leagues for many years before moving on and others don't make it out at all. The biggest possibility of breaking out is to book a show that a scout happens to be attending and hope he likes you. If he does, then you might receive a phone call or letter inviting you wrestle a "dark match". This is a match that is performed the night of a taping, but is not aired. They essentially are to pump the crowd up for the main headliners.