When a pro-wrestler makes it to WWE or TNA, they usually intend to remain there for the rest of their career. To maintain their spot on the roster, they put on their best performance every night, hoping to draw the loudest cheers and sell the most merchandise. Many times however, things do not go as planned, and the talent is eventually removed from the company. There are a number of ways that a talent can get fired, even though the reasons are not obvious until after they are no longer with the promotion. Just as with any other industry, having a job in pro-wrestling is a privilege- if a promotion feels that they are not benefiting from having a talent under their employ, they will find a way to part ways with that talent. To avoid getting fired, do the things listed below.
1. Push Yourself
Sometimes when a talent is released from WWE or TNA, their complaint is, "They didn't push me". In many cases, their statement is true. However, in life in general, if you don't push yourself, no one else will. Being in a major pro-wrestling company does not mean that it's time to stop marketing yourself. In fact, it becomes more important to do so. On the independent scene, it can be very easy to become a big fish in a little pond. Yet in companies like WWE and TNA where the "pool" is much bigger, a talent can quickly become forgotten.
In today's world where almost everyone from 12 to 112 has some type of interest in social media, no wrestler has an excuse for not marketing themselves. Even wrestling icons like Hulk Hogan, main eventers like John Cena and Jeff Hardy, and executives like Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, Dixie Carter, and Eric Bischoff use social media on a regular basis, staying in the forefront of the minds of fans.
2. Be a Team Player
It would be a fair statement to say that basically all wrestlers want to main event every show that they are on, become World Heavyweight Champion, and be the face of the company. But a wrestler's job is to do what's best for the company, which is not always what the wrestler may feel is best for themselves. That means that they may have to job in more matches than some other wrestlers, put over wrestlers who they personally feel don't "deserve" to be put over, and work the midcard as opposed to the main event.
While some wrestlers who are unhappy with this situation may keep it to themselves, others are vocal and refuse to do what the company has ordered. This interferes with company plans and creates a problem for everyone who works there, because an efficient and successful company benefits everyone, main eventers and midcarders alike.
3. Be Grateful for What You Have
When a talent is employed by WWE or TNA, they are in a position where wrestlers all over the world would give anything to be. Yet over the years there have been cases of WWE/TNA talents complaining that they were not making the amount of money that they felt they should have been. It still continues today. When it's time for cutbacks, their name could be one of the first names to come up. In the end, they will wind up on the independent circuit, while a more eager and equally talented wrestler will happily replace them on the roster for less money.
4. Avoid Having an Attitude Problem
Many wrestlers have been fired due to being problematic backstage, having conflicts with other wrestlers, both physical and non-physical. A disruptive talent can have a negative affect on locker room morale. Some wrestlers have even carried their attitude problem into the ring, being uncooperative with the wrestler they are working with, which negatively affects the quality of a match. An employee with an attitude problem can potentially wear our their welcome very quickly.
5. Avoid Drugs
Just like any other company, a pro-wrestling company is held responsible in the eyes of others for their employee's actions. A wrestler with impaired judgement is a liability to themselves, whomever they work with in the ring, and the company that they work for.
6. Avoid Sleeping on the Job
Yes, there are people in the pro-wrestling business who sleep on the job. And just like anyplace else, they may be fired. In Eric Bischoff's book "Controversy Creates Cash", Bischoff goes into detail about how he had to fire a WCW announcer due his being found sleeping on the job.
7. Show Up on Time
A wrestler showing up late to an event is just as bad as an office worker showing up late to the office. Last minute booking changes can occur at any moment, and if a talent is not dependable enough to be available to work with any needed changes that night, they can become more more of a hindrance to the company than a benefit.
8. Avoid Getting Arrested
No wrestling company wants the negative press that comes with one of their employees getting arrested for a a DUI or worse. If a wrestler brings a promotion that type of publicity their way, it's very likely that their days are numbered.
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