The recent "Schism in Joint Promotions" topic plus the excelent new promoters section has got me thinking about the money involved. Just what sort of money are we talking about here? Seats at most wrestling shows were at the cheaper end for live entertainment and although the wrestlers were not well paid the margins must have been pretty tight. On the other hand there must have been enough to create interest from Jarvis Astair, Hurst, William Hill etc. Looking at AmDram and semi-pro musicians I am always knocked out be the huge depth of talent just working for fun. I suspect that early sixties wrestling was the same apart from such well oiled machines as Dale Martin.
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Talk Wrestling
Share your memories of British wrestling 1930 - 1988
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This is the first time I've heard of monthly salary payments for wrestlers, I'd be interested to hear from someone in the business whether it existed.
I think Powerlock is right that there was subsidy of halls in smaller towns by the bigger venues.
I have in front of me the Dale Martin balance sheet for the four weeks 25th November t0 22nd December 1983.
54 shows were promoted.
Excluding tv shows (which accrued money from ITV) here are some of the statistics.
35 shows made a profit, 19 made a loss.
Three shows with the biggest profit:
1. Lichfield on 21st Dec: £358 profit
2. Ashington on 3rd Dec: £342 profit
3. Croydon on 20th Dec: £331 profit
Three shows with the biggest loss:
1. Oxford on 15th Dec: £439 loss
2. Portsmouth on 7th Dec: £321loss
2. Catford on 12th Dec: £233 loss
For the four week period 25th November t0 22nd December 1983 of £4,481