Protecting Your Promotion: Keeping Sexual Predators and Criminals Out of the Locker Room

 

In the world of independent professional wrestling, a single headline can undo years of hard work. Just last night, a Kentucky-based wrestler was arrested and charged with child sex crimes. For every promoter who takes pride in running an honest, family-friendly wrestling show, this should serve as a wake-up call.

Wrestling is built on trust — the trust between promoter and fan, wrestler and promoter, and performer and performer. When that trust is broken by a predator or criminal, the damage isn’t just legal or financial — it’s moral, reputational, and personal. Promoters have a duty to protect their locker rooms, their fans, and their brand.

Here are practical ways to do it.

1. Run Background Checks — Every Time

Every wrestler, referee, manager, and staff member should undergo a basic background check before being booked.

• Use reputable services: Sites like BeenVerified, TruthFinder, or a local law enforcement office can provide quick, affordable checks.

• Don’t skip independent contractors: “He’s a nice guy” isn’t a background check.

• Make it standard policy: When everyone knows checks are required, the ones with something to hide will avoid your promotion.

• Do your own background research on the individual. You would be surprised what you can find with Google.com, social media and mugshot websites without spending the first penny.

2. Require Real Names and IDs

Every wrestler must provide a valid, government-issued ID and fill out a signed booking form. This not only helps you protect your business but also proves you did your due diligence if issues ever arise.

Never book someone you know only by a ring name or reputation online. You need to know who is in your ring, not just what they call themselves.

3. Enforce a Zero-Tolerance Policy

Make it crystal clear — your promotion will not tolerate:

• Any sexual misconduct or harassment

• Any form of violence outside the ring

• Possession or use of illegal substances

• Crimes involving minors

Put this in writing and require every wrestler to sign it before working a show. If anyone violates it, terminate the booking immediately and ban them from future events.

4. Verify Licensing and Commission Status

In states like Kentucky, the Boxing and Wrestling Commission licenses wrestlers, referees, and promoters. Always verify a wrestler’s license status and confirm that it’s valid and in good standing. The commission can often flag individuals who are under suspension or investigation.

5. Keep Your Locker Room Professional

Create a locker room culture that discourages inappropriate behavior before it starts.

• No minors backstage unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• Designate clear locker room boundaries (men’s, women’s, staff).

• Appoint a trusted locker room leader or agent to monitor behavior when you’re busy running the show.

• Never allow “after parties” or alcohol-fueled gatherings to be associated with your promotion.

6. Partner with Local Law Enforcement

Reach out to your local police department or sheriff’s office. Let them know your promotion runs family events and that you take safety seriously. Some departments will even help conduct free or reduced-cost background screenings. A simple relationship like that could protect you down the road.

7. Educate and Empower Your Talent

Encourage wrestlers and staff to report inappropriate conduct immediately. Make it clear that anyone who speaks up about a concern will not be blacklisted or punished. Silence protects predators — not your brand.

8. Audit Your Roster Regularly

Promoters often book months in advance, but things can change fast. Periodically re-check your roster’s public records, especially for those who have been inactive or working in other states. Someone who had a clean record last year might not today.

9. Be Transparent with Fans

If a situation arises — such as a wrestler being arrested or charged — address it professionally and quickly. A brief public statement confirming that the individual has been removed from all future bookings demonstrates leadership and integrity. Trying to hide it will only make things worse.

10. Protect the Business You Love

Pro wrestling is a brotherhood and a business. The actions of one criminal can ruin the reputation of an entire promotion, or worse — cause real harm to victims. As promoters, you are the gatekeepers of your locker room and your community.

By setting clear standards, verifying who you book, and prioritizing safety, you’re not only protecting your promotion — you’re protecting the integrity of professional wrestling itself.

Trust Your Gut: The Promoter’s Sixth Sense in Professional Wrestling

 

Every promoter has experienced it.

