Keeping It Safe: Why
Wrestling Promotions Need To Enforce Better Security
By Ashley Matthew
Wrestler and fan related incidents have been occurring at
shows for quite a long time, particularly at independent promotions. However, these
types of incidents between wrestlers and fans have recently increased with mainstream
promotions. While some promotions mention to their fans that they cannot touch
the wrestlers apart from a handshake or a high five, this policy is not always
properly enforced, leading to potentially dangerous situations for the
wrestlers when fans take things a bit too far.
So how can situations such as fans trying to pick fights with wrestlers,
fans touching or grabbing the wrestlers inappropriately, fans jumping the
barricades to attack wrestlers and fans throwing items such as chairs and water
bottles to the wrestlers be better avoided?
While there is no particular “be all, end all” solution,
better security measures can help to better prevent incidents from happening at
wrestling shows. For example, had security personnel actually stepped in to
intervene like they are supposed to do, Taya Valkyrie could have avoided being
spat on by a fan, Scarlett Bordeaux could have avoided being grabbed and almost
pulled over the barrier by a fan and The Allure could have avoided the
harassment they all received from one fan in particular at a recent show they
performed at. Security needs to be properly trained on how to handle situations
where fans get out of control. It shouldn’t be a wrestler’s responsibility to
step in and take on security’s job by intervening to help their fellow workers
out when a fan decides to act inappropriately at a show. Much respect though to
the wrestlers that have stepped in to help their fellow workers during any
incident that security has failed to assist on!
Although every promotion really needs to have them, barricades
are not sufficient enough to prevent incidents from happening as evident by situations
such as Eddie Guerrero being pushed off a ladder by a fan and both Bret Hart
and Randy Orton being attacked in the ring by fans that decided to jump
barricades. While barricades are there to further protect fans and wrestlers, security
needs to be trained to act quickly and professionally when an incident arises. With
security not being properly prepared or trained for any incident that could
arise, the wrestlers and fans are both being put in danger.
For example, Bret Hart being attacked at the Hall Of Fame
Ceremony also put Natalya in danger of possibly getting hurt as she was right
next to her uncle in the ring at the time of the attack. Additionally, a fan
could try to do something foolish and irresponsible, leading them to
potentially hurt other fans around them. Not to mention, the fans causing
trouble could get hurt themselves if a wrestler has no choice but to defend themselves
all because security isn’t doing anything to resolve the matter. Promotions
need to be making sure their security is properly trained through certified courses,
training seminars and classes on how to handle dangerous situations in a swift
manner.
Often, wrestlers need to be in specific areas of the ring or
arena at certain times during a match, in order for certain moves they planned
out to be executed properly and safely. If a fan chooses to get involved where
they aren’t supposed to by either grabbing or attacking a wrestler, that
wrestler they grabbed or attacked cannot be in the proper area they need to be
for certain spots, further potentially placing any wrestler involved in the
match in danger or risk. Fans need to consistently be made aware to not physically
interfere in a wrestler’s performance and security needs to step up their game
by being alert at all times in case an incident may occur by a fan who chooses
to conduct themselves in a disrespectful and misbehaving manner at a show.
In conclusion, fans, please act respectfully and responsibly
at wrestling shows. Just like musicians at a concert, actors in a theater play and
other entertainers out there in their respective career fields, the wrestlers
booked for the show you attend are there to perform for you. They are not there
to be harassed or assaulted by you. If you wouldn’t want someone grabbing or
touching your child, significant other or a family member close to you in an
inappropriate way, please don’t grab or touch wrestlers in that way.
If you want to interact with the wrestlers, it is ok to ask
them politely for a photo, high five or autograph. If you are respectful about
asking for a high five, autograph or photo, most will be happy to oblige so
long as they have the time to do so, meaning they don’t have to rush to make it
their job outside of wrestling or to another booked show in time or leave the
building to take care of some other important commitment. It is not ok to do
something ignorant, illegal and in poor taste towards a wrestler just because
you feel you are entitled to do so, because you bought a ticket or to try and
get a little bit of attention, popularity or fame. All it will do is make you
look bad in the long run.
Security, if you see an incident occurring, please don’t
just stand there and do nothing but watch it happen or keep chatting with your
friends. Please take your job seriously and be professional enough to actually
do the job you are expected to do. Promoters,
please make sure the security at your promotion is doing their jobs properly
and please keep your fans aware to act maturely, civilly and dignified at
shows. By doing this, we can avoid any more serious incidents from happening
because it shouldn’t have to take a more tragic event to happen for promotions
to get more serious about enforcing proper safety and security measures at
shows.
