When
I first began to learn Pro Wrestling, I trained everyday in a small ring of
the 2nd floor in the Olympic Auditorium. I drove in 110 miles one way, 4 x
a week to train, but I also needed to work out on my own. In my hometown there
were no rings to use only wrestling mats upstairs at a YMCA and they would
separate on the floors when you would fall on them. But, it was all I had
access to. There were also no wrestlers in town to work with, but only some
guys in the weight room whom I'd pull in to practice holds on.
Of course they weren't 'smart' to the business and I had to work a little
stiff with them, but by showing them what I had learned from week to week,
also improved what I already had learned.
As time went on and I started working on a steady basis, I continued to improve as anyone would if they were dedicated. But through the years, the rise and fall of wrestling took a toll on my skills along with everyone else's. Down time gives you 'ring rust'. Same as riding a bike or playing guitar. You have to pick up where you left off, re-educate yourself and go from there.
I was off for a few years and then decided that I'd get back in to it. I purchased a used ring from Red Bastien, which was used for WWF Shows. I had no idea where I was going to put it so it ended up in my backyard against my wife's wishes, but I told her, just squint your eyes when you look out back and the blue canvas will look very much like you have a swimming pool out there. Hmm, she wouldn't buy it! But, I put it up and got some of the boys over to work out. Bumps hurt a bit after being off, but we had fun. I also took on some students and began to train them. After a couple of years I was persuaded to sell the ring. I wasn't getting that much use out of it. I rented it out for a few TV Shows and then it sat there. Well, I sold it. Then I missed it and a couple of more years went by. At that time, I decided to bring the AWF back and run some shows. Wrestling was reaching 'new heights'. I ran a few shows, had a great time, felt a bit rusty along with everyone else, so guess what? I had a ring built. A nice 16 footer and it's back in my yard again. I've had it up a couple of years now and run classes 4 x a week and use it for shows, etc. It's getting a lot of use and it's paid for itself over and over. No more complaints from my wife as she teaches gymnastics and comes out for our warm-up classes and really enjoys it. I have around 8 girls, so she feels right at home.
Something I found out over the past year that has really helped me, was instructing others. Showing the bumps, holds, high spots, and then critiquing them after the students did their spots. I saw things that weren't right and re established in my own mind how to do them. I really improved my work by sharing my knowledge with others, plus it brought back a lot of things I used to do that I had forgotten.
I worked a show last month and my ring work was 100% better than last year, just from instructing.
If you want to get better at something and improve your skills, take on some students or some friends. Find a place with mats if you don't have a ring and share your knowledge. You will find new ways to execute holds and do moves that you never thought of before and it will definitely improve your work. You re-validate what you already know and it will make you a better worker. Try it. I'd like to hear how it works for you.