When The Music Stops, By Mason Childs
“When the Music Stops”
Hello everyone and welcome to my latest column!
It’s been a while between articles, and usually when I’m asked to do one, I’ll ask Marek what he’d like me to write about. This time Marek has asked me: What lessons have you learnt from pro wrestling which have transferred over into real life? So, here’s a few tidbits I’ve taken from my 23 plus years in this game!
“Never under value yourself”
As a good timeless friend once said to me in Tokyo in 2016, “I regret how much I worked for free in Australia”. Essentially, she underrated her worth! But this is a tricky one. There are times you’ll have to give back and do the random freebie, but if you bring fans to a show, or are a benefit in elevating and building up other talent, you definitely do deserve some form of payment. Many will try and use you in life, don’t let them!
“If hard work pays off then easy work is worthless”
I’m not sure if I learnt this from pro wrestling or real life, but you may not be able to do top rope backflips, running shooting star presses or bench press 150kg. You might not be the most gifted in the dojo, but there’s no excuse for not being the hardest worker in the dojo or room! If you want promoters and bookers or whoever to notice you, you have to put in the best you can! Never ever half arse anything in life.
“Know your role”
Ok, so I admit that this is kind of contradictory to my last point, but knowing your role and staying in your lane, and doing your job on a show is more beneficial than “stealing the show” because you and your mates feel your “being held back”. Follow the boss/booker/promoter’s vision and if it’s sucks, it’s on them. Not everything is a hit. Be prepared for the misses.
“You’re either learning or teaching, or you’re going backwards”
One term I despise in pro wrestling, and it’s real life application, is “vet”. I’ve never met a single long term wrestler who has helped a sick animal! In reality though, I do take this as a compliment, but not something I drop to put myself above people. We should all be helping at every level. In Japan, I’ve seen ex-WWE stars help doing ring crew. I’ve seen them helping train rookies pre show. Why? Because they realise their health and well-being is going to be safer if everyone is safer! Knowledge kept to yourself is a waste. Not learning everyday will rot your brains. No one singular person is better than anyone else. And if you think you are, maybe jump into a bigger pond.
“Not everyone has your best interests at heart”
As simple as that reads. Especially in Australian Wrestling, people don’t see shows as a business but more so a chance to live out their fantasies, so they believe backstabbing, sh*t talking and black balling people makes them “professional”. These are also the same people that watch their numbers dwindle, and their companies die out and become a joke. Recognise these life draining “mean girls” and avoid them. Drama is their wage.
Anyways, I think I’ve waffled on enough. Hit me up on socials with any feedback, or talk about me behind my back and tell your skinny dork mates why I’m wrong!
Lastly, check out my YouTube channel “AustralianWolfTV”! And make sure you like, comment and subscribe! Thanks again for reading, Mason “Australian Wolf” Childs
