Know Your Worth… But Also Know Reality: A Message to Independent Wrestlers

 

Yesterday I was chatting with another wrestling promoter about talent recruitment. We were talking about expanding rosters, bringing in fresh faces, and giving new talent a platform to shine. But he told me something that made my jaw hit the floor — the biggest issue he faces is the number of independent wrestlers asking absolutely enormous fees.

I’m talking about guys with zero national exposure, some without even established regional presence, quoting $200… $250… sometimes more.

Let me be blunt:
That is insane.
No independent wrestler with no TV time, no major buzz, and no track record of drawing outside their home county is worth that kind of money. There are legitimate legends who don’t charge much more.

Let’s break this down.

The Math Doesn’t Lie

Say you’re an indie wrestler with no known draw outside your usual loop. A promoter a few hours away contacts you for a booking. You hit him with $250.

Do you realize what that means for the promoter?

At an average ticket price of around $15, he has to sell 17 tickets just to pay you alone.

Now ask yourself — and be honest:

Are YOU personally putting 17 people in those seats?
In a town you’ve never worked?
In front of an audience that doesn’t know you exist?

Highly unlikely.

Everyone wants their gas covered. Everyone wants to make a little profit. I get that. But most of you aren’t making multi-state drives. Most promoters are booking within a 3–6 hour radius. That means:

• Gas: $30–$50

• Food: $10–$20

• Total actual expenses: $40 - $70 - probably closer to the $40.00 range.

So how does that jump to a $250 asking price?

It doesn’t.
At least, not logically.

It’s different if a long-distance drive requires a hotel room — totally understandable. But most of you aren’t in that situation.

If You Want Big Money… You Need to Draw Big Money

If you truly believe you’re worth $250, then you should be able to personally put at least 15 butts in seats. Period.

If you can do that?
Great — you’re worth what you’re asking.

If you can’t?
Then be realistic.

This business has always been built on one thing:
Can you draw?
Everything else — talent, workrate, look, buzz — is secondary to this single question.

A True Story Promoters Should Pay Attention To

There used to be a promoter in my area who ran one of the worst shows you could imagine. I’m talking glorified backyard wrestling with a ring. The quality was abysmal.

But every month he packed the local armory with 300–400 people.

So naturally, I thought:

“If he can draw that with that, imagine what I could do with a real top-notch show.”

I booked the same venue.
And I got destroyed.

I pulled over $1,500 out of my own pocket just to make sure every worker and every expense was covered.

What was he doing that I wasn’t?

I found out:
He was telling his workers,
“If you want to be on this show, you must sell X number of tickets. If you don’t, you aren’t working.”

Guess what?
They ALL met quota.
And he packed the armory every show.

I’m not saying you have to love that system.
But you can’t argue with results.

Maybe More Promoters Should Consider It

Maybe promoters everywhere should start implementing a similar policy for wrestlers — especially for those asking for ridiculous amounts.

And not just unknown workers.
Some “names” should be held to the same standard.

I know of one ex-WWE guy asking $25,000 to work a show.
Another mid-card former WWE star is asking $9,000.

Really?
Come on.
That’s not happening.

If a wrestler — indy or TV-exposed — can’t draw enough tickets to justify their price, then the promoter is the one eating the loss. And most indie promoters can’t afford to do that.

Wrestlers, This Is Not an Attack — It’s a Reality Check

I respect all of you.
I respect the bumps you take, the time you invest, the money you pour into gear, travel, and training.

But you have to know your worth — and at the same time, know the market.

Before you quote a price, ask yourself:

“Can I personally draw enough people to justify this fee?”

If the answer is no, then maybe the fee shouldn’t be that high.

Remember, your payday isn’t just what the promoter gives you.
Most promoters don’t take a cut of your merch.
That’s your money.

And if you’re working a new area, congratulations — you’re expanding your brand, reaching new fans, and building future demand.

All that has value too.

Promoters and Wrestlers Can Both Win — If Everyone Stays Realistic

At the end of the day, most promoters want to pay talent fairly.
Wrestlers want to get paid fairly.

But independent wrestling only works when both sides operate inside reality, not fantasy.

If you want $250?
Draw $250.

If you want higher bookings?
Make yourself worth higher bookings.

Because at the end of the day, wrestling is a business — and the people who thrive in this business are the ones who understand that.