By Jared Curtis

Co-owner/promoter and evil 3XW Commissioner Todd Countryman. He manages the 3XW Heavyweight Champion Gage Octane and 3XW Pure Wrestling Champion Mark Sterling also known as the Gentlemen's Club.

The lights go down, the crowd cheers and… boom! The pyrotechnics explode causing fans to scream with excitement as a large man walks out from behind a curtain and has the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. Welcome to professional wrestling.

“Our goal is to provide fans with something entertaining to watch. I realize we will never be the WWE [World Wrestling Entertainment], but I also know we can put on exciting and entertaining events that a lot of people will enjoy,” said Todd Countryman, co-owner and promoter of 3XWrestling based in Des Moines. “Knowing we make people happy is a very satisfying thing.”

At one time, professional wrestling was bigger than baseball, and with the help of WWE owner Vince McMahon and former WCW [World Championship Wrestling] executive vice president Eric Bischoff, professional wrestling has become more than a sport; it has become a marketing-driven soap opera full of sex and violence. These two men competed in the biggest rivalry in sports history, bigger than Red Sox/Yankees, Duke/North Carolina, northside/southside. They created the Monday night competition that dominated television throughout the ’90s. Battling on two stations with two different organizations, this war was the pinnacle of professional wrestling. But before getting in too deep, let’s take a look at the beginning of the sport and where it’s heading today thanks to small independent leagues like 3XW.

The beginning

“Over time the sport has had many peaks and valleys,” said Mike Chapman, executive director of the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo and author of numerous books on the sport. “Life’s full of choices, and it’s up to each individual to determine what money is to be made, as well as how long they want to be a part of this profession.”

Until the 1920s, professional wrestling was the king of sports in North America. From the dawn of time, people have been wrestling for prestige, to settle scores and determine leaders. Greeks and Romans took this sport to new levels, inventing the Greco-Roman style. During the late 1800s, wrestling was on display during carnivals and circus shows. At these “athletic shows,” the wrestlers were covered in bright attire and had fictional character backgrounds to entice the crowd. Pioneers like Martin “Farmer” Burns and his protégé, Iowa farmer Frank Gotch, (widely known as the first undisputed world heavyweight champion) led the way as thousands flocked to local arenas to see two men battle it out in the ring. At his peak, Gotch was beloved by the American public. He defeated European wrestling champion George “The Russian Lion” Hackenschmidt in 1908 and 1911, both of which are referenced by historians as the two most significant matches in wrestling history.

“It was Frank Gotch’s popularity that helped start a movement to add wrestling in high schools and colleges, and it was the legacy of Frank Gotch that turned Iowa into a wrestling state,” Chapman said.

Gotch was an American hero, especially in his hometown of Humboldt. He was strong and talented, as well as handsome and charismatic — the perfect mix for a professional wrestler trying to make the big ring. According to a press release from the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum, Gotch even considered running for governor of Iowa in 1917, when he passed away from a kidney ailment. His death was national news, and, at the time, the death of professional wrestling. Widespread audiences and the media questioned the legitimacy of professional wrestling, and in the ’20s, the sport faded away.

“Frank Gotch changed wrestling forever,” Chapman said. “When he defeated Hackenschmidt with a wide open submission, it opened everyone’s eyes to what could be done. From 1908 to 1915, he was the most well-known athlete in the world.”

In the late ’30s and into the ’40s, small wrestling promotions were at each other’s throats, trying to steal talent and sabotage events. In 1948, a federation known as the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) was formed. Lou Thesz held the world heavyweight belt for more than 10 years. Thesz is credited with inventing popular moves like the “German suplex,” the “powerbomb” and the “Lou Thesz press.” Thesz wrestled in Japan and tried to get the NWA to promote more matches overseas (an idea that led to the future dominance of the WWE), but they declined. After several years of international competition, Thesz, at the age of 74, battled his protégé Masahiro Chono in Japan. It was the last match he would ever wrestle.

“Don’t get me wrong, the guys in the ring today are tremendous athletes, and it keeps people entertained,” Chapman said. “But it’s purely sports entertainment.”

The first family of wrestling

In 1963, Vincent J. McMahon started the Capitol Wrestling Corp., drawing talent away from the NWA. The company struggled and changed its name to the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), and with the decline in the ’70s in wrestlings popularity, was forced to rejoin the NWA. But it rebounded after the popularity of one of its wrestlers, Andre the Giant. He was so popular, he traveled across the country working with other organizations. Even though the WWWF, NWA and AWA were more well known, Georgia Championship Wrestling (GCW) was the first to be televised on a cable station, Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), in 1979. By 1981, GCW was the most watched show on cable television.

