Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Keeping It Safe: Why Wrestling Promotions Need To Enforce Better Security


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.



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