Hammer Tyme #11
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Hammer Tyme #11
There is more then the Wrestler in the Sports Entertainment Business. A few weeks ago, I wrote about the creative staff and I have written about the General Manager or President. There more jobs besides these. While it might not be exciting to everyone, someone maybe was thinking about a career in wrestling but you not be cut out to be a wrestler. It is hard to please everyone all of the time. Written scripts surprisingly control more than what we think presented here are more possibilities for employment.
The Referee is a very critical part while you may think his job is simple you see TRIPLE H pin Randy Orton and you slap hand on the Mat 1,2,3 then raise Triple H’s hand in victory not to hard. Believe me its not as easy as it appears. Before the show, the referee meets with the staff and gets the outline of what happens. It is his job to
follow the outline but also to be quick thinking if a mark goes missed or if the reaction is not what the creative team wanted. For example if its planned for a 10 minute match and fans are board at 6 or 7 minutes he may relay to end quicker. Also lets a “Staged” fall results in real injury. The referee is to protect safety and is responsible to end things and coordinate EMT response. He is also the Triage Person. He also portrays as a heel or face for storyline purposes. It is common for them to appear to favor someone or look the wrong way. It also is harder to control a tag team or 4-way match. You need eyes everywhere at all times. So as you see they are more then a counter.
The timekeeper was important in old school but not so much now. There gimmick was to keep track of time. The normal was 10 minutes or 15 minutes for a Regular Match and 30 minutes or
longer for Championship matches. A popular amount was also TV time remaining. Then as the time dropped he called out to remind everyone how much had passed or what time remained. Often as time was running out the Wrestlers would again appear to step up their game or try harder. In the early days, time would run out or in the main event the Ringside Broadcaster would plea for more time or the GM/PRESIDENT would agree to 5 minutes more. This position seems to have faded like a minor championship the bell ringer now is either a Broadcaster or Tech.
”Let’s get ready to Rumble”! The announcer or broadcaster keeps the show running smooth (If he can help it). They introduce the matches, give important announcements and in some ways are involved in storylines as face or heels as well. They also work from the same script or similar one that the wrestlers and Referee
uses. In house shows, they also do promos for sponsors and advertising.
Finally, job that does not follow a script is the security guard. Oh never mind they sometimes are involved in the ring to develop a story. While they also do unscripted things as crowd control, someone has to protect the talent from a rowdy fan. God forbid a Wrestler who has a bad day and physically puts a hand on a fan. The Security Staff is to prevent this at all costs. Security staff also operates doors and do tasks to protect facility, Staff, fans and anyone on site. So they like the others they have many responsibilities and duties. Some written some not.
Merchandise table is actually a completely non-scripted job. Yes, I knew there had to be one. Sales maybe influenced by successful scripting and popularity but the table is sales plain and simple. There is nothing
tough about working the merchandise table. Make change and stock merchandise. You might be asked to keep an inventory of what sells or what we have on hand so basic Math skills and personality (a Hottie may boost sales by playful flirting or suggestive selling).
This might be a good start for a Sales or Marketing student. If you are good with a camera and doing an independent, show you maybe taking pictures of fans with a superstar. Still rather basic point camera and push button was tough.
That covers some other jobs that you may or may not think of besides being a wrestler. Then there also is the option of being a Writer or Photographer. Always look at your talents and then observe what they do and what you could do. You will be surprised what you might find for work. Also, ask around. Talk to people and with anything ask questions and
listen. It also helps to be in the right place at the right time. Therefore, luck may not always be a factor in what happens.
As for compensation, your work it can vary. You might get a free admission or paid a couple hours. Sometimes you may have your meal covered. I worked a show where I got some money and a sub sandwich. Obviously, the big money is for Big Organizations but you have to start somewhere. There is nothing wrong with working your way up.
Last by events unfolded this past Monday that has left us in awe. WWE RAW sold? Is the rest next? Is it possible to go out and buy a federation? Assuming first we win the lottery or have a rich relative. The answer appears to be yes. Ted Dibiase Sr said it best “Every Man has his price”. Who ever would think Vince had his price.
Many may recall World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
was undergoing financial crisis. NEW WORLD ORDER had become old and WWE’s attitude and sex was out selling them. The surprise was Ted Turner was a Trump like person. He had deep pockets and owned the television networks in which his products aired. He could do what ever Vince could not. He did not need money and was not afraid to sign a huge check to buy Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan. Hulk Hogan bought? What is going on with the world?
Vince saw the opportunity to kill competition he also saw a product that he could use. Today we still see Great American Bash and sold out PPVs, which proved successful for WCW and are now part of WWE’s schedule. He also got talent he might not have gotten otherwise.
Anyway, this was true last week as Vince McMahon said he had an offer he not refuse. He sold off the biggest chunk of his company. At first, I thought
it was a storyline plot. I mean heck he killed himself on TV so why not sell his company.
I was shocked when I went to the WWE Corporate website and read the press release it no hoax or storyline. It was real He and Trump cut a deal. What else he plans with Raw is speculation to be honest. It was expecting to see either JBL or Ted Debiase’s Dad step out. I never ever thought of Trump. I even would have understood gives Triple H background recently behind the scenes that’s keeping it in the family would have seen him step up take his place in the high-archy and GM RAW.
Trump does have experience as his facilities hosted Wrestle Manias and head had done storylines with Vince. He also has his reality show success and golden torch. He is a face and a fresh change from Vicki and Eric Bishoff. He says he is for the fans so let us see what he does.
Commercial free is great for viewers but come here any week I never run commercials.
If anyone besides Vince McMahon knows what sells and what makes money it is Donald Trump. His philosophies are very different from Vince’s, for example he is against the sex sells concept so I have a feeling the diva’s days are numbered. In addition, I doubt he will have the wrestlers walking over him. The advantage of him being for the fans could result in some great matchmaking. Giving the people what they want is actually smart business. Increase demand, which drives up ticket sales, which makes more money, which compensates for the no commercials. It makes sense oppose if it succeeds if it fails it will kill his creditability. However, remember there is a catch I am sure. I am sure the broadcasters will still do promos for sponsors. Regardless that let us hope this will
add more excitement and action. I hope that less skits and crap. Maybe they should do a wrestling only show with not drama just slobber-knocker in your face action. Until John Bradshaw Layfield makes more than Trump or McMahon, we will not see another buyer. The years must not have been good to the Million Dollar Man father of Evolution son Ted Debiase. It would have made for an interesting storyline having Daddy owning RAW and letting them run wild.
Run WILD! I am a real American (hear it?) maybe next week tune in to find out on the next Hammer Tyme.
