Pre-match rituals are considered by many top athletes to be a crucial part of what they do and this is as true for pro wrestlers as it is for any other sportsmen. For wrestlers, in particular, entering the ring in the right mindset is important and, counterintuitive though it may seem, a relaxed and focused mind is key to a wrestler’s performance.
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In the meantime, here are some words of advice from top wrestlers on how they relax before taking to the ring.
By Giving Themselves a Pep Talk
The way that we speak to ourselves in our own thoughts can have dramatic consequences for our perception of ourselves and our abilities. Many young athletes are unaware of the power of their own internal voice and don’t give a second thought to the way they speak to themselves. Prior to a match, successful wrestlers will try to eliminate all negative thoughts and feelings by repeating phrases that reinforce their self-image of success and strength. When negative thoughts try and break through they will simply tell themselves to “stop” and refocus their mind on more positive ideas.
Trying Unusual Exercises
While all wrestlers will go through some form of physical as well as mental preparation for their matches, Cesaro, known as The Swiss Superman, prefers to engage in a warm-up that goes beyond simple sit ups and push ups. Instead, Cesaro mixes it ups by adding weights and other restrictions to the usual warm up exercises, as well as using whatever opportunities his environment presents him with from running up stairs to jumping up and down on the spot.
Meditation
Former WWE wrestler Booker T takes a less physical approach to his pre-match warm up and instead focuses on his mental attitude with meditation before addressing the physical. After meditating for an hour, Booker engages in a half hour of rope jump exercises, but this is only the beginning; after this, he does a couple hundred push-ups and then sit-ups before finally drinking a couple of red bulls for that extra kick he needs pre-match.
Comedy
Dean Ambrose has always been something of an outsider amongst professional wrestlers, preferring to take his warm-up sessions in the desert rather than the gym, believing it to be more beneficial to mind and spirit.
Asked about his pre-match ritual Ambrose said: “I listen to some Hank Williams before I go out. I tell some jokes. I have fun. I don’t waste too much energy thinking about it – I like to save that all for the ring. The calmest part of my day is right before a match.”
These are just some of the relaxation techniques employed by top wrestlers; there are many other techniques, of almost unlimited variety.
