The Frosty Chronicles - Part Two
Helllllooooo everyone reading this. Welcome back to another edition of FrostBytes, thanks for stopping by and reading this. Help spread the word about this thing, I want to reach as many people as possible.
•In case you forgot, or otherwise didn't know, this is a look at life through the eyes of an Indy wrestler. Sure, sometimes my view and opinions seem to piss off some people. Others love what I have to say. Others just find the read entertaining, and enjoy it.
•I do speak a lot about wrestling, on both sides of the curtain, without revealing too much of what goes on backstage, as, yes, I believe some things about our business still need to be protected. I've never intentionally buried anyone in these blogs either, although the opportunity has been there. And, in all fairness, I'm sure I've presented an opportunity or two to be buried by a fellow worker. I try to keep a level of professionalism when I do these, because wrestling, as many workers will tell you, is like one giant extended family. I attempt to be courteous with what I write, although I'm sure at times it doesn't come across that way.
•If you saw my Facebook post, I mentioned I may piss some people off and I may put some over. That hasn't changed. Sure, I realize I may alienate some of you readers with my words, but here me out. This is well warranted, in my opinion, and something that needs to be said by me, so there is zero miscommunication about who said what, and zero second party accounts retelling what they think they read and/or heard. I've always strived to be nothing more than truthful with these blogs. Why? Well, because I don't believe in lying for one, and two, you, my faithful readers, expect it. I won't betray any of you by bullshitting you. And hey, if I'm in the wrong about something, I'll be the first to admit I was wrong.
Now then, with alla that being said, let's jump right in, shall we?
•Wrestling Is A Business•
•When I came into the business, I didn't look at wrestling as a hobby. I still don't. Yeah, there's some guys who are completely satisfied with only working a handful of times a year. And no, there isn't a thing at all wrong with that. Its just not for me. I didn't get into the wrestling world to work a few times a year; quite the opposite. I want to work as much as I can in as many places as I can. And there's a lot of guys like me that want the same. And when you do it that much, its much more than a hobby. Its a business. Its an employment. But unlike a regular nine to five job, on an Indy level, we have complete control as to where, and more importantly, who we want to work for. There are no contracts, no guarantees, no promises made on our level in the business. More often than not, a promoter contacts you and asks you to work. You can either agree or disagree. Simple as that, no excuses needed.
•As an independent contractor, which is essentially what we are, you have complete creative control as to what you want your character, your gimmick, your image to be portrayed as. This may need a small explanation for you uninitiated out there...
-Say a booker wants you to portray, say...a biker image. Leather pants, leather jacket, the whole nine yards. He's convinced this will get over, and the fans are going to eat it up. You, as an independent contractor, a worker, have the options of either going along with it, or not going along with it. Creative control, see? You either say yes, let's do it, or no, I'll pass. There's no written, binding contract that legally holds you responsible for doing what the booker says. Got it? Good. Back to the blog.
•If you feel as though your character, your image, isn't being used the way you think it should, you have the option of simply walking away, no strings attached. But, before you do walk away, take a long, hard, realistic look at yourself in the mirror.
¤Are you really that good that you don't have to listen to the booker?
¤Are you really that much of a draw that you don't have to listen to the booker?
¤Are you so sure of your talents that you can get bookings elsewhere?
¤Can you honestly disagree with what the booker thinks will get over, no matter how much a blow it is to your ego?
•You've gotta answer these questions yourself. Nobody is going to answer them for you, or persuade the truth, your truth, one way or another.
•I recently did just that, my friends. I took a long, hard, realistic look at myself and asked those very questions. Why, you ask? Well...its a bit of a story to tell, with some backstory, a little history, and a few other things that need to be introduced into this little tale. If you've got a few minutes and don't mind me doing so, I'll be more than happy to explain it to you. Really? You don't mind? Ahh, you're so kind. Please, allow me to continue then.
•I'll Do What's Right For Business-Even If I Don't Agree With It•
•Let's go back a couple years, gentle readers, to a point in my career when I was working on an almost weekly basis. I was
working for a company, pretty excited about doing so, and ready to work some new faces along with some familiar ones. This was one of the first times I cut a promo, and if you watch it, you could certainly tell. But, they allowed me the freedom to do so. I worked a lot of matches, putting some guys over, as well as being put over. I was hoping to build a reputation that guys could depend on me to go out, do the job at hand, stay professional, and not bitch about things. Which I'm pretty sure I did. All the while, I was building the name 'Lukas Frost,' hoping, and succeeding, in getting more bookings in other places.
