what do you think?

Question
QUESTION: hey, i know you normally get questions about how to become a wrestler but im already wriggled with injuries that aren't going to get better. However I'm still very passionate about the WWE and i would love to be apart for the WWE "family" and I'm willing to work hard and overcome any obstacles that come in my way.

Anyway I'm from the UK and I'm 15, so I'm taking my exams now, and I'm targeted A's and B's and I'm planning to take psychology, biology and health&social care for my A levels next year and I'm taking a part time course to learn how to massage. Then in university i am hoping to take medical science and psychology.

I'm just wondering if you know if the WWE would possibly employ someone like me backstage after I've had job experience? And also do you know any way that i could contact the WWE and ask in the future, once my exams are over and I've finished university.

Any tips on how to improve my chances would be much appreciated and if you think i should take another subject then please say, I'm open to criticism.   

Thank you very much for your time!

ANSWER: Hello Rebecca,

It depends what kind of position who are looking for. You can certainly get work backstage, or in a corporate role, but the current subjects you are planning to study may not be the best options.

There are plenty of other roles in the WWE which you could fill. You may be able to be a referee or manager, depending on the nature of your injuries. Steve Austin retired from the ring due to neck and knee injuries, but has been able to be a special guest referee on multiple occasions. Refereeing is a physical position, so whether or not you can do it depends on what injuries you have. To be a referee, you get trained at a pro wrestling school that provides a course. You can research pro wrestling schools yourself, or ask if you need help. I think being a referee would be a good option since ring psychology and psychology in general are of use for referees, due to their interactions with and reactions to the talent.

Also, any medical knowledge/training would be a attractive combination with being a referee as you could provide first aid if necessary, beyond what referees with less medical knowledge/training could provide and perhaps help give some information to medical personnel about the injuries. Massage training would supplement the prevention of injuries. I do not know exactly what referees are taught, but what you have learned or will learn with your current choices who best help with being a referee and chances are that anything medical referees are taught through a wrestling course may be basic and limited in comparison.

You could also go for being a General Manager. One route to being a GM is first being hired as a photographer or being used in some other capacity, becoming a referee/manager and then becoming a GM if WWE feel you would work in that position.

You could also be a ring announcer, interviewer/presenter or commentator. To become a ring announcer or interview/presentator, doing work on radio or other voiceover work can help, as well as experience in sports broadcasting, interviews in general as well as other television experience.

Here is what WWE Corporate has to say for the Commentator position:

On-Air Commentator:
Description:
Entertain your ambition and join the most ELECTRIFYING company in the Sports Entertainment industry today!

World Wrestling Entertainment, the global leader in sports entertainment, has an immediate opening for On-Air Talent. Candidates must possess knowledge of WWE programming, talent and story lines.

Responsibilities:
Engage an international audience with broadcast commentary
Attend televised and PPV events
On-air involvement in storylines, interviews and segments
Work with producers and writers to supplement in-ring action
Engage the emotions of the audience

Requirements:
1 to 3 years play-by-play sports announcing a must
Strong announcing, writing and television production skills
Excellent verbal communication skills
College degree in Journalism, Communications and/or related field
Strong team player
Extensive travel required

Other Notes:
All candidates MUST provide resume, non-returnable tape, photo and salary history to be considered.

WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
120 Hamilton Avenue,
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
Attn: Human Resources
Subject: HJ-TV TALENT / JS

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V

This position is not currently vacant, but it tells you what WWE are looking for. The requirememnts for this position is likely along the lines of what they are looking for in announcers and interviewers/presenters as well.

Current vacant positions can be seen via the WWE Corporate website. I also maintain a document containing details of jobs WWE have previously advertised for, so I can provide listings of other jobs if asked.

Most of the positions in the WWE are backstage roles, but apart for the various roles which require one to be on the road, most of of the positions are based in Stamford, Connecticut.

I assume you would prefer a role that would have more to do with wrestling than various technical or administrative positions that are relatively removed from the wrestling and similar to positions in other industries, except with wrestling content. I'll list the creative positions here. There are no guarantees that they will be vacant at a time suitable for you. Studying psychology helps with these creative positions.

