How to Break Into Professional Wrestling

Co-authored by John Graden

Last Updated: December 14, 2024 Approved

There are many people who want to become professional wrestlers. In fact, it’s easier to get into the NBA than it is to get signed on with the WWE. However, if you’re serious about becoming a professional wrestler, you can make it happen with hard work and perseverance. First, join a wrestling school and learn to become a wrestler. Next, create your persona and order a custom costume. Once you’re ready to compete, you must move to Florida. Attend shows to network with WWE trainers and continue training to stay in peak physical condition.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Training to Become a Wrestler

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1
Attend a wrestling school. If you want to become a professional wrestler, you have to learn how to wrestle properly. Do an online search to find wrestling schools in your area. Look for schools that are run by former professional wrestlers. Additionally, these schools should have former students that have gotten into the WWE or the TNA.^{[1]
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Research source} Ask questions such as:
- “How much does it cost to attend your school?”
- “Have any of your graduates ever joined the WWE or the TNA?”
- “Does the instructor have professional wrestling experience?”
- If possible, find a school that hosts matches for the trainees. This will give you valuable performing experience.
2
Eat a protein-rich diet. If you want to be a professional wrestler, you have to be strong. Build and maintain your muscle mass by eating a lot of protein. Eat one gram of protein daily for every pound of body mass that you have. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, you should eat at least 160 grams of protein every day.^{[2]
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- Greek yogurt (23 grams of protein per serving), whey protein powder (24 grams of protein per scoop), ground beef (18 grams of protein per serving), and chicken breasts (24 grams per serving) are all high in protein.
- For example, if you ate two chicken breasts, a cup of broccoli, and drank a protein shake for lunch, you would have eaten 74.6 grams of protein.
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3
Do strength training exercises. These exercises build your muscles and increase your strength.^{[3]
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Research source} Strength training exercises usually involve repetitive lifting of heavy weights. For example, bicep curls are a strength exercise that builds up your biceps. Other examples include:
- Deadlifts to increase your overall strength
- Push ups to build upper-body strength
- Calf raises to improve your leg strength
4
Add cardio to your workout. Many people who want to build muscles skip cardio training because they think it’s unnecessary. However, it will increase your endurance and help you stay active for long periods of time. If you do cardio often, you won’t get tired out quickly when you’re wrestling. Cardio exercises include:
- Running on a treadmill
- Going for a jog
- Using an exercise bike

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Creating Your Character

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1
Decide on a persona. Professional wrestlers often use a persona while competing. First, choose whether you’ll be a “good guy” or a “bad guy.” Next, create a heavily exaggerated personality for your character. For example, if you’re a bad guy, you could be a loud, angry clown with an unreasonable love for flamingos.
- Give your character a crazy backstory to help you craft a memorable persona.
- Alternatively, create your persona by exaggerating aspects of your existing personality. For example, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays a more intense version of himself on stage.
2
Choose a name. Your character’s name should reflect their personality. Think of what kinds of names would be meaningful to your character. For example, the angry, flamingo-loving clown might be called “Pinkie.” Other great names include:
- “The Ogre” for a large, unpleasant-looking bad guy
- “Sir Lancelot” for a charming, medieval-themed good guy
- “Earthquake” for a large, powerful man of few words.
3
Create a signature pose or gesture. Many famous wrestlers have signature movements that set them apart from their peers. Stand out from the crowd by inventing character-specific poses that you can strike throughout a wrestling match. For example:
- “The Ogre” might shout insults at the crowd every time he hurts the “good guy”
- “Sir Lancelot” may throw roses out into the crowd as he enters the ring
- “Earthquake” might stomp his feet and yell before each match
4
Choose an outfit. Contact a wrestling outfit manufacturer when you’re ready to choose an outfit. Do an online search to find a manufacturer or talk to your instructor for recommendations. These manufacturers will be able to help you design a good outfit based off of your name and your persona. However, be prepared to wait a few weeks for your costume to be finished.
- These costumes are often expensive. However, if you use a ready-made costume, your look won’t be unique or memorable.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Getting Signed With the WWE

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1
Move to Orlando, Florida. Many professional wrestlers and coaches advise serious wrestlers to move to the U.S. state of Florida. Orlando, FL is the home of the WWE Performance Center and has a huge wrestling circuit. If you’re lucky, you may meet a great booking agent or get to wrestle against a developing WWE wrestler.
- A developing WWE wrestler is a wrestler that is being considered for the WWE. Any match they compete in will be watched by WWE officials.
2
Network at wrestling shows. Attend as many wrestling shows in Orlando as you can. Make an effort to talk with any booking agents, trainers, or wrestlers that you see. This is called networking. Many professional wrestlers believe that knowing the right people can open doors that would otherwise be closed to you.^{[4]
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- For example, if you meet a trainer and they like you, they may call you if a show opens up.
3
Find a manager or agent. A manager, also known as a booking agent, will help you find wrestling matches and work to further your career. Do an online search to find reputable agencies in your area. Alternatively, talk to your wrestling instructor or an experienced wrestler for help finding a good manager.
- It may be hard to get a good manager early on in your career. If so, continue finding matches on your own to build a name for yourself.
- Avoid people who want to take advantage of you. For example, don’t give a stranger money to book you.
4
Build a following on social media. The best way to become a famous wrestler is to draw attention to yourself. There are many social media websites that are the perfect platform for online attention. First, create a professional Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Next, stay active on your social media accounts to keep your audience interested in what you have to say. For example:
- Post some lighthearted jokes to make your fans laugh.
- Create posts announcing your upcoming matches and their results.
- Post pictures of yourself in your wrestling outfit on your Instagram. Use a variety of poses to make the pictures interesting.
5
Continue training. Keep yourself in peak physical condition by lifting weights, doing cardio, and participating in wrestling matches. To participate in matches, join a wrestling gym or wrestling club. Alternatively, talk to wrestling venues and tell them that you’re willing to wrestle for free. This will give you a great training session as well as performing experience.
- Find wrestling gyms near you by doing an online search or talking to a trainer.
Dwayne Johnson, Professional Wrestler, Actor, and Businessman

Consistent exercise is necessary to reach your goals. "Training is my anchor every day, regardless of whether I'm on a set or at home."

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Will the WWE give me a salary?

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Yes the WWE gives you a salary, but the amount depends on how good you are and how long your contract is.

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What painful submissions can I have?

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Obviously you don't want any of your submissions to be actually painful, as you're not looking to really hurt anyone. That said, I always enjoyed the crippled crossface and the rings of Saturn. But you could also get creative and make up your own!

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Is it important to have a manager in WWE?

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Many wrestlers don't have managers, so it's not a necessity, but you may prefer to have one. It's up to you.

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Be sure to do your research! Make sure to study up on what has happened in WWE and other similar companies in the past.
As generic as it may sound, it's important believe in yourself when you're trying to become a professional wrestler.

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