•Now then, let me say right now that I don't give a damn about Won/Loss records in this sport. Its more a stat for the fans to keep up with, and it doesn't mean shit to me. In truth, it doesn't mean a thing in professional wrestling. I mention this because I don't want anyone being misled as to what I'm about to say.
¤When you start being buried, you lose face in the eyes of a lot of people: your co-workers, your bosses, and most importantly, the fans. And when I say buried, I mean you start dropping every match you're put in, regardless of any angle, storyline, or whether or not the guy you're putting over deserves it or not.
•And so it happened. The months I spent building up my character, my name, was being flushed down the shitter with no reason. At the time, I felt I was putting over guys that didn't deserve it. Hey, I'm all about helping build the stars of tomorrow by making them look good and putting them over, but this went beyond that. Guys that were blackballed by damn near every other company except this one were guys I were putting over. Was there a reason behind this? I didn't know. But being a tadpole in this business, I didn't agree with it. Hells, there's still things that happened back then that I don't agree with. The gist of the story is this: I felt as if I wasn't being used properly, that my name, my work was being buried, so I walked away. Even though I never say never when it comes to the wrestling business, I told myself it would be a long time before I returned there. And it was a long time. Yeah, I'm sure it was no sweat offa Tim's balls that I didn't come back, just as it was no sweat offa mine that I didn't go back. As an Indy worker, that's my prerogative, as I thought I had some repairs to make to my image, which I did.
•There were no hard feelings towards Tim, Joe, or any of the crew at the Battlezone. At least, not on my part. It was simply a matter of my time was done there, and I wanted more than what they had to offer. Which is the life of wrestling. Look, I'm not saying I need to win every match; I don't. Ask anyone that knows me, I'll put anyone over and make them look like a million bucks in doing so. I'm one of the least ego-centric guys you'll ever meet in this business. This isn't about who wins and who loses, its not about doing what's right for the company, its about doing what's best for me. Why? Because
Wrestling Is A Business.
•Lemme explain:
-I'm in this business to advance my career as far as I can. Don't read that the wrong way, because at first glance, it will come across as very selfish and very greedy. Hear me out, my friends:
¤I will drop every match I'm put in if it develops and/or furthers a storyline.
¤I will work my ass off to give you as a booker a helluva match, and you as a fan your money's worth.
¤I will not bitch about any of it, because I love this business and I love being a part of this business.
¤I will continue to grow as a worker to help you in any way I possibly can build your company.
-That, as I'm fond of saying, is good business. You want me to lose every single match I'm in? Not a problem at all, as long as it either introduces a storyline or furthers one along. I have zero problems with that line of thinking. You want me to put over your greener than gooseshit worker? Hey, no problem at all. And I'll make the fans think that he's a helluva lot better than I ever thought about becoming. Why? Because that's how I do business. As long as there's a reasoning behind it, and not the fact of being buried, I'm all for it.
-I will bust my ass for you, Mr. Booker Man, to show you that I am a capable and able worker who knows what the hell is going on. You want a story told? No problem. Short story or a long one? Either one is fine with me. Ten minute match or hour long match? I'm good for either one, and everything in between. All the while giving the fans enough reason to either hate me or cheer me.
-I won't bitch about any of it. Why? Because its all part of the business. I love being in that ring doing what I do. If you book me, I thank you, and I'll make working with me as easy as possible. (Ooo, more on this in a bit.)
-I'll continue to grow, to improve, to help your company grow. I'll do whatever I have to do in the ring to get those people to come back and either watch me get my ass kicked, or pull out a victory.
Why? Say it with me, grasshopper:
It's good business.
•Now, we all should have a pretty good understanding of where my head is and what my stance is on working in this business. Bottom line is yeah, I've done things I don't agree with, all for the betterment of whichever company I am/was working for at any given time.
•I Will Not Be Buried•
•Read that heading again, if you will, especially if you are a worker. 99% of the workers reading this will agree with me. And that 1%? Chances are, they're lying to you about it. People ask me, 'Hey, Frosty, if you got signed to a WWE contract, ONLY to be used to put people over, would you do it?' How many of you out there say 'YES!'? C'mon, a show of hands. Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Would I? Probably not. Wait, let me rephrase that. No, I would not. And before you start yelling 'LIAR' at me, lemme explain. And yes, my friends, I am going somewhere with this.
