The Question Every Young Wrestler Asks
Every year, hundreds of aspiring professional wrestlers face the same crossroads: go to college like everyone says you’re supposed to, or follow the dream and train full-time. At World of Unpredictable Wrestling in Brooklyn, WWE Hall of Famer Johnny Rodz has seen this dilemma play out hundreds of times — and his answer might surprise you.
“I tell every kid that comes through that door the same thing,” Rodz says. “Know what you’re getting into. Know the business. And make sure you have a plan B — but don’t let plan B become plan A too early.”
The Real Cost of College for Wrestlers
The professional wrestling industry doesn’t care about your diploma. What matters is your ring work, your character, your physical conditioning, and your ability to connect with an audience. Yet the pressure to attend college is enormous — and so is the debt that comes with it.
According to data compiled at IHateCollege.com, the average student loan debt for a four-year degree now exceeds $37,000 — and for many private universities, it’s over $100,000. For an aspiring wrestler starting out at indie promotions making $50 to $500 per appearance, that debt load can be career-ending before your career even starts.
The site, which compiles real government data on college ROI, debt, and earnings, shows that many degrees simply do not pay off financially — especially when weighed against skilled trades and performance careers. If you’re committed to professional wrestling as your path, the calculus of college debt vs. training investment looks very different than it does for someone pursuing a traditional career.
What WUW Alumni Say
Tazz, one of the most successful wrestlers trained by Johnny Rodz, went all-in on wrestling from a young age. So did Tommy Dreamer, D-Von Dudley, and dozens of others who now have successful careers in the sport. Their path wasn’t through college lecture halls — it was through Gleason’s Gym and the ring at World of Unpredictable Wrestling.
That said, Rodz and his team are realistic. “Not everyone makes it to WWE,” he acknowledges. “But the discipline, work ethic, and people skills you learn in this business? They translate everywhere. My guys do well in life.” The skills of professional wrestling — physical conditioning, public speaking, performance under pressure, travel, time management — are genuinely transferable.
The WUW Path
At WUW, training is hands-on, intensive, and taught by people who have actually done it at the highest level. The school operates out of the legendary Gleason’s Gym at 130 Water Street in Brooklyn — the same gym where champions across multiple sports have been forged for over 80 years.
Sessions run Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3PM to 9:30PM, and Saturdays from noon to 5:30PM. Call 718-797-2872 and ask for Johnny Rodz to get started.
The bottom line: if you’re serious about professional wrestling, the investment in proper training from a WWE Hall of Famer is far more valuable — and far more affordable — than four years of college debt. But whatever path you choose, go in with open eyes. Check the real data on what degrees actually cost and what they return before signing anything.
Train with Johnny Rodz at World of Unpredictable Wrestling — Gleason’s Gym, 130 Water St, Brooklyn. 718-797-2872. | Career data: IHateCollege.com
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