McMahon’s son, Vince McMahon Jr., coined the phrase “sports entertainment,” and from then on, wrestling was no more. McMahon knew if he marketed the stars correctly, and used the exposure of television, his company could succeed and outlast the competition. Later, McMahon admitted to the fakery of the sport and wanted to enhance the moves, violence and showmanship to help market the sport to children.

“This business was and is about sports entertainment,” said McMahon in the documentary, “The Unreal Story of Professional Wrestling.” “We do a magic show, but we’re not going to tell you how we make our magic.”

Thanks to McMahon’s showmanship and business savvy, the WWF (World Wrestling Federation, abridged from WWWF) became the most colorful and well-known league in the country, as well as on TV. Cartoon personas and background stories gave the action a violent, soap opera vibe that appealed to fans. Wrestlers like Hulk Hogan, marketed as the All-American hero, became bigger than life. In 1984, everybody wanted to be a member of “Hulkamania,” saying their prayers and taking their vitamins. He was the epitome of sports entertainment. When the good American wrestler defeated the Iron Sheik, gaining the WWF title, “Hulkamania” reached epic proportions.

“We’re the greatest athletes in the world, without a doubt,” Hogan said in “The Unreal Story of Professional Wrestling.” “But we’re also the greatest entertainers and greatest actors in the world.”

McMahon separated his wrestlers into “faces” (the good guys) and “heels” (bad guys), which gave audiences the choice of who they wanted to root for. “Heels” were dirty and cheated, whereas “faces” were good and noble. Wrestlers usually go one way or the other and often change sides after their character runs its course. The two factions would feud over many things, building a climactic battle of good versus evil. McMahon also incorporated music into his shows. “The Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection” was a cross promotion between the WWF and the music industry. Cyndi Lauper joined the WWF in 1984, and wrestlers starred in her videos. Hogan even appeared in “Rocky 3,” and led a group of wrestlers in a Saturday morning cartoon. This history served as motivation for today’s up and coming wrestlers.

“Since I was a little kid, I wanted to be a wrestler. Once I found out that 3XW offers training, I was all for it,” said Zach “The Unbreakable” Thompson. “It’s amazing to be in the ring hearing people cheer. There is no other feeling like it.”

While McMahon feuded with NWA over wrestlers, he went worldwide, promoting his television program and making the WWF the world premier federation. With “Wrestlemania,” McMahon created his greatest accomplishment yet. On March 3, 1985, “Wrestlemania” debuted in Madison Square Garden in New York. Muhammad Ali was the guest referee for the main event, a tag match featuring Hulk Hogan and Mr. T accompanied by Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka against “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. “WrestleMania III” saw an attendance of 93,173 fans, which is the largest recorded attendance for a live indoor sporting event in North America, and the largest paying crowd in the history of professional wrestling. The Silverdome was packed to the brim to see Hulk Hogan battle Andre The Giant in the main event. The famous match featured Hogan picking up and slamming The Giant to the ground, ending his reign of terror and further immortalizing the “Hulkster.”

“I have been watching wrestling since the mid-80’s,” Countryman said. “Some of my favorites were ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage, Sting, ‘Mr. Perfect,’ Hulk Hogan, Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat, Brutus ‘The Barber’ Beefcake and Demolition. They don’t have characters like they used to.”

Thanks to McMahon, professional wrestling was on top and only getting bigger. “Saturday Night Main Event” premiered on NBC in 1985, giving fans a weekly look at their favorite wrestlers. While other leagues struggled to hang on, McMahon unleashed more pay-per-views including the 1987 “Survivor Series” and the 1988 “Royal Rumble,” furthering the success of the WWF. In 1988, the NWA and AWA combined forces thanks to media mogul Ted Turner, who created World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Turner promised a more athletic product, naming “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair as his champion.

The Monday night wars

During the ’90s, the WWF was fighting off all competitors, especially WCW. So, McMahon decided to increase the violence, sexuality and bloodshed, which led to far more teen and adult orientated fans than the kids that the WWF originally appealed to. Also changing their image, thanks to Eric Bischoff, the WCW started to change its ways. Bischoff signed former big name stars of the WWF and followed their more violent adult-oriented story lines.

The Monday night war officially kicked off in 1995 when WCW aired “Monday Nitro” directly against the WWF’s version “Monday Night Raw.” While competing strongly against each other, WCW took the bull by the horns when the “New World Order” was introduced. The NWO was a group of established “faces” like Hulk Hogan and Razor Ramon that had all turned “heel.” This marketing ploy was genius and pushed WCW ahead of the WWF powerhouse. WCW also pushed in-depth storylines for characters rather than WWF’s cartoonish wrestlers and storylines. Although WCW rose to the top, WWF came right back. In 1998, McMahon himself became the evil boss of the cooperation. A feud with rising superstar “Stone Cold” Steve Austin brought WWF to the pinnacle it had been searching for since Hogan had left.