You’re scrolling through social media, checking flyers for upcoming shows in your region, and a certain wrestler’s face pops up. Maybe you’ve never met them personally. Maybe you’ve only seen their name floating around a few cards. But something about them doesn’t sit right. The hair stands up on the back of your neck. your skin crawls, you get a very nauseous feeling. 

I've experienced it. All promoters have at some point.

It’s not jealousy. It’s not competition. It’s intuition.

As promoters, we shake a lot of hands, read a lot of messages, and work with all types of personalities. Some of them are salt-of-the-earth professionals — reliable, respectful, and passionate about the business. Others, well… let’s just say they bring more trouble than talent.

You can’t always explain it, but your gut knows.

Maybe it’s the way they talk online. Maybe it’s the energy they give off in their photos or promos. Maybe it’s a story you heard in passing that never left your mind. Whatever it is — that uneasiness you feel isn’t random. It’s your internal alarm system warning you to proceed with caution.

The Cost of Ignoring That Feeling

Too many promoters have learned the hard way.
They booked someone against their better judgment — even though something told them don’t do it. And before long, that one booking turned into a headache: locker room drama, no-shows, unprofessional behavior, maybe even something worse that damaged the promotion’s reputation.

In this business, your instincts are your best insurance policy.
When you ignore them, you often end up paying the price — financially, professionally, and sometimes morally.

Protect Your Locker Room, Protect Your Brand

A promoter’s job isn’t just to put on matches; it’s to create a safe, respectable environment.
That means protecting your wrestlers, your fans, your sponsors, and your own name from those who don’t deserve to be associated with your brand. If your gut tells you someone is “off,” listen to it. Do a little digging. Ask around quietly. Check references. Wrestling is a small world — word gets around.

And if something still feels wrong, it probably is.

Experience Is the Best Teacher

Every veteran promoter has a few regrets — a booking that backfired, a handshake they wish they hadn’t made. Over time, you learn that your gut instinct is rarely wrong. It’s built from years of observation, pattern recognition, and human interaction. It’s not superstition; it’s survival.

So, when that uneasy feeling creeps up, don’t ignore it.
In an industry filled with showmanship and personas, the best thing you can do behind the curtain is be honest with yourself.

If someone gives you the chills, there’s a reason.
Trust your gut. Protect your house.

The New Frontier: When Wrestlers Choose OnlyFans Over the Open Road

 

There’s a quiet shift happening in the world of professional wrestling—a shift that’s shaking locker rooms, promoters, and long-time traditions to the core. For decades, wrestlers have driven hundreds of miles for a modest payday, slept in cheap hotels, and sacrificed their bodies in front of small-town crowds. But now, many of those same wrestlers—both male and female—are discovering that the next “booked show” isn’t in an armory or civic center. It’s online, behind a paywall.

The Rise of the Wrestler-Influencer

The wrestling industry has always flirted with entertainment beyond the ring—movies, merchandise, and meet-and-greets have long been part of the hustle. But the explosion of adult platforms like OnlyFans and Fansly has created a new, profitable lane for wrestlers looking to capitalize on their physiques, charisma, and already-established fanbases. In fact some of you may have jumped on the OnlyFans or Fansly bandwagon. (If you are brave enough drop your links in the comments - just don't expect me to subscribe. :p )

Many of these performers already have large social media followings. They understand lighting, posing, and storytelling—skills that translate seamlessly into creating online content. On top of that, wrestlers often have personas built on sexuality, confidence, and mystery. In today’s content-driven world, that combination is currency.

The Financial Reality

Let’s be honest—independent wrestling doesn’t pay like it used to, and it never paid much to begin with. Between gas, food, hotel rooms, and wear-and-tear on the body, a weekend’s worth of bookings might net a few hundred dollars at best. Contrast that with the income some wrestlers are making online—hundreds, even thousands of dollars a month for content that requires no travel, no bumps, and no promoters taking a cut.

