WRESTLING'S BIGGEST CON

By Peter Vuono

   On February 4, 2016,  former pro wrestler Brian Knighton, better known as Axl Rotten passed away in a Maryland McDonalds at age 44. Brian hadn't wrestled in a long time and because of a spine injury he had previously been in rehab and confined to a wheelchair.He left behind a wife of 20 years. Part of Brian's notoriety was that he participated in one of the bloodiest matches in the history of the sport. In 1995, he and his fellow worker, John Williams participated in a Taipei Death Match where real glass was taped to their gloves. They both knew that we have not changed much since the Circus Maximus and the masses demanded their bread and circus.
   Brian once said to his partner," I don't know why I've lived this long; God must be punishing me".For  his blood and tears he would become one of 154 pro wrestlers who have died since 1985 who were younger than 65. He would be one of the 86` who were younger than 50!. According to Jim Wilson's fine book, "Chokehold" the mortality rate of pro wrestlers  in the 80's was  925% higher than the mortality rate of police officers who are killed while on duty. Did you enjoy the Super Bowl? Pro football players, on the average receive 50% of the gate as a group as opposed to 15% for pro wrestlers. It is my personal opinion that this incredible mortality rate is in part due to pro wrestling's biggest con.
   Wrestling was once surrounded by a shroud of secrecy known as "kayfabe". It was a code of silence which resisted vehemently in giving away back stage secrets. Now, nearly every fan knows that matches are predetermined and that the promoters and "bookers" call every shot. Only certain superstars have any leverage as to what will happen. However the fans are happy with this and like this author they continue to love the sport even though they are somewhat "smartened" up.
   However, because of the predetermination of the sport, no one, especially politicians, take it seriously and that is the biggest weapon which hides some of the worst unfair labor practices in the nation. Because of the small technicality of wrestlers being called "independent contractors" and not "employees" they have waived nearly all labor rights that the rest of us enjoy. They do not have insurance, they do not have hospitalization, they do not have a pension and they do not have a union like the NFL and others who have a players' association.
   Because the" booker" tells them where to go, when to go, who to wrestle, what gimmick to acquire, and how the match will be conducted, THAT constitutes an employee. Wrestlers do not have this and can be fired at the drop of a hat. It can also open the door for all sorts of harassment toward both men and women. I also believe  that the unstable status of pro wrestling's workers  contributes severely to their early demise.
   Since wrestlers have no rights, it is important to promote themselves in the best way they can to be "over" with the audience or popular if you will. To do this one must use anabolic steroids to at least look as good as his competitor. If he does not, then termination may follow. To stay "over" a wrestler must ignore pain caused by "bumps" and injuries, "botched" moves and the grueling travel or he or she may not be kept in the roster. This is where pain killers, and sleeping pills come in. What if, however, it was more difficult to fire them if they were unionized? Then it wouldn't be AS necessary to use all these ergogenic aids and perhaps elongate their lives.
   Some very brave people such as Anton" Ripper" Leone, Jesse Ventura and Jim Wilson have valiantly tried and failed. When Ventura tried to unionize he was "ratted" out by the world's most famous wrestler. Small victories were achieved by a few such as Brock Lesnar's wife Rena when she won a lawsuit over her refusing to conduct demeaning "angles". However for the most part. it's business as usual. The top stars don't want to lose the big paydays and the bottom dwelling "jebronies" don't dare say a word for fear of replacement.
   I'm well aware of the more impending atrocities that face us such as child abuse, spousal abuse, drug addiction, refugees. slave trade and terrorism. But the next time you watch your favorite wrestler, know that he or she is working under wrestling's biggest con and it's  just one more injustice that no one is doing anything about.

"Amusements should be our medicines"- Aristotle