In 2001, WWF changed its name to WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). The same year, McMahon bought out the WCW and in the process other leagues like Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), ending the rivalry. Owning it all, McMahon was professional wrestling, but without another option, a lot of fans left the sport. With the monthly pay-per-views, storylines grew thin and the majority of fans left the WWE for more creative and innovative talent.

“I saw a TV show ‘Tuff Enough,’ which allowed you to see how much work and effort these guys put into the sport,” said 3XWrestler Mark “Maddog” McDowell. “I’ve always been an athlete, and this is a great way to keep in shape. Plus I love the showmanship of the sport.”

Criticism of today’s wrestlers is that although they are talented, they are monstrous, with little or no story, compared to wrestlers like “The Brooklyn Brawler,” “Honky Tonk Man,” the “Junkyard Dog,” “Bad News Brown,” “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, “Koko B. Ware” and “The Bushwackers.” Those wrestlers weren’t in the best of shape, but they had outstanding stories and a persona that kept you entertained, not just pure strength. Once the hulking “Goldberg” appeared on “Monday Nitro” destroying the competition, the magic was gone. The big guy would destroy the little guy no matter how many highflying moves he could pull off. Steroids became prevalent in professional wrestling just like most big league professional sports.

“I think there is added pressure at that level to perform,” McDowell said. “I think it also depends on the person. I know I have never felt the need to use steroids.”

The biggest, strongest wrestlers often are promoted as headliner status, which means the larger you are, the bigger the paychecks. According to WWE, after the death of wrestling star Eddie Guerrero in 2005, the company instituted a wellness-testing program. Wrestlers have three chances. the first positive test, their pay is suspended. the second, they can be sent to rehab. and if a third strike occurs, they will be fired.

“I know it helps to be bigger, but if you take care of your body and learn your craft, you shouldn’t need steroids,” 3X wrestler James Reynolds, a.k.a. “The Rockstar Jimmy Rockwell,” said. “We have a good clean locker room and spend a lot of time in the gym.”

Even with the testing in place, wrestlers are slipping through the cracks. According to CNN.com, anabolic steroids were discovered in WWE wrestler Chris Benoit’s home in 2007, after he murdered his wife and son and took his own life. The autopsy of Benoit revealed synthetic testosterone, which is considered an anabolic steroid.

“There are a lot of different alternatives to steroids,” McDowell said. “You have to work at it; you can’t always take the easy route.”

Recently, smaller federations, like Total Nonstop Action (TNA), have begun popping up on television, and fans have started to come back. But no matter what, fans of yesterday have the desire to be in the ring, which has led a lot of people to try out for smaller, independent leagues like 3XW. Without all the glitz and glamour, these wrestlers work hard to make it to the big show.

“Everything in life revolves. People get bigger and stronger,” Chapman said. “The more over the top you are, the more you can sell your product. Vince McMahon is definitely the P.T. Barnum of our era.”

The future

“I think wrestling is starting to get back on an upswing. I would say pro wrestling bottomed out in 2003-2004 and is slowly climbing back up,” Countryman said. “UFC [Ultimate Fighting Championship] and MMA’s [Mixed Martial Arts] popularity really hurt pro wrestling, as it was the new, hot thing that people thought was cool. Now people are getting back into pro wrestling.”

3XWrestling Entertainment LLC is a company based in Central Iowa. They have about 30 wrestlers on their roster and are licensed to hold professional, family friendly wrestling events in the state with the Iowa Athletic Commission.

“In 2005, I met a man by the name of David Andersen that was trying to start an independent wrestling company,” Countryman said. “He held an autograph session with Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler at Southridge Mall, and we got to talking. Shortly thereafter, we met Steve Biley, and we all three decided to form 3XW.”

3XWrestling was formed in early 2005 and held its first live event on July 23, 2005. 3XW held four live events that year, 12 events in 2006 and 11 events in 2007. This year, 3XW will be holding a monthly live event at inPlay, 615 Third St., on the third Friday night of each month.

“inPlay has been incredible. The staff and management are really easy to work with and very helpful with whatever we need. [It] is located right in the heart of downtown, which makes it great for our fans to be able to attend our events,” Countryman said. “Before, we wrestled anywhere, from high school gyms, the Iowa State Fairgrounds, the Dallas County Fairgrounds and National Guard Armories.”

All of the 3XW wrestlers have been professionally trained to wrestle and make their best effort to put on the best matches.

“Hopefully, with our new home in Des Moines, we can build our fan base and continue to grow and build,” McDowell said. “I used to watch it with my grandpa as a kid, and now my little nieces come to an event and just eat it up. It’s really a great family event.”

In the past, 3XW has held events in conjunction with the Bad Boys of Racing’s Night of Destruction Demolition Derby at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, the Iowa Comic Book Club’s I-CON ’06 and ’07 events, and every holiday season 3XW takes Toys for Tots donations at the door of an event that is held closest to Christmas. In June 2007, 3XW held a benefit show in Prescott for the Children’s Hospital of Omaha.

