What If You Don't Make It to the WWE?
So I've been reading these tweets about these fond farewells that indy promotions are having for wrestlers that have been signed by the WWE as a result of the recent cruiserweight classic. It sounds like it's part of a high school graduation or the talent is leaving to do a tour of duty in Iraq.
While it's exciting to see people get more attention for the work they do, it is in no means a signal that someone has "arrived". There are many indy workers who are just as good and for whatever reason will never get the nod from the WWE. Just like not making the ranking in some arbitrary poll, Working for the WWE should never validate you or not validate you as a performer. You love the sport no less than those who are working for the organization. Sure, the money is good for a while and you get to see the world, but at what price?
And let's be honest. Unless you're a McMahon or married to one, you won't be with the WWE forever. The gravy train will pull up to the station and you will be wished well in your future endeavors. What then?
There is life outside the WWE, and if you don't get the nod, here's the truth. It's not that you're not good, but it's not what they're looking for at the time. It's like auditioning for a commercial. You could be the best blue person the casting director sees that day, but if the sponsor (the person who makes the casting decision) wants the red person, there's nothing you can do.
What you can't do is take a rejection from the WWE personally, unless they call your mother or girlfriend a bad name, then you have my permission to go rogue. There's plenty of talent that doesn't get the nod. It is not an indictment of your talent.
There are other promotions than the WWE. Some people view them as the red-headed step children but nothing but could be further from the truth. They're Coke. You can be part of Pepsi, or Mountain Dew, or whatever. Hell, if you get paid, I'd go with Snapple. They're not bad. They're different. And different is based on choices we make and not a reflection of the people.
John Cena, Dave Bautista, Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and the Rock have gone on to make non-WWE Films. There's a ton of talent that don't, or if they do, they're slapped into WWE produced derivative projects that usually die a quick death on Video on Demand.
Look at Finn Balor. Amazing worker on the Indy Circuit. He wrestles for NXT... develops a following and a reputation... He's in his first pay-per-view and BAM. He's gone... for now.
Getting signed by the WWE doesn't mean anything except you're on a different leg of your journey and at some point, that part of your journey will end, you'll be on another part of your journey. Nothing more and nothing less.
