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Recently a young rookie wrestler from Australia contacted me and sent over a DVD of wrestling matches featuring none other than myself (uploading a short take soon)
He also sent a DVD of his latest matches at the AWF wrestling school he attends and asked for my commentary and advice regarding the matches. Here is a generalised version of wrestling tips that will be of use to many rookie wrestlers...
When you hit make it quick, at the moment it looks like you have everything prepared, make it more sudden and "surprising" to your opponent
When being choked or strangled, grapple with your hands, make it look like you are struggling to break the hold and are slowly being worn down as you lose breathe.
After a big hit or strangle play on it for a while. Stop to get your breathe, hold your neck , bend over like you are exhausted from running a marathon play it up.
For a big hit that 'injury' should be with you for the rest of the match. This gives your opponent a clear weakness to return to at a later point in the wrestling match to "turn the match" to his favour again.
When you hit, exaggerate the movement dramatically, a little jab looks like nothing, especially to someone in the back row 50 meters away. Make your movements big, remember the guy at the back has to see it too. Also big movements look more powerful
Follow through on a movement. If you hit a guy and he falls, don't stop your hand where you hit him, it looks like a slap. Follow through keep your arm swinging in a big movement, so that it looks strong enough for your opponents reaction.
For a clothesline off the ropes don't slap with a bent arm make a big swing with a straight arm, and hit hard - it won't hurt him and the sound makes it sound realistic.
Don't be afraid to hit your opponent, it looks realistic, stopping short looks crap. Alternately make the movemements big and very quick and fast so that the audience has trouble keeping close eye on each attack.
Get excited before you enter the ring, be pumped up, your excitement shows and infects the crowd.
Go to the gym and get more muscle.
Consider getting a slight tan if you are white as snow.
Between moves don't just stand there relaxed, add filling moves, do something - anything. Look to the crowd, talk to the ref (or yell), strike a pose, do something standing like a sack of spuds between moves shows lack of energy, it does not look good.
You are supposed to be in a fight, act like it.
If you bodysplash or do anything from the ropes do not land on your feet first before falling into the position. You should splash your opponent from that height, just land properly and no one will be hurt.
Match your intro music to your name and persona.
When you cover for a 3 count cover like you mean it, you are supposed to be trying to win the match - make it look like you are putting in 100% effort.
At initial lock up go in hard and fast, be aggressive.
From Paul Orndorff when I met him at the WCW Training Centre - DO NOT wear street clothes in the ring, you are supposed to be a wrestler - look like one.
When you kick out of a pin lift the arm up high to show the crowd that you have your shoulder off the ground - again exaggerate the movement for the guy in the back row.
When throwing your opponent into the corner pull him hard, move with him and as he passes you push him hard from behind and follow through make it look like he is being thrown into the corner against his will.
If you have been 'injured' and laying on the ground for a while do not suddenly get up like nothing is wrong, continue the injuery into the wrestling match.
When dropping a leg or splashing do not just fall on your opponent, jump up as high as you can to start with, take the position at the top of your jump and fall back onto them already in position - it looks more powerful.
When you hit the ropes lean right back into them and spring back out with force, use the ropes to give you additional speed.
If you hit someone with a chair make sure you hit them with the padded seat not the hard parts, and whack them good with it too.
Do not wear other federation t-shirts or merchandise anywhere as a wrestler - look and dress like a wrestler, not like a fan.
If you have a choke hold or a submission hold on then continually "work" it move the hold around, make it look like you are applying additioanal pressure and are seeking to further injure your opponent.
There you go Conan's (Seven's) guide to wrestling for newbies, most importantly make it look like a life and death struggle, don't forget to act with your face and as a wrestler overacting is often the best way to go - so ham it up.
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