¤If a guy is on TV for the sole purpose of getting his ass kicked every week with zero hope of getting over or rising up, what exactly does that tell the viewer about the guy beating him? Ooo, he can beat up some nobody. And the guy that just got his ass kicked (again!) is a nobody. Before so many of us were smartened up to the business, we all thought the same thing, now didn't we? And sure, being on TV is a cool thing, but that's not why I got into this sport.
¤ I didn't get into this business to make a gazillion dollars, I got into it for the love of wrestling. If, by chance, I was ever offered a TV spot, or a big time contract, would I turn them down? It depends on the circumstance. If I was going to be squashed every time, then yeah, I'd politely turn them down and keep churning away on the Indy scene. Why? Well, that's just the kind of guy I am. I have this set of personal standards I've set for myself, and I refuse to sell myself out for money or notoriety. I'll make it on hard work and sticking to my beliefs.
•Ok, now that I'm off of my soapbox, and we know where I stand on this subject, lemme jump back to my heading.
•I'm very protective of my character, as we all are. By protective, I don't mean half assing in the ring, and giving anything less than 110%. What I mean is, I won't allow myself to be put in situations that will harm, mar, or otherwise damage my image/character/name. I've put way too much time and work in becoming a very respected guy in this area. How? By showing and giving respect, doing the job, working my ass off, and not bitching, as I've already stated. So when a guy tells me that I'm just going to be used to put over talent, I will say 'thanks, but no thanks' and walk away from the company and find me somewhere else to work. No, I won't get on here and talk shit about you or your company. More than likely, it will be along the lines of 'things weren't working,' or 'my time here is done.' Need a better example? Read my last blog. Go ahead, we'll wait.
•You ask, 'Damn, Frosty, what the hell are you talking about here? What's the point?' Here, my friends, is my point:
¤If I feel like I'm not being used properly, I'll walk. If I feel I'm being shit upon, I'll walk. If I feel like I'm being buried, I'll walk.
¤With everything that you've read here in this blog, you should have a pretty good idea of my frame of mind. I'm all about doing good business, but if there's reason for me to walk, then I'll walk. Its my prerogative, just as it is any worker's. Its my choice, just as any worker. Its my option, just like...? Yup, you guessed it, any other worker's.
•So this leads us all the way back to the beginning. Yeah, a guy told me I was going to be used to put guys over.
What. The. Fuck?
¤I am making my comeback to the ring after months and months off, a little over a year removed from back surgery, ready to once again work my ass off, and this is the best you give me? Well, hey, sorry, pal, it looks like your company and me are going to have to part ways. Again. Hey, no worries, no problem. I go my way, you go yours. And seriously, that's not where I have a problem. If you want to use me just for that purpose, if you feel like I have nothing more to offer your company than enhancement talent, that's your prerogative. And I'm cool with that. Like I said, I'll go my way, you go yours. No hard feelings. No heat.
•Here's what pisses me off about situations, my friends. See, I try to maintain a level of professionalism when dealing with whatever company I'm working for. Whether its on the way in or the way out, I refuse to just simply shit on them in a public forum. Its bad business, its disrespectful, and, well, its pretty fucking childish. But what to do when the situation is reversed, and its me getting shit on? Well, by God, I do what any man in my shoes would do: I ask them what's the problem.
And wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Ok, I gotcha. Maybe if I'm kayfabed enough, I'll stop asking. And waiting. Hey, I was born at night, but not last night. You can kayfabe me, that's cool. No sweat offa my balls. But wait! You don't have the balls, the manhood to talk directly to me, but blast me on the internet?
Full speed into 'Pissed Off' mode.
•When I read it, yeah, it pissed me off. No, not for what he was saying. If you don't like me or have issues with me, hey buddy, get in line, there's a shit ton more where you came from. Its the fact that it was so unprofessional, so childish in nature. And this, coming from a man in position of authority. If you don't want to come to me man to man and squash whatever problems you have with me, fine. We'll both be happy not doing business with each other. But don't show how two faced and childish you really are to the internet world by posting inane bullshit and idle threats. If you're that insecure in your own self image, just shut the fuck up. Simple as that. Hey, at least with me, if I have a problem with you, I'll come to you and handle it like a man should. I won't hide behind a keyboard or computer screen to do it.