One interesting thing is that since WWE only list vacant positions, yet often require university degrees and years of experience, how are passionate individuals who want to work in the WWE in these other fields meant to know what to do to the WWE? or that they can be hired, for those already in the field? You can hire anyone who is in the field that are interested but aren't passionate about pro wrestling, but its limiting. Given the creative and logistical difficulties in pro wrestling, it can only help to have even technical and administrative positions filled by those who are passionate wrestling fans, as they can then help out by contributing ideas and acting as a test audience for them. People who have a technical job have different ideas, due to different perspectives and knowledge than professional writers or company executives. The dynamic nature of pro wrestling means that giving the audience great experiences on a continual basis requires all the help one can get. Something to think about.

A very important role, one that many wrestling fans would wish to be, is that of a Creative Writer, which is also a difficult position. It is ironic that, as with some of the other creative positions, WWE's requirement make the position difficult to approach by some of the very people that would best fill the role- passionate, talented wrestling fans with strong knowledge and strong creativity that just happen not to have pursued a wider television career, instead focusing more on the wrestling field- as a wrestling journalist, wrestler, promoter, booker, e-fed participant, etc. Maybe that's why the WWE has had a vacant Creative Writer position since at least mid-2008, when I first saw it.

Creative Writer:
Description:
JOIN THE MOST ELECTRIFYING COMPANY IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY TODAY!

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. develops and produces the last of the great variety shows on television, combining all the elements of entertainment: sitcom, talk show, soap opera, action-adventure, and drama. With 52 weeks of original programming, without an off-season or re-runs, it is quite a creative challenge to keep characters and story lines interesting and compelling. That's where you come in!

Responsibilities:
Note: WWE didn't have this for this position, so I've added one using what is said elsewhere.
Work with a team to develop storylines and characters
Work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Respond to requests and inquiries from the Creative Team, talent and producers
Write scripts for on-screen talent
Keep characters and storylines fresh and engaging
Work with other personnel, including talent, writers and producers on a continually evolving on-screen product.

Requirements:
BA/BS in Film, TV, Drama, Media Studies, Communications or equivalent
Minimum of three to five years writing and production experience in network television
Highly creative (a prolific idea generator)
Plugged into pop culture and trends
Able to work closely and effectively with talent, writers, and producers throughout the creative process
Must live in Stamford, CT area or be willing to relocate there
Knowledge of WWE shows, talent, and storylines
Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment
Flexible travel schedule (extensive travel required)

Preferences:
Professional TV staff experience in drama and comedy a plus
Experience in all aspects of live TV production a plus
Strong understanding of WWE's audience (demographic and psychographic) a plus

Writer抯 Assistant:

Description:
If you are looking to learn all aspects of Creative Writing from the leaders in sports entertainment, then WWE is the place for you. As a Writer's Assistant, you would have the opportunity to work closely with the Creative Writing Team in all aspects of the writing process.

Responsibilities:
Assisting with directing and producing taped and live vignettes and promos
Typing and distributing scripts, promos, formats, etc.
Taking meeting notes and pitching story ideas
Maintaining storyboard schedules
Acting as a "runner" for Writers and Field Producers, particularly in locating and coordinating talent
Running errands (food and supply runs, etc.)
Acting as liaison to WWE Global Media (dot.com) department
Performing clerical tasks such as faxing, photocopying, and filing
Anticipating the needs of the department and planning ahead to assure efficient departmental functioning

Requirements:
Minimum of one year TV Writing and/or Production experience
Strong WWE product knowledge
Enthusiastic work ethic and a flexible schedule that allows for long hours and extensive travelling
Driver's license and car/truck
BA/BS degree in Film/TV/Drama, Media Studies, Communications, English, or related field
Organised, detail-oriented, and proactive
Dependable and motivated to execute all tasks, no matter how logistical or administrative, with speed and enthusiasm
Strong computer skills including Word, Excel, Outlook, and keyboarding
Excellent interpersonal and communications skills (both verbal and written)


Creative Director, On-Air Promotions:
Office Location: WWE TV Facility, Stamford, Connecticut
Supervising Executive Officers: Executive Vice Presidents, Creative Development and Operations; TV Production
Department: Creative Services; TV Production; On-Air Promotions

Description:
Are you an imaginative and innovative professional with a proven track record of producing memorable promos that create buzz? Can you successfully pitch ideas to a (sometimes daunting) audience?

