Magnum Tells Us More About The Importance Of Wrestlers Rescue

Courtesy of Piledriver Online's Steve Ashfield:

Wrestlers Rescue takes place on September 14th at the Raddison Hotel in Piscataway in New Jersey. The event is being put together to provide wrestlers with information in obtaining education, pensions and financial planning. Here ECWA’s Magnum tells us more about this important event. To read more from this interview and Wrestler’s Rescue go to pages 20 and 21 of the latest edition of Piledriver Online at: http://www.piledriver-online.co.uk/ccount/click.php?id=19

What made you want to get involved with Wrestlers Rescue?

When I met Dawn Marie and Michele Mupo they told me about Wrestlers Rescue. I not only thought it was a fantastic idea, but also told them I can lend my Web development and design skills if they needed help. As I learned more about the organization and everything it was doing, I wanted even more to help. I started watching wrestling since before I can remember, and the larger-than-life men and women on the TV screen entertained me every time. Professional wrestlers are very physical entertainers and, quite frankly, they get beat up and hit hard a lot. Furthermore, most wrestlers are not financial planners. Who among us is? Once a professional wrestler’s career is over, too often they are left with little savings and a lot of medical bills. Wrestlers Rescue exists both to help pro wrestlers in need of medical care, but also to help current wrestlers correctly plan for the future. That’s all I really needed to hear.

How bad is the problem of providing for life after a wrestler retires?

You know, I think it depends on the individual. But I do know that there are too many wrestlers out there who need help. Whether it’s addiction to pain killers, the need for physical rehabilitation or other healthcare needs, or the need for financial independence, our heroes need our help. When you’re in a business that doesn’t provide a 401k or pension plan, you can’t count on most people to know how to prepare for life down the road. I don’t think wrestling as a business is unique in to this.

Does the lack of health care and pension plans etc cause even more problems as wrestlers carry on making appearances long after they should perhaps have retired but simply can't afford to?

I would think that a lack of healthcare, pension, or any type of retirement plan would impact anyone, especially as they get older, have kids, want to retire, etc. I’m sure a lot of wrestlers who travel far for appearances do it because they have to and need every penny of income they can get. I think Wrestlers Rescue is a godsend to the pro wrestling industry as I believe fewer and fewer people will encounter hard times both during and after their wrestling career because of them.

Recently WWE have started offering to pay for rehab treatments, is that a step in the right direction?

If that’s true, I definitely think it’s a step in the right direction. And if it’s NOT true, as an employer, I wouldn’t hire anyone without knowing they are properly insured. If I hire a contractor to work on my house, I make sure the company is licensed and insured. I think that should be the case for any business. Professional wrestling can be a dangerous business and wrestlers deserve to be properly protected and cared for. It’s a tough life… lots of travel, lots of hard knocks, being away from family and friends. And there’s no off season. I’m very optimistic that an organization like Wrestlers Rescue will help a lot of wrestlers breathe a sigh of relief.

Can you tell my readers more about the events that are being planned for September 14th?

There are two events happening on September 14. Both are at the Radisson Hotel in Piscataway, New Jersey. From 11am – 4pm is a convention where attendees can meet a ton of wrestling and entertainment celebrities and opt in for autographs, souvenirs, etc. From 6pm -10pm Wrestlers Rescue is hosting a semi-formal dinner where fans will eat dinner and hang out with one of the celebrities. There’s a lot more going on and updates to the events are added all the time. Checking the Wrestlers Rescue Web site is the best way to keep up to date. If you ask me, the Super Ticket for the morning convention is the mac daddy of deals.

What are the plans for Wrestlers Rescue after this event?

I’m sorry I can’t tell you anything specific. I think they’re going to continue to build the strength and reach of the organization, raise more money and awareness, and help as many people as they can. Look for a complete Web site with lots of information on what the organization does, how people can contribute, news and events, and a lot more.

How can readers find out more about Wrestlers Rescue?

Real easy. Logon to http://wrestlersrescue.org … right now this is a temporary Web site. A full site is coming soon!