When a wrestler realizes they can make as much (or more) in a few hours at home as they can on the road—without risking injury or exhaustion—the decision becomes less about passion and more about practicality. Wrestling is hard. Content creation, by comparison, is comfortable and safe.

Promoters in a New Battle

This new economic reality puts wrestling promoters in an unexpected position—they’re not just competing with rival promotions anymore; they’re competing with the internet.

How do you convince a wrestler to drive six hours for a $150 payoff when they can earn the same amount in half an hour from their living room? The old-school promise of “exposure” doesn’t hold up when social media analytics and subscription metrics already prove their value directly to their fans.

Promoters are now forced to rethink incentives—better pay, stronger branding opportunities, higher-quality events, or even creative freedom—to make live wrestling worthwhile again. In short, wrestling promotions need to evolve to remain relevant to performers who no longer need them to survive.

Changing Culture, Same Hustle

Critics might scoff and claim this new wave tarnishes the image of professional wrestling. But, in truth, wrestling has always been about performance, attraction, and selling a story. The platforms may be different, but the hustle remains the same—entertain, engage, and earn.

In many ways, wrestlers branching into adult entertainment are simply using the tools available in 2025 to do what wrestlers have always done: make a living off their image and identity. The difference is that now, they have control. They set their own prices, choose their own schedules, and define their own boundaries.

The Road Ahead

This growing crossover between wrestling and adult content isn’t a fad—it’s a reflection of modern economics and technology colliding with an industry built on charisma and self-promotion.

Some wrestlers will balance both worlds—performing in the ring while maintaining their online empires. Others will hang up their boots altogether, realizing they can achieve the same sense of connection and income through a camera instead of a crowd.

And for promoters, the challenge is clear: make professional wrestling worth the trip again.

---

My Take as a Promoter and Historian

As someone who’s spent years around the ring—watching talent come and go, seeing what draws crowds and what doesn’t—I can’t say I blame wrestlers for looking elsewhere. The business has changed. The days of driving four hours for twenty minutes of ring time and a handshake are over. If anything, this shift should wake up promoters across the country.

We can either complain about losing talent to online platforms, or we can create an environment that wrestlers want to be part of again. That means offering real opportunity—better paydays, professional production, and meaningful storylines that help them build their brand. If a promoter can’t offer that, they can’t expect loyalty from wrestlers who now have other, more lucrative options.

The truth is, wrestling has always adapted. From territory days to cable TV to streaming, the business finds a way to survive. The same will happen here—but it’s going to require a hard look at how we treat the people who make wrestling what it is: the wrestlers themselves.

If you’re a promoter, pay your people what they’re worth.
If you’re a wrestler, know your value—and decide what kind of legacy you want to leave behind.
Because in today’s world, everyone’s got options.

Barefoot Wrestling: Why It’s a Line I Won’t Cross

 

By Joe Clark, Wrestling Promoter & Author

Every promoter has their own standards when it comes to who they’ll book — gear, attitude, locker-room etiquette, and work ethic all matter. But there’s one thing that’s an automatic dealbreaker for me: barefoot wrestling.

I know some "names" did it — Kevin Von Erich, Jimmy Snuka, Umaga, Matt Riddle — and sure, they were talented in their own right. But times change, and so do expectations when it comes to professionalism and hygiene.

Let’s call it like it is: wrestling barefoot is unsanitary, unprofessional, and disrespectful to your opponent.

The Hygiene Problem

Feet carry fungus, bacteria, and disease. Even the cleanest person has sweat, dead skin, and odor issues — it’s biology. Add the fact that most guys don’t properly take care of their feet, and you’re talking about calloused, scaley, dirty, and often smelly skin being rubbed across another person’s body in a match.

It’s gross. And in an industry built on respect and trust between performers, it’s also inconsiderate.

Respecting Your Opponent

Wrestling is intimate by nature — two people telling a story through physical contact, trusting one another not to injure or humiliate the other. That trust gets tested when one wrestler decides to forgo boots or shoes altogether.