“Once you get into pro wrestling, it becomes an addiction, something gets inside you. It is kind of hard to explain in that aspect,” Countryman said. “In all honesty, I personally don’t see any profit from our events. The company makes a small profit, but not enough for me to get a payday from it. I do it because I love it. The reward for me is seeing a little kid excited to be at his first live wrestling show. That same kid jumping up and down having the time of his life, getting autographs and having an experience he won’t forget for a long time. I also love to book storylines that our longtime fans will enjoy and get into.”

Although 3XW doesn’t have the audience of the WWE, they do have the talent.

“We have had several wrestlers from WWE or TNA come in for various events over the last few years including, former WWE stars Billy Gunn and Molly Holly. From TNA we have had Traci Brooks, ODB, Sonjay Dutt, Frankie Kazarian and Shark Boy. We have also had former ECW heavyweight champion Jerry Lynn in multiple times,” Countryman said. “As far as our roster goes, we have had a few guys have tryouts with WWE.”

In November 2006, “Egotistico Fantatico,” a.k.a Robert Anthony, was signed to a developmental contract with WWE. “The Anarchist” Arik Cannon did a tour of Japan for the Dragon Gate promotion in late 2007 and also appeared on the MTV-produced “Wrestling Society X.” Other wrestlers have had tryouts and been in contact with the WWE front office about possibly getting looked at. Gage Octane had a tryout with TNA Wrestling and was brought into a show and given a tryout match before one of its pay-per-views.

“I would love to make a living as a wrestler,” said Matt “Casanova” Erickson. “I started training in college and have been involved ever since. It’s a great hobby, but it definitely keeps you busy.”

Unlike full-time professional wrestlers, 3XW wrestlers don’t make much money (anywhere from $30 to $150 per match) and have to work day jobs. But don’t tell them that the action and injuries they receive are fake.

“Fake is the wrong word to use when attempting to describe professional wrestling. Predetermined is more appropriate. Fake indicates that what you are seeing is not really happening. But we’re really hitting the ground, we’re really lifting and throwing each other around and we really get injured,” said Gabe Thompson, a.k.a. “Gage Octane.” “I’ve strained ligaments in my neck, fractured my wrist and had a plate and nine screws put into a broken tibia. It sure as hell felt real to me.”

With all the injuries and training, wrestling can be a full-time job, though it doesn’t pay the bills.
“I welcome anyone to come out before a show and see and feel the ring and tell any of us that you think this is fake or the injuries aren’t real. It hurts every single time you hit the mat; some less than others, but every time it gives your brain a good shake. If you can’t handle pain, you’re not going to make it,” said Terry Sindelar, a.k.a. “Delicious Devin Carter.” “I think people are quick to call wrestling fake because they still consider it a sport. Fake is a four-letter word to professional wrestlers. Many would attest to the Saturdays or Sundays after a show, hobbling around, feeling like a freight train hit them, trying to nurse their wounds before they get back to their day job on Monday.”

Most of the roster has trained and worked for several years, Countryman said. It’s the same as athletics; you need to know how to fall and perform moves. Also a wrestler is only as good as his opponent wants him to look.

“I went to a show in my hometown and followed up and found out there was a school where you could get trained,” said Sindelar. “It’s great to have a stable home. It allows us to build a fan base and be prepared every month for the event.”

3XW live events attract a wide variety of people. A large portion of the crowd consists of 18-to-30-year-old males and females. But they also attract families with the parents or grandparents bringing young children, with ages varying from four to 14 years old. At past events, parents have brought entire birthday parties so kids can watch wrestling.

“At each event you will find action, humor, drama, high flying acrobatics and high impact moves,” Countryman said. “3XW sticks to old school story telling in a wrestling match, powerful personalities that grip the crowd and get them on the edge of their seat.” CV

See 3X in action

3XWrestling’s next event at inPlay, “Hostile Takeover,” will be held April 18. Tickets are $12 and kids 10 and under get in for $6.

If you are interested in having 3XWrestling come to your area, send an e-mail to General@3xwrestling.com. They are available to travel and can set up their ring for a multitude of events. This includes, but is not limited to: fundraisers, county fairs, town celebrations, etc. 3XW can hold wrestling events at a large or small event and also can bring in talent not currently on their roster if so desired. Information about tickets, promotion, sponsorships, training and talent can be found at http://www.3xwrestling.com.

Museum honors Frank Gotch

Frank Gotch Day will be celebrated on April 3, in Humboldt and at the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo. The museum is planning several activities starting at noon and has invited two legendary wrestling figures, Dan Severn and Dan Gable, to participate. For more information about Frank Gotch Day or the Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum, visit http://www.wrestlingmuseum.org.

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