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There's Just One Problem...: True Tales from the Former, One-Time, 7th Most Powerful Person in WWE

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What I didn’t like about the book is honestly a taste thing that’s specific to me so this might not impact other readers, but I’m not a big fan of Gewirtz’s writing style. I really don’t like it when I’m reading a book and the author throws in intentional jokes like he’s working on a tight 5 for the Improv. There’s a lot of that in here, and frankly Gewirtz comes off rather dorky (which he admittedly is, he talks about it constantly) and not as funny as he thinks he’s being. I don’t particularly enjoy the feeling of “man if I had to spend time with this guy I’d hate him too” when I’m reading from someone’s POV, but that’s just me. BOOK REVIEW: There’s Just One Problem – True Tales from the Former, One-Time, 7th Most Powerful Person in the WWE

THERE'S JUST ONE PROBLEM is a story about perseverance, tenacity, and steel chairs. Most writers in the WWE last for a matter of months; Gewirtz was there for over 15 years, writing some of most memorable and infamous storylines in WWE history (covering the “Attitude Era”, the “Ruthless Aggression Era” and into the “PG” and “Reality” eras). The wrestlers need to stay in top physical condition, they need to choreograph, they need to memorize lines, shoot promos, deal with writers, AND get themselves to the next show. This was a totally enjoyable read. I’d recommend it to anyone who grew up with a WWE themed bedroom (like my son) or kept John Cena’s autographed picture on their wall (like my daughter). But also anyone intrigued by the inner workings and day to day highs and lows of working for a cultural behemoth like World Wrestling Entertainment. With untold stories from a career spanning over 15 years and featuring the biggest names and controversial moments in wrestling history, THERE'S JUST ONE PROBLEM is an honest, unflinching look on how an introverted life-long fan unexpectedly became one the most powerful men in all of professional wrestling.

The truly fascinating moments in this book involve Vince McMahon. With all the recent news surrounding the former CEO of WWE, Gewirtz’s peek behind the curtain shows just how endlessly challenging it was working for a man who always insists he is right. While there are a few stories collected in here that have certainly made the rounds over the years (having to completely rewrite shows from the ground up at the drop of a hat), there are others that will make your head spin. If you’re a life-long watcher of WWE, you’re likely well aware of Vince McMahon’s penchant for toilet humor (vomiting, farting, etc). In one of his first meetings with Brian, Vince told him that WWE “doesn’t do comedy, we do humor” and that “there’s nothing funnier than someone stepping in dogshit. If I could, I’d write a whole show on people stepping in dogshit, I would.” Speaks volumes about what we’ve seen on TV for decades. First, the good. I truly enjoyed the perspective of someone in the wrestling industry that isn't a wrestler. His point of view is interesting and unique, mainly because most wrestling related autobiographies I read have been written by wrestlers. This book covers very, very little of that era as this writer didn’t start then. This guy got the gig because the writers who HAD done the attitude era had split suddenly.

As a life long pro-wrestling fan, I was excited to dive into “There’s Just One Problem…” by Brian Gewirtz. Considering he was the head writer for WWE for over a decade and one of Vince McMahon’s inner circle, I had some pretty high expectations. Now that I’ve finished the surprisingly brisk memoir, I have to say I found it pretty mid. It’s not bad, mind you. I just expected more, and frankly that wasn’t the only disappointment I had during my experience. I gre up in WWE’s “attitude era.” It was the first time WWE had actual writers and it was a great time to be alive. Most of it wouldn’t fly today, but in the broadest of strokes, we had a legion of doom, a walking dead man, a porn star, an androgynous but very sexual being, two friggin’ VAMPIRES, a pretty racist (even for the nineties) representation of minorities, feuds like you wouldn’t believe, and, of course, Stone Cold Steve Austin. The other issue I had which is entirely a me thing and not Gewirtz’s fault is I already knew a lot of the revelations he shared due to being perpetually on the internet for the majority of my life and learning about these things in real time. There are a few instances in the book where I learned new information by reading about it from his side, but I’d say 70% of the information I gained was nothing new to me, so I spent a good portion of the book bored and ready for the next chapter.

In There's Just One Problem, former WWE head writer Brian Gewirtz tells of a contentious meeting with Vince McMahon that ultimately soured their then decade-plus working relationship. With RAW taking place in Miami that night, Brian pitched a line surrounding Dwayne Wade, then superstar player for the NBA's Miami Heat, for The Miz to use to rile up the local crowd. Unaware of who Dwyane Wade is, Vince dismissed the line essentially saying that because Vince himself isn't aware of who Dwayne Wade is, then no one else would be. Gewirtz is set to release his book "There's Just One Problem...True Tales from the Former, One-Time, 7th Most Powerful Person in WWE" on August 16 detailing some behind the scenes stories from his time in the company. The truly fascinating moments in this book involve Vince McMahon. With all the recent news surrounding the former CEO of WWE, Gewirtz' peak behind the curtain shows just how endlessly challenging it was working for a man who always insists he is right. While there are a few stories collected in here that have certainly made the rounds over the years (having to completely rewrite shows from the ground up at the drop of a hat), there are others that will make your head spin. If you're a life-long watcher of WWE, you're likely well aware of Vince McMahon's penchant for toilet-humor (vomiting, farting, etc). In one of his first meetings with Brian, Vince told him that WWE "doesn't do comedy, we do humor" and that "there's nothing funnier than someone stepping in dogshit. If I could, I'd write a whole show on peopling stepping in dogshit, I would." Speaks volumes for what we've seen on TV for decades.

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