Marvez: One-time WWE employee on his new book about pro wrestling

Is pro wrestling real?

A new book by Larry Matysik tries to answer a question that is more complex than it seems.

In the early pages of "Drawing Heat the Hard Way" (ECW Press; $19.95), Matysik acknowledges that matches are scripted with predetermined outcomes. But the injuries that performers often suffer are quite real. So are the challenges that grapplers and promoters face in an industry that has changed dramatically since Matysik first became involved in 1963.

"There's more going on than most people realize," Matysik said this week in a telephone interview. "I want them to see there is still a little mystery (in wrestling) and take a look at why we like this thing. I hope people who read this book have a greater appreciation for what the guys in the ring, the announcers and even the promoters are doing."

A former TV announcer and office worker for legendary St. Louis promoter Sam Muchnick, Matysik tackles a wide range of issues that include how bouts are put together, the industry's steroid epidemic and whether grapplers should be paid as independent contractors a la World Wrestling Entertainment. Matysik also provides an interesting perspective on WWE kingpin Vince McMahon. Matysik worked for McMahon from the start of WWE's national expansion in 1984 through 1993, and has closely followed his modus operandi running the world's biggest wrestling company.

Matysik astutely explains that McMahon's dominance of the industry allows him to regularly change the face of pro wrestling into his own ever-evolving vision of "sports entertainment." Matysik also said there is a human side to McMahon that the public never sees, but warns that the bullying "Mr. McMahon" television character isn't much of a stretch from the true McMahon.

"As brilliant as he is, he can be unethical, untrustworthy and generate a certain amount of fear in those around him," Matysik said. "With any wrestler, what you see on TV is not what these people really are like. In Vince's case, I'm not so sure it isn't."

Matysik, 62, remains an ardent wrestling fan, but admits he is concerned about the industry's future. WWE domestic pay-per-view buy rates have tumbled in 2009 while those for Ultimate Fighting Championship shows are steadily growing. Matysik believes that mixed-martial-arts groups like UFC are drawing both fans and fighters away from the pro-wrestling genre.

"I think over time that the loss of talent is going to hurt badly," Matysik said. "WWE will not be able to provide the athletic spectacle they're used to providing. Vince knows he needs that in the main events, but he don't have the same depth of talent now from top to bottom among the younger guys."

To order "Drawing Heat the Hard Way," visit www.ecwpress.com.

NEWS AND NOTES: WWE has raided two of the top stars from the fledgling Ring of Honor promotion. Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness should debut on WWE television next month. WWE hopes the two can make the same successful transition as C.M. Punk, a former ROH star who is now headlining the "Smackdown" brand ... TNA Wrestling is experiencing some front-office shakeups that will likely change on-air talent and storylines. TNA founder Jeff Jarrett lost much of his clout because of behind-the-scenes problems with company ownership. It didn't help that Jarrett allegedly was involved in a romantic relationship with Karen Angle, the ex-wife of TNA star Kurt Angle.

(Alex Marvez writes a syndicated pro-wrestling column for Scripps Howard News Service. Contact him at alex1marv(at)aol.com or follow him via Twitter at http://twitter.com/alexmarvez.)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)