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Saracen's Tenet

ST: 110%

You know, sometimes I don’t know how things happen and other times I know exactly what I did to get where I am. For those who know me, whether they like me or not, they all know that when Saz sets his mind to something I always give 110%…

You know, sometimes I don’t know how things happen and other times I know exactly what I did to get where I am. For those who know me, whether they like me or not, they all know that when Saz sets his mind to something I always give 110%.


I have been sneaking management courses at work to help me with a situation I found myself in Late October 2005. One course taught me a very important fact, money really means nothing to people, what people actually crave is recognition for the hard work they have put into what they do and in man-management that is a key element to success.


It was quite a surprise to me when Steve Logan asked me to provisionally look after KSW and organise shows, it was a temporary measure for reasons I’m not going to go into here, however it soon became permanent.


Next day I walked into the gym with all eyes looking at me, I think I have never been so scared in all my life, I was looking after these people and I was the person to help them.


But as one Ex-KSW wrestler mentioned on the UKFF, I was a wrestler of only 2 years, how would I ever possibly manage a company such as K-Star Wrestling? Well, the first decision was I had nothing to do with training, a lot of people get caught in the position of being head booker, head trainer, head advertiser, that’s not for me, I agree that I am not experienced enough to train, though I think anyone who is at KSW should be able to train in the basics, it is a drill that is never missed.


So I asked 2 people to take over training, first was Carl Mizzery, who I think was natural for the role, as he was trained by Steve Logan and has a wealth of wrestling knowledge that not only helps the trainees but also me when I book the shows. The second one was Sal Americana, now Sal I think is possibly one of the best trainers I have met when it comes to explaining moves and the reasons behind it, I spent most of my formative training with Sal and I consider him the person who taught me how to be a professional wrestler.


It’s ok, Sal’s used to being blamed for most things!


The first show I organised wasn’t a disaster, at least not quite, it went off well with a modest audience and everyone had a great time, but this was my first show and there were a lot of things that looking back I did and realised was a mistake.


Firstly, I relied too much on the internet to advertise the show, now, without trying to upset people here, the only people you will attract to a show by advertising on the internet are smart marks (and that is only if you have some famous name on the show) or established fans . I basically failed to poster and as had been commented, the posters looked cheap and people may have been put off by it.


I also charged low to try attract people in and “hook ’em” but as was pointed out again, people pay for what they get and I think I budgeted too cheaply, I might have put people off and I probably would have gotten the same amount of people at a higher price, so I did myself out of some profit there.


It was a tough way to learn the business side of wrestling, but I guess everyone learns and I am grateful that all my critics’ comments helped me in someway.


However I had to rush out a show and I think I did bloody well considering the time I had to do everything in.


The second show was a different story, I had learnt from the advertising and money side and I had broken even, there were a lot more people in this time, but I recognised faces from the last show and that was testament to the professionalism of the wrestlers who had performed and kept the audience’s attention.


I think the only downside was sharing the show name with FCW, now I have nothing against them, but it was downheartnening to see FCW fans accuse KSW of copying, it was just a coincidence and I blame Sal for coming up with the name (You recognising a pattern here?).


Though as a kind of apology we all went to see FCW at their Violent Night, though I must admit I had to go see Brett Banner win the academy Battle Royale.


Which actually brings me onto a point, as an audience member, have you ever heard that “groan” the audience makes when they look at a wrestler and just instantly recognise them as one?


I know Brett Banner had that moment at his time at FCW, he was confident, he looked ripped and he looked like he could do some serious damage to people. People took him seriously as a wrestler and I’ve seen it happen before to other wrestlers as well as myself when I walk out sometimes.


The audience wasn’t surprised that Brett won, in fact you sensed that they expected it, that is a testament to his abilities and I have to say I was keenly impressed.


Problem is a lot of people come to wrestling thinking that it’s a joke, which is fair enough, I’ve been to many a show sitting next to a group of late-teens, pretending they are not interested in wrestling for real, but are there to have a laugh and get drunk. I’ve also seen the look on their faces when, say, GBH walks out.


There is a reason for this and the reason is believing in yourself as a wrestler, you have to convince that audience that what you are doing is entirely real, though the outcome is assured, you as a wrestler convince the audience of your sincerity and once they take you seriously then you can take them on the rollercoaster.


As KSW’s recent trainees have realised, getting “it” is hard and it took me about 30 bouts before I began to realise what was going on in the world of wrestling.


Which reminds me, for the guy who said I had probably only done 6 bouts in a 2 year career, try not to judge people you don’t know! I’ve had more than 6 matches this month!


However, if we are going to look at a wrestling career in any sort of context, people have got to like you no matter what, like you or like to hate you.


I’ve mentioned in the past that you have to be able to take care of yourself in the ring and you have to look out for yourself first. I think I was criticised for having that opinion, though I was just paraphrasing what I learnt whilst wrestling, there is still a good point.


Everyone thinks that wrestling is a “lovey dovey” all the boys in for each other act, well It’s a known fact that in all circles there are your bullies and your evil bastards. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are some solid workers out there, there are some people who like to work stiff, there are even people who work stiff because that’s how they were taught. With experience you can recognise these people from the ones who spout bullshit then take liberties.


Then you have the pleasure of working with people who you click with, the match becomes a dream and you get the best out of the audience working as a team, I think my best external match was either against Carl for RPW (one of them) or against Imperial Dragon at MPW, I have a ton of respect for both guys!


All in all whatever I say, I am going to upset someone in wrestling, such is the life, to be a performer you have to have some sort of ego and it gets dented. However, one thing I would suggest to anyone getting into British wrestling, don’t just take my word for it, I am just one person writing my conclusions to my experiences and what I have learnt from other wrestlers.


It’s not all about being able to talk the business, there are plenty of people who can just talk the talk and the Internet is the best place for it. Perhaps you may consider that I do that myself and that is entirely your decision to judge me that way.


However, for those that know me, I always give 110%


Saz