Step 1: Landing Your Interview!

Here are the Do’s and DON’Ts on how to pitch and land your interview with wrestling’s elite.

Let’s play a game of scenario.

You are wanting to do an interview with a famous wrestler, and were able to get good contact information for them…what do you do?

First, go ahead and take a moment to freak out.  Scream, jump, cry, do all the above simultaneously – we are here for all of it!

Once you settle down, you need to draft a solid interview pitch for this individual.  You can’t just pick up the phone and go blank. 

When brainstorming your idea, invest some time to research the various interviews they’ve done before.  Have they done one that’s a more introspective look at their career/life and the struggles with it?  Have they picked up a hobby that hasn’t received much attention?

OK, you got the topic.  Now what?  Next, you need to brainstorm the pitch.  Using whatever method works best for you, be it a brainstorm bubble or a pro/con list, make sure to keep your thoughts clear and concise.  Having a clear-cut point allows you to pitch the subject, without wasting anyone’s time.

After cementing your topic, practice your approach and tone a few times.  This ensures you won’t trip over your words and allows you to be more relaxed in your tone and approach.

Once you’ve gotten down your honed-in pitch and you’re confident with it, grab the phone to contact your subject.

Whether they answer a call, you leave a message, and/or emailing them, always identify yourself, address them by name and explain why you’re reaching out. 

Sidebar:  DON’T use their character’s name.  If you do not know that person’s legal name, Google is a magical tool my friend, use it.  I guarantee if you call WWE legend Mark Callaway, otherwise known as the “Phenom” Undertaker, and call him anything other than Mr. Callaway, I bet dollars to donuts you’ll get hung-up on.

Myself and Linda McMahon at Staples Center, after our interview. – May 2008. | Photo by: Cameron Mendez

These steps may seem silly, but the preparation is in the details.  It’s the same caveat as when you’re preparing for an exam; if you’ve done your homework, chances are you’re going to ace the exam and pitch.

After all the prep work is done, and you have their attention – it’s showtime!  Be confident and let your personality shine!

Thanks for visiting this first of eight installments on how to land and execute a top interview, with wrestling’s elite. Make sure to subscribe for next week’s post on how to prepare for your big day!

My favorite legend to interview, WWE Hall of Famer, Roddy Piper and I, in Hollywood – July 2010. | Photo by: Brandi Garcia-Valdes

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Nice to meet you, I’m Brandi!

I run the show ’round here!

Sporting my “Hot Rod” shirt in-ring, to honor wrestling legend Roddy Piper; my biggest interview landed and favorite legend. | Photo by: Andrew Vazquez

You’re probably thinking; “Who is this woman, and why do I care about her blog?

Well, I’m glad you asked! My name is Brandi Garcia-Valdes, and I am a public relations practitioner with over a decade of experience working in the sports entertainment business, primarily focused on the southern California region.

“Cool story and fancy words there, Toots. How does that make you an expert?

Well, I am a trained journalist, who has several years of experience working in a newsroom. I used my reporting persuasion techniques and relative experience in the wrestling business to land some of the greatest names in sports-entertainment history, to sit down with me for on-the-record interviews. The method and thought process to my madness is what I’m going to show you throughout this blog.

“So, you worked in a WWE/AEW type of wrestling shows?!”

I have indeed! My wrestling career began in April 2010, working as an intern for Empire Wrestling Federation (EWF), based out of San Bernardino.  I worked my way up from picking up ring gear, to producing my own column, where I gave results of every show, and various backstage interviews with local talent.  My work with EWF led to two other opportunities working with Wrestling Cares Association (WCA) as a Public Relations Coordinator in Gardena, and a production staff member with Alternative Wrestling Show (AWS), in South Gate.

“Wow. OK, so what’s your personal background? Have you always loved this stuff?”

My love for professional wrestling started long before I was born, when my great-grandfather used to work at the Tampa, FL armories as a facilities manager in the 1970’s. He would take my mom and uncle with him to watch the live shows, and they were hooked from the start!  That passion was passed down to me when I was in diapers.  If the television had wrestling on, there was a 100% chance you would catch my toddler-aged self, running around the house like a maniac. Screaming at the top of my lungs that Roddy Piper and Bret Hart were on TV and telling my family to come watch the broadcast with me.

“A family history, nice! So, what made you want to start interviewing wrestlers, and why do you want to give up the tricks of your trade?”

I decided in January 2010 that I was going to evolve my passion and love for wrestling into a professional career.  Naturally curious, I wanted to see the nitty and gritty road to success, that performers face when “chasing the brass ring”.  This usually consists of a signed contract to a major promotion like WWE, Ring of Honor (ROH), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Interviewing these athletes allowed me a deeper look into the journey before, during, and after they hit the big time. These moments away from the bright lights, and outside the squared circle; where you can see the emotions run through these performer’s eyes, is incredible.  The sincerity and authenticity that comes often with these conversations, result in a camaraderie with your heroes.  If I can pass on my knowledge for more of these conversations and connections to happen, I think the world could be a better and more relatable place.