I was, as the wrestling world calls, "A mark." Not to be confused with my brother mark, the guy who works down at the bar, no a mark. A guy who loves wrestling inside the ring, and listens to all the storylines, but doesn't know crud about what goes on in the back, and honestly, I had no clue what kinda men wrestlers really are.

About five years ago, I got my first computer, well our first *good family computer. It wasn't long before we got AOL, or as I lovingly call it AOHell(may not be the most origanal thing, but come up with somthing better, and I will be sure to let people know!) I went to the internet, like a fish goes to water.... It was instant. I learned alot of things.... lots of things about wrestling. Wait what did you expect? Did you expect me to say somthing abit more... sexy? Of course not, I mean what else is on the internet anyways? I havent a clue!

I became a bit of a smark, not exactly of the level that some people take it, but to the point enough to learn things werent quite what they seemed. To spare you the long story, I will get to the point a little quicker then I may like to. Thing is I learned what wrestlers go through, not first hand experience, but from the wrestlers themselves. I read comentarys(diarys, journals, whatever you want to call them.) I learned that there is more then just what goes on in the ring, in fact, thats only half of the appeal to me now. So let me take you on a short ride, as only I Big D, can.

Wrestling, well wrestling is funny sometimes. You think you know everything, yet you dont know anything but what people tell you. The only real way to know for sure about what goes on in the back, is to be a wrestler yourself, and I will not try and lie to you tell you that I, myself have done so... at this time. But there are a list of things, I can tell you, from things I have read/heard/saw in the past years of my life.

Wrestling Is Fake! - In order to do something on the back, I must first get rid of a bad saying, that has been used to describe wrestling. Wrestling Is Fake, I dont know how many times I have heard this, and I dont know who started this but they should be shot... and if his name starts with Vince, you get double points. I admit, as anyone will, that the winners are picked before the match starts, and that some of the spots and the match, are called well before they ever take place. But to use the word fake, would mean that what these men and woman, do in the ring, has no effect on their mind, body and souls. To say this to a wrestler is like telling a soldier that what they did had no effect on the world, and wasn't enough to make them a hero... which is also said too often too, just in different words ( like not getting to live free for the rest of there lives in my opinion, and not having statues made of every last one of those fine men and woman that protect us.) A wrestler goes out there and puts his body on the line, but he also will use the genious of putting a match together, without a wrestlers abillity to do that, it will be worse then a Triple H vs Kevin Nash match.

Beer, Pills and Drugs- Together these are very dangerous, which more then likely, a wrestler has used at one point in thier career. Now, not that its always a bad thing or not, is definitely a hot topic, but in my mind, a wrestler needs everything they can get to help with the pain, but I hope they can get around it without having to introduce substances to themselves. These things have killed alot of great wrestlers, you can probably think of a few, but there are probably alot more then you would think. I will not try to add them all, or any for that matter, because I dont feel it is fair to put in one, but not another, they should all be mourned just the same.

Travel- What? You think travel is easy? Alright, going down to the supermarket aint that bad. The walk to school? Nothin. Driving to work? Aint got shit on wrestlers! A trucker can tell you, that their job is both the most strenuous thing they can think of, and the best, most peaceful thing as well. Well same goes to wrestlers, just more likely the first. Now alot of wrestlers work near there homes, within a few hours at most. Then again, alot of wrestlers travel around the country trying to get a big reputation. Wrestling has its ups and downs in this, alot of people like to travel around, some people like being in a car. Sometimes its cool for people to be in a different bed everything for weeks on end. Then there are those, that think this is the worst part.

Fans- Well, well, well, aint this interactive? Not to upset you, but you gotta admit, a wrestler with family/friends probably doesn't want you to come over looking for a signature. On the other hand, you are probably his favorite downside of wrestling, because you probably make him feel great about himself. Indys are alot different then one of the big federations, because as a Indy wrestler, your not well known, and everyone doesnt know your face. So to get asked for thier John Handcock once in awhile, I am sure they are even more thrilled about it then you are. But this was to lead into another thing, a much less fun thing.

Critics- No, no, no, not me, that would be impossible, how can a wrestler not like me? BIG F'n D? No the kind that doesn't like wrestling at all, a kind of guy who calls wrestling fake, and think its just a circus, well Mr. Critic, I think I speak for all of us, It may be a circus, but its a pretty big circus, with lots of fans to kick your ass! With that being said, I dont think wrestlers, like getting asked if they know the Rock, or Hulk Hogan. I dont think they like the idea that when around one of these guys, they are bound to get a "Ohh big boy, hope your not gonna body slam me!" Noo noo and I dont think they like having there lively hood being put down but a snob who doesn't understand that wrestling isn't just a sport of gladiators, a sport of intelligent men and woman, but also a business with a code of ethics that although may be broken by some of the lowliest people in the biz, is respected by the the wrestling world and fans alike.

Now there are many many more bad things that we dont get to/ want to see. But I dont like the idea of bashing the thing I love myself. So what I am going to do now, is to tell you the good side about wrestling, and even though all these things may plague a wrestler at one point or another. A wrestler enjoys his job. No no A wrestler loves his job, No no not quite there yet A wrestler is obsessed with his job, and loves what he does, and he enjoys it, because, if he dident, he would have stopped along time ago. A wrestler lives the American dream, and a dream I have myself, I dream to become a wrestler, but the way that I am, I couldent imagine being at the same level as these men, these men are my hero's and everytime I get the chance I salute them. I salute each and everyone of you fine wrestlers, the Jobbers, the Maineventers, and everyone in between. A special thank you to a wrestler called Hurricane Kidd, a wonderful talent has decided to retire, before people got a chance to see them on there TV sets nationally, but he will be remembered for the tumbleweeds to the outside of the ring for years to come. Hurricane, we will miss you, and even though I have just started to watch CZW that you work at, I am sure that all your long time fans will miss you more then I can imagine!

So as of right now, I leave you with the taught of these great men and woman in your head, and let you go do what you have to do, go to school/work/store and enjoy your day. Thank you for reading my column, and please come back to Indy Pro Central again real soon! As for next columns subject, well we will have to wait and see, I have a plan, but not one I am yet to tell all of you. As always be sure to email me your thoughts/suggestions if you can! Thank you and keep on Thuggin and Buggin peeps!

"To see the world in a grain of sand.
And a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand.
And eternity in an hour. "
William Blake.

The preceding column reflects opinions, facts and statements from Big D.... Minor editing is done by Anthony Gundacker... Any opinion expressed in this article does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the Indy Pro Central...