As part of WWE's On-Air Promotions department, the Creative Director will have an opportunity to generate an array of fresh ideas to promote WWE, WWE programming and WWE Live Events including Raw, SmackDown!, NXT, Superstars, and Pay-Per-View shows such as WrestleMania and SummerSlam.

If you enjoy coming up with creative, big ideas and can work well with a variety of disciplines, this may be the opportunity of a lifetime!

Responsibilities:
Note: WWE didn't have this for this position, so I've added one using what is said elsewhere.
Work with a team to develop storylines and characters
Work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Respond to requests and inquiries from the Creative Team, talent and producers
Develop scripts for on-screen talent
Keep characters and storylines fresh and engaging
Work with other personnel, including talent, writers and producers on a continually evolving on-screen product.

Requirements:
7+ years of advertising experience in an agency setting (or comparable in-house creative experience)
Experience working in a creative department with Art Directors, Copywriters, and related specialists
Strong writing and presentation skills
Highly motivated and able to work under tight deadlines
Able to mentor junior staff and good at team-building
Able to work flexible hours including some nights and weekends
Able to travel as needed

Preferences:
Experience in directing, producing, and editing, and experience with short and long-form storytelling desired
Bachelor degree preferred
Working knowledge of WWE strongly desired

WWE will consider you for employment if you can fill a role, be it one that means you are on the road alongside the talent or in a more corporate setting.

So, the short answer is yes, you can be hired for a backstage role. If you want more detail as to what kind of roles are out there and what the requirements are, feel free to ask. Whether you are OK with being in marketing, digital media, IT, finance, publishing or TV Engineering, there are many positions within the WWE. I feel you would likely be most interested in thevarious on-screen and off-screen creative positions already listed.

Good luck in your future endeavours.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: oh i see, thank you that has helped a lot. For a while i have also liked the idea of being a physiotherapist so i could help people. I found this course at a college near me and its a BTEC National Certificate Sport Massage and Sport Therapy Diploma. Here's the link if you need it: http://birmingham.floodlight.co.uk/birmingham/course-details-reviews/solihull-co

Course description
This course combines practical and academic knowledge in order to gain skills required to achieve successful employment within the industry. It covers units: anatomy and physiology, body massage, health and safety, sports psychology, research methods and health studies.

If i then worked at my local hospital, trained with a professional physiotherapist and got experience in the emergency department do you think that would make me more appealing to the WWE as maybe a trainer, physiotherapist or would it be best to still train as a referee, to make my skills wider and varied?

Basically i have a passion of helping people and making them smile and i have  a passion for WWE and i just want to put them two together, but i do know that it will not be easy because they will want the best they can get and I'm more than willing to work hard and do what ever it takes.

Thank you and i apologise for taking up more of your time.

ANSWER: Hello again Rebecca,

No need to apologise. This is what I'm here for. If anything, I have to apologise because I haven't been able to answer every question due to various circumstances.

WWE have one physician I know of, Dr. Ferdinand Rios, who they often get to comment on medical conditions of their wrestlers. The EMTs, which are paramedics, are locally sourced. The trainers are former wrestlers, unless you are referring to a trainer more like a physical trainer. I have seen various personnel helping out with massage and the like. I don't know where the WWE get them or what qualifications they seek.

I can say that in the past WWE have hired people upon recommendation by their existing medical staff. I can also say that it would help to in the future get a medical qualification in the US, given that the WWE is an American company based in Stamford, Connecticut and that US medical qualifications would sort out any licensing or other laws exist.