•Do I have heat with anyone in the business? From my point of view, no. I try to be cool with everyone, unless they're a dick to me. Do guys have heat with me? Apparently so. Is it warranted? Well, maybe one guy, sure. And while I'm on this subject, hey, Scooter, I was there a few weeks ago. If you had an issue with me, you should have came and spoke to me. Quit bitching about it, and let's hash it out and squash it. Its really as simple as that. Don't phone in to shows that you're booked on because I'm there. No, really. If there's an issue, let's resolve it.
¤See? I'm not a hard ass. If anyone has heat/issues/problems with me, come find me. We'll sit down over a Marlboro and end it. If that doesn't work, then we'll figure something that does. Yes, the sermon is over.
•Yeah, I know, I got a bit sidetracked there. But I'm back on the path of righteousness again, so let's continue with this thing, huh?
•Let's Take An Honest Look At Ourselves•
•Back a few lines, I listed some questions that I think we all need to answer about ourselves. Well guess what, dear readers? Here's those same questions, with my answers as honest as I can be.
¤Are you really that good that you don't have to listen to the booker?
-No. If I wanted to book a show (again), I would find a company I could book for (again). Look, its their baby, not mine. The booker has a plan that he wants to execute, and we're all pawns on the chessboard. That's just the business. Would I ever go to the ring and do the exact opposite of what the booker wanted? Absolutely not.
¤Are you really that much of a draw that you don't have to listen to the booker?
-Yes and no. Do I think I can sell out any of these Armory's or small buildings we run in? No. Not yet. Do I think I know what's best for my character? Absolutely. Will I portray a gimmick I won't be comfortable portraying? Absolutely not. If I can't get into it, how do I expect the fans to get into it.
¤Are you so sure of your talents that you can get bookings elsewhere?
-Absolutely. I have faith in myself that I can go to many, many different places other than your building. Matter of fact, I have gotten bookings in many, many different places other than your building. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. If you're good at what you do, word will get out there.
¤Can you honestly disagree with what the booker thinks will get over, no matter how much a blow it is to your ego?
-Yes. I disagreed with the biker idea. I disagreed when guys told me to drop the shirt from my gimmick. I've disagreed with becoming a comedy wrestler. Look, I'm not a biker, the shirt went with the rest of the gimmick, and I don't want to be a comedy wrestler. But, then again, I have agreed to looking like a wrestler. I have agreed to tweaking my persona, to update it. I have taken advice, been given ideas, and still seek out new ways to work.
•Back towards the top of this blog, I mentioned me working with you as easily as possible, and more on that in a minute. Well, its been a minute, dear readers, so lemme address this before I forget.
•If you run a show every week (which you do) and you and I talk (which we did) and I told you 'No, I will not make it every week,' (which I did), then don't be surprised and/or pissed off when I'm not there. I, and I alone, made that decision not to be there. Nobody coerced me into coming to that decision. Did I expect to headline your shows? Absolutely not. I even came out and said as long as I'm treated right, then I'll treat the company right. But, if I felt I was going to be misused, I'd walk. I made it very clear. Again, if things didn't work, and say it with me here, it would be no sweat offa my balls, as it would be no sweat offa theirs. My ego isn't so large as to think the show couldn't go on without me. In truth, I figured nobody there would miss not seeing me, so it wasn't that big a deal to begin with. But when one guy tells me one thing, and tells another guy something totally different....
•Okok, yes, I'm about to wrap this thing up. Yeah, I was kinda long winded with this one, but I wanted everyone who I'll be dealing with in the future to know where I stand on things. And to sum it up nice and neat, I'll end with this:
•I'm not a difficult guy to work with. All I ask for is a fair opportunity to work, and to show you what I can do. If you like my work and want to continue to book me, outstanding. I hope we'll have a long and healthy working agreement, and I'll do everything in my power to help your company grow. If you don't like what I'm about, just be straight up with me and tell me my services aren't needed. I'll thank you for the opportunity and that will be that. No hard feelings, no heat, and no drama. If, for whatever reason, you have heat/issues/problems with me, then come speak to me about them. I'm not saying we'll go out back and beat the dammit outta each other, but let's sit down and resolve the problem. Its really all very simple.
•Yes, I'm finally finished. Thanks for reading. No, really, I mean it. Help spread the word about FrostBytes, will ya?
Until next time, as always...
Support Indy Wrestling!!!
Toodles, M'Fers!!!
