Wrestling Beast's blog
Where's a Good No-tell Motel When You Need One?
It is a sad fact of life that not all of us, in fact probably most of us, cannot host. The usual reasons include spouses, significant others, roommates, parents, children, lack of space or lack of privacy. This is an activity that requires privacy, you can't just go to a public park, playground, beach or gym and start fighting. Unless you can find some like-minded person who will give you access to space, the best solution is a hotel or motel room.
Back in the day, there was the no-tell motel. These cheap places would often be just off a highway and the amenities would be truly basic. In the cities, you could find less-than-reputable places that would rent by the hour. No one rents by the hour anymore and every motel and hotel checks for ID, if nothing else to guard against you trashing the room.
Rooms in the cheapest version of today's highway motels are small and not very convenient. All you can expect is a bed, a dresser, a nightstand and a tube TV. In some places, you may be walking sideways to get around the bed. Expect to have to dismantle the bed if you need space for your activity. Be careful of what you may find underneath it, those areas are not always cleaned. Bring some rubber gloves and watch out for sharps. Some places bolt the bedframe to the floor, so it is not worth it to remove the bed. Try for a king-size bed, because you will be wrestling on it.
Don't expect much from the el-cheapo-sleazo motel. You can have all sorts of extra "guests" in the room, mice, cockroaches, squirrels, and the worst of all, lice, ticks and bed bugs! Cleanliness is often surface deep, bring a black-light if you really want to see what goes on in your cheap room. The bathroom may be a pit. The toilet may be broken, the hot water may be off, and there may be mold on the sink.
In the Northeastern part of the United States, the cheaper motels may run you from $50-75. You should be splitting the cost with your opponent, but still expect to pay $40 and bring cash. Some areas may be cheaper, some more expensive. City places are the most expensive. Today, to have a good chance at avoiding most of these issues, be prepared to get a room in the three-figure range (and don't pay until you meet your opponent). Suites are nice because they offer more room to move around. A chain like Motel 6 or a Super 8 should be deemed the bare minimum, As a chain, they are supposed to have standards and trained personnel, so at least you have a decent chance of receiving attention if you make a reasonable complaint.
When you arrive, you should be prepared to meet your opponent outside and away from the entrance. Some places charge more for two people. One person should go in, get the room, go up to the room and make sure the key opens it, then invite the other person in via cell phone. If you were not planning to spend the evening, you may want to make an excuse to the desk clerk when you return your key only a few hours after checking in. Try not to make too much noise while you are wrestling, turn the TV on and up. You don't want a knock on the door from the manager, or worse yet, the police.
RhodyRaybo (99)
11/10/2013 13:08I second the rule about meeting outside and one going in first. I've done hotel matches with some guys, always guys in town on business. A couple times I met one of my out of towners at his hotel and he hadn't arrived there yet. So I did wait. Saw him go in and check in, then waited for him to give me the call to come in. Also, tv turned up is a must, especially with guys like me who moan very loudly. Hotel matches can be fun, but there are risks involved. Always plan accordingly.