I've read up a bit on physiotherapy and I also remember wrestlers referring to pysiotherapists. There are in the industry- but I don't know if WWE as a company employs them or the wrestlers have their own physiotherapists. You could help WWE wrestlers as a physiotherapist, but I haven't seen any information as to how they could get hired.

Experience in the emergency department is always good. I'm just wondering what the WWE would be interested in, given that they already have EMTs, who are trained paramedics. When it comes to emergency response care, the EMTs mean WWE has a limited use for other people trained for emergency situations. They also have at least one physician, after all. WWE would stil get a use out of additional people, since there are times where another set of hands will do good. It terms of getting hired, however, I see your best chances in combining experience and skill sets.

As an emergency responder, you aren't particularly needed. As a physiotherapist, you can get a job. I don't know if emergency response skills would help with physiotherapy. Emergency response skills would go great with being a referee, however. The referee, after all, is a lot closer to the wrestlers than the EMTs are and thus a referee trained in emergency response (the more advanced the level of training, the better) would be able to do better diagnosis (referee have a signal if a wrestler is injured- they do not have a signal if the situation is critical, where immediate care is required) and thus help get the EMTs to respond as quickly as possible in the appropriate situations.

In pro wrestling, head trauma is a potential danger and one where responding as quickly as possible can be significant. This might be an area where a referee with emergency response training may be able to make a considerable contribution in helping prevent negative outcomes. This combination would be attractive to the WWE, especially if you also knew something about psychiatry or physiotherapy and thus could also fill other positions. Given that WWE have had matches, like the Money in the Bank Ladder match, with a potential for great injury, a referee with strong medical training would likely be interesting to the WWE.

If you knew anything about psychiatry, that would help in pro wrestling, no matter what else you do, given the ongoing research about concussions and head trauma, as done by the Sports Legacy Institute, which features strong links to pro wrestling.

You could do well just a physiotherapist, but your chances of working with the WWE would be increased if you were also a referee, with or without emergency response training. For one thing, if you are a referee that has other abilities, provided WWE hire the physiotherapists, you could be more cost-effective to have you on staff. In addition and this is an important point, being a referee makes you more visible in pro wrestling as a whole. As a referee you interact more with wrestlers and the like. I suspect it would be difficult to get hired as a physiotherapist as is, given the lack of opportunities for someone to interact with the WWE or wrestlers and then impress them enough to get hired if you are just in the medical community.

A referee provides you with more opportunities to impress, not just in terms of being a referee but in terms of being a platform to promote whatever other abilities and skills you have. A referee with medical skills is also more attractive than the medical skills alone, as the combination has the potential to assist beyond the EMTs and physicians that are already at hand.

Your link said the course took two years and was full-time, but I don't know exactly what this means. During training, I don't know whether it would be possible to also get referee training. Getting trained as a referee doesn't take a lot of time, but the course you listed above, or any other course you are interested in, may not let you train as a referee. Needless to say, if you are in a position where you could be on-call at any time, it is not appropriate to train or work as a referee whilst in that position.

I would say that whether you want to be a physiotherapist or a physiotherapist that also knows about emergency response treatment, or whatever, being a referee would help make you attractive to the WWE and well as help you to network to get to the WWE. You could email WWE Corporate, but due to their workload, there is no guarantee of a reply. In addition, if you interact with your potential employers, the chances are increased that they will hire you, since you are more than just another candidate- you are a face and your potential employers get to know how well you would fit in and how suitable your personality is.

Emailing WWE Corporate would help you to find out what qualifications the WWE look for in their various medical-related positions, if they can answer.

As always, if you have any future questions, feel free to ask.

Good luck in your future endeavours.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ok, thank you that's very helpful. So should I say that I'm planning to train as a referee as well as taking a sports therapy course? And then query what qualifications are needed to become a part of their medical team?

Answer
Hello again Rebecca,

Pretty much. If you want to get on the team as, say a doctor, that will take a long time. Being a referee as well as having medical knowledge makes you attractive as a referee and can also help give you greater opportunities to get selected in other backstage roles where what you do know can be put to use, say as masseuse, or an assistant medic to WWE's in-house doctors.

Glad to help you.