Cookie Cutter Wrestlers

Note: This article was originally written in 2013 and, as such, is a reflection of said time. Since then, while things have certainly changed a bit (especially with the kick-ass women's revolution and all that jazz and the mainstream embracing the indies), this is still a good general rule of thumb for what the big leagues are looking for. Described below is still an accurate description for those most likely to be successful in this industry.

For a long time, even to this day, WWE has had a mold that they like their wrestlers to fit. It’s a strategic business plan. You don't have to like it, but you need be aware of it.

If you're under 6’, buy lifts. Hell, even if you aren’t under six feet, lifts are never a bad thing to have. Height does matter in Vince McMahon’s eyes. And if they matter in his eyes, that means it matters in the industry’s eyes... but with good reason. Vince is a big guy, hence this shapes his vision of what makes a good professional wrestler. In business and life in general, there is an immediate draw to people who are taller. Here are some fun statistics:

• The average CEO is just under six feet.
• The average US man being 5'9".
• Among CEOs, 58% are six feet or over in the United States.
• Compare that to just 14.5% of US men that are six feet or over.
• Some 30% of CEOs 6'2" or taller.
• Only 3.9% of U.S. men are 6'2" or taller.

There is a subconscious attraction to  taller people. Vince knows this and has successfully exploited it for decades.

Are you plain looking or just flat out ugly? If so, your chances of success have just dropped drastically. Unless being ugly is your gimmick, television and movies have made this a world of pretty people. Vince figured this out with “divas.” The time of super technical, hard-working, high-quality women wrestlers who “get it” is basically over. Sure, occasionally you will find one or two of them out there. But that becomes their gimmick, just the fact that they look different or can work. Vince wants divas to be sex symbols. Why? Because America demanded it. Vince has a largely male audience. And, well, sex sells. Ask yourself, do you think the average American  male would you rather see a wrestling clinic put on by two unattractive women or would  they rather see two Playboy bunnies having a pillow fight? Right, moving on. This applies to men now, as well. And even if Vince doesn't care if a guy is good looking, trust me his people do look to see if you have a face they can put on TV.  I have always told rookies, if you don't have a face that you could see ending up on MTV’s Real World then you have some obstacles to overcome. There are very few ugly or unattractive men in WWE anymore, especially in the younger generation of performers.

If you are out of shape (too skinny or too fat), Vince has little interest in you. Only if you are massively large and out of shape will he raise an eyebrow because of some gimmick he can attach to you. It also speaks to your dedication level if you're not in shape, especially if you are a guy who has a body that could be in shape if you just worked at it. Laziness is not and should not be rewarded.

Until next time,
AWV