I’ve always believed in giving every worker fair treatment, but I’ll be honest: I wouldn’t want someone’s bare feet touching me, and I doubt most wrestlers would either. Unless someone has a particular interest or fetish in feet (and that’s their own business outside the ring), no one wants to roll around with another man’s bare soles pressed against them.

It’s not about style — it’s about respect.

Promoter’s Responsibility

If a promoter books someone who wrestles barefoot, they owe it to the opponent to give them a heads-up before the match is confirmed. Some might not care, but others might have serious objections — and that should be respected. No wrestler should be put in an uncomfortable or potentially unsanitary situation just because the promoter didn’t disclose that detail.

In my case, though, it’s simple: I don’t book barefoot wrestlers, period.

Wrestling Is a Professional Sport — Act Like It

If you want to be taken seriously as a professional, you should look, act, and perform like one. That means clean gear, proper footwear, and respect for the business and the people sharing the ring with you.

The audience might not always see the little things, but the locker room notices — and so do the promoters who sign the checks.

Barefoot wrestling may have a nostalgic place in the history books, but in today’s scene, it’s better left there.

When the Problem Is You (And How Promoters Can Avoid the Chaos)

 

Part 1: Wrestlers — Take a Hard Look in the Mirror

Every locker room has that one person — the storm cloud that never moves on. The one who always has “heat” with somebody. They’ve got a problem with the promoter. They’ve got a problem with the booker. They’ve got a problem with the other wrestlers. They’ve got a problem with the fans.

At some point, the pattern becomes clear: if everybody else is the problem, then you’re the problem.

Professional wrestling is built on relationships — trust, respect, and teamwork. If you can’t get along, can’t take direction, or constantly stir the pot, you’re not a “real” worker; you’re a liability. The truth is, attitude will close more doors than talent ever will. You can be the most gifted performer in the locker room, but if your name brings eye rolls instead of excitement, you’ve already lost.

And let’s be real — it’s not about politics, jealousy, or who’s “burying” who. It’s about professionalism. Promoters remember who caused the headaches, who no-showed, who talked down to fans, who couldn’t work with others. The wrestlers who last the longest are the ones who make everyone’s job easier, not harder.

So before blaming the “haters” or the “business changing,” maybe it’s time to look in the mirror and ask — why am I the common denominator?

Part 2: Promoters — Protect Your Locker Room

As a promoter, your number one responsibility is to protect your locker room and your product. That means keeping drama out before it ever has a chance to walk in the door.

Wrestlers with a track record of chaos usually come with warning signs: stories from other promotions, public blowups on social media, constant conflicts wherever they go. Don’t ignore those red flags. If someone’s reputation consistently follows them — and not in a good way — believe it.

The old saying holds true: “Past behavior predicts future behavior.” If a person burned every bridge in their last promotion, odds are they’ll do the same in yours.

When booking talent, do your homework. Quietly ask other promoters and wrestlers you trust about their experience with that person. Listen to what’s not being said — if someone dodges the question, that silence speaks volumes.

And when in doubt, choose peace over problems. The short-term pop of bringing in a controversial name isn’t worth the long-term headaches of dealing with them. A solid locker room of dependable, respectful professionals will always outlast the loudmouth who can’t get along.

In wrestling — just like in life — reputation is everything.

Closing Thought

The business is tough enough without unnecessary drama. If you’re a wrestler, be teachable, humble, and self-aware. If you’re a promoter, be wise, firm, and protective of your company’s culture.

The right attitude can build a career. The wrong one can destroy it — no matter how many “comebacks” you try to make.

When Love Kills the Dream: How Relationships Derail Young Ambitions

 Every once in a while, you see a quote that hits harder than a steel chair to the back.

Pro wrestler Angel Purehart said it best: “Chase your dreams, not girls.”

Simple. Honest. And absolutely true.

The Harsh Reality Behind the Ropes

Not long ago, I saw a promoter hyping up a new tag team — two brothers coming to their promotion. Naturally, as a promoter myself, I did what I always do: I researched them.

They looked young — maybe still in high school. But what stood out wasn’t their in-ring potential, it was their social media. Every other photo was them hugged up with their girlfriends. Dozens of posts about their relationship with their significant other.

And right then, I knew: wrestling wasn’t their number-one priority. It might not even be number three. Most likely, no matter how talented they may be, they will never advance beyond the occasional indie show.

I'm not saying that relationships are evil — they’re not. But when you’re trying to make it in a business as demanding as professional wrestling, distractions are dream-killers. This business requires total obsession. If your mind’s divided between love, likes, and late-night texts, you’ll never fully commit to the grind.

The Price of Distraction

I’ve watched countless young talents with all the potential in the world fade away because they couldn’t focus. The minute they hit puberty, they started thinking that they have to be in a relationship.  They thought with their hormones instead of with their head and common sense.  Some got caught up in relationships. Others had kids too soon. Some just couldn’t handle the emotional rollercoaster that comes with trying to balance both.

Meanwhile, the ones who stayed laser-focused — the ones who sacrificed parties, popularity, and relationships — are the ones getting booked, getting noticed, and living their dream.

Dreams die quietly. Not because of lack of talent, but because of misplaced priorities.

This isn’t just about wrestling — it’s about life. Musicians, athletes, creators, entrepreneurs — I’ve seen it in every field. A young person finds their passion, starts showing promise… then gets into a relationship that drains their time, energy, and focus. Suddenly the dream takes a back seat, and before long, it’s forgotten altogether.

There’s nothing wrong with love — when it’s the right time. But too many young people mistake attachment for purpose. And purpose should always come first.

So to every young wrestler, artist, or dreamer out there:
Don’t chase girls. Don’t chase boys. Chase your dreams.

Love will find you when the time is right. But opportunity? Opportunity doesn’t wait.

Be obsessed. Be disciplined. Be the one who stayed focused when everyone else got distracted.

Because one day, when you’re standing in the spotlight, hand raised high, you’ll realize —
that quote wasn’t just advice. It was prophecy.

The Death of the Thigh Slap / Leg Slap: Why Wrestlers Need to Stop Killing the Illusion

 Every wrestling fan has seen it by now — a perfectly timed smack that echoes through the arena… yet the “kick” completely misses the target. No contact, no impact, just a loud slap of skin and an even louder groan from the audience.

It’s the classic leg slap, once a clever little trick to enhance realism. But now? It’s become one of the most overused and exposed habits in modern professional wrestling — and it’s slowly killing the art of illusion that the business was built on.

---

What the Leg Slap Was Supposed to Be

In the old days, the leg slap was a secret weapon. When done right, it was barely noticeable — a subtle flick of the thigh hidden behind the opponent’s body. The sound matched the motion. The audience didn’t see it; they felt it.

It was part of the craft — the unspoken magic that made fans suspend disbelief. Guys like Shawn Michaels mastered it. The sound wasn’t just for the move; it sold the story.

But somewhere along the way, wrestlers forgot the “illusion” part and focused only on the “sound.”

---

When It’s Obvious, It’s Embarrassing

When a wrestler whiffs a superkick or a strike by six inches and still produces that unmistakable smack, it destroys the moment instantly. Fans aren’t dumb. Even the casual ones notice.

Instead of gasping at the impact, the crowd laughs. They shake their heads. They pull out their phones and tweet, “Nice air kick, bro.”

The moment you break that illusion, you’re no longer performing professional wrestling — you’re performing pretend wrestling.

And that hurts everyone on the card.

And yes, I actually saw that on a pro wrestling video recently. The kick never even connected, it was several inches off. And yet we had the "smack." That killed the match instantly.

---

The Business Depends on Believability

Professional wrestling has always been about “working snug but safe.” The best wrestlers make it look like a fight without actually hurting each other. That balance is sacred.

When a move looks fake — when fans can clearly see there’s no contact — you lose emotional investment. The drama evaporates.

Promoters, take note: believability sells tickets. Not thigh slaps.

---

Less Is More

There’s nothing wrong with using a little sound to enhance a strike, but not every move needs it. When every forearm, every kick, and every chop comes with the same exaggerated smack, it turns the show into a parody.

Save it for the big moments. Use it when it matters. Make it mean something again.

Wrestling isn’t about how loud your leg slaps are — it’s about how well you tell a story between those ropes.

---

Final Thought

The leg slap isn’t the enemy. Carelessness is. If you’re going to use it, hide it. If you can’t hide it, don’t use it.

Because when the sound doesn’t match the sight, the magic dies — and once fans stop believing in the illusion, it’s a long road to get them back.

Why Referees Should Never Attack Wrestlers

 

Professional wrestling has always walked a fine line between sport and spectacle. The magic of the business comes from presenting a contest that feels real enough to suspend disbelief while entertaining enough to keep fans invested. But in recent years, one troubling trend has chipped away at that balance: referees physically assaulting, attacking, or shoving wrestlers.

This practice should never happen—and here’s why.

---

The Role of the Referee

A referee in professional wrestling has one core job: maintain order and enforce the rules. They are the authority figure, not a competitor. Their presence adds credibility to the contest. When a referee gets involved physically beyond the standard push-away or separation, they cross into territory that undermines the entire match.

Wrestling is built on hierarchy. Wrestlers are the stars; referees are the supporting cast. When that line blurs, credibility crumbles.

---

It Makes Wrestlers Look Weak

The number one reason referees should not be attacking wrestlers is simple: it makes the wrestlers look weak.

Wrestlers are presented as trained athletes and fighters. They’re supposed to withstand devastating finishers, brutal strikes, and grueling matches. But when a non-wrestling referee—whose gimmick is being impartial and authoritative—can shove or drop a competitor, it destroys the aura of toughness the wrestler has worked hard to build.

To the fan watching, if a wrestler can’t handle a referee’s push or slap, why should they be seen as credible against another wrestler? It damages the illusion and the star power of the athlete.

---

It Shifts the Spotlight Away from the Match

Every match should be about the wrestlers telling their story in the ring. The referee is there to enhance that story—not become part of it. When referees start physically inserting themselves, the spotlight shifts away from the wrestlers. Fans end up talking about the referee’s actions instead of the actual wrestling.

This is not only disrespectful to the performers but also shortchanges the audience, who paid to see the athletes compete, not to watch referees play hero or villain.

---

It Breaks the Suspension of Disbelief

Wrestling thrives when the suspension of disbelief is intact. Fans may know it’s scripted entertainment, but they’re willing to believe in the struggle when it’s presented seriously. A referee getting physical beyond their role reminds the audience that the performance is just that—a performance.

It turns serious storytelling into comedy or parody, and unless that’s the explicit intent of the segment (like in a comedic promotion), it undermines the product.

---

The Right Way to Use Referees

That’s not to say referees should never interact physically. There are traditional spots—like preventing illegal holds, separating wrestlers in the corner, or getting inadvertently bumped—that enhance drama. But the key word is inadvertent.

A referee taking an accidental bump can add sympathy, chaos, or unpredictability to a match. But once that referee becomes an aggressor, the match dynamic breaks down.

---

Protecting the Wrestlers, Protecting the Business

Ultimately, the goal of any wrestling promotion should be to protect its wrestlers. They are the investment, the stars, and the product fans pay to see. Allowing referees to assault or overpower wrestlers weakens the wrestlers’ credibility and, by extension, the credibility of the company.

For professional wrestling to remain strong, referees need to stay in their lane: officials, not participants. When referees do their job right, the wrestlers look stronger, the matches feel more real, and the business as a whole benefits.

---

✅ Bottom line: In professional wrestling, referees should never attack or shove wrestlers. Doing so not only makes the wrestler look weak but also damages the integrity of the match, the company